Hello authors- Happy Friday! It’s Holly here, a Senior Publishing Consultant at Publishing Push. I wanted to get a little bit more personal with you all this week…

We work in publishing and love reading. We are passionate about all genres and styles, and as we approach the festive season, we wanted to fill you in on what books we have been diving into!

There is nothing I love more than a book recommendation, so I will also be using these either to rack up my own never-ending reading list or to make great Christmas presents for friends and family.

Take a leaf through our recommendations here, and enjoy getting to know a little bit more about us as a team as well as getting some great ideas at hand!

Kristina- Project Manager

“All of the books I read now are children's books. We love reading together as a family. It's one of the highlights of my day. Our favourite book at the moment is Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson. It is a fun-filled children's book that takes us on a magical adventure of a friendly witch and her cat as they encounter various animals during their journey on a broom. The story is not only entertaining but also carries a heartwarming message about the importance of kindness and making friends. One of the standout features of the book is the brilliant illustrations by Axel Scheffler. The characters and scenes come to life with vivid artwork that captures our imaginations.”

Domizia- Senior Publishing Consultant

This is Domizia, your friendly Senior Publishing Consultant at Publish Push. You've likely spotted my name in numerous emails, and some of you aspiring authors have also had the opportunity to chat with me on the phone. While I've always been immersed in your stories, motivations for publishing, and aspirations, today, I want to open up about a recent personal treasure that has taken me deep into the captivating world of Westeros.

As a devoted fan of the Game of Thrones HBO series, the decision to delve into George R.R. Martin's original book series was an inevitable one.

The TV show was an enthralling experience, but the desire to explore the intricate details, characters, and George Martin's writing style motivated me to pick up "A Game of Thrones."

The transition from screen to page has been nothing short of fascinating. Martin's intricate storytelling and character depth bring an entirely new layer to the narrative. It's like uncovering hidden treasures, each chapter revealing nuances that television adaptations often omit.

Analysing Martin's writing style has been a crucial aspect of my reading journey. Aspiring to be a published fantasy author myself, understanding how a master like Martin crafts his tales is an invaluable lesson. His ability to weave complex plots and create memorable characters has set an inspiring benchmark for my own future endeavours.

Currently immersed in the saga, I aim to conquer all four remaining books in the coming months (while waiting for the last two to be published!). Each masterpiece, with its thousand-plus pages, is a thrilling adventure, and I relish every moment spent in the richly imagined world of Westeros.

The anticipation for the last two books is palpable. George Martin's vision and divergence from the TV show's ending leave me eager to discover the conclusion as intended by the master storyteller himself. The disappointment of the show's final season has only intensified the desire to witness Martin's envisioned closure.

Tarn- Project Manager

I’ve always been interested in English history, especially the Plantagenet and Tudor periods and the unsolved mystery of the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower.  

When Richard III’s remains were found in a Leicester Social Services car park, it made for an intriguing story.  After watching the Channel 4 documentary about the search for Richard, I looked for more insight and detail about these events. It led me to discover this book that delves into Philippa Gregory’s quest to find 

Richard and her commitment to unravelling the truth about this controversial monarch – the last Plantagenet king of England.

Facing some scepticism from the academic community, Philippa’s determination prevailed, ultimately vindicating her assertions about Richard’s final resting place. 

The book adeptly alternates between Philippa’s account of the dig and the obstacles and triumphs she and everyone else involved experienced and a comprehensive exploration of Richard’s life, including descriptions of the pivotal Battle of Bosworth. 

Benjamin- Senior Project Manager

I've always got at least two (or more) books on the go, usually one non-fiction and also usually some kind of trashy, twisty crime thriller.

Right now I am reading "The House We Grew Up" In by Lisa Jewell. I always find her books an easy read if I am busy or distracted by other things. As with most of her books, it involves some kind of mystery happening in a large weird family, and an old spooky house.

I am also reading "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann.  It's a non-fiction book that investigates a series of murders of Osage Indians in the 1920s, a period when the Osage Nation in Oklahoma became immensely wealthy due to oil discoveries beneath their land. The book unravels a conspiracy that involves the systematic killing of Osage people for their oil wealth, leading to the birth of the FBI as they took on the case. I discovered this book when it was announced that Martin Scorsese would be adapting it into a movie, which I have also just recently watched. So I thought now would also be a good time to read the book!

Holly- Senior Publishing Consultant

My most impactful recent read has been How to Live When You Could Be Dead by the gorgeous late Deborah James.

This year has spun personally my world out of orbit, with two incredibly close loved ones receiving cancer diagnoses. It feels very scary to write about it, as I have been trying to muddle my way through it the best I can! For a little while, I found myself unable to pick up a book and bury my head in something without being able to quiet the fear of losing the people closest to me. This experience is sadly not unique, with one in every two people being diagnosed with cancer within their lifetimes, so we all know someone close to us who has battled it. 

How to Live When You Could Be Dead stumbled into my hands at the perfect moment- I was on the hunt for materials to read to help me support the people in my life, (as no one really sits you down and prepares you for this) and this book gave me the push I needed to address things in my own life, as well as ways to lift the people who needed me the most. Deborah, as we all well know, continues to live on throughout her legacy of being one of the most alive human beings on the planet, and her book gives an insight into exactly how she shone so brightly even on her darkest days, something I think that we could all take stock of every now and then.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves someone facing cancer, anyone is battling it personally, and to anyone who feels that they need to make a change to make the most out of the precious one life we get. It is a truly heartwarming read, and one that will have you laughing and crying in a matter of seconds- an incredibly life-changing read.

Thank you so much for reading our newsletters, and we hope this list of recommendations gets you inspired to pick one up yourself, or even gift one to a loved one!

Happy Reading!