Reading allowed

Glasgow Boys
Luke Palmer's Play is a real exploration of how adolescence, masculinity, and male friendship can be complex. Following the lives of four boys—Matt, Luc, Johnny, and Mark—growing up in a small English town, the novel delves into their ever-growing relationships and the choices that mould their futures. The story unfolds through the distinct voices of the four protagonists, each struggling with their own challenges and perceptions of masculinity. Palmer uses varying fonts to differentiate the characters' narratives, enhancing the reader's connection to each voice . Matt, the introspective artist; Luc, the athletic overachiever; Johnny, the reckless one; and Mark, the impressionable follower, each bring unique perspectives to the story. At its core, Play examines the pressures and expectations placed on young men. Through the boys' interactions and individual struggles, Palmer addresses issues such as toxic masculinity, the influence of abscent father figures, and the search for identity in a world that often offers bad messages. The novel also touches on how easy vulnerable youths can be dragged into crime mark is used as a construct to show this as he gets associated with county lines and dealed drugs.

Elma

The Things We Leave Behind
"All the Things We Leave Behind and ” is about remembrance and attachment, about what we collect and what we leave behind. In this highly affecting novel, Nason explores the permeability of memory and the sometimes confusing bonds of human emotion.

Elma