Staff Profile – James

8 January 2026

Get to know James, one of our booksellers

James is one of our booksellers. He is our resident poetry expert, his reading leans towards novels with beautiful prose, but also enjoys reading philosophy. His three picks for desert island reads are; Shibboleth by Michael Donaghy, The Language Instinct by Steven Pinker and Bad News by Edward St Aubyn.

 

‘Dearest, note how these two are alike: This harpsichord pavane by Purcell, And the racer’s twelve-speed bike.’ These are the opening lines of ‘Machines’, the first poem in Michael Donaghy’s debut collection, Shibboleth, from 1988. A love poem, in case you couldn’t tell. It’s like the metaphysical poetry of John Donne or George Herbert, but written by a regular guy from the Bronx who just happened to be a genius. And by the end of this first poem you’ll find yourself thinking, ‘Huh, now that you mention it I guess Baroque music and bicycles kind of are alike.’

 

 

Steven Pinker is probably my favourite living science writer. He’s a neuroscientist and linguist who teaches at Harvard, and in The Language Instinct he brings his two specialisms together to explore how language evolved in our species, and how it’s created and interpreted in our brains. Pinker has the rare ability to explain complex ideas simply and clearly, and he makes his points with a joke wherever he can.

 

Last, I’ll pick Bad News by Edward St Aubyn, the second book in the Patrick Melrose series. In the first book Patrick was abused by his aristocratic father as a child, and now he’s a traumatised drug addict living in New York. When he hears his father has died, Patrick first goes to the morgue to make sure, then he celebrates by scoring some heroin and spending the night having arguments with his multiple personalities. It’s one the darkest and funniest novels I’ve ever read. And surprisingly moving.

 

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A review of ‘The Curious Case of Mike Lynch’

3 December 2025

Book Review by George Kegler The Curious Case of Mike Lynch: The Improbable Life & Death of a Tech Billionaire

Book Review by George Kegler

 

The Curious Case of Mike Lynch: The Improbable Life & Death of a Tech Billionaire

by Katie Prescott (published by Macmillan Business)

 

One of our regular customers, George Kegler, was so blown away by this new non-fiction book by Katie Prescott that he decided to write a review for our blog. The book tells the unbelievable story of Britain’s most controversial tech billionaire, and is perfect for anyone who enjoyed The Wolf of Wall Street or The Big Short.  

 

Katie Prescott’s new book explores the dramatic rise and fall of Mike Lynch, a prominent figure in the British technology sector. The book delves into Lynch’s journey from a pioneering entrepreneur to a controversial figure embroiled in one of the most high-profile legal battles in the business world. As Icarus flew too close to the sun, Lynch led his followers to glory and tragedy.

Prescott’s writing flows beautifully, claiming your imagination and attention, making it very hard to put the book down.

The narrative begins with Lynch’s early life and education, setting the stage for his eventual breakthrough in the world of technology.

Lynch had a preternatural intelligence and a born confidence, carrying his ego from the centre of his personality, creating a management style that varied between Napoleon and Attila the Hun. Prescott details how Lynch founded Autonomy, a software company that quickly became one of the UK’s greatest tech success stories. Under Lynch’s leadership, Autonomy developed innovative data analytics software, attracting global attention and significant investment.

The book covers a spaghetti of characters, joined by the attraction of Lynch’s brilliance, but not all necessarily his fans.

A focal point of the book is the 2011 acquisition of Autonomy by Hewlett-Packard (HP) for over $11 billion. Prescott examines the high expectations and strategic motivations behind the deal, as well as the cultural and operational clashes that followed.

Prescott provides an in-depth account of the controversies that emerged after the acquisition. Within a year, HP wrote down the value of Autonomy by billions of dollars, alleging serious accounting irregularities and fraud. The ensuing legal battles placed Lynch at the centre of international headlines, as he faced extradition proceedings, lawsuits, and intense media scrutiny. The book explores the complexity of these legal issues, including the differences between UK and US corporate law.

The Curious Case of Mike Lynch considers the broader implications of the Autonomy affair for the British technology sector, corporate governance, and the global business landscape. Prescott reflects on Lynch’s legacy, raising questions about innovation, risk, and accountability in the modern corporate world. The book prompts readers to consider the fine line between entrepreneurial boldness and ethical responsibility.

Prescott has written an epic 21st Century early-tech-era story as interesting and compelling as Tom Wolfe’s 20th Century tale of bond trading in The Bonfire of the Vanities, but with more substance.

 

George P. Kegler, Financial Innovator / Lecturer

cassianconsultants.com

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What we’re reading November 2025

23 November 2025

Our team read a huge amount of books each year, both new and old. Here is what we're reading at the moment.

Hazel is currently reading ‘They were sisters’ by Dorothy Whipple. Following three sisters and their struggles within their marriages, Whipple’s mastery at characterisation is on show here. Heartbreaking and heavy this book is definitely one that reflects the weather at the moment.

 

 

 

Paul, our office manager, is currently reading ‘Seven Wonders of the Ancient World’ by Bettany Hughes. He has loved the way that Hughes can weave the stories of these ancient places and bring them fully to life. Filled with bits of history that have been overlooked.

 

 

 

Both of our Harriet’s have been devouring the new Douglas Stuart ‘John of John’. Published in May next year, this is definitely one to keep your eye out for in the new year. Harriet L also had the pleasure of going to lunch with Douglas Stuart last week with a select group of booksellers, and she said it was a joy to meet him.

 

 

 

James has been reading one of the most anticipated releases of this year ‘The Rose Field’ by Phillip Pullman. James has been a fan of the Northern Lights series since he was a child, and has been so excited to read this latest installment from Pullman.

 

 

 

Lena has just finished reading Margaret Atwood’s biography ‘Book of Lives’. A look into one of the most respected authors of the 20th and 21st century. Lena absolutely loved this and is now looking to delve further into Atwood’s backlist of novels.

 

 

 

Ollie, taking some time off from the Booker shortlist, has just finished reading ‘Brigands and Breadknives’ by Travis Baldree. Part his best selling series ‘Legends and Lattes’ Ollie absolutely loved this – it’s a perfect cosy fantasy adventure story.

 

 

Another look into what’s coming next year Lyndsey is reading ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ by John Lancaster. Coming in March of next year, this is a revenge story you don’t want to miss. Filled with dark humour perfect for fans of ‘The Wedding People’.

 

 

 

 

Finally Harriet L has just started reading ‘Salka’ by Francesca Simon. Following the Welsh myth of the Lady of the Lake this is a fantastic addition to many of the myth retellings that have emerged over the past decade. Gripping+ and fast-paced this is a novel that is a must read for fans of Pat Barker.

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Staff Profile – Lena

11 November 2025

Get to know Lena, one of our booksellers.

Lena reads narrative nonfiction, cozy fantasy, and modern fiction with complex familial relationships, but often strays from any one category to enjoy an eclectic selection of writings. Their desert island reads are: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, and Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare.

 

 

As a family favourite, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle was an early introduction to science fiction and one I return to as a reminder of home. Its explorations through space and time and its dedication to familial love are transportive and uplifting—ideal for a desert island.

 

 

 

Another classic adventure through fantastical places is, of course, The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien. What is there to say about it that hasn’t already been said? As a child it enthralled me, and as an adult I reread it every Christmas season. It’s hard to imagine a situation that cannot be improved by The Hobbit.

 

 

 

Finally, as an actor it would be remiss of me  if I did not select a play to read out loud without fear of annoying flatmates or neighbours, so my third choice is Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. One of my favourite of Shakespeare’s comedies, its happy ending, along with those of its companions, would be best for high spirits and time well spent on a desert island.

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New Books 3rd November

3 November 2025

Our top new releases for this week.

There are some huge new releases this week including the story behind the band Wings by Paul McCartney and a brand new story in the Skandar universe. For our full selection of new release do sign up to our newsletter!

 

Wings
by Paul McCartney

A landmark account of Paul McCartney’s triumphant musical reinvention in the 1970s and the rise of one of the decade’s most iconic bands. This is the story, in their own words, of a band that came to define a generation. This is the madcap history of Paul McCartney and his newly formed band, from their humble beginnings in the early 1970s to their dissolution barely a decade later.

 

The First Unicorn Rider
by A.F. Steadman

George Penhaligon has only ever wanted adventure. But when he finds himself shipwrecked and alone on a mysterious island, he makes an incredible discovery. Unicorns are real – and they’re bloodthirsty. A prequel for the bestselling Skandar series.

 

 

The Murder at World’s End
by Ross Montgomery

Cornwall, 1910. On a remote tidal island, the Viscount of Tithe Hall is absorbed in feverish preparations for the apocalypse that he believes will accompany the passing of Halley’s Comet. But what the pompous, dishonest Viscount has failed to take into account is the danger that lies within… The first adult novel from bestselling children’s author Ross Montgomery, Hazel has read this and very much enjoyed  it.

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Staff Profile – Harriet H

31 October 2025

Get to know Harriet H, one of our booksellers

Harriet H is one of our booksellers. She is a huge lover of all things odd, a particular fan of Stephen King, and Russian History, her reading is one of the most varied at the shop. Her three picks for desert island reads are; Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart and A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing by Eimear McBride.

 

I’m starting with my favourite author, the master, James Baldwin. Baldwin is recognised as one of the best American authors of all time and I still consider him to be underrated. I could have chosen all three books from his canon but that feels like cheating. I’ve settled on Giovanni’s Room. Set in Paris where Baldwin spent many years, the desires and destruction of the central characters because of their sexuality is epitomised by Giovanni’s claustrophobic room. Our narrator, David, is on the edge of liberation or tragedy, much like many of Baldwin’s characters. The line “the wind of my life was blowing me away” captures a frustration I think we have all shared. (Special shout out to Baldwin’s collection of short stories Going To Meet The                 Man. Cheating, sorry!)

 

I have also chosen Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart as I think it is a perfect novel. As soon as I finished it, I turned back to the first page and started it again. A coming-of-age story about a boy in working class Glasgow that will hit you like a tonne of bricks. Each character in this book will evoke strong feelings within you, whether its pity, loathing or adoration. Winner of the 2020 Booker Prize, Shuggie Bain will always be relevant and exceptional. I know I could read this book a thousand times and I would never find it less moving than the first time I read it.

 

Finally, I have chosen A Girl is a Half-formed Thing by Eimear McBride. This book is about as far from an easy read as you can get, but the idea of a ‘holiday read’ while stranded on a desert island seems too obvious. A Girl is a Half-formed Thing is immediately uncomfortable as you are immersed in our unnamed protagonists’ thoughts. Her brother is very unwell, her mother seems to detest her, and she is mistreated by almost all the men in her life. Initially, the writing is fragmented and confusing, as you are reading a young child’s stream of consciousness; as she grows up, she can better express her thoughts, but this doesn’t offer the reader much relief. This novel is truly one of a kind and McBride is nothing short of a genius.

 

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