by Harriet Lane (£20, HB, Orion) What lies beneath the image we construct of ourselves? Ruth, newly divorced and drifting as her daughter leaves home, feels invisible – until Sookie, her dazzling form

Our books editor Zoe West’s favourite picks for the month

GH ’s books director Joanne Finney shares her pick of this month’s new hardback releases

Literary news andreviews with alocal flavour

THE BEST NEW READS

Here are our recommendations – and yours – of what to enjoy reading this fortnight