reading habit
Books Editor’s note
The sweet smell of spring doesn’t feel as sweet anymore considering everything that’s going on around the world. If your brain feels overwhelmed by the news and the doomscrolling, there’s always a good book to escape into, and my March offerings provide you with just that. Let’s get straight to it.
A list of new releases
Fiction:
Gallant: by VE Schwab. Schwab is a darling in the fantasy space, and very prolific. This promises to be another hit—Olivia Prior is summoned by a mysterious letter to her house, Gallant. An orphan, she cannot decide whether she should stay or not, until one day she finds herself thrust into an alternate version of her home where all her fears seem to have solidified into reality, and a mysterious figure rules it all. (March 1)
Run, Rose, Run: by Dolly Parton and James Patterson. America’s most beloved superstar and one of its greatest storytellers together? Sounds like a recipe for success to me. An up-and-coming singer/songwriter is on the run from her past. Her hidden secrets can make or break her gleaming future. Will she be able to survive? Perfect for two unexpected fandoms to collide, combine and enjoy the subsequent riches. (March 10)
Moon Witch, Spider King: by Marlon James. The Booker Prize winner is back with the second instalment of his Dark Star trilogy in which Sogolon, a secondary character in book 1, takes centre stage. An adventure and a tale of an indomitable woman, it’s a fascinating novel that explores the relationship between power and personality. (March 3)
The Book of Cold Cases: by Simone St James. In 1977, the Lady Killer Murders shook a small town in Oregon. A woman, Beth Green, was the most likely suspect, but eventually acquitted. In 2017, Shea Collins, a receptionist in Oregon, runs a true crime website. Fascinated by the 40-year-old murders, she requests an interview with Beth, the woman at the centre of it all. But as their meetings progress, Shea realizes that things are more dangerous than they seem. I really enjoyed St. James’ previous book, 'The Sun Down Motel', and I’m really looking forward to this one. (March 15)
Nine Lives: by Peter Swanson. The story of nine strangers who receive a cryptic list with their names on it—and then begin to die in highly unusual circumstances. A Christie-esque premise like this is an automatic buy for me, but it’s bound to be great in the capable hands of Swanson, whose Eight Perfect Murders was just delicious. (March 15)
Telugu: The Best Stories of Our Times: ed. Volga, tr. Alladi Uma and Sridhar M. Appearing in English for the first time, this collection of stories by stars of Telugu literature give us a unique glimpse into the contemporary literary landscape of the region. Perfect to complete tasks #9/#10 from the splainer reading challenge (and generally widen your reading horizons)! (February 27)
Non fiction:
In Love: by Amy Bloom. When her husband, Brian, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he was determined to die on his own terms and not face the crueller phases of the disease. Supporting each other in their last journey together, Brian and Amy made the unimaginably difficult and painful decision to go to Dignitas, an organisation based in Switzerland that empowers a person to end their own life with dignity and peace. A heart-breaking portrait of love and marriage written with depth, wit and candour. (March 8)
A World on the Wing: by Scott Weidensaul. When birds migrate, they cross oceans, fly above the highest mountains and traverse extraordinary lengths. This amazing work of natural writing, based on extensive fieldwork, not only tells us these stories in much more depth, but also introduces us to the scientists, researchers and bird-lovers who’re trying to preserve global migratory patterns in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges. (March 18)
Comedy, Comedy, Comedy, Drama: by Bob Odenkirk. It’s no secret that the star of 'Better Call Saul' is widely beloved. In this memoir, he charts his journey in showbiz, from his beginnings in the seedy comedy clubs of Chicago to finding the character that’ll define his career (so far) in 'Breaking Bad'. This short clip perfectly demonstrates how hilarious Bob can be. (March 1)
In the Margins: by Elena Ferrante, tr. Ann Goldstein. It looks like Ferrante’s moment is going to last forever. There are adaptations of her works galore, and this new collection of essays further fortifies her voice as essential and impactful. In this book, Ferrante gives us a rare look at her literary influences, her struggles, her development as a reader and a writer, her views on Dickinson and Stein, and much more. (March 15)
Planning Democracy: by Nikhil Menon. India’s Five-Year Plans have been one of the developing world’s most ambitious experiments. Planning the economy began as a way for independent India to come out of a long colonial shadow and start on the path to prosperity. In this fascinating history, Menon tells the story of how the idea of “democratic planning” came to be, how India walked a fine line between capitalism and communism, and how planning continues to shape our world today. (March 7)
Poetry:
Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head: by Warsan Shire. The incredible Somali-British poet brings us her first full-length collection of poems that talk about migration, womanhood, trauma and resilience. Drawing from her own life and those around her, from pop culture and news headlines, Shire “finds vivid, unique details in the experiences of refugees and immigrants, mothers and daughters, Black women, and teenage girls.” Shire also comes with Beyoncé’s stamp of approval, in case you needed an extra push to read her work. 😉
Quick fixes, aka, a few varied recommendations
One: I am currently reading 'The Maid' by Nita Prose, a debut that was a most anticipated read for many across the world. So far, it’s living up to the hype. It’s a refreshing take on a locked-room mystery, and introduces us to an excellent new character in Molly, the eponymous maid.
Two: I’ve been a fan of Henning Mankell’s Swedish detective noir series starring intense police inspector Kurt Wallander for years. A new show, which imagines him in his youth, aptly titled ‘Young Wallander’, takes its cues from the books and is on Netflix, and I’m tentatively dipping my toes in it to see what all the fuss is about. To be honest, anything that can get more people to read Mankell has done its job in my eyes.
Three: Does anyone remember 'The Three Investigators'? A detective series created by Robert Arthur Jr. and featuring three boys (one of whom was called Jupiter Jones, an instant hit with little me) who faced mysteries involving a whispering Egyptian mummy and a talking human skull, it was an adventure into the absolute fantastic for someone with as active an imagination as mine. The most amazing time was had by all.
Note: Reading Habit is curated by our books editor Anushree Kaushal. Want to send along recommendations, feedback or just say hi? Email her at kaushalanushree@gmail.com.
