We recommend: The best new book releases
The best of new fiction
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong: The highly anticipated second novel by the author tells the story of the unlikely bond between a young college dropout, Hai and Grazina, an elderly widow slowly succumbing to dementia. Set in East Gladness, Connecticut, Hai is ready to jump off a bridge when he first meets Grazina. The novel is about shared connections, chosen families, and unlikely friendships. The Guardian calls it “Heartbreaking, heartwarming yet unsentimental, and savagely comic all at the same time”. NPR similarly raves about it, “a truly great novel about work — still an under-acknowledged topic in American fiction.” (May 15)
The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei: Genevieve Yang was growing up as a single child in 1996 working-class Singapore. She lived with her parents in Bedok, in a one-bedroom apartment. Her life changes when an unexpected sibling, through her grandfather arrives. The sisters, Arin and Genevieve grow close and navigate life in the city together. The book is also a great study in working-class life in Singapore and the many tribulations that come with it. Kirkus Review calls it “A moving debut novel about sisterhood, ambition, and the quest to become one’s true self.” The New York Times praises it too “Wei writes with a maturity that belies this novel’s status as a debut.” (May 6)
Lush by Rochelle Dowden-Lord: Four wine experts—Avery, Cosmo, Sonny, and Maëlys—arrive at a French vineyard for the chance to taste the rarest bottle of wine in the world. But as indulgence turns to chaos, simmering tensions and buried secrets surface. Avery, burned-out but hopeful, and Cosmo, a crumbling prodigy, share a spark neither can ignore. Over a few heady days, each guest must confront the crisis that brought them here. Darkly funny and sensuous, ‘Lush’ is a sharp, intoxicating dive into the pleasures and pressures of the wine world. TIME Magazine calls this an “intoxicating look at the world of wine.” Publishers Weekly concurs, describing the book as a “polished debut. The narrative finishes on a bittersweet and satisfying note. Wine enthusiasts will savour this.” (May 8)
Never Flinch by Stephen King: Undoubtedly, this is one of the most anticipated books of the month the whole year! The novel is the fourth one in the Holly Gibney universe. The story is about two killers on the loose—one is on a revenge mission and the other is targeting a speaker. When the police department gets a letter from one of the killers, Detective Izzy Jaynes immediately calls PI Holly Gibney for help. And we all know how that’s going to go down. As for the reviews, Kirkus Reviews says “Even when King is not at his best, he’s still good.” Publishers Weekly gushes: “Elegantly structured and sharply written, this moody mystery from the master of horror is a must-read.” (May 27)
This month’s poetry pick
A Poetic Journey through 37 Indian Cities by Bilal Moin: Spanning thirty-seven cities and nearly twenty languages, this sweeping anthology captures the heart of urban India through 375 poems. From the timeless verses of Valmiki and Kabir to the modern voices of Vikram Seth, Kamala Das, and Gulzar, the collection charts a lyrical journey through cities as imperial capitals, colonial relics, and ever-shifting modern hubs. Whether it's Ghalib’s Delhi, Agha Shahid Ali’s Srinagar, or Arundhathi Subramaniam’s Madras, each poem reveals a city’s soul—chaotic, intimate, and alive. No reviews are out yet for the book, but we are excited by the sheer diversity of rhythms and languages on offer. (May 30)
The best of the non-fiction list
The New Age of Sexism: How the AI Revolution is Reinventing Misogyny by Laura Bates: In this urgent and unflinching exposé, bestselling author and activist Laura Bates investigates how emerging AI technologies are quietly entrenching misogyny in our everyday lives. From deepfakes and AI-generated girlfriends to cyber brothels and classroom harassment, Bates uncovers a world where women's rights and safety are increasingly under threat. With chilling real-world examples, she reveals how bias is being coded into the future. A powerful call to arms in the fight for gender equality in the digital age. Reviews are great. The Daily Telegraph says that "The New Age of Sexism doesn’t sound like a thriller, but it reads like one, with vivid reportage, arresting stories, sharp insights and grabby stats." Financial Times describes Bates as a “brilliant thinker and campaigner.” (May 15)
Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson: This book that has gripped Washington this week. It has nothing to do with the Bible or theology, but is actually an exposé by two CNN journalists of former US President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline being worse than what was presented in the media. They argue that he was well protected by his innermost circle, which was based on interviews with more than 200 people, including White House insiders, members of Congress and donors.
Alex Shephard in Washington Post writes: “‘Original Sin’ is not really a ‘campaign book’ — its account of the 2024 election largely ends after Biden drops out — but its simple assessment of the race is more compelling than anything else I’ve read about it.” New York Times is of the view: “‘Original Sin’ chronicles a different fall from grace… The biblical story is about the danger of innocent curiosity; the story in this new book is about the danger of willful ignorance.” (May 20)
