We recommend: The best new book releases
The best of new fiction
Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson: The author of the Jurassic Park book series, the late Michael Crichton—who was a filmmaker as well—once wrote a draft book about a once-in-a-century volcanic eruption in Hawaii that would destroy and change the world, lest a handful of brave individuals save the island. It never saw the light of day until his wife found it and gave it to another best selling author to finish it. This is that book. Associated Press says “It’s formulaic… but it’s a thrill and the pages practically turn themselves.” Washington Post warns that it is “a White saviour story heated to 2,000 degrees” but written with a big-budget movie casting in mind. For example, “Army Ordnance Corps is “a George Clooney look-alike.”
Bear by Julia Phillips: From the bestselling author of ‘Disappearing Earth’, this novel is centred around two sisters, Elena and Sam, who live on the Pacific Northwest island. One day, Sam encounters a bear swimming in the dark waters of the channel which prompts two polar opposite reactions from the sisters and unlocks everything from sisterhood to the human psyche. Publishers Weekly calls it “beautiful and haunting” while Lit Hub writes: “Phillips is brilliant at balancing sharply drawn characters with finely woven plot and unnerving atmosphere."
Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller: Fans of fictional books about books and libraries that lead to revolution? This one’s for you. Our titular character Lula Dean lives in a small town in Georgia, the USA. She is a total Karen, BTW—and on her mission to rid public libraries of “pornographic” books. But the ‘proper’ books in her own bookstore are replaced by smut wrapped in paper—which end up getting borrowed and read by many of the town folks. Publisher’s Weekly concludes that “Miller’s fans will flock to her latest page-turner as social critique.”
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay: Fans of horror, gather around. The author Paul Tremblay has given us many horror novels such as ‘The Pallbearers Club’ and ‘The Cabin at the End of the World’—yup, the source material for the cult classic movie.
With the latest book, he is bringing back the “cursed film” genre which plays out as Hollywood tries to make a reboot of 1993 art-house Horror flick.
This month’s poetry pick
Conflicted Copy by Sam Riviere: While the literary world frets about AI, Riviere has collaborated with open source network GPT-2 to create poetry that explores machine learning and the role of a poet in the world of algorithms. Some could say that Rivere is making the most of the anxiety brewing when it comes to AI to create art that fits rather unconventionally into our time. For example, one of the poems called ‘Pink Poem’ reads like a machine trying to work out what poetry is: “quite interesting and gave the impression you / had to repeat in order to understand”. (June 6)
The best of new non-fiction
When Women Ran Fifth Avenue by Julie Satow: This historical non-fiction read provides an in-depth view of the rise of American department stores and the three visionary women who led them. The American department store took the idea of modern consumerism to a whole new level—incorporating the different needs of women shoppers who could make independent decisions. Journalist Julie Satow throws light on the three women who curated a decadent shopping experience for women—regardless of their age, social class and ambition. (June 4)
Sing Like Fish by Amorina Kingdon: This award-winning science journalist elaborates on how underwater animals use sound to survive, how sounds travel with the currents and how human noise can transform entire marine ecosystems: which includes motorboats and cruise ships, container ships, underwater sonar and seismic imaging. Kingdon also beautifully elaborates on the sonic undersea world: the syntax of whalesong, the crackle of snapping shrimp, underwater earthquakes and volcanoes. The book is a lovely, intimate and artful read with many new facts of the marine world and a call to action for a quieter future. (June 4)
Ambition Monster by Jennifer Romolini: Here comes an “anti-girlboss tale” in the form of a deeply personal memoir about workaholism, an addiction to ambition and racing up the professional ladder. Romolini recounts her experience of high-profile jobs, C-suite positions and giving speeches on “making it.” But also throws adequate light on how much she was crumbling behind this shiny surface. This book—as its blurb says—is perfect for people-pleasers and overachievers. (June 4)
Hip-Hop Is History by Questlove: One of the most revolutionary figures of hip-hop—Questlove—aims to uncover the ways in which each song from the genre pushes it forward and shines a light on Black American history. Questlove’s knowledge of the genre and his own experience make this book immensely entertaining and illuminating. The interesting experience of this book is to view hip-hop from Questlove’s experience of it as a consumer and an artist. (June 11)
