BOOKS


Category Spotlight Discover: December


Category Spotlight


Discover: December I


A preview of new titles published in December


The year’s end offering of titles—from fashion and poetry to rom-coms and picture books—has a clear message of uplift and hope running through it


Natasha Onwuemezi @tashaonwuemezi


t’s a short and sweet preview to round out the year. Editor’s Choices have a hopeful thread running through them, with Connie Briscoe and Milton Washington shining a light on the stle of mature African Americans in Stepping Out, former child soldier Emmanuel Jal sharing the positive pillars he has employed to lead a fulfilling life in My Life is Art, and Minu Kim’s début picture book, Snail, telling the important message of going at your own pace. There is also the début collection from 2022 National Poetry Series winner Olatunde Osinaike and a powerful picture book about empathy from Tülin Kozikoglu. In fiction, we have a delightful rom- com entitled Second Chances in New Port Stephen, a “joyfully feminist” collection of


science fiction and fantasy stories titled The Bicyclist’s Guide to the Galaxy, and a Japanese murder mystery called The Meiji Guillotine Murders. In non-fiction, Watkins is publishing a guide for autistic and chronically ill people called All Tangled Up in Autism and Chronic Illness, The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall discusses early Californian anthropology and linguistics, and there’s a guide to manifesting from husband and wife duo Vex King and Kaushal, entitled The Greatest Manifestation Book (is the One Written by You). Children’s is as visual as ever, with a graphic novel by Mika Song (Donut Feed the Squirrels) and a liſt-the-flap narrative non- fiction title called The Lucky Red Envelope that celebrates Lunar New Year.


Category highlights


Style & fashion


Connie Briscoe and Milton Washington Stepping Out: The Unapologetic Style of African Americans


over Fifty PRH USA, 5th, £30, HB, 9780593236116


Long inspired by mature adults daring to express their creativity, Briscoe shines a light on these often overlooked and underappreciated sharply attired indi- viduals, accompanied by Washington’s photographs. This title contextualises the cultural, spiritual and historical influences on decades of Black style and testifies to this dynamic legacy for generations to come.


30 3rd November 2023


Self-help


Emmanuel Jal My Life is Art: 11 Pillars for a Positive and


Purposeful Life Watkins, 5th, £18.99, HB, 9781786789020


Drawing on lessons from his life, former child soldier turned activist, author and recording artist Jal provides his 11 pillars for overcoming adver- sity and living a life of purpose. These pillars— which include Yearning, Sagaciousness, Read and Train—can be used to help build a durable internal framework to enable people to over- come adversity, regain joy and gratitude, and live a life that enriches the greater community.


Children’s


Minu Kim (trans Mattho Mandersloot) Snail


Pushkin Children’s Books, 7th, £12.99, HB, 9781782694069


Début This moving


début picture book from Korean author and illus- trator Kim follows a little boy who cannot keep up with his brother on a bike race. At first he feels sad, but soon comes to appreciate the world around him before making an unex- pected friend. Illustrated in black and white with splashes of red, this story is a reminder to find the joy in tackling life at your own pace.


Poetry Olatunde Osinaike


Tender Headed Akashic Books, 5th, £17.95, PB, 9781636141411


A musical and playful meditation on Black identity and masculin- ity, and winner of the 2022 National Poetry Series, Tender Headed explores the puzzling nature of relationships as the poems’ speaker explores fault and responsibility and how it affects Black life in America.


Children’s


Tülin Kozikoglu (illus Hüseyin Sönmezay)


The Ferris Wheel Crocodile Books, 5th, £14.99, HB, 9781623717216


A powerful picture book about empathy, hope and longing, this title follows the parallel stories of two children who are worlds apart. With beautiful illustra- tions full of symbolism, this story of displace- ment encourages us all to welcome newcomers with compassion and curiosity.


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