Off to the factory
This month, Ellie and I had a bit of an adventure out of our usual day-to-day at VERVE. We were invited to Clays Ltd, one of our printers, to see how books were made. If any of you grew up watching Come Outside like myself (spotty plane, shaggy dog… ring any bells?),...
Romantasy to read on Valentine’s Day
Is real world romance just not cutting it for you? Do you wish your crush would storm across a battlefield clad in armour and declare their undying love for you while dragons breathe fire in the distance? Well this blog post is perfect for you! Here are our romantasy...
LGBTQIA+ History Month Reading Recs
This LGBTQIA+ History Month we are bringing you our favourite queer historical texts pre-21st century! Some of these texts are more well-known than others but all of them deserve to be praised and highlighted for their contribution to queer literature. Demi’s...
Most Anticipated Reads – Sophie Morton-Thomas
Last year was a period for some outstanding books that were released; Go As A River by Shelley Readparticularly pulled at my heart and A Quiet Contagion by Jane Jesmond kept me racing through thepages. I’m sure this coming year will be just as exciting in terms of new...
Most Anticipated Reads of 2024 – Ammar Kalia
2023 felt like my best year for reading yet: I blazed my way through Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy, captivated by the scope of her world-building, I was moved and unsettled by Samanta Schweblin’s short, precise work and felt invigorated by Teju Cole’s...
Our most anticipated reads of 2024
The end of 2023 marks the beginning of a new year of incredible books to delve into!Scroll down to read about the VERVE team’s most anticipated reads being released in 2024: SARAHSmall Hours by Bobby PalmerBobby Palmer’s debut novel Isaac and The Egg was an unexpected...
SUNBURN has been shortlisted for the inaugural Nero Book Awards!
We’re so delighted to announce that Chloe Michelle Howarth’s SUNBURN has been shortlisted for the 2023 Nero Book Award for Debut Fiction! This is the very first year of the Nero Book Awards, and we're so excited to see Chloe shortlisted alongside three other...
Inside the Autumn 2023 VERVE Blogger Mixer
On Wednesday 8th November, VERVE hosted a blogger mixer at the Battersea Bookshop where our online supporters were able to meet each other in person – some of them for the first time – and also meet our team and some of our incredible authors. Jane Jesmond, Sophie...
Food (Writing) for Thought
Breakfast: Small Fires by Rebecca May Johnson Start your day with a healthy dose of domestic politics, linguistics and bodily autonomy. Johnson’s memoir blends humorous anecdotes with astute social commentary. She approaches the kitchen with the discipline of a...
Books by Black Authors to Add to Your TBR
By Lisa Gooding The theme of this year’s Black History Month is ‘Saluting our Sisters’ and highlights the crucial role that Black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change and building communities. I have been incredibly lucky to have worked...