Isabel Costello

LATEST ARTICLES ( 393 )

• (Writing) Each Book is a Different Story

  

  I said you wouldn’t be hearing from me until Summer Reads at the start of June, but I’m hoping you’ll be interested in (Writing) Each Book is a Different... Read more

  Posted on 12 May 2021 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Writers on Location – Amanda Huggins on the North Yorkshire Coast

  

  There was a very enthusiastic response to Marika Cobbold’s recent Writers on Location about Hampstead Heath and in keeping with the times we’re staying put in... Read more

  Posted on 05 May 2021 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Writers on Location – Marika Cobbold on Hampstead Heath

  

  It’s wonderful to open this week’s post with the news that I’ve been shortlisted for Best Reviewer of Literature in the 2021 Saboteur Awards, a big surprise... Read more

  Posted on 21 April 2021 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The Sweet Scent of Gratitude

  

  It’s a week since the launch of Scent (and reissue of my debut Paris Mon Amour) and today I’d like to share some thoughts, links and above all, thanks to so man... Read more

  Posted on 07 April 2021 BOOKS, CULTURE

• On My Own Sofa – Catherine McNamara Interviews Me About Scent

  

  To celebrate publication of my second novel Scent and the reissue of my debut Paris Mon Amour by Muswell Press, something very different’s happening today: for... Read more

  Posted on 01 April 2021 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Guest Author – Claire Fuller on Dogs in Books

  

  Today it’s a great pleasure to welcome one of my favourite British authors back to the Literary Sofa. This is Claire Fuller’s fourth visit (that’s what happens... Read more

  Posted on 24 March 2021 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Spring Spotlight 2021

  

  I’m a bit rusty on the art of the chatty intro so here is my Spring Selection: 8 fantastic books, including several which give a voice to people and subjects... Read more

  Posted on 03 March 2021 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Writers on Location – Neema Shah on Uganda

  

  This week I’m delighted to be hosting the first Writers on Location post of the year, courtesy of talented debut author Neema Shah. Read more

  Posted on 17 February 2021 BOOKS, CULTURE

• February 2021 – Reading Round-up

  

  It wasn’t planned this way (who has plans any more?) but three of the four novels in my first fiction round-up of 2021 deal with difficult and potentially... Read more

  Posted on 03 February 2021 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Books of 2020 – Non-fiction

  

  As we haul ourselves towards the end of the January that makes other Januarys look good, I’ve had to remind myself that while I don’t have people to see or... Read more

  Posted on 25 January 2021 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Books of 2020 – Fiction

  

  The less said about 2020 the better, except where books are concerned. For me it’s been a thoroughly atypical year for reading as with everything else. Read more

  Posted on 16 December 2020 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Writers on Location – Cath Barton on Morecambe, Lancashire

  

  Today I’m pleased to introduce my final guest of 2020 and the last of this year’s Writers on Location, Cath Barton. The UK has made only infrequent appearances... Read more

  Posted on 09 December 2020 BOOKS, CULTURE

• How I Came to Own Two Bookshops (kind Of)

  

  Firstly, thanks so much to everyone who contributed to the fantastic buzz about the cover and opening pages of my new novel Scent last week. Read more

  Posted on 02 December 2020 BOOKS, CULTURE

• My New Novel SCENT – Cover Reveal and Opening Pages

  

  I said I had something exciting for this week and here it is: the cover of my new novel Scent, which will be published in the UK on 1 April 2021. Read more

  Posted on 25 November 2020 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Writers on Location – Tyler Keevil on Prague

  

  This is the first post of England’s Lockdown 2 (today is the halfway point, not that I’m counting), but not the last, as I have some exciting things lined up. Read more

  Posted on 18 November 2020 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Reading Round-up – October 2020 #2

  

  Welcome to the my latest reading round-up. I soon realised that covering four books a week would be a stretch once I’d cleared my backlog (I read fast, but not... Read more

  Posted on 27 October 2020 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Reading Round-up – October 2020 #1

  

  The first quick-fire round-up went down well last week, prompting lots of shares and interesting conversations, which was the whole idea. Thanks to you I also... Read more

  Posted on 07 October 2020 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Reading Round-up – September 2020

  

  Last week’s Writers on Location post was a heart-warming start to autumn on the Sofa with Jude Cook reliving the childhood memories of Paris which inspired his... Read more

  Posted on 30 September 2020 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Writers on Location – Jude Cook on Paris

  

  Lots of readers seemed to connect with last week’s blog post which was much more personal than I would normally write. People have thanked me and I’d like to... Read more

  Posted on 23 September 2020 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Nothing Like September

  

  If all you want is the book/blog stuff, head straight to the final paragraph.As I return to the Sofa after a long ‘break’, I’d love to be writing the usual... Read more

  Posted on 15 September 2020 BOOKS, CULTURE