Secret Book Swap | No. 12 - North Berwick May
Books we swapped:
A Very English Murder – Verity Bright
Lady Eleanor Swift’s quiet life in the English countryside is interrupted when a guest is found dead during a grand house party. Full of wit, charm and classic golden-age mystery vibes, this cosy whodunnit blends eccentric characters, clever clues and plenty of English intrigue.The Conjuror’s Bird – Martin Davies
When a conservationist becomes obsessed with finding the only remains of a legendary lost bird, he is drawn into a centuries-old mystery linked to explorer Joseph Banks and a secret love affair. Richly atmospheric and elegantly woven across two timelines, this literary mystery blends history, romance and the thrill of uncovering something thought impossible to find.The Almost Truth – Anne Hamilton
When her son reconnects with the father he never knew, Alina’s carefully balanced life begins to fracture, forcing long-buried secrets and old relationships back to the surface. Emotional and perceptive, this family drama explores identity, love and the complicated truths that shape the people we become.Nina X – Ewan Morrison
Raised in an underground cult and cut off from the modern world, Nina must learn how to navigate ordinary life after escaping into society. Darkly funny, unsettling and thought-provoking, this novel explores identity, control and what it means to truly belong.My Fishing Life: A Story of the Sea – Ashley Mullenger
Ashley Mullenger reflects on life at sea, sharing stories of fishing communities, hard work and the changing relationship between people and the ocean. Honest and evocative, this memoir captures both the beauty and brutality of a life shaped by the sea.10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World – Elif Shafak
In the moments after her death, Tequila Leila remembers the friendships, loves and hardships that shaped her life on the margins of Istanbul society. Lyrical and deeply humane, Shafak’s novel explores memory, identity and the families we create for ourselves.A Body in the Bookshop – Helen Cox
When a dead body turns up in York’s bookshop district, amateur sleuth Kitt Hartley is drawn into a murder investigation full of secrets and suspicious locals. Cosy, witty and packed with literary charm, this mystery is perfect for fans of clever small-town crime.The Women – Kristin Hannah
Following a young nurse serving during the Vietnam War, this novel explores courage, friendship and the lasting scars of conflict. Emotional and immersive, Hannah shines a light on the women whose contributions and sacrifices were too often forgotten.Cat Wumman: Tales of Nine Lives – Gerda Stevenson
Inspired by folk tales, Scots ballads and poetry, this dark short story collection explores contemporary Scottish life through nine haunting and richly atmospheric tales. Written with lyrical warmth and sharp insight, Stevenson blends myth, humour and heartbreak into stories that linger long after the final page.
Guest writer, Alex Brown
Alex Brown is an author originally from Edinburgh and now based in East Lothian. He writes darkly comic Scottish crime fiction alongside children’s books, including the Snoozlewhoosh series. Known for sharp humour, fast-paced storytelling and distinctly Scottish settings, his writing blends gritty themes with wit and memorable characters.
Hit Me
HIT ME is a darkly comic Scottish crime thriller series by Alex Brown, set within Edinburgh’s criminal underworld.
Through HIT ME! and HIT ME!: Rise of the Bingham Butcher, Alex explores gang rivalries, revenge, loyalty and power struggles with fast-paced storytelling, sharp dialogue and gritty humour.
The books combine crime, action and dark comedy, offering a distinctly Scottish voice and an unpredictable take on modern gangland fiction while building a tense and atmospheric world across the series.
Banned Book Reading
In May, our banned books discussion turned to a much more modern form of censorship looking at the recent British Book Awards and Careless People by former Facebook employee Sarah Wynn-Williams.
Over the past few months we’ve discussed schools removing books from shelves, libraries facing pressure over what they stock, and governments banning titles outright. But this story felt different.
At this year’s British Book Awards, the cover of Careless People had to be blurred on the giant screen behind the stage because of legal restrictions linked to Meta following publication of the book. What made the moment particularly surreal was that the book was there to receive the British Book Award for Freedom to Publish 2026.
Nobody was stopping the book from existing it can still be bought and read and yet legal pressure surrounding its promotion was enough that even an awards ceremony felt the need to obscure the cover on screen and Sarah Wynn-Williams was restricted in what she could say in her acceptance speech.
We also shared Marina Hyde’s observation in a Guardian article about the book: “Of all the books in all the world Mr Free Speech Zuckerberg wants to ban, it’s the one about him.”
As always, we found ourselves returning to familiar questions of who gets to decide what books are available but we added in a new questions too: at what point does pressure become a form of censorship, even if a book is never officially banned?
For our reading, we chose an excerpt from Careless People itself.
Join us at future secret book swaps: