10 books to read this Easter
BY Katie Smart
14th Apr 2022
If you're looking to sit back and relax with a good book (or two) this Easter, you've come to the right place! Grab your gold bunnies and crème eggs and get ready to settle down with a real page-turner. This reading list, featuring novels by some of our talented former students and teaching team, has a book for everyone – whether you're after a heart-warming tale of friendship or something that's completely out of this world.
A Very Nice Girl, Imogen Crimp
This dark, witty tale explores the complex dynamics of power and desire between a financially insecure aspiring singer and a successful man fourteen years her senior.
Read our interview with Imogen to find out about her time studying with us.
All The White Spaces, Ally Wilkes
This historical horror novel is full of atmospheric tension. In the wake of the First World War, we follow Jonathan Morgan, who stows away on an Antarctic expedition.
Check out our interview with former student Ally.
Careless, Kirsty Capes
Former scholarship student Kirsty Capes' debut novel Careless is longlisted for the 2022 Women's Prize for Fiction. The coming-of-age story of 15-year-old Bess, who has lived in the care of a foster family since the age of four and has just found out she is pregnant.
Find out more about Kirsty's scholarship win and time studying with us.
Clementine Florentine, Tasha Harrison
Comedy and poetry leap from the pages of this middle grade story. Clementine and her school nemesis Callum have to join forces to break their respective parents up – before they fall in love.
Read our interview with former student Tasha.
Eternity Engine, Struan Murray
The final instalment of Struan Murray's acclaimed Orphans of the Tide trilogy is here. Find out how this magical middle grade adventure story ends – will Ellie Lancaster and her orphan friends be able to prevent a terrible war?
Check out our interview with Struan and his literary agent Stephanie Thwaites.
The Exhibitionist, Charlotte Mendelson
The latest novel from much-loved CBC tutor Charlotte Mendelson has been longlisted for the 2022 Women's Prize for fiction. Meet the Hanrahan family, gathering for a momentous weekend as famous artist and notorious egoist Ray Hanrahan prepares for a new exhibition of his art – the first in many decades – and one he is sure will burnish his reputation for good.
Read Charlotte's blog on building narrative momentum.
Lessons In Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus
The long-awaited debut from former student Bonnie Garmus is finally here. It became a number two Sunday Times bestseller in the first week of publication. Meet Elizabeth Zott, a strong-willed scientist, overlooked and undervalued by her all-male co-workers in the 1960s. When her career progression is halted due to workplace misogyny, Elizabeth reluctantly becomes the host of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six… It’s safe to say she starts teaching more than just cooking to the women of America.
Elizabeth Zott will be coming to a screen near you soon, Apple TV+ is adapting the book into a limited series, with academy-award winning actress Brie Larson attached to executive produce as well as star in the series.
Read our interview with Bonnie and her literary agent Felicity Blunt.
Our Wives Under the Sea, Julia Armfield
The debut novel from former student and award-winning short story writer Julia Armfield. A haunting tale of love, loss and grief. Miri thinks she has got her wife back, when Leah finally returns after a deep sea mission that ended in catastrophe. It soon becomes clear, though, that Leah may have come back wrong.
Read our interview with former student Julia here.
We're delighted to have Julia on board as one of the mentors for our new nine-month Breakthrough Mentoring Programme for LGBTQIA+ Writers. Apply by 12 June.
Purgatory Mount, Adam Roberts
A fast-paced science fiction novel, which follows the crew of a decelerating interstellar craft. Set in a near future dystopia where a neurotoxin has interfered with the memory function of most of the population. This novel has been shortlisted for the 2021 BSFA Best Novel Award,
We’re delighted that Adam, award-winning author of over 23 novels, is the tutor of our new six-week online Writing Science Fiction course. Enrol by 25 Apr.
Would I Lie toYou?, Aliya Ali-Afzal
Faiza has the perfect family, and the perfect life. But when her husband Tom loses his job, Faiza realises she'll have to reveal her biggest secret: she's spent her family's entire life savings.