Diverse New Releases Hit Shelves This Week
This week's literary offerings span continents and decades, from war-torn 1950s Korea to a claustrophobic Icelandic trawler. The lineup includes a sweeping family saga, a psychological exploration of trauma, a Nordic noir thriller, and a non-fiction investigation into a controversial psychedelic practice.
Song For Another Home: A Tale of Survival in 1950s Korea
Bora Lee Reed's Song For Another Home (Serpent's Tail, £14.99 hardback) follows teenage Oksoon, her brother, and mother as they flee Pyongyang after a Chinese army attack. They head to Seoul, hoping to reunite with their father and eldest brother who went ahead for business. The story also follows cousin Junho, who lives in an orphanage struggling to feed its charges. Reed weaves their narratives together, offering a human perspective on a turbulent historical period. The novel has been praised for its beautiful writing and strong character development, drawing comparisons to Min Jin Lee's Pachinko.
Sky City: Exploring Trauma and Chosen Family in 1990s London
Women's Prize-shortlisted author Jacqueline Crooks returns with Sky City (Jonathan Cape, £18.99 hardback), a deeply emotional novel set in 1990s north London. The story centers on Jaycee, a young woman living alone for the first time in a housing estate. When her school friend reappears and her best friend moves to New York, Jaycee is forced to confront painful memories. The novel examines friendship and the concept of chosen family, with three characters' lives intertwining by chance. Crooks handles complex themes with sensitivity, creating a powerful and thought-provoking read.
The Depths: A New Thriller from a Nordic Noir Master
Yrsa Sigurdardottir, a leading Scandinavian crime novelist, delivers The Depths (Hodder & Stoughton, £22 hardback, translated by Victoria Cribb). The story follows Gunndis, a ship's cook aboard an Icelandic fishing trawler, determined to uncover the truth about her father's death at sea. The novel interweaves a dry-land neighborly feud, keeping readers guessing about the culprit behind various crimes, including murder. Sigurdardottir, now more than 20 years into her crime-writing career, demonstrates her enduring skill in crafting gripping narratives.
The Ego Trip: Investigating the World of Toad Smoking
Kimon de Greef's The Ego Trip (White Rabbit, £23 hardback) explores the practice of toad smoking, using secretions from Sonoran desert toads for psychedelic effects. The book profiles Octavio Rettig, a self-styled guru who gained a following administering the substance to addicts and hippies, promising healing. However, troubling allegations and dangerous methods emerge. De Greef's investigation covers an indigenous tribe, Mexican cartels, and the impact on toad populations, as well as efforts to synthesize the 'god molecule' for medical use. The book builds on his deeply reported New Yorker piece and will appeal to fans of Patrick Radden Keefe, who mentored de Greef.
We Are Fairies: A Fun Picture Book for Young Children
John Condon and illustrator Patrick Corrigan team up again for We Are Fairies (HarperCollins Children's Books, £7.99 paperback). The story follows four fairies who leave their attic home to help a family with their 'to-do' list, causing chaos and fun along the way. They knock over furniture, spill food, and splash water, but also bring toys to life and trim hedges before being chased by garden gnomes. This colorful, easy-to-read picture book is ideal for younger children, especially those who believe in fairies.
Where to Find Your Next Read
For physical books, Waterstones tracks bestsellers, and Amazon offers popular new releases. AbeBooks is a good source for first editions and rare finds. Ebook readers can explore Amazon Kindle or Kobo eReaders, with BookBub providing daily deals and free titles. Audiobook fans can try Audible's free 30-day trial or BookBeat's 30-day trial with 20 hours of listening. Don't forget your local library, which often provides access to apps like Libby and BorrowBox for audiobooks, eBooks, and magazines.
Prices are correct at the time of publication.
