5 new books to read this week
This week’s bookcase includes reviews of Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hosein and The Garnett Girls by Georgina Moore.
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Your support makes all the difference.Kevin Jared Hosein might have a future prize-winner on his hands with Hungry Ghosts…
Fiction
1. Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hosein is published in hardback by Bloomsbury Publishing, priced £16.99 (ebook £11.89). Available now
Hungry Ghosts is already predicted to be a contender in this year’s big book awards. Set in 1940s rural Trinidad, a luxury house overlooks the barrack where many families are living in pest-ridden dilapidated poverty. When the rich man from the big house goes missing, a series of ominous events portends tragedy for one of the barrack families – Hans and Shweta Saroop. Social injustice and violence is never far away. The lush, lyrical yet dense vocabulary of the novel adds to the feeling of intensity, and the claustrophobia of people trapped in their lives. The other thing to revel in is the characterisation – even minor characters feel very human and complex. Powerful and oppressive, you may have to read this in small doses, but it repays the perseverance. If you read it now, you’ll be able to brag about it when it’s on all the literary prize shortlists.
9/10 (Review by Bridie Pritchard)
2. The Garnett Girls by Georgina Moore is published in hardback by HQ, priced £14.99 (ebook £7.99). Available now
In her debut novel, Georgina Moore follows the story of the Garnett family as the breakdown of mother Margo’s marriage to alcoholic Richard impacts the lives of their daughters, Rachel, Imogen and Sasha, years after the split. The Garnett Girls takes you into the heart of the family, which centres around the seaside home of Sandcove in the Isle of Wight, as all the complications of issues past and present play out. Each of the main characters is flawed yet relatable, and the family dynamics between the strong women are portrayed perfectly by Moore. An immersive novel which leaves the reader feeling they have become part of the family.
9/10 (Review by Eleanor Barlow)
3. Owlish by Dorothy Tse, translated by Natascha Bruce, is published in paperback by Fitzcarraldo Editions, priced £13.99 (ebook £5.99). Available now
It’s worth knowing from the outset Owlish is set in an alternate Hong Kong, the mountainous city of Nevers. It focuses on Professor Q, a middle-aged academic with a stunted career and dull marriage. He collects dolls in secret, and soon begins a passionate affair with Aliss, a life-size ballerina doll, with the encouragement of his mysterious friend Owlish. There’s far too much description of a sad 50-year-old man having sexual relations with a doll, and everything feels so loaded with meaning, it’s hard to tell what’s actually happening. The surreal style is interesting, but the content is a bit too uncomfortable, with too little plot to sustain it. Nevers is a fully realised world with a turbulent political situation unfolding in the background – it would have been a much more engaging read if only Professor Q wasn’t so caught up in his love affair to notice what was going on.
6/10 (Review by Prudence Wade)
Non-fiction
4. What Women Want: Conversations On Desire, Power, Love And Growth by Maxine Mei-Fung Chung is published in hardback by Hutchinson Heinemann, priced £18.99 (ebook £9.99). Available now
This is a collection of real-life stories about various women and their interactions with the psychotherapist Maxine Mei-Fung Chung. The myriad of stories are very relatable and shine a light on everyday issues – from identity to desire. There’s a cross-section of main characters across various social demographics, hitting home that all types of people can benefit from seeing a therapist. Each scenario feels very visual, helping you picture the rooms and settings, and immersing yourself in the lives of these women. At times, the story endings feel a bit contrived – perhaps a bit too manufactured and polished – but overall, it’s a very well-written and engaging book.
8/10 (Review by Oyinda Bishi)
Children’s book of the week
5. The Repair Shop Stories: The Toy Bus by Amy Sparkes, illustrated by Katie Hickey, is published in hardback by Walker Books, priced £12.99 (ebook £12.99). Available now
There’s a lot to love about the latest children’s book centred around hit TV show, The Repair Shop. It’s a story within a story: Toby and his brother Sam have come to The Repair Shop barn with their grandmother, to get a family heirloom fixed. Grandma Elsie then tells the story of this meaningful toy bus – her brother has cerebral palsy, and as children he couldn’t run alongside the big red buses like she could. To help him feel included, Elsie bought him a toy bus – encouraging him to take his first steps. Even more sweetly, the book is based on a real-life story about a toy bus that appeared on the TV show. Even if you haven’t seen the show, it’s still a lovely read – and fans of the series will enjoy recognising everyone from Jay Blades to painter Lucia Scalisi. The illustrations are colourful and the story is uplifting – perfect for bedtime.
8/10 (Review by Prudence Wade)
BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING 25 FEBRUARY
HARDBACK (FICTION)
1. Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes
2. Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
3. It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover
4. The Cloisters by Katy Hays5. The Murder Game by Tom Hindle
6. Song Of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao
7. The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths
8. Weyward by Emilia Hart
9. Exiles by Jane Harper
10. Godkiller by Hannah Kaner(Compiled by Waterstones)
HARDBACK (NON-FICTION)
1. The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook by Clare Andrews & Air Fryer UK
2. Spare by The Duke of Sussex
3. Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
4. Me Vs Brain: An Overthinker’s Guide To Life by Hayley Morris
5. Bored Of Lunch by Nathan Anthony
6. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse by Charlie Mackesy
7. It’s OK To Be Angry About Capitalism by Bernie Sanders
8. Air-Fryer Cookbook by Jenny Tschiesche
9. Closer To Love by Vex King
10. What’s For Dinner? by Sarah Rossi(Compiled by Waterstones)
AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION)
1. Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
2. Spare by The Duke of Sussex
3. Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes
4. Atomic Habits by James Clear
5. The End And The Death: Volume 1 by Dan Abnett
6. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
7. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julie Smith
8. The Bat by Jo Nesbo
9. Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
10. The Chimp Paradox by Professor Steve Peters(Compiled by Audible)