The latest in Marlon James’ Dark Star trilogy, Olga Tokarczuk’s magnum opus, and more books to read in February
Plus: Sheila Heti’s Pure Colour, Mónica Ojeda’s deliciously macabre English-language debut, and a pinpoint dissection of reality television
Books News Olga Tokarczuk
Cover images: Jawbone (Coffee House), True Story and Pure Colour (Farrar, Straus & Giroux), Moon Witch, Spider King and The Books Of Jacob (Riverhead) Graphic: Natalie Peeples
Every month, a deluge of new books comes flooding out from big publishers, indie houses, and self-publishing platforms. So every month, The A.V. Club narrows down the endless options to five of the books we’re most excited about.
5 Comments
I had to put down Black Leopard Red Wolf about halfway through. It felt like it was taking too long for anything to happen. Then again I don’t usually read fantasy. Anyone think I should give it another try?
Well you’re not much help. I just finished A Brief History of Seven Killings last week and was considering picking BLRW and this new one up next. Based on Brief History I’m not surprised to hear a James novel takes some time to come together, but ultimately it was worth it.So I’m going to encourage you to finish BLRW and report back.
I thought it was unlike anything else I’d ever read. Devoured it. Will now go pre-order the second book. I loved the queerness, the language, the setting. I understand its not for everyone.
No mention of the new Daniel Abraham? I actually prefer his fantasy stuff to The Expanse.
On the one hand, props to the books section of AVClub for being the last remaining one with consistently good content. I’d known about Books of Jacob and the new James, but missed out on Jawbone, which is now in my library queue.
OTOH, how the heck does the existence of a new novel, The Book of the Most Precious Substance, from the amazing Sara Gran not even get a mention in the “more in February” section?