September Book Reviews: 6 of this month's best new reads

Wednesday, 11 September 2024 15:40

This month brings us murder, mythology, meals and maturing child-fiction characters

OTTOLENGHI COMFORT

by Yotam Ottolenghi

In his much-anticipated new book, Yotam Ottolenghi brings his inspiring, flavour-forward approach to comfort cooking, delivering new classics that taste of home. A bowl of pasta becomes Caramelised Onion Orecchiette with Hazelnuts & Crispy Sage, while a plate of mash is transformed into Garlicky Aligot Potato with Leeks & Thyme.

Weaving memories of childhood and travel with over 100 irresistible recipes, Ottolenghi COMFORT is a celebration of food and home.

Published by Ebury Publishers on September 5th

WE SOLVE MURDERS

by Richard Osman

Steve Wheeler is enjoying retired life in the New Forest. He does the odd bit of investigation work, but he likes his familiar habits and routines: the pub quiz, his favourite bench. His daughter-in-law Amy, however, believes adrenaline is good for the soul she’s currently on a private island keeping world-famous author Rosie D’Antonio alive. Then a dead body, a bag of money and a killer with their sights on Amy mean an end to Steve’s quiet life.

Published by Penguin Books on September 12th

ODYSSEY

By Stephen Fry

Beloved and multi-talented Stephen Fry follows up the bestselling Troy with a hugely entertaining retelling of Odysseus’ turbulent decade-long voyage home to Ithaca.

In the final book in his acclaimed internationally bestselling Greek myths series, we follow Odysseus after he leaves the fallen city of Troy and takes 10 long dramatic years – battling monsters, the temptations of goddesses and suffering the curse of Poseidon – to voyage home to his wife Penelope on the island of Ithaca.

Published by Penguin Books on September 26th

JUST GOOD MANNERS

By William Hanson

What is the correct way to queue at the bar? Why should we care about asking for people’s pronouns? And why exactly do the English say sorry so much? No one makes such a fuss about manners quite as much as the UK, yet in a fast-changing world, no one can seem to agree on precisely what the ‘done thing’ is, either. Hanson shares his definitive guidance on how to behave in every situation.

Published by Cornerstone on September 12th

THINK AGAIN

by Jacqueline Wilson

Being an adult isn’t quite what Ellie Allard dreamed it would be when she was 14 years old. Yet this year, on her birthday, the universe seems to decide it’s time to for all that to change – whether Ellie wants it to or not. As she navigates new, exciting and often choppy waters, she’s about to discover that life will never stop surprising you – if only you let it.

Published by Transworld Publishers on September 12th

PRECIPICE

By Robert Harris

A masterclass in page-turning historical fiction from the bestselling author of Fatherland and Act of Oblivion, Precipice imagines the British Prime Minister on the verge of leading the nation into war, and the secret love affair which could have world-changing implications. An intelligence officer investigates a leak of top-secret documents – what was a sexual intrigue becomes a national security matter.

Published by Cornerstone on August 29th