This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Wondering what to read next? This week's round-up of the best new releases includes novels from journalist and bestselling author Sathnam Sanghera and TV doctor Dr Ranj Singh.
1. All In by Claire Powell - 8/10
Claire Powell's All In follows Jo and Dave, a couple in their 40s with a marriage on the rocks, who get roped into an all-expenses-paid trip to a Mediterranean resort, courtesy of Dave's ultra-flashy brother Teddy, along with his younger girlfriend and their grumpy father. Far from fixing their problems, the luxury getaway shines a light on the tensions between the pair and the things that may be missing in their lives. It is a different take on a familiar theme and Powell delivers it all with a humour and wit that makes it a thoroughly enjoyable read. She is particularly good at capturing the mundanity of everyday interactions and the unique clumsiness of Brits on holiday abroad. It feels a bit like the book version of a TV sitcom, not plot-heavy but with enough drama to keep you hooked, and plenty of real depth and emotion that hits you at moments throughout.
All In by Claire Powell is published in hardback by Chatto & Windus, priced £16.99 (ebook £7.99). Review by Anna Wise.
2. The Devoted by Catherine Cho - 7/10
As a child growing up in Hong Kong, Eunha is shielded from the Triad violence and crime surrounding her father, a Dragon Head. As an adult, despite her marriage to an apparently respectable man, her life inevitably finds its way back to where it began. Catherine Cho's debut novel The Devoted kicks off as Eunha's young son is kidnapped. As the story unfolds, the reader learns more about the heroine's past and present, with flashbacks to her sheltered childhood interspersed with an adult life which is slipping out of her control. At times slow-paced, Cho's soft style of writing is engaging but falls slightly short of providing the drama which might be expected from this tale of love, betrayal and retribution.
The Devoted by Catherine Cho is published in hardback by Fourth Estate, priced £16.14 (ebook £9.99). Review by Eleanor Barlow.
3. Land by Maggie O'Farrell - 6/10
Following just a brief pause after the wildly successful film adaptation of Hamnet, Maggie O'Farrell returns with another historical work, this time focusing on the Ordnance Survey mapping of Ireland. Land is a somewhat bleak look at a hard, unforgiving and windswept landscape whose people are still reeling from the Great Famine, where almost empty villages mark devastating losses. It is up to Tomás, a survivor of the workhouse, and his 10-year-old son Liam, to plot the scarred landscape to feed their family. Then a seemingly innocuous discovery in a copse derails Tomás' usually stoic, practically silent approach to his work. Written as if everything on the page is happening right now, the tone of Land is a little jarring and connecting to the characters, whose point of view you leap between, takes some stumbling through. But O'Farrell does expertly and atmospherically capture a place and the passing of time.
Land by Maggie O'Farrell is published in hardback by Tinder Press, priced £12.50 (ebook £11.99). Review by Ella Walker.
Non-Fiction
4. Tonight The Music Seems So Loud: The Meaning Of George Michael by Sathnam Sanghera - 8/10
Journalist and bestselling author Sathnam Sanghera says he inherited the 'George Michael bug' from his sisters, but it is clear from this deeply personal book what the late singer has meant to him all his life. Weaving together his own recollections with the icon that is George Michael, Sanghera shows us how the Wham! frontman was more than just a singer-songwriter. It follows Michael as he navigates the ferocious media attention on him, the Aids crisis and the steps that led him to tell the public he had 'no shame whatsoever' in saying he was gay. It also looks at the man as an activist and philanthropist, including how he donated millions of pounds to charities such as Childline. This is a book for fans of George Michael's music, but it is also a tour through the key cultural changes of the Eighties and Nineties. An easy, but meticulously researched, read.
Tonight The Music Seems So Loud: The Meaning Of George Michael by Sathnam Sanghera is published in hardback by Picador, priced £18.97 (ebook £10.99). Review by Jane Kirby.
Find your next favourite book: Whether you prefer the weight of a hardback or the convenience of digital libraries, there are so many places to find your next favourite read (or listen). For physical books, Waterstones keeps track of the bestselling books, and you can find the most popular new releases at Amazon, too. Collectors and those after first editions should take a peek at AbeBooks, where you might discover a rare gem. For eBooks, for those who want a library in their back pocket, it is well worth picking up an Amazon Kindle or a Kobo eReader. For cheap ebook deals straight to your inbox, have a browse of BookBub. They are always sharing the latest deals, and some titles are even free. For audiobooks, Amazon-run Audible is offering a free 30-day trial of its standard tier which also includes unlimited access to podcasts. Or the 30-day trial at BookBeat provides a block of 20 hours to use on anything in their library of more than a million books. For free books, do not forget about your local library. Many offer more services than just books, with apps such as Libby and BorrowBox providing access to audiobooks, eBooks and magazines.
Kids' Corner
5. Dr Ranj's Human Body Encyclopedia by Dr Ranj Singh, illustrated by Bea Barros - 8/10
CBeebies and This Morning-star, bestselling author and TV doctor Dr Ranj Singh presents his latest non-fiction work for young readers, designed to answer common questions about how our bodies work. Colourful, age-appropriate and engaging illustrations bring the book to life, accompanied by bite-sized text and vibrant diagrams exploring topics including the skeleton, muscles, reproduction (sensitively), organs and more. Detailed enough to satisfy inquisitive young brains without overwhelming them, the book succeeds in making complex scientific concepts accessible and easy to understand. Most suitable for children aged around seven to nine, Dr Ranj's Human Body Encyclopedia is both informative and entertaining, encouraging curiosity about science while keeping learning fun. An interesting and well-presented introduction to the wonders of the human body for primary school readers.
Dr Ranj's Human Body Encyclopedia by Dr Ranj Singh, illustrated by Bea Barros, is published in hardback by DK Children, priced £16.85 (ebook £7.99). Review by Holly Cowell. Prices correct at time of publication.
