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The Bookish Elf — honest book reviews, reading lists and author interviews

Editor’s pick★ 4.5

Alice of Oz

by Terence Sullivan

Some mirrors remember. This one has been waiting for Alice.

Most portal fantasies open with a door. Alice of Oz by Terence Sullivan opens with an iron tub of ice water in a mildewed London cellar, a soft-voiced doctor standing behind a shivering girl, and a single instruction: no more rabb…

Editor’s pick★ 5

GIANT- 2nd Inspector Shaktawat Thriller

by Vijay Medtia

One murder. One honest inspector. One enemy too big to see.

GIANT, 2nd Inspector Shaktawat Thriller, by Vijay Medtia opens on a half-built tower on the edge of Santacruz and Andheri. Twelve floors sanctioned on paper, six standing in reality.

Editor’s pick★ 4

The Last King of Faerie

by Cassandra Clare

The youngest Blackthorn was never supposed to be the one they came for.

Four years after the Dark Artifices, Dru Blackthorn is a prisoner of the Seelie Court and Kit and Ty are crossing Europe to reach her. Clare opens her final Shadowhunter series with her best heroine in years and a sharp captive ro…

Editor’s pick★ 4.5

Theo of Golden

by Allen Levi

He bought every face on the wall. Then he went looking for their owners.

An 86-year-old Portuguese stranger buys every pencil portrait on a coffee shop wall and hands each one to the person it shows. Levi's self-published phenomenon is generous, funny and deeply felt, though its hero is close to flawle…

Editor’s pick★ 4.5

Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?

by Judi Dench

Seventy years on the stage, and the bag is still by the door.

Judi Dench talks her way through 26 themed chapters with her friend Brendan O'Hea, from a wartime York childhood to the garden where she plants trees for lost friends. Funny, filthy and quietly devastating about her husband, thoug…

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Booker Prize 2026
Tonightin London, the
winner is named

Who will win the Booker?

We reviewed all six shortlisted books. Read our verdicts before the winner is named on Monday 9 November, then come back for our take on the result.

See the six shortlisted books The Booker Prize logo is a trademark of the Booker Prize Foundation and is used here to identify the prize. The Bookish Elf is not affiliated with the Booker Prizes.
New book releases

Out this week, and what’s coming

Updated weekly · Mon 9 Nov
Release calendar
This Wretched Alchemy cover
Biggest release this week

This Wretched Alchemy

by Tina Mars

NOV10Out Tuesday 10 NovemberSaturday Books

See the book →
9–15 November69 new books
Mon9Today
Tue1068 books
Wed11·
Thu12·
Fri131 book
Sat14·
Sun15·
Every book, day by day →
More out this week
16 Nov–22 Nov52 new books · in 7 daysSee all →
30 Nov–6 Dec116 new books · in 21 daysSee all →
7 Dec–13 Dec53 new books · in 28 daysSee all →
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