8 Books You Don't Want to Miss This Month
You know how you tend to see the same books over and over in reviews
and features? Many of us (me included) are drawn to the books that our
friends and trusted sources recommend, and it's easy to completely miss
other titles that deserve more attention. That's what today's round-up
is all about. Here are eight books, all published this month, that might have escaped your attention. The genres are all over the
place, so I've listed the books alphabetically, rather than try to group
them.
Caroline's Bikini by Kirsty Gunn
(Faber & Faber, Jan. 22). This is a novel about unrequited love
among the cocktail set of contemporary West London. When middle-aged,
successful banker Evan takes lodgings in the top floor of British family
home, he's hit hard when he meets his landlady, Caroline. Complete with
footnotes and references to the age-old classics, this a modern
retelling of familiar, ancient themes. Other things to know: one of the
blurbs reads "A gin-fueled love story with one part One Day mixed with one part Zadie Smith and a splash of Ali Smith." Who can resist?
The Current by Tim Johnston
(Algonquin, Jan. 22). This contemporary story, set in the icy upper
Midwest, involves two college friends, a road trip, and two fatal car
accidents that occur along the same rural road but two decades apart.
Although the book involves a mystery and an amateur sleuth, this is much
more than a whodunit. Other things to know: The author's Descent was one of my favorite books. The novel has won several starred reviews.
The Falconer by Dana Czapnik
(Atria, Jan. 29): Set in the 1990s in New York City, this is the story
of growing up female, athletic, smart,and talented in a world both full
of promise and just about to take a long downward slide. Feminism, art,
young love, and the city itself take center stage in this coming-of-age
story of a young woman growing up in the shadow of the baby boomers and
the light of new possibilities. Other things to know: The author is an
award-winning fiction writer with many years as an editor in sports
journalism. Tons critical of praise.
The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay
(Grove Press, Jan. 15): This contemporary story is set in India and
deals with sociopolitical issues, family drama, grief, and religion
conflicts. Shalini, a 30-something woman, travels across the country to
the Himalayans hoping to better understand her late mother and to look
for a man she remembers from her youth. Other things to know: The
author, born in Bangalore, won the Pushcart Prize. This debut novel was
an Indie Introduces pick. Diversity & Own Voices.
Hollywood's Eve: Eve Babitz and the Secret History of L.A. by Lili Anolik
(Scribner, Jan. 8): This is the biography of one-time groupie / sex
symbol Eve Babitz, who hooked up (in one way or another) with movie
stars, musicians, and artists of the 1960s and 1970s. Yet from the time
she was a teenager, she was also a writer and in her later years went on
to write several semi-autobiographical novels, to little notice.
Apparently, her work is now seeing a comeback. Other things to know:
Anolik is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair.
Late in the Day by Tessa Hadley
(Harper, Jan 15). This contemporary novel focuses on two couples who
have been close friends for decades. When one of the quartet dies
suddenly, the dynamics of the remaining interrelationships are thrown
off kilter. Themes include friendship, marriage, grief, and dealing with
the past. Other things to know: The author has won Windham Campbell
Prize and the Hawthornden Prize. The book received much critical praise
and at least one starred review.
A Sky for Us Alone by Kristin Russell
(Katherine Tegen Books, Jan. 8): Set in an insular Appalachian town in
the heart of coal country, this is a contemporary story of a young boy
on the brink of manhood who is trying to come to terms with a family
death while balancing his desire to escape the poverty and limits of his
home town with the strong ties he feels to place and people. Other
things to know: A debut novel. Coming-of-age story.
That Churchill Woman by Stephanie Barron
(Ballantine, Jan 29): This is a fictionalized account of the life of
Jennie Jerome, a daughter of the New York City elite who traveled to
England in the 1870s to marry into the landed gentry. Out of her many
suitors, she married Lord Randolph Spencer-Churchill and made it her
business to help his political career and their rise in British society.
Later she supported her son Winston as he made his own name in
politics. Other things to know: Barron is not only an accomplished
author but once worked for the CIA as an intelligence analyst.
8 comments:
They all sound good and you are right in terms of me at least - I hadn't heard of any of them!
I've got my eye on The Falconer! Love fiction with female athlete protagonists and there aren't enough of them out there. Just need to wait until pub day b/c don't have a galley.
I've heard of several of these and have a couple on my list to try at some point, THE CURRENT and THAT CHURCHILL WOMAN. Now there are two that are quite different from each other. I've owned a copy of THE DESCENT for quite a while. I need to get to that one too.
There are several (maybe all) of them that I want to read...That Churchill Woman is probably the one I'd pick first.
some interesting intriguing books here .. thanks!
I was just reading about That Churchill Woman the other day. It sounds good to me. I'd also like to read The Far Field.
The Current recently went on my library request list. I will certainly add Caroline's Bikini.
You are correct, I tend to look at books my online friends are reading.
Damn! So many for me to add to my TBR list!!
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