We recommend: The best new book releases
The best of new fiction
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The Nigerian writer—best known for ‘Americanah’ and ‘We Should All Be Feminists’—brings four stories in her new novel—her first since 2013. Set during pandemic times, the narratives explore a whole range of themes such as love, choices, regrets, betrayal and feeling of a broken heart and of course highlights them through women—the best friend, an outspoken cousin and a housekeeper.
As for the reviews, The Guardian concludes: “Dream Count practically gives us four novels for the price of one, each of them powered by the simple but evergreen thrill of time spent in the company of flesh and blood characters lavishly imagined in the round. It was worth the wait.” Associated Press loved it as well—saying: “‘Dream Count’ succeeds because every page is suffused with empathy, and because Adichie’s voice is as forthright and clarifying as ever. Reading about each woman, we begin to forget that we’re separate from these characters or that their lives belong to fiction.” (March 4)
The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica, translated by Sarah Moses: The book of feminist horror, after the author’s earlier work ‘Tender Is the Flesh’, is set in a dystopic world, inside a Sacred Sisterhood. A woman is trapped in an underground convent, while the world outside collapses due to conflict and climate change. She writes her story with bits of ink and paper—anything she can find. When a stranger is inducted into the hallowed halls as one of the ‘enlightenened’, the woman is forced to confront her past and the realities of her predicament.
The reviews are mixed, The New York Times calls it: “[A] novel filled with secrets, and part of the thrill is cracking open one forbidden door at a time.” According to Kirkus Reviews: “[T]he story is a little tough to follow due to the narrator’s fragmented memory, not to mention lots of interruptions from the old ultraviolence and body horror.” (March 4)
The Antidote by Karen Russell: The novel begins with a dust storm that has swallowed up a fictional town called Uz in Nebraska. It’s not all that has brought about its downfall. It has had a past with violent histories, settler colonialism and an economic depression. Through the stories of a ‘Prairie witch’, a hoarder farmer, his niece, a basketball player, a photographer and a few others, the book delves into the act of deliberate amnesia, of a nation’s forgetting, generation after generation.
The reviews are mixed, again. Los Angeles Times comments on the many subplots and characters, but says, “her sharp narrative grasp guides the reader from character to character as the book unfolds. The Guardian writes: “[E]very novelist with a long enough career will ultimately produce a book where they’ve bitten off more than they can chew, or chewed and swallowed something they should have spat out.” (March 11)
Twist by Colum McCann: An Irish journalist and playwright, Anthony Fennell, is assigned a story about underwater cables. They carry all the world’s information—texts, pictures and communication. But, sometimes, deep under the ocean, they break and require physical intervention to be fixed. Through his journey, Fennell discovers this underbelly of the technological world, and its many implications. As he follows a freediver, the two men deal with severed connections and questions about life.
As for the reviews, Kirkus Reviews concurs: “McCann hasn’t lost the shining prose that marked his earlier novels.” San Francisco Book Review writes: “Twist makes for a suspenseful story that you will want to see through to the end. This is a well-written novel with a fascinating plot that is guaranteed to make readers think. (March 25)
Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah: This is Gurnah’s first book since winning the Nobel Prize in 2021. The book is set in Tanzania and follows three young people—Karim, a university graduate, Fauzia, who is trying to escape family, and Badar, who is unsure about his future. Through unexpected twists, the three of them understand what it means to take your fate into your own hands.
The plot may be a little light on the details, but Kirkus Reviews writes: “No word is wasted… A tightly constructed family drama with surprising complications.” Publishers Weekly says: “At once culturally specific and emotionally universal. . . Gurnah is at the top of his game.” (March 25)
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins: 'The Hunger Games' fans, rejoice! The fifth book in the series is the second prequel that focuses on Haymitch Abernathy’s games—the 50th Hunger Games aka Second Quarter Quell. For those who are not familiar, Haymitch was one of the mentors of Katniss’ is one of the legendary winners of the games. The book goes into the events of how he survived the bloody games. (March 18)
This month’s poetry pick
Primordial by Mai Der Vang: The poet forges a powerful connection between the struggles of the Hmong people and the endangered saola, a rare and elusive native to Laos and Vietnam. Through poetry, she explores themes of exile and the enduring weight of memory. As she meditates on the fragile existence of both people and land, Vang questions what it means to seek refuge in a world shaped by loss and resilience. Newcitylit says that the collection is “impressive”—one that links the endangered saola to Hmong identity, using “beautiful language” that is both “grounded and terrestrial, and at the same time, out of this world.” (March 4)
The best of the non-fiction list
Rain Dogs by Rohit Chawla: An exhibition and a book dedicated to capturing the stray dogs of Goa? Yes please! Fair warning, it isn’t as cheery as you think. As you may know, monsoon is a non-touristy season in India—especially in Goa. The well-fed strays during the winter months are left to fend for themselves in the rainy, gloomy months. Photographer Rohit Chawla began photographing these furry animals—and through this exercise realised it showed a mirror to his own feelings of loneliness and vulnerability. The profits from the book’s proceeds go to registered animal welfare charities. (March 5)
Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green: Tuberculosis is the world’s top infectious disease—affecting 10 million people and killing 1.5 million people every year. In this book, popular author John Green tells the story of a young boy named Henry undergoing TB treatment—whom he had met in 2019. And like his ‘CrashCourse’ videos, Green weaves in scientific and social histories of how tuberculosis has shaped our world as well as draws our attention to healthcare inequalities. (March 18)
Another Day in Landour: Looking Out From my Window by Ruskin Bond: In this, Bond offers a glimpse into his quiet life through journal entries spanning two years, observing the changing seasons, small joys, and daily musings from his cozy room with a window. From the sight of ferns flourishing on oak trunks to the ache of an unshakable toothache, he captures life's simple yet profound moments with warmth and a witty attention to detail. (March 31)
On Air: The Triumph and Tumult of NPR by Steve Oney: Tells the story of NPR’s journey from a small public radio network to a powerful force in American journalism. It follows the voices that shaped its identity—hosts like Bob Edwards, Susan Stamberg, and Ira Glass—while also exploring the leadership battles, controversies, and pivotal moments that defined its growth. From the firing of key figures to a game-changing $230 million donation, the book delves into NPR’s struggles and triumphs, including its bold shift into digital media and podcasting. (March 11)
Basti & Durbar by Rakhshanda Jalil: A collection of thirty-two stories that capture the many faces of Delhi—a city of emperors and migrants, poets and politicians, partition survivors and dreamers. Through the voices of renowned writers like Khushwant Singh, Bhisham Sahni, Krishna Sobti, Gulzar, Namita Gokhale, and Uday Prakash, alongside emerging voices, the book paints a vivid portrait of a city that is both historic and ever-changing. From the Gymkhana Club’s card tables to the crowded bastis, from its scorching summers to its biting winters, these stories explore Delhi’s contradictions—its resilience, its betrayals, and its enduring charm. (March 10)
