One of my favourite sci-fi authors has a new book that I cannot wait to read, Jack Reacher is back and it's excellent, and there's a new Diary of a Wimpy Kid flying out the door.
This week my wallet is in trouble. I've got my eyes on some fiction and non-fiction, and there's some stunning special editions too. Danger, do not read on unless you're ready to add a whole bunch of new books to your TBR. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Fiction New Releases!
Firstly, our favourite big guy is back with Chain Reaction by Andrew and Lee Child arriving in stock. Oh boy, if you are a Reacher fan - you're in for a treat. Edd and I have already read and reviewed this one!
The other one we will both be reading ASAP (Edd had pre-ordered his copy) is As You Wake, Break the Shell by Becky Chambers. I have yet to read a book by Chambers that I don't love - she does incredible character driven sci-fi novels and I honestly have no idea what to expect from this but it's cover is beautiful, the title has me very intrigued, and I'm all in. This is the first in a new duology that is supposed to be both heartfelt and hopeful (no surprise there!), set on a resource poor planet where a botanist and a pilot come together to find a way to survive.
The next book I will be bringing home is In One Brief Moment All Eternity by literary masterpiece, Elif Shafak. I have adored other novels by Shafak (favourites currently being 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World and The Island of Missing Trees), and she's definitely an auto-buy author for me. This new novel is a big one, and as we know I am easily scared off by a large page count, however the subject of this is the iconic writer Gustave Flaubert and its a portrait told through the lives of women who shaped him (including real and fiction ones). It sounds like a fascinating subject and structure, and the prose of Shafak is always profound and beautiful so I'm excited to slowly make my way through this one.
Obviously it's not all about me and my favourites, and their are some other amazing fiction releases out today that deserve a shout out too. Miss Woolcott's Ghost by Louise Penny looks so good, a new mystery novel in the Three Pines crime series with Inspector Armand Gamache. This series feels very Agatha Christie in vibes, and has the same whodunnit vibes but with a bit more emotional depth and trauma explored. If a grittier crime/mystery is more your style, Mick Herron's newest novella, Watch the Quiet Snow, might be one for your TBR. If, like me, you haven't read a Mick Herron novel yet but want to try then apparently this one is a great introduction.
The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse is another big release this week, from Heather Morris who is also the author of the famous novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz. D: Heavy Water by Neal Stephenson is the second installment in his Bomb Light series which is set on the eve of World War II, where nations are urgently trying to secure the supplies of deuterium (heavy water), essential for building atomic weapons. If you enjoy wild stories of suspense and courage that reveal history in a new way then this series is one you should check out!
I was not expecting a gorgeous little red hardback of Murakami to arrive today so when I saw it in amongst the new releases I was delighted to add it to my TBR. This new edition of one of his bestsellers, Abandoning a Cat (I haven't read it yet but will now!), is a meditation on memory and family and in this new version it includes beautiful illustrations. A must buy for any Murakami fans.
Ready for Some Romance?
There's a stack of new romance reads today, including some of the first CHRISTMAS romances!!! NEVER TOO EARLY! (Having said that I will not touch a Christmas book until November 1st, to each their own).
Before I get into Christmas (how?), E.L. James' Land of Ghosts is here and I am so excited to read it. Yes, this is E.L. James of Fifty Shades, but this time she's back with a romance that looks completely different to what she has done before - possibly even a bit paranormal? We'll just have to read it! Speakiong of authors shifting genres ever so slightly, one of my go-to contemporary romance writers, Tessa Bailey, is also shaking things up with her new novel, Broken Rival. Another one I need to read ASAP, this is completely different to the things I expect from Bailey, it looks like it involves some dystopian themes, maybe some time travel, and an enemies to lovers young adult romance. I don't know how spicy it is if it's YA but I'm excited to find out what she's up to with this new approach to romance.
As a sucker for a pretty cover I keep looking at Undone by Peyton Corinne, a second-chance hockey romance that is filled with angst (YES). Braidee Otto is also back with book 2 in her Myths of the Empyrieos series and I heard so many good things about Book One (Songbird of the Sorrows) that I really intrigued. Daughter of the Tempest has an absolutely beautiful cover and detailed sprayed edge paperback so I need little convincing to try out this romantasy about fugitives and ride-or-die friendships.
Another series I haven't started yet but keep intending to it Elizabeth Helen's Beast of the Briar series. Book 5 has just landed, Crowned by Roses, in this spicy Beauty and the Beast retelling full of morally grey characters and a stupidly hot villain. Sold. I hear SO many good things about this series, and the fact that it's now complete is the cherry on top.
If you are already feeling like Christmas is around the corner and you're wanting a little seasonal romance to pick up then we have your sorted. My top pick is A Married Little Christmas by Abby Jiminez which is a gorgeous collection of three novellas with full colour artwork included! I LOVE Jiminez, and the fact that this beautiful book includes not just one romance but three has me swooning.
There's also Christmas Staycation by Meghan Quinn which has just arrived and looks like perfection in seasonal reading form. This steamy, small-town romance features a fake engagement, an ex's brother, and the usual family chaos of the holiday season. I love all of those things.
Check back in with me at the start of November once I'm ready to commit to some Christmas romance, these are right at the top of my list!
Dangerously we also have some gorgeous new special editions to lust over in the bookshop now. Elsie Silver's most recent novel, Fever Dream (excellent), is now out with a beautiful sprayed edge paperback edition and I'm so jealous for those who get to pick that up. Plus, if you're a fan of her original Chestnut Springs series they've started releasing those in the most jaw-dropping gilded hardbacks and I'm obsessed. The first two (Flawless and Heartless) arrived today, and the third (Powerless), should be here soon! They look absolutely stunning on the bookshelf and are the ideal trophies. Just sayin'.
The prettiest self trophies!
Non-Fiction New Releases!
I might be the only person left who hasn't read or watched any of the Diddly Squat series but I absolutely intend to. The latest Jeremy Clarkson gentleman farmer book is here now, Diddly Squat: The G.O.A.T., and it's another hilarious book about uncooperative animals, underperforming crops, and a chaotic farm that keeps giving to us all. I think I'm ready for some slightly chaotic and yet cosy farm animal content. It might help to balance out the non-fiction book I am taking home today, The Nerd Reich by Gil Duran (Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy). After absolutely loving (in a slightly horrified way) End Times Fascism by Astra Taylor and Naomi Klein, I'm ready to continue my deep dive into everything wrong with the world. The Nerd Reich draws on insider experience and investigation to paint a scary portrait of the richest men who are proudly 'moving fast and breaking things', and building a new political order while they are at it.
Once I'm done with my fascism phase of non-fiction reading I think I might start planning a long-awaited trip to Japan - inspired by the beautiful new book, Journey Across Japan by Chris Broad. Stay tuned for more Japan dreaming content coming soon. More locally, I do really need to get to Hobbiton and the new unofficial oral history of the Lord of the Rings films has come out at the perfect time. There and Back Again by Sam Moore is a must for any LOTR fan (not looking at you Liam). It's been 25 years since the first move came out (ground breaking), and Sam Moore shares interviews with cast and crew members to share an incredible wealth of information on the story behind the story.
Quite possibly the most beautiful non-fiction book on our new release table currently is the huge hardback, A Life in Lyrics, with it's striking yellow spine and beautiful B&W cover with Freddie Mercury. This is an official book of his unseen before personal archives and collections, a wonderfully intimate and insightful look at an incredible musician and lyricist. With doodles and alternate lyrics, entire unrecorded songs, stories and anecdotes - this is a treasure of a book about a treasure of a human.
Children's New Releases:
It's so fun seeing kids get super excited about a new release - with so many other things they could be focusing on it brings me a lot of joy knowing that books are still so important to at least some of them. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight brings back Greg and his best friend, Rowley, and unfortunately a school bully is causing trouble for them both. It's another hilarious adventure and one that appeals to so many.
I've already taken home the brand new Detective Beans Colouring Book (it's SO cute) even though my daughter probably would have preferred I bring home the KPop Demon Hunters Official Colouring Book. Both are worthy of a look if you love a colouring book, or if you have a child that does!
If you're already looking for Christmas books for the tamariki you're in luck. Ms Rachel is prepped and ready with Merry Christmas, Friends - a fun-filled Christmas adventure that any toddler will love. There's also an adorable interactive board book, There's a Little Elf in your Book by Tom Fletcher, which looks super fun! We love a book with lots of tabs and sliders and a strong novelty factor. We have the paperback version of There's a Dragon in your Book and it's a really fun read, so I definitely need to grab some more in the series!
Lastly, there's a gorgeous festive edition of one of my favourite Julia Donaldson stories, The Gruffalo's Child, coming soon. With a beautiful foiled cover, and extra bonus content, this would make such a cute gift. Also if you haven't already checked out my ranking of *most* of the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler picture books, you should. Then let me know if you agree.
Let us know which new release you are adding to your own TBR!
Lizzy makes sure the Book Hero bookstore is an integral part of our local Hobsonville community, welcoming readers of all ages with a genuine kindness and love of books. The Fantastic Mr Fox ignited her passion for books as a child, and now she’s read thousands of books and loves matching the right book to the right reader - both in our bookstore and online. When she’s not recommending her next favourite read, she’s enjoying life’s small joys and adding to a home library so large her husband Edd is constructing a massive bookshelf to try and keep up.