Magic, mystery, memoirs...

How to Stop Time

by Matt Haig

British novelist Matt Haig’s new novel, How to Stop Time, tells the story of a seemingly middle aged man who, because of a rare condition, has been alive for centuries. It’s a touching, affecting tale that showcases Haig’s terrific storytelling skills. The film rights for the novel were optioned even before the book came out and Benedict Cumberbatch is set to play the lead role in the adaptation, so it might be a good idea to give this book a read before the film hits the big screen.

A Horse Walks into a Bar

by David Grossman

This year’s Man Booker International Prize went to Israeli author David Grossman’s novel A Horse Walks into a Bar. The story is about a stand-up comic who is performing his routine in a bar, but starts to come undone as the night progresses, and goes into a series of increasingly candid revelations. The book was first published in Hebrew in 2014; its English translation was published late last year, so you can now find out why the volume has been earning critical acclaim.

Truly Madly Guilty

by Liane Moriarty

The recent miniseries adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s novel Big Little Lies (2013) has earned rave reviews (and about a million Emmy nominations). The Australian author’s latest offering is last year’s Truly Madly Guilty. Events revolve around a barbecue - attended by three adults and three children - that disrupts the lives of everyone involved. Reviews have been polarizing for this slow burner, but if you enjoy domestic thrillers and have sufficient reserves of patience, then you might want to give this novel a try.

The Idiot

by Elif Batuman

The protagonist of Turkish-American writer Elif Batuman’s debut novel, The Idiot, is a Harvard freshman, a young woman who is studying linguistics, courting an older Hungarian mathematics major, and trying to figure out what she wants in life. Set at a time when new technology was changing the way we interact with people, this is a coming-of-age tale of sorts that also delivers a slice of ‘90s nostalgia and impresses you with its wit and poignancy, although some readers might find it a little hard to be invested in the narrative since - as less enthusiastic reviewers have been pointing out - it is one of those “nothing really happens” novels.

Void Star

by Zachary Mason

Fans of science fiction can enjoy The Lost Books of the Odyssey writer Zachary Mason’s latest novel, Void Star, a dystopian tale that benefits from the author’s thorough world-building and rich descriptions. The stories of three very different characters come together to weave a complex yarn set in a world where technology has advanced and the seas have risen.

The Tale of Beren and Luthien by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings writer J.R.R. Tolkien told the story of the love between Beren, a mortal man, and Luthien, an immortal Elf-maiden, in several of his works. The tale has now been published as a standalone book edited by the author’s son, Christopher Tolkien, and accompanied by Alan Lee’s illustrations. The book shows the development of the story over time, giving readers a chance to revisit the magical world that was so masterfully created by Tolkien decades ago.

Exit West: A Novel

by Mohsin Hamid

The latest novel by Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid sheds light on the global refugee problem in the shape of the fascinating story of a pair of young immigrants, displaced from their war ravaged country, going through magical doors while trying to reconcile their past and future, trying to survive, and trying to find a place for themselves in the world.

The Late Show

by Michael Connelly

American author Michael Connelly has started a new detective series with his new book, The Late Show. The protagonist is a “young detective trying to prove herself in the LAPD” who works the night shift in Hollywood and comes across two brutal cases that she starts pursuing during the day. This is Connelly’s thirtieth book, and it introduces a promising central character that we could meet again in several books in the future.

Camino Island

by John Grisham

He is best known for his legal thrillers, but for his latest novel, John Grisham has opted to go for a literary mystery, building a story around the theft of F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscripts. A young novelist is hired to go undercover, infiltrate a ring that deals in stolen books, and recover the priceless items that were taken in the heist. It’s an intriguing plot in a fascinating setting, and while it may not offer the most interesting characters Grisham has ever written, Camino Island could still make for a fun summer read.

Astrophysics for People in a

Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

It’s hard to resist the chance of taking a crash course in astrophysics from the world’s most beloved astrophysicist, and now, thanks to Neil deGrasse Tyson’s latest book, you can do just that from the comfort of your reading chair. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry takes a quick look at the universe, clearly explaining concepts that might otherwise be too confusing for the layman. Tyson’s knowledge and wit make this an interesting read, especially for people who haven’t had the chance to go through any of his previous works.

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow

by Yuval Noah Harari

Yuval Noah Harari’s treatise on the evolution of humans as the dominant species in the world has been translated into several languages in the last few years, and was also released in English a couple of months ago under the title Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow. The renowned historian and author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind - a bestseller that offered a look at humanity’s past - has now set his sights on the future, and explores what lies ahead for our species.

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body

by Roxane Gay

Writer Roxane Gay has explored her emotions, anxieties, and struggles to have an honest discussion about weight and body image in Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body. The volume sees Gay reflect on her traumatic past and tackle difficult subject matter, including topics like overeating and being overweight. The author’s disarming candour and powerful message have garnered her book very positive reviews and made it one of the year’s standout releases.

Happy: Why More or Less Everything is Absolutely Fine

by Derren Brown

The much desired but seemingly elusive state of happiness is the subject of countless self-help books, but such volumes often just repeat obvious concepts and don’t always steer us in the right direction. British mentalist Derren Brown has tried something a little different with his book Happy: Why More or Less Everything is Absolutely Fine, an insightful look at everything from ancient philosophy to modern ideas about happiness that aims to help readers think differently, appreciate the good things in life, and live more happily.

I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons

by Kevin Hart

Comedian Kevin Hart has put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard?) to give us this summer’s most popular celebrity memoir. Witty and insightful, I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons, the 38-year-old actor’s first book, finds the American entertainer recounting stories from his life, sharing how he dealt with difficult circumstances and ended up on the road to becoming one of the biggest comedians in the world.

Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between)

by Lauren Graham

Actress Lauren Graham proves that she is just as likable on paper as she is onscreen in Talking as Fast as I Can, a collection of autobiographical essays about her life and work. The star of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood writes about her early life, starting out as an actress, and some of her experiences in Hollywood. This light read may not offer much depth but Graham’s wit makes it amusing and entertaining and perhaps the most well-written and charming female memoir to come out of Hollywood recently.

But Seriously: An Autobiography

by John McEnroe

Retired tennis player John McEnroe is both a revered and controversial figure in the sporting world.  In But Seriously - the follow-up to his bestselling autobiography You Cannot Be Serious (2002) - the tennis legend gives readers another glimpse at his life on and off the court. But Seriously may not be a literary masterpiece and its content may be more interesting to readers who remember the former world number 1’s game and antics, but it’s still likely that the book will appeal to most tennis fans as well as sports enthusiasts in general.