11 books to read right now

Picked by Backstory's experts

IT’S A TOUGH GIG, but someone has to read books for free to tell you which ones are any cop. So, with the utmost reluctance, we volunteered.

Here are 11 books to read right now. Choose your favourite bookseller (but don’t tell us, you’ll hurt our feelings):

April’s Backstory Book of the Month

I Want To Go Home But I’m Already There by Róisín Lanigan

All four of Team Backstory who have read it so far loved this modern day gothic novel — an anxiety inducing housing crisis ghost story that hits very close to home.

Free Backstory issue 3 with every copy of I Want To Go Home… you buy online or in the shop (online, just scroll *all the way to the bottom* of this page, and choose the bundle!)

Tom’s all about the best non-fiction

Tom’s loving An Opinionated Guide to… Swim London by Joe Minihane (Hoxton Mini Press)

Dive into this gorgeous book, the latest in the beautifully designed and ever-so-handy Hoxton Mini Press series. I’m loving taking a dip in its pages each night and planning a (front?) crawl through the spots it prescribes, from treasured Backstory neighbours Balham Leisure Centre and Tooting Lido to the rather more adventurous Denham Lake. Are you going in?

He also rates Rory Carroll’s Killing Thatcher

I have a thing for books about the Troubles, probably because Patrick Radden Keefe’s Say Nothing remains one of my favourite ever non-fiction books. Like I had, you might have heard the story of the Brighton Bomb relayed many times before, but Carroll masterfully puts it in the broader context of the IRA’s campaign on the British mainland. There’s intrigue, there’s politics, there’s military tactics — a great read.

I’m-sunbathing-but-I’m-reading-honest, insists Sally

Sally suggests Everything’s Fine by Cecilia Rabess

More of a “should they/shouldn’t they” than your classic “will they/won’t they”, but I raced through this in two days. Rabess pairs a budding romance with the political landscape of Trump’s election in 2016. Jess meets Josh again at her new finance job, where she must navigate the very white male work environment, wealth, ambition and the choice to bury her head in the sand (and/or Josh).

And also Happy Place by Emily Henry

Hot, emotional, cowboy ex-boyfriend ✓

Rich friend’s holiday home ✓

They have to pretend to be in love?? ✓

While the above did give me everything I wanted from the book, Henry also explores friendships in your late 20s (ahem 30s), coping with change, and trusting yourself. I really enjoyed the ensemble cast of friends and the containment of one week’s holiday.

Savannah loves fiction in translation

Sav prescribes When I Sing, Mountains Dance by Irene Solà

This is a magical little book that weaves together perspectives and vignettes of the occupants of a small village in the Pyrenees to create a portrait of collective memory, history and life on the mountainside — from the children and villagers to the rain and the ghosts of witches and soldiers.

If you’re bingeing fantasy, Darby is your bookseller

Go for The Ragpicker King by Cassandra Clare

The sequel to Sword Catcher did not disappoint! This series has great world-building and an intricate plot that keeps you guessing. It has a particular focus on political drama, which is great for fans of Game of Thrones or Priory of the Orange Tree, although it's less wide-sweeping (just two narrators!). If you haven't read the first one yet, I highly recommend Sword Catcher. If you have read it, pick up your copy of The Ragpicker King and join me in anticipating book 3.

Or how about The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence

A fantasy set in a massive library containing every book ever written? Yes, please! This one has a really interesting premise that heavily explores otherness and overcoming bias through a civilisation at war. It also has quite a few twists I didn't see coming, and I'm usually good at guessing twists.

…And for the kids in your life, trust Denise

Picture book: The Girl And The Mermaid by Hollie Hughes, illustrated by Sarah Massini

From the creators of The Girl and The Dinosaur, a Backstory bestseller, comes a modern classic about Alina and her granny, who lives in a lighthouse by the sea. Alina is worried her Granny's memories and stories are starting to fade away but a chance meeting with a mermaid and an underwater adventure could change things. A gorgeous story with beautiful illustrations.

For younger readers, You and Me and The Land of Lost Things by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Bill Hope

The brand new adventure series from the creator of the bestselling Treehouse series is full of non-stop action and lots of fun, it's perfect for younger readers with lots of great illustrations. Suitable for 7+

For older readers, Storyland by Amy Jeffs

This enchanting mythology of Britain, adapted from the book of the same title for adults, takes children on a discovery of magical tales with adventure, giants, demons, princesses and prophecies from Orkney to Cornwall. Suitable for 10+

Want more Backstory?

• Newsflash: we’ve just put our May events on sale. It’s an amazing line-up featuring the likes of Alice Vincent and Robin Ince. Snap up your tickets now.

• Join me at Backstory to interview the author of a fascinating book about art fraud this coming Tuesday night. A handful of tickets still available.

• The audio of my interview with Charlie Colenutt is now embedded in my “What’s the point of your job?” post from the other week if you fancy a listen.

• Request a book to pick up in the shop (we can usually get a book for the next day)

• If you’re further afield, order a book from our website with free UK delivery

Happy reading,

Tom

P.S. Our friends at AFC Wimbledon have organised an event with American author John Green. Green is well known for his video blogs and has been following the club for years, just like our very own Denise, who is always on the terraces. Check it out.