5 must-read new books
Barbara VanDenburgh picks the hottest titles.
1. “Tidelands”
by Philippa Gregory (Atria Books, fiction, on sale Aug. 20)
What it’s about: Gregory turns her focus from historical figures to explore the lives of common women in 1640s England. Alinor, a midwife with knowledge of herbal remedies, leads a hard life, with two young children and an abusive husband who has been missing for months. Then, she begins a dangerous romance with a handsome young priest.
The buzz: Publishers Weekly says, “History buffs and Gregory’s fans alike will be anticipating the next installment.”
2. “The Reckless Oath We Made”
by Bryn Greenwood (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, fiction, on sale Aug. 20)
What it’s about: Zee is a tough Kansas woman with a litany of troubles, including a sister who may have been abducted. Help (and maybe love) comes in the unexpected form of Gentry Frank, an autistic young man and a self-declared knight, who comes complete with a sword, a suit of armor and a code of honor that just might save the both of them.
The buzz: “Readers will be enchanted by this compassionate, winning novel,” says Publishers Weekly.
3. “The World Doesn’t Require You”
by Rion Amilcar Scott (Liveright, fiction, on sale Aug. 20)
What it’s about: The awardwinning author of “Insurrections” returns to the fictional setting of Cross River, Maryland, the location of the only successful slave revolt in this alternative American history. In 11 stories and one novella, Scott explores themes of religion, violence and love with a dash of magical realism.
The buzz: In a review for USA TODAY, book critic Emily Gray Tedrowe calls it “a bleak and beautiful collection of short stories” and says, “Scott demonstrates the skill and long-range vision of a writer we need right now.”
4. “The Warehouse”
by Rob Hart (Crown, fiction, on sale Aug. 20)
What it’s about: In the near future, a massive tech company called “Cloud” becomes the corporate answer to government, housing workers in carefully surveilled villages. It’s threatened by Zinnia, a corporate spy infiltrating Cloud undercover.
The buzz: In a review for USA TODAY, book critic Eliot Schrefer says, “‘The Warehouse’ is a thriller of ideas, and its interplay of taut action and incisive cultural commentary gives it shades of ‘Fahrenheit 451’ and ‘Jurassic Park.’”
5. “Middle England”
by Jonathan Coe (Knopf, fiction, on sale Aug. 20)
What it’s about: Starting nine years ago, “Middle England” tracks a vivid cast of characters through the U.K.’s social and political transformation to its current troubled Brexit era, attuned to absurdity and suffused with compassion.
The buzz: A starred review in Kirkus Reviews says, “Sharply observed, bitingly witty yet emotionally generous, and as ominous as the times deserve.”