A shop-front round-up of new books from Wales – with Mel Griffin from Griffin Books
Introduction
I’m Mel Griffin, the proud owner of Griffin Books in Penarth.
My first taste of bookselling was as a teenager when I had a Saturday job in my local bookshop, a small family business in Dorset. I absolutely loved it and remember thinking then how lovely it would be to own my own bookshop someday. Cut to 30 or so years later after a long career working in corporate IT and project management, by which point I had moved to Penarth and was working mostly from home, so was a regular visitor to the town’s bookshop. As my 50th birthday approached I had started to feel the urge to do something different with the rest of my life – and one day found myself asking the bookshop owners if they had any thoughts about retirement! Miraculously, they didn’t take offence; we started a conversation and around two years later in September 2014 I was handed the keys to my very own bookshop.
I love every time of year, especially the transition between seasons. But summer has to be my favourite reading season, because I know that with a bit of luck I’ll have a holiday plus a weekend break or two: all chances to read for pure enjoyment, without the pressure of preparing for book club discussions or event interviews! Inevitably my travel bag will be half full of books before I even start packing clothes and toiletries . . .
Top picks for summer
My fiction pick would be Jon Doyle’s debut Communion (Atlantic). Already critically acclaimed, it’s a powerful and accomplished novel spanning faith and loyalty, oppression and comrades. Set against the backdrop of the Port Talbot community Passion play in which Michael Sheen played Jesus, Communion pushes us to confront an essential question: what is morality?
In non-fiction I’d highly recommend In Search of Sea Dragons: A Fossil Hunter’s Odyssey by Matthew Myerscough (Seren). The story of Matthew’s journey from hobbyist to expert, showcasing some of his most amazing finds, is the perfect companion for exploring the Welsh coastline this summer.
Fiction round-up
The Art of Occupation by Chris Lloyd (Orion) – Penarth resident Chris is a great friend to Griffin Books, and his meticulously researched Detective Eddie Giral series, set in occupied Paris, has been very popular with our customers. In this latest instalment, Eddie enters the murky world of art theft.
The Danger of Small Things by Caryl Lewis (Simon & Schuster) – the multi-award winning author’s first YA novel in English; dystopian fiction at its best.
A Room Above A Shop by Anthony Shapland (Granta) – one of the most moving novels I read last year, recently out in paperback.
It’s Not What You Think by Clare Mackintosh (HarperCollins) – the latest gripping thriller from Bala-resident Clare, in which nothing is quite as it seems.
The House of Water by Fflur Dafydd (Hodder & Stoughton) – a compelling and innovative page-turner in which teenager Iona uncovers the secrets behind her family’s murder.
The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer (Transworld) – inspired by a true story, this unusual historical crime novel shines a light on the 1920s trade in rare seabird eggs.
The Hunters Club by Alis Hawkins (Canelo) – the latest in the Oxford Mysteries series from Ceredigion-born Alis is out in paperback from 7th May.
Scenes from a Tragedy by Carole Hailey (Atlantic) – we love former lawyer Carole’s work, and her most recent novel is a fascinating thriller focused on a female psychopath; not so much a whodunnit as a ‘whydunnit.’
Non-fiction round-up
Who Cares About Wales? by Will Hayward (Y Lolfa) – a well-informed critique of how Wales is funded and governed and how this leads to the lowest standards of living in the UK.
It Might Not Be True by Francesca Rhydderch (Parthian) – a moving memoir from the well-loved author as she confronts chronic illness and mortality.
Rainbow Wales by Emily Garside (Calon) – putting the diversity back into Welsh history; not just for Pride month!
Wild Pavements by Amanda Tuke (Flint Books) – an urban naturalist reveals the surprising range of wildlife to be found in our cities, including a section on Cardiff.
Jan Morris: A Life by Sara Wheeler (Faber & Faber) – a new authorised biography of the Welsh literary icon.
Artists, Siblings, Visionaries: The lives and loves of Gwen and Augustus John by Judith Mackrell (Pan Macmillan) – Women’s Prize shortlisted, and perfectly timed for the Gwen John exhibition currently showing at the National Museum of Wales.
Nightshade Mother by Gwyneth Lewis (University of Wales Press) – now in paperback, the former National Poet of Wales explores her relationship with her coercive, controlling mother.
To Be Young, Gifted and Black by Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason (Oneworld) – the mother of seven prodigiously talented musicians, who grew up in Wales, reveals the extent of racism within classical music.
Word on the street . . .
I’m looking forward to seeing Wales in 50 Buildings, coming from Calon Books in October and described as ‘a miscellany of architectural gems.’
And of course a new book from Jasper Fforde is always a treat – but the final Thursday Next novel, Dark Reading Matter, due to be published by Hodder & Stoughton in October, will be something very special to look forward to this autumn.
Last word
Summer is festival season in Penarth, so it would be remiss of me not to mention our very own Penarth Literary Festival, this year taking place over a single weekend from Friday 19th through Sunday 21st June. Spanning fiction and non-fiction author talks, poetry readings and workshops, plus events for children and families, the full programme will be announced shortly, so do sign up to the Griffin Books mailing list to make sure you don’t miss out – you’ll find the sign-up option by scrolling right to the bottom of our home page here.
As if that weren’t enough, the following weekend (Thursday 25th through Sunday 28th June) sees the return of the Penarth Chamber Music Festival. This is an unmissable opportunity to hear world-class classical musicians performing in a variety of venues around the town, with concerts for all ages and musical tastes – full details here.
Mel is the owner of Griffin Books, an independent bookshop located in the lovely coastal town of Penarth. In 2023, Griffin Books were named UK Independent Bookshop of the Year at the British Book Awards.
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