Browns Best New Books for May 2024
30th April 2024
Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer. May is indeed a fabulous month – Spring has well and truly sprung (although at the time of writing it does seem a little delayed this year), parks, woodlands and other green spaces are a riot of colour and (if you are in the UK) there are 2 bank holidays to look forward to. With 2 long weekends to enjoy in May you may want to spend time catching up with some new books so have a look at our selection of the best new publishing for this month.
Check back next month for our picks of the new books June has to offer.
Adult Non-Fiction
Unruly
Mitchell, David
Paperback / softback
Many of us watched last year’s Coronation of King Charles III with admiration of the pageantry and more than a little bemusement about some of the rituals involved in a monarchy that has lasted over 1000 years. In Unruly, actor, writer and comedian David Mitchell takes a look at the history of England’s Kings and Queens from King Arthur (who didn’t exist but still managed to have quite a bit of influence) to Elizabeth the First. Covering early post-Roman rulers, taking us through 1066 and the Norman conquest, through the (confusing but fascinating) Wars of the Roses and onto the Tudors (who you might not know as well as you think) this is a bite-size study of individuals and families who, for better or worse, helped to shape Britain and were often as odd and eccentric as they appear in their portraits.
A very funny look at British monarchy, how it all happened and why it matters in modern Britain. Unruly is a witty, engaging, joyful and irreverent whistle-stop tour of England’s rulers which is the perfect read for history fans and those who want to learn a little bit more about British monarchy whilst having lots of fun.
More DetailsAdult Fiction
Yellowface
Kuang, Rebecca F
Paperback / softback
June Hayward is a failing writer, her rival and ‘friend’ Athena Liu however is a literary star, celebrated in all the ways June wishes she was. When June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident she acts on impulse and steals Athena’s just-finished latest masterpiece. After editing Athena’s work and passing it off as her own, June allows her publisher to rebrand her as ethnically ambiguous Juniper Song and watches as ‘her’ book climbs the bestseller lists and basks in adoration and fantastic reviews. But June can’t ever move out from Athena’s shadow and as suspicion about the real author of Juniper Song’s masterpiece begins to mount, how far will June go to protect the success she believes she deserves?
Yellowface, which is newly published in paperback, has been a huge sensation on TikTok and beyond and has featured on many award shortlists. This fantastic, compelling and hugely enjoyable look at success, plagiarism, cultural appropriation, racism, social media, internet trolling and the publishing world deserves all the great reviews and buzz it has received. This really is a book you will struggle to put-down, a fantastic, thought-provoking and brilliant read.
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fantastically Great Women Sports Stars and their Stories
Pankhurst, Kate
Paperback / softback
Summer 2024 looks set to be a great one for sports fans with the men’s Euro’s in June and of course the Olympics taking place in Paris in July and August. Fantastically Great Women Sports Stars and Their Stories is the perfect book to learn about sometimes overlooked or forgotten figures from sporting history. Find out about women throughout history and across the globe who have fought to take part in sports, from the Lionesses fantastic victory in the 2022 UEFA Championship to the women who set up a rival games when they were banned from the Olympics. This great book looks at individuals too, including inspirational stars many will be familiar with like Simone Biles (the most decorated gymnast in history) and Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds. The book also introduces readers to great figures from history who they may not be familiar with such as Lottie Dod, who won the Wimbledon Ladies Singles Championship 5 times (the first when she was only 15) as well as winning an Olympic silver medal for archery AND playing for the England Women’s field hockey team.
The Fantastically Great Women… series are a brilliant way to introduce KS2 children to figures from history who have had a huge impact in their field but that they may not know about. With lots of fascinating facts, inspiring figures and engaging illustrations these books are a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.
More DetailsChildren’s Fiction
If My Words Had Wings
Jawando, Danielle
Paperback / softback
18 months ago, 15-year-old Tyrell Forrester was caught up in a high-profile armed robbery and sent to a young offender’s prison. Whilst serving his sentence Ty is inspired by a visiting poet and through poetry and spoken word, discovers voices of those with backgrounds and experiences similar to his own. Now that he’s getting out, Ty is determined to turn his life around but will systemic discrimination prevent him from achieving his potential and being viewed as anything other than a criminal? Taking place towards the end of Ty’s sentence and in the aftermath of his release from the young offender’s prison, this moving and powerful book looks at Ty’s feelings and struggles in a world that has a pre-judged view of him.
This is Danielle Jawando’s much-anticipated third YA book, her second novel When Our World’s Collided won the YA Book Prize and the Jhalak Children’s and YA Book Prize. If My Words Had Wings is another hard-hitting and sensitive novel from a gifted writer that deals with systemic racism, young offenders and mental health in an authentic and moving way. Highly recommended.
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