THE BEST PAPERBACKS

The Dreams Of Bethany Mellmoth

William Boyd Penguin 10.85 In one of the stories in this sparkling collection, a writer is on the receiving end of a withering review from a pompous critic and unexpectedly finds himself presented with the opportunity to exact a devastating revenge. The story’s title is Humiliation, and it’s a theme that Boyd handles with witty relish. No one is more adept at pricking the egos of his characters.

If Only They Didn’t Speak English

Jon Sopel BBC Books €12.05 The BBC’s veteran North America editor thought he knew the United States pretty well – but then along came Donald Trump and the 2016 presidential election and he realised that he didn’t understand it at all. The fact that we share a language muddies the waters, Sopel thinks. If they didn’t speak English, we wouldn’t fall into the trap of thinking we’re the same.

The Fear And The Freedom

Keith Lowe Penguin €12.05 The Second World War was the most important event of the last century and it still exerts a profound influence on countries all over the world. Here, individual stories show the philosophical and psychological impact of the war. Many focus on heroism and sacrifice but in Japan, for instance, defeat was transformed into a narrative of martyrdom and rebirth. A challenging and thought-provoking book.

Life In The Garden

Penelope Lively Penguin €12.05 Penelope Lively has always been as passionate about gardens as she has been about books. She comes from a line of gardeners and here draws both on personal experiences and a lifetime’s reading to present the horticultural experience in a way that’s both literate and down-to-earth.

Simon Shaw