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

Literary news andreviews with alocal flavour

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

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

PICTURES: GETTY IMAGES, PENGUIN, RANDOM HOUSE Water Moon ...

Zoe West shares her favourite picks for the week