The current slew of fresh paperbacks on offer covers an impressive spectrum all the way from fantasy set in the Dark Ages, courtesy of Kazuo Ishiguro, right through to honest modern life for women in Manhattan, complete with alcohol black-outs, from journalist Sarah Hepola.

Read on for five selections from IBTimes UK for your paperback reading, primed and ready to slip into your bag, and looking much more impressive than a Kindle.