Honey by @_imani_thompson_
A darkly comic novel about the sticky politics of race, sex, violence and love.
~~~
She’s done being sweet
The first time, Yrsa doesn’t intend to kill.
But the Cambridge professor sitting opposite has manipulated her friend, stolen her research. When she flicks the bee into his Sanpellegrino, she thinks he’ll get a nasty sting.
Then he’s dead. And Yrsa, who – let’s face it – has been bored for a while, is alive.
It’s a sweet feeling, finally having some control.
The killer debut of 2026 is available to pre-order now 🐝
A huge thanks to @by.poppyloughtman for this iconic cover
#honey #imanithompson #literaryfiction #newbooks #books #bookrecs #bookrec #booksbooksbooks
We are so excited to share the cover of 2026’s most dazzling debut!
Cambridge, 1942
Twins Tessa and Theo have always shared everything - until the summer Tessa spent studying in France. She hasn’t been the same since.
Before Theo can find out why, he disappears into the skies with the RAF.
Meanwhile Tessa joins the clandestine Special Operations Executive slipping into the shadows of occupied France.
Two years later, only one of them comes home.
The Shock of the Light brings to life the emotional impact of World War Two on ordinary people.
Out 12th Feb 2026; pre-order now using the link in our bio!
#literaryfiction #2026debut #historicalfiction #booklover
You know my name, but you do not know me.
We’re thrilled to share the breathtaking cover of Cleopatra by bestselling author Saara El-Arifi.
A magical, groundbreaking reimagining of the iconic queen.
Death will silence me no longer.
February 2026
This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived.
A huge thank you to the incredible talented @sarah.foster.designs for this breathtaking cover ✨✨
Get ready to meet Diana Leyland. She’s on the hunt again and has found the perfect target.
Finally, the type of wealth she’s always dreamed of, a five-storey house in Hampstead, unfettered access to London’s liberal elite and a bloated bank account. If she can ensnare David Farrand, then she really will have clawed her way right to the top.
And Diana’s got form. Three husbands already under her belt, she knows exactly how to reel them in. Such a shame the silly old fools all died so quickly...
The only snag? David’s daughter, Cat. Entitled, suspicious and used to getting her own way. Diana might have got her claws into David, but Cat’s not averse to a fight, and will stop at nothing to reveal the truth about her murky past…
The gloves are off. The claws are out. Who will come out on top?
Claws Out! publishes August 27th.
Here’s your handy pre-order breakdown:
🖋️Signed and dedicated copies available from @owl.bookshop or @portybooks
🖋️ Signed copies from @waterstones
❗️£10 copies on Amazon
1️⃣4th bookclub of the year ✅
📒: sour fruit by ahana virdi
‼️this book is mad (in the best way) and so, naturally we had a brilliant discussion getting into it’s theme’s and intricacies. ‼️
we also had the wonderful Ahana, who wrote this in 12 WEEKS!?, join us for the discussion and answer all of our burning questions. it was a fab discussion and we’re very happy and honoured to have had her join us. it was brilliant hearing about her process and inspiration and all the ingredients that led to her writing Sour Fruit. thank you @boroughpress for thinking of us to host this discussion. we had such a time! 🌟
we spoke about:
⁃ Is it ok to think being fetishised is fun?
⁃ the perils (and slightly lesser joys) of dating white people!
⁃ kink and alternate sexual interest
⁃ expectation and judgement of our communities
⁃ eating out and eating flesh?
⁃ the excitement of being picked
++ more
📎As always, we’ve compiled a list of secondary sources and recommendations for you to consider:
📚
⁃ All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Matthews
⁃ I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel
⁃ Luster by Raven Leilani
⁃ Gunk by Saba Sam
⁃ Acts of Service - Lillian Fishman
⁃ Kingfisher by Rosie Kelly
⁃ Queenie by Candice Carty Williams
⁃ Beloved and Sula by Toni Morrison
⁃ Assembly by Natasha Brown
⁃ You made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty and Freshwater by Akwaeke Emery
⁃ The Copenhagen Trilogy: Childhood, Youth and Dependency by Tove Ditlevsen
⁃ Rosewater by Liv Little
📽️
⁃ We Are Who We Are, BBC iPlayer, 2020
⁃
Trigonometry, BBCiPlayer, 2020
thank you @undrw10 and all of you beautiful readers that joined us and that read along. Ly x
Upcoming Event 🎉
Debut author Imani Thompson will be in conversation with Scots poet Len Pennie this coming Wednesday, 20th May in the Portobello Bookshop. Get your tickets through the link in our bio, we hope to see you there!
#books #bookevent #debutauthor #indiebookshop
Bookshop.org are having a pre-order sale! Between 13th and 17th May, pre-order any of these titles and you can save 20% using the code: PREORDER20. Every sale supports real independent bookshops across the UK!
Which books are you picking?!
There’s a name for what he is. He prefers not to use it…
‘A lyrical and oddly moving nightmare’ @paulgtremblay
‘A boldly original take on what it takes to be a monster’ @monikakimauthor
‘Tillinghast examines the fine line between what is human and what is not and elicits a dread that leaves you unable to look away’ @ahanavirdiauthor
Finished copies of Tillinghast have arrived and we can’t look away from this perfectly creepy and enticing cover!
@cav_clare ’s compelling debut publishes 4th June.
Growing up in 1970s Ghana, Evelyn and Maggie are two sides of the same coin. Despite their differences, they’ve made a promise: one day they will escape to America, and start a new life together. But Evelyn is the only one to make it.
World’s apart from her sister Maggie, this is Evelyn’s New York.
Half Lives publishes 4th June.
❗️Giveaway❗️
This week we announced @mackie_bella ’s new book, Claws Out! (It’s very important to remember the exclamation point!)
Thank you to everyone who either tuned in via her live or came along in person, and for all the great questions!
To celebrate, we pinched a goody bag to giveaway to one lucky person. In the goody bag you’ll find, one signed proof copy of CLAWS OUT!, one matching pink nail polish, a lovely scented candle and a bar of Tony’s Chocoloney.
To enter, simply comment the ❗emoji. Entries close midnight 17th May and a winner will chosen at random shortly after.
Please note, this is open to UK residents only. Full T&Cs in bio.
Happy Honey day hunnies 🐝🍯
Honey by @_imani_thompson_ holds no punches. It is bold, darkly funny, witty and dare we say kinda cathartic 👀
If you’re in need of some hot girl homicide (and aren’t we all?) what are you waiting for?
It’s another incredible publication day!
We have some great books coming out today… from literary fiction darlings to unmissable fantasy debuts we truly have a new release for every reader ✨
#newbooks #publicationday
