Greenwood by Michael Christie review – an arresting eco-parable

Ecological catastophe has led to the destruction of trees … a bleak vision of the future with Steinbeckian cadences

Dead Famous by Greg Jenner review – a joyous history of celebrity

From a beautiful ballerina to a 5,000lb rhino, from Byron to Mick Jagger, a romp through the story of fame and fanhood

Poetry book of the month: Loss by David Harsent – review

A firm virtuosity and sense of estrangement drives this challenging new collection

Russians Among Us by Gordon Corera review – spies in plain sight

The BBC security editor’s account of Russian spying methods in the US is engrossing

Shakespeare in a Divided America by James Shapiro review – how the bard found his greatest stage

A timely, clever analysis of why Shakespeare continues to cast a spell over American politics

Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones review – the mystery of love

Abuse and comedy coexist in this subtle novel about a twisted same-sex affair in 70s Surrey

The Metamorphosis review – Kafka classic becomes metaphor for pandemic

Kafka’s story is given a chilling update that chimes with our times, referencing the migrant crisis, the gig economy and fear of the unknown

In brief: Cat Women; Saving Missy; Where the Hornbeam Grows – review

A meditation on cats and their owners; a chance encounter that changes an older woman’s life; and a crisp tale of horticulture in Switzerland

Aria by Nazanine Hozar review – coming of age in divided Tehran

This powerfully crafted debut explores the darkness and hope of a city on the brink of revolution

The Nanny State Made Me review – rose-tinted defence of welfare state

Stuart Maconie’s tribute to the glory days of state intervention is too scattershot to be convincing

In the Land of Men by Adrienne Miller – review

The American writer’s relationship with David Foster Wallace overshadows her career at Esquire in this frustrating memoir

Greenery by Tim Dee review – hope’s eternal spring

Tim Dee’s masterly book about the movement of birds is made all the more poignant by the revelation that he has Parkinson’s disease just as his wife is expecting their first child

Low by Jeet Thayil review – a peculiar high

A bereaved poet craves oblivion with the aid of a new drug in a tender, largely enjoyable tale

English Monsters by James Scudamore review – the horrors of boarding school

The complicated legacy of abuse at a 1980s prep school is explored with skill, honesty and first-hand insight

This Too Shall Pass by Julia Samuel review – how to cope with change

In a sequel to Grief Works, the therapist guides us through major life changes in work, love, identity and health