Our New Releases Reporter Lucy Porter sees whether 2013 is off to a flying start in the world of books…
So what did you get for Christmas? Anything you wanted? Whilst I didn’t get any of the novels I asked for, I was instead the lucky recipient of a Kindle Fire HD (thanks Mum!) Which would make writing this monthly review a lot cheaper had I not left the charging cable over 200 miles away in my box-room of a bedroom and had I not run the battery down completely by playing Temple Run over and over again…
Instead, what’s hitting the non-virtual book shelves this month? I’m going to start with something a lot of you resolution-makers out there will probably appreciate: Escape the Diet Trap (3rd Jan) by Dr John Briffa. If like me you’re increasingly using Amazon for bulk-buying chocolate and perusing exciting new grocery products, this easy-to-use guide will help you get back on the right track without having to subscribe to any painful diet or exercise regimes (it shuns aerobic exercise in favour of walking!) Many of the recommendations made are based on scientific studies which are explained in full detail, the understanding of which (it is theorised) will help you make sustainable changes for long-term improvement.
To celebrate the 150th birthday of the London tube system, Emily Kearn’s Mind the Gap (7th Jan) is an interesting compendium of all things underground that will intrigue any visitor or inhabitant of our capital city. From ghost stations lurking in the shadows to film appearances to terrorist bombings, the underground has been the stage for many strange, exciting and horrific events since its opening. This book takes the reader on a journey through these mysterious tunnels and enlightens them to the occurrences and workings of the underground world.
Talking of travel, The Hotel on the Roof of the World (7th Jan) by Alec Le Sueur poses an enlightening and humorous insight to life in Tibet from a Western perspective. One of the lesser travelled countries, it’s always interesting to learn something new and the cultural differences described are both amusing and bemusing in equal measure. Perhaps this light-hearted read will inspire you for your next trip?
Another non-fictional read that caught my attention was The Love Charm of Bombs (17th Jan). Lara Feigel documents the war experiences of five literary figures with a narrative that is atmospheric and evocative in itself. Her account reads more like a novel than the anthology of history, diary and literature that it is and it brings the war alive in a way that no textbook will ever have done for you.
Married Love (3rd Jan) comes from Bath Spa lecturer Tessa Hadley and is a collection of short stories which moves easily and simply, subtly creating a deep impression and understanding within the reader. Within the space of a few pages, Hadley describes the love and dreams of the ordinary, making this a perfect book to read if you’re short on time and find yourself dipping into your books every now and then.
Finally, Francesca Segal’s Costa Award winning debut The Innocents (10th Jan) is an update of Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence. An excellent portrayal of human relationships, this adaptation gives a modern edge to the old tale of temptation and love. With comparisons being drawn between Segal, Monica Ali and Zadie Smith, this is a must for anybody interested in modern literary fiction.
By Lucy Porter – New Releases Reporter
Ed. by Georgina Holland – Exeposé Online Books Editor
exeposedev 