Best Books: October Edition

October’s always a big month in literary circles, authors release their books in time for the Christmas rush and the Booker Prize seems to get people all hot and bothered under the collar and more than a little excited. Now that those dastardly Americans are allowed to enter it seems to get even more hype and promotion - along with a good dose of healthy competition. In case you missed it, Milkman by Anna Burns won on the day. It’s reputed to be a ‘challenging’ and ‘literary’ read. There’s reviews aplenty on such masterpieces though, so we’re here to offer a few different suggestions for your summer reading from recent October releases.

Killing Commendature, Haruki Murikami
Best for: Book Club

Focussing on the beauty of small things is a hallmark of Japanese culture and Murikami’s prose is as intricate as ever in his latest work. It centres on a man who discovers a mysterious painting and segues effortlessly into ruminations on love, art, the nature of life and the mundane. There’s a nod to *The Great Gatsby* and the pleasure is as much in the savouring of the words as in the development of the story.

Lethal White, Robert Galbraith
Best for: Rollicking good read

JK Rowling’s alter ego is back with the fourth instalment of her wounded war hero detective, Cormoran Strike. The beauty of this work lies in the intriguing characters, the ever-developing relationship between Strike and his offsider Robin Ellacott, and a plot that wends and weaves its way through the Houses of Parliament to a country manor house. It’s the sort of book you can curl up with for hours on a weekend and get thoroughly lost in.

A Spark of Light, Jodi Picoult
Best for: Deeper than you think reading

If you see Jodi Picoult’s name on the front cover and think ‘it’s just chick-lit’ then this may make you think again. Tackling the thorny issue of abortion this is a topical and relevant novel that delves beyond the headlines into the motivations and stories on both sides of the debate. While the novel has an American setting (and they’re definitely more extremist on both sides of the fence) it is an interesting and apposite read given the current debate going on around our outdated laws.

Dark, Sacred Night, Michael Connelly
Best for: Crime fans

He’s got the formula down and does it well. Michael Connelly is back with another instalment in his Harry Bosch series - this time with repeating character Detective Renee Ballard. Centring on the discovery of a 15-year old’s body in a dumpster, the subject matter is appropriately grim in places but well plotted, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the average armchair detective well entertained.

Warlight, Michael Ondaatje
Best for: Appreciation of the beauty of the written word

Ondaatje’s beautiful prose and engaging characters draw you into a different world. Set in the immediate aftermath of WWII, it is a recollection of then 14-year-old Nathanial’s coming-of-age alongside his sister Rachel, after his parents have departed for Singapore. The novel morphs into a commentary on the nature of memory as Nathaniel pieces together his mother’s history as a wartime spy. It is beautifully written and leaves you with a powerful sense of images and of the motives that drive characters’ actions.

We will bringing you regular reviews and top tips and are always keen to review local literature. Let us know if you’re publishing a new book or other content. There’s a lot of new releases due out in the next month so keep an eye out for our next picks.