The final four weeks of programming are all around us, the brochure is taking shape, and the weather is looking up (well, sporadically..).

There’s a lot of reading going on amongst the BBF team, as usual, and we thought we’d share with you a few books we have enjoyed lately.

Anna Lawrence-Pietroni’s Ruby’s Spoon, a richly drawn story set in a fictional town in the Black Country during the 1930s, an oily, stagnant palce full of superstition and hidden pasts blasted open by the arrival of a stranger.

Monique Roffey’s memoir, With The Kisses of His Mouth, a blisteringly, touchingly honest account of her years spent recovering from a ruined relationship, and the emotional and sexual revolution and revelation she throws herself into in an attempt to move on.

Tony Harrison’s Selected Poems - reminding ourselves why we love his work. Every Monday morning should begin with a reading of v.

Rahul Bhattacharya’s The Sly Company of People Who Care – the Indian novelist’s debut warmed us through; a glorious exploration of Guyana – a voyage of self discovery for a young journalist through an oft-forgotten land.

What we are reading now:

China Mieville’s Embassytown

Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love

Jenn Ashworth’s Cold Light

 

We’ll bring you more book (and festival) news and reviews soon.