USA TODAY International Edition
Jump on to this ‘ Raft’ and go with Hussle’s ‘ Marathon’ flow
In search of something good to read? USA TODAY’s Barbara VanDenburgh scopes out the shelves for this week’s hottest new book releases. All books are on sale Tuesday.
1. “Raft of Stars” by Andrew J. Graff ( Ecco, fiction)
What it’s about: In the summer of 1994, two young Wisconsin boys, mistakenly believing they’ve committed a deadly crime, flee into the woods in this nostalgic tale.
The buzz: “A nostalgic coming- of- age story that plays out in a wild, intriguing setting,” Kirkus Reviews says.
2. “Marathon Don’t Stop: The Life and Times of Nipsey Hussle” by Rob Kenner
( Atria, nonfiction)
What it’s about: An indepth biography of hip- hop mogul and activist Nipsey Hussle, who was shot and killed in 2019.
The buzz: “A well- executed recognition of the dynamic presence and unrelenting impact of a hip- hop legend gone too soon,” Kirkus Reviews says.
3. “Red Island House” by Andrea Lee ( Scribner, fiction)
What it’s about: A set of connected stores focused on Shay, an Oakland- bred Black literary scholar who falls for Senna, a wealthy Italian merchant who has built his dream manor in Madagascar.
The buzz: “‘ Red Island House’ becomes a unique, surprising work – at once a psychological novel, a novel of place and a novel about relationships,” says a eeeg review for USA TODAY.
4. “Eternal” by Lisa Scottoline ( Putnam, fiction)
What it’s about: A love triangle set against the rise of fascism and the eruption of World War II in a sweeping work of historical fiction that unfolds over decades.
The buzz: “Fans of WWII fiction will be drawn to this immersive, emotional novel,” Publishers Weekly says.
5. “The Consequences of Fear” by Jacqueline Winspear ( Harper, fiction)
What it’s about: In the latest installment of Winspear’s bestselling mystery series, Maisie Dobbs investigates a possible murder that threatens to have repercussions for Britain’s WWII efforts.
The buzz: “A fast- paced tale of mystery and spycraft whose exploration of inner doubts and fears makes it much more,” Kirkus Reviews says.