On The Page
10 new and notable books recommended by the team at Bookazine.
FICTION
I Owe You One
Sophie Kinsella
When a handsome stranger asks Fixie Farr to watch his laptop for a moment, she agrees, and ends up saving it from certain disaster. To thank her, the computer’s owner, Sebastian, scribbles her an IOU. Soon the pair are caught up in an exchange of IOUs – including some life-changing debts.
Spring
Ali Smith
Spring will come; before it arrives, though, will be a hundred years of empire-making. Deep in the earth, things are growing. This is the latest instalment in the Seasonal Quartet that continues from Autumn and Winter.
The Priory of the Orange Tree
Samantha Shannon
Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction – but assassins are getting closer to her door. Across the dark sea, Tané has trained to be a dragonrider since she was a child, but she’s forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel.
NON-FICTION
The Source of Self-Regard
Toni Morrison
In this gathering of essays, speeches and meditations on society, culture and art spanning four decades, the Nobel prizewinning author takes on contested social issues: the foreigner, female empowerment, the press, money, “black matter(s)” and human rights.
Digital Minimalism
Cal Newport
Drawing on a diverse array of real-life examples, from Amish farmers to harried parents to Silicon Valley programmers, Cal Newport identifies the common practices of digital minimalists and the ideas that underpin them.
CHILDREN
The Tale of Ping Pong Pig
Sarah Brennan
It’s 1420 and the mighty Emperor Yongle loves every inch of the brand new Forbidden City… but most of all he loves pork! Enter Ping Pong Pig, a plump and altogether delicious pig, and her nemesis, the Minister of Most Important Things!
12 Lucky Animals
Vickie Lee, illustrations by Joey Chou
This delightful board book opens with the rat, the first animal in the zodiac cycle, and ends with the pig. English, Standard Chinese, Pinyin and phonetic representations are included, along with the traits ascribed to people born in a particular year.
On the Come Up
Angie Thomas
Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. As the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died before he hit big, she has massive shoes to fill. But when her first song goes viral for all the wrong reasons, Bri finds herself at the centre of controversy.
The Cat Who Lived with Anne Frank
David Lee Miller and Steven Jay Rubin
When Mouschi the cat goes with his boy, Peter, to a secret annex, he meets Anne, who dreams of freedom and of changing the world with her writing. But Mouschi, along with Anne, must stay hidden, hoping for the war to end and for a better future.
Hugs & Kisses for The Grouchy Ladybug
Eric Carle
Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes a new paper-over-board picture book featuring the favourite character The Grouchy Ladybug from bestselling author-illustrator Eric Carle. Perfect for fans of Love from the Hungry Caterpillar — or any of Carle’s wonderful works.