5 new books to read this week

Fiction

There is no Antimemetics Division by qntm is published in hardback by Del Rey

How do you do your job, when your job is saving the world from dangerous ‘Unknowns’, when encountering them, reporting on them, and investigating them requires repeatedly erasing your memory of them? This is the daily conundrum facing Marie Quinn, director of an organisation that is trying to track, check and contain deadly, contagious ideas that are beyond the scope of the average human brain. Not a straightforward read by any means, qntm’s debut sci-fi horror novel (which was first written online as a series), is a tantalising story that hinges on the terrifying ability of humans to forget anything and learn nothing, from even the most catastrophic moments in history. It could be a confusing mish-mash of high-concept ideas and bizarre alien-like species (and sometimes, you do just have to go with it and accept you don’t really know what’s going on), but the human connections and deeply moving love story that underpin it, keep you utterly engrossed.

The Merge by Grace Walker is published in paperback by Magpie

Set in the not too distant future, Grace Walker’s The Merge examines what happens when the Earth is overpopulated and there are illnesses that (still) can’t be cured. Amelia is beside herself over her mother Laurie’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Rather than see her 65-year-old mother fade into a shell of her former self, Amelia suggests they consider merging; a new process that puts two consciousnesses inside one body. During a three-month phase of therapy and learning, Amelia and Laurie come to make friends with those undergoing the same treatment, and begin to have second thoughts about what they are potentially involved in. It is hard to believe this is a debut; The Merge is dark, heartbreaking and, at times, horrifyingly close to reality. A haunting read that will stay with me for a long time.

The Eleventh Hour by Salman Rushdie is published in hardback by Jonathan Cape

Sir Salman Rushdie’s book characters tend to linger and stay in the reader’s mind long after the pages have been closed and the last chapter read. And his latest offering, The Eleventh Hour, is no different.

A collection of stories from around the world, it is Sir Salman’s first new fiction since Victory City in 2023. As ever, the depth of each story is like an abyss, with themes of mortality, farewells, anger, peace and more explored.

There are also poignant places like Bombay, revisited from his Booker-prize winning book Midnight’s Children, and England (Cambridge) explored. From the opening two quarrelsome old men in Chennai, India, to the ‘undead’ academic with vengeance on his mind, it’s a powerful collection that leaves the reader’s mind exploring all of the same things that inspired Sir Salman’s stories in the first place.

Non-fiction

In Love With Love by Ella Risbridger is published in hardback by Sceptre

In Love with Love by Ella Risbridger is a celebration of romantic fiction in all its forms. As a self-proclaimed devotee of the genre, essayist and food writer Risbridger takes readers on an insightful journey through how romantic novelists have shaped a distinct identity for romantic literature, and explores how the genre has evolved over time. With warmth and wit she examines familiar tropes and stereotypes, delving into the themes, dynamics and relationships that define the genre. Her enthusiasm for the topic is infectious, and her insightful commentary reveals why romantic fiction remains so enduringly popular and relevant. This book makes an ideal gift for the friend who tears up at movies, adores dissecting character dynamics and proudly wears their heart on their sleeve. Her analysis is overflowing with literary references, so keep a notebook handy to jot down new titles for your reading list as you flick through this book’s addictive pages. In Love with Love will make you want to get cosy and read romantic literature all winter long.

Children’s book of the week

Hot Food: Nice! by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Neal Layton, is published in paperback by Walker Books

This book is short but hilarious. Legendary poet and children’s author Michael Rosen talks about eating food and how it feels when it’s really, really hot. Like when you take a bite and it’s too late to spit it out. I watched the video too, and he says, ‘Nice’ in a silly way that made me laugh out loud. I liked how he used his voice and expressions, it made the poem even better. It’s fun to read out loud and make up your own voices because the rhythm is catchy and easy to remember. One thing I wish is that it was a bit longer or had more poems in the same book. It’s an excellent book, I just wish there was more!