Whether cosied by the fire or sprawled in the sun, there is always occasion for a good book, no matter where the season may take you. Here, we deliver a line-up of recently released, unmissable reads that run the gamut from moving memoirs to gripping novels to escapist reads.
The Midnight Feast
by Lucy Foley
In the new thriller from this New York Times bestselling author, secrets swirl in ‘The Manor’. Sparked by a locked room murder, the narrative unfolds like a sinister puzzle, compelling readers to decipher each twist and turn. As alliances crumble and hidden agendas surface, a gripping tale of deception and intrigue unfurls, leaving readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.
The Volcano Daughters
by Gina María Balibrera
This riveting debut novel delves into the lives of two sisters set against El Salvador’s tumultuous history. Raised under a brutal dictator, Graciela and Consuelo navigate a world of cruelty and survival, and after fleeing genocide, their journey spans continents, haunted by the ghosts of their past. With rich storytelling and vivid imagery, this searing narrative redefines history and mythology.
The Husbands
by Holly Gramazio
An exploration of love, life and the quest for fulfilment, this debut unfolds as Lauren returns home to a husband she doesn’t recognise. Quickly, her life takes on a kaleidoscopic shift, as new husbands are introduced via a mysterious attic. Exploring themes of choice, identity and the pursuit of happiness, this story navigates the complexities of modern relationships with humour and poignancy.
Whale Fall
by Elizabeth O’Connor
In her poignant debut, O’Connor takes us to a remote Welsh island where the life of Manod, a woman longing to escape the confines of her insular community, is transformed by two visiting ethnographers who present an opportunity for freedom and self-discovery. With transportive storytelling and sharp wit, this novel delves into the tension between individual aspirations and community ties with tenderness and heart.
Parade
by Rachel Cusk
Lauded author of the Outline trilogy, Rachel Cusk, once again seamlessly blends fiction and reality, delving into profound themes with a delicate touch. At the heart of Parade’s narrative lies G, an artist whose existence embodies a multitude of realities. Through Cusk’s evocative storytelling, the novel unfolds as a poignant exploration of identity, artistry, and the intricate tapestry of the human experience.
Middle of the Night
by Riley Sager
In Riley Sager’s gripping new thriller, Ethan Marsh confronts the haunting disappearance of his childhood friend on a fateful night. As secrets resurface, Ethan delves into a maze of dark revelations, uncovering eerie occurrences in his idyllic neighbourhood, culminating in a chilling journey into the woods. With masterful storytelling and pulse-pounding twists, Sager keeps readers guessing until the final page.
The God of the Woods
by Liz Moore
Set in 1975 Adirondacks, The God of the Woods delves into the mystery surrounding Barbara Van Laar’s vanishing, unearthing profound family secrets along the way. Blending knotty thrills with poignant family portraits, Moore explores complex subject matter with heart. Through the exploration of community dynamics, Moore delivers a gripping literary thriller that captivates from start to finish.
Private Rites
by Julia Armfield
This stunning yet disquieting novel intimately chronicles the journey of three sisters as they confront love, loss, grief, and hope in a world teetering on the brink of collapse. Bound by the task of unravelling their deceased father’s legacy, they unearth a labyrinth of dark truths, unveiling their own profound destinies. As revelations surface, the sisters grapple with the weight of their newfound purpose.
Between Two Trailers
by J. Dana Trent
With luscious prose and a captivating plot, Trent’s powerful, unforgettable memoir will haunt you with its beauty and truth — telling the tale of a girl who escapes her gritty childhood as a preschool drug dealer in rural Indiana, only to find that no one can really escape their past without first confronting it — prompting a heartbreaking and heart-making journey back home.
When Women Ran Fifth Avenue
by Julie Satow
Julie Satow delves into history with meticulous detail to unveil the fascinating stories of the trailblazing women who shaped New York City’s iconic Fifth Avenue’s cultural and commercial landscape. An enlightening and empowering read that celebrates the resilience and ingenuity of women throughout history, with a charming dose of glitz and glam.
Mad Woman
by Bryony Gordon
Ten years on, Gordon is back with the follow-up to her bestselling memoir. Now perimenopausal, the writer questions what she got wrong, interrogating the nuances of life at middle-age. From burnout and binge eating, to fluctuating hormones and the endless battle to stay sober, Mad Woman explores the most difficult lessons she’s learned over the last decade — to a relatable and reassuring effect.
Mean Boys: A Personal History
by Geoffrey Mak
Fusing personal essays and cultural critique, Mean Boys is a tale of coming of age in a volatile, image-obsessed world. Investigating exile and return, transgression and forgiveness, and the value of faith and friendship in a world designed to make us want what is bad for us, this is a memoir that will challenge and change you.
Mother Made Me
by Sarah Lindsay
Mother and entrepreneur Sarah Lindsay has unveiled a captivating debut that traverses the journey from girlhood to motherhood, exploring the ebbs and flows of love and reinvention. With lyrical prose, Lindsay takes readers on a journey through cityscapes, scented gardens, and twilight landscapes, exploring themes of self-discovery and the interconnectedness of women and nature.
For Such a Time as This
by Shani Akilah
In this astonishing debut, a collection of richly-imagined, interconnected short stories explore the lives of a group Black-British Londoners as they navigate the notion of connection — in all of its myriad forms. From friendship and romance, to community, independence, and the relationships that shape us, For Such a Time as This deftly explores what it means to be human.
The Summer We Crossed Europe in the Rain
by Kazuo Ishiguro
From the Nobel Prize–winning author of Klara and the Sun and Never Let Me Go comes a stunningly illustrated volume of lyrics, written for the platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated jazz singer Stacey Kent. This exquisite coming together of the literary and musical worlds comprises the lyrics of sixteen songs — each infused with a sense of yearning, melancholy, love, and the romance of travel and subliminal spaces.
