Details for 'Sophie, Standing There' by Meg Mason

Sophie, Standing There

by Meg Mason
In the world of literary events, Sophie becomes smitten and rather obsessed with one particular author.
Sophie, Standing There
by Meg Mason
My review:

I couldn't help but love it for its setting in a literature festival with various tech issues, clothing malfunctions and troublesome authors. Made me a little anxious though. Being involved in organising my own author events and hosting at various literary festivals, it made my heart race as I considered how authors perceived the organisation, the audience and the interviews!

Sophie loses herself in her reading. She has a good friend in Emma, and a loving brother in Laurie, but she's recently broken up with her partner and life has taken a bit of a dip lately. 

She immerses herself in her role backstage at a literary festival. She's organised and efficient but overlooked for the key job.

Seeking solace in the local bookshop, she's given an advance copy, a proof, of a book by an author she hasn't read for some time. Not only does she devour the book but looks up everything to do with the author - interviews, podcasts and her backlist. Sophie would love to meet the author, but given the opportunity at the festival, how will she respond?

This book is described as 'hilariously candid and raw...a bittersweet story of love, loneliness and finding connection in the most unlikely of places.' I found it unsettling, my reading of it made me uneasy, but I couldn't stop. A good book group choice, I think? 
 

Date of my review May 2026
Book publication date: 27th August 2026