We're offically halfway through the year, so our London booksellers; Chiara, Laila and Megan are talking about all the books they've been loving (and what they're dying to read next). From stunning covers to unforgettable stories, there is something for everyone in these recommendations below.
1- Best book you’ve read so far this year?
Chiara~ It's really hard. I'd say anything written by Robin Hobb cause I've been on my Robin Hobb train of late. So I would say Robin Hobb books, would have to be in my top books of the year.
Laila~ I would definitely have to say Arcana Academy. I absolutely love anything that is dark academia, and I really found the magic system in this so intriguing. I was really captivated from the first chapter, and to be honest, anything that has a prince in it... I'm sold.
Megan~ The best book that I read this year was Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. I absolutely loved that book. I read it the beginning of the year just after Christmas, and it was an absolutely stunning read. I really love the fantasy world and the world building within it, the intrigue. It really kept you at the edge of your seat and it's a book that I'm constantly going to think about.
2- Best sequel you’ve read so far this year?
Chiara~ I really like The Tainted Khan. I really felt like the story really developed on from Dragon Rider, which was the first book, the story picks up immediately after the last chapter of Dragon Rider. So it really immerses you back into the world and the characters. The character development in this next installment was also fantastic.
Laila~ Oh, I would have to say Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig. I really love her writing. I just find her worlds to be so captivating. And you really just get drawn into the world and the magic systems and everything that goes on. And you just fall in love with all of her characters, even if they're main or side characters as well. I just loved everything about that duology.
Megan~ So my favourite sequel of the year was More Days At The Morasaki Bookshop. It was an absolutely beautiful story. Super emotional. And I couldn't help but cry at the end. But it's not all sadness, there's so much hope in this story and it really adds to this world. I'd highly recommend it.
3- New release you haven’t got round to reading yet?
Chiara~ I'd have to say Aphrodite. Uh, I really loved Herc by the same author. And I'm really interested in Greek mythology. So I'm really interested to see how this next book will be like.
Laila~ I would have to say Shield Of Sparrows. I've read Devney Perry's romance books and I did quite enjoy them. So I am excited to see how she does in the world of romantasy.
Megan~ That would be The Body in the Kitchen Garden by Paula Sutton, I think. Firstly, it's an absolutely beautiful little book. And it's set in the world of Pudding Corner, if you're like me and just getting into a bit of cozy crime and you love the idea of the countryside and the quintessential Britishness or English village, then it's a really good little start for you.
4- Your most anticipated book for the rest of the year?
Chiara~ I actually have two. So I'm, I'm going to cheat a little bit here. I'm going to say a A Tale of Deadly Devotion. This is because I really liked A Tale of Monstrous Heart and it's very Gothic. I feel like it would be very atmospheric for the autumn with a nice cup of hot tea. And then The Dragon Wakes with Thunder, which is the sequel to The Night Ends With Fire. I really like that one. It's sort of like a Mulan retelling with some elements of The Poppy Wars. So if you like either of those stories, I think you'd really like this duology.
Laila~ Definitely Alchemy of Secrets. I'm a Stephanie Garber Stan. I absolutely love this woman and I will read anything she writes.
Megan~ My most anticipated book would be Katabasis. I'm reading the proof for it at the moment and it is absolutely sensational. The way that she synthesizes different types of books and literature and world literature is really interesting. Especially how she integrates university culture into a new kind of fictional world is really fascinating. And I can't wait for it to come out and get myself a copy.
5- Biggest surprise?
Chiara~ I'm actually going to go with a thriller. I'm not a thriller type of girl. However I really liked All The Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. That's been nominated for the long list for the Goldsboro Glass Bell Award. And I really love that story. I really like Patch and Saint's relationship.
Laila~ I would have to say Cage of Starlight. I didn't really know what to expect going into that series. I'm excited to see where the rest of the series is going to go. And it did really, really surprise me. I didn't think I was going to enjoy it as much as I did.
Megan~ I think the biggest surprise for me was reading The Naked Light. I thought that was an absolutely fantastic book and it really surprised me. It wasn't something that I typically would read. But when I got into it, I was thinking, it's a beautiful book. And how it integrates the facelessness of soldiers in the war and their disfigurement combined with local myth. And I think that would be a great book for anyone to read.
6- new favourite author
Chiara~ Definitely Chinaza Bado Author of Birth of Dynasty. I really love that book. It was really good and I can't wait for everyone to read it. It’s the perfect epic fantasy, the world is so vibrant and vivid and you really feel for what our two main characters, Khalil and Zikora go through. I loved Zikora so much!
This will be out GSFF pick for August 2025!
Laila~ I'm going to say Carri Thomas, the author of the Threadneedle series. I again, really liked her magic system. And I found just her world to be captivating. And her writing style was just phenomenal.
Megan~ My newest favourite author will be Glenn James Brown. I absolutely loved reading Mother Naked. It is talking about a jester or court entertainer set in the backdrop of Durham Cathedral. And it has a lovely sense of locality. And it is a class criticism as well. And it had such twists and turns that I was completely on the edge of my seat throughout it. And the ending was so subversive and amazing that it is going to be a book I'm going to think about for ages and I can't wait to see what else he writes.
7- Most beautiful book?
Chiara~ Bouddica’s Daughter, I love Elodie Harper and I really like this next book. It's not in the same world. It's separate. But one of the characters makes an appearance that was in her Wolf Den Trilogy, but I really loved it. And I really love our edition, I think it's really beautiful.
Laila~ Our edition of The Night Ends with Fire has to be one of my favourite editions that we've done. I think the sprayed edges are stunning.
But then also House of the Beast, which is our July GSFF. The illustrations inside the book are breathtaking. The artist was so talented.
Megan~ The most beautiful book would be The Burial Witch by Carri Thomas.
It's an absolutely stunning little book and it's perfect for travelling. And what I really love about it is that the more you look at the cover, for example, um, it, you see more detail and it's really beautiful. And it looks like it's been stitched.
8- A book that you want to read by the end of the year?
Chiara ~ I would say Among The Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon. It's another interconnected standalone in her world of Priory of the Orange Tree. I believe this one's a prequel to the events that happened in Priory, but it can be read after A Day of Fallen Night. So I'm really interested to see how this, develops her world. And it's a lot of a shorter instalment as well. So if you've been scared to get into this world, I think this is a good place to start.
Laila~ And for this one, I'm going to say The Phoenix Pencil Company. I'm really intrigued by this book, I read the blurb and it's not something I would usually pick up, but it just really interested me. I'm really excited to see what that's going to be about!
Megan~ I'm really looking forward to reading The One You Least Suspect. I'm getting more into actual kind of crime and thriller books a bit more and it sounds amazing! It's about a barmaid called Katie, and she gets roped into being an informer for the police. And then it makes her have to choose between her job and a way, and the people that she knows and the sense of right and wrong.
