Whether you're a fan of gripping narratives, poetic prose, or deep dives into social issues, the upcoming months offer something for everyone. As we journey through 2024, here are some must-reads that promises a vibrant array of new releases that will captivate, challenge, and inspire readers.
The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami
When his girlfriend vanishes without a trace, a young man embarks on a quest to find the mythical city where her true essence dwells. His journey leads him to a secluded library filled with its own enigmas. Upon arriving in this walled city, populated by horned creatures and willow trees, he discovers her working in a fantastical library. Despite their past, she no longer remembers him, and as the boundaries between reality and fantasy begin to blur, he must confront what he is prepared to sacrifice. The City and Its Uncertain Walls weaves a tale of love, adventure, and reverence for books and libraries, serving as a metaphor for our modern age.
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner
Seductive and resourceful American spy-for-hire Sadie Smith is dispatched by her secretive and influential employers to a remote area in France. Her task: to infiltrate a commune of radical eco-activists led by the mysterious elder Bruno Lacombe. Lacombe, who has renounced modern civilization for a Neanderthal cave, advocates a return to primitive ways as the path to enlightenment. Initially, Sadie views the region’s ancient farms and quiet villages with skepticism and finds Lacombe's ideals laughable. However, as she navigates her role as both seductress and observer, she finds herself captivated by Lacombe’s compelling counter-histories, poignant laments, and his own tragic tale.
Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson
Stranded by a snowstorm in an old country house, Jackson Brodie and DC Reggie Chase find themselves amidst a cast of quirky characters: a vicar, an Army major, and a Dowager. The house, Burton Makepeace, is burdened by a past theft of a Turner painting and the mysterious disappearance of the housekeeper, Sophie. Jackson is also investigating the recent theft of The Woman with a Weasel from an elderly widow, with the widow’s carer, Melanie, as the prime suspect. As Burton Makepeace hosts a chaotic Murder Mystery event, a convicted murderer roams the moors, adding to the tension. A thrilling and intricately plotted novel from a masterful writer.
Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami
From one of Japan's most insightful contemporary novelists, this speculative fiction masterpiece envisions a future Earth on the brink of human extinction, transforming our understanding of reproduction, ecology, and evolution. In this world, humans exist in small tribes under the care of "Mothers," with some children created from animal cells or sustained by light and water. The future of humanity depends on the uncertain possibilities of interbreeding and evolving. Spanning fourteen interconnected episodes, Under the Eye of the Big Bird presents a stunning and thought-provoking vision of humanity's final chapter.
Entitlement by Rumaan Alam
Money speaks, but what if it deceives? An ambitious young Black woman seeks entry into the elite one percent, while an aging white billionaire confronts his own demise. Drawn to each other's power and allure, they are both enticed by the promise of wealth and influence. But how far will they go to claim what they believe they deserve? Entitlement is a sharp, unsettling exploration of money's seductive distortions in our modern gilded age.
Words Platform Desk
Date 06.09.2024