Another month, another stack of new books to dive into — and May’s lineup is more than delivering. From Saba Sams’ buzzed-about debut to Sayaka Murata’s latest, set in a wild dystopia that flips everything you thought you knew about sex, love and family, there’s something here for everyone.
The Eagerly Awaited Debut
Gunk by Saba Sams
“From the author of the short story collection, Send Nudes, Saba tells the story of Jules who works alongside her now ex-husband Leon in Gunk, the grotty student nightclub he owns in Brighton. He’s slightly seedy, and – let’s be honest – something of a loser, but as the years pass by and Jules remains single and childless, something keeps her from making a proper exit. But when enigmatic Nim arrives to work in the bar, everything changes. And when she discovers she’s pregnant, Jules finds herself facing a future she didn’t think was possible. In a twist on the standard love triangle, it’s the ambiguous relationship between the two women that will keep you glued to the page to the very end.” – Maria Padget, Book Club Director
The Ultimate Page-Turner
Favourite Daughter by Morgan Dick
“Two sisters, who have never met, have two very different perspectives on their recently deceased father: one remembers him with adoration; the other pretends he never existed. As they are unknowingly brought together, their lives simultaneously begin to unravel and intertwine. It’s dark, yet funny; poignant yet compulsively readable. A refreshingly real exploration of family, loss, addiction and love that makes you ache and sigh and laugh and wonder what on earth these characters are doing, all at the same time. If you’re looking to absorb yourself in a story and escape into someone else’s life (ideally one that’s so chaotic that yours seems blissfully serene in comparison), this should be your next read.”– Olivia McCrea-Hedley, Copy & Production Editor
The One You Won’t Forget
Gulf by Mo Ogrodnik
“Gulf examines the consequences of decisions made by five women from different cultures and classes who each feel they have run out of options. As their lives converge in the Arabian Gulf, the brutal reality of what happens when a woman’s agency is stripped away is slowly revealed. It’s a devastating examination of women in crisis and a fascinating portrait of life in the Gulf – the stark beauty, the relentless flux, the potential for exploitation – and also for hope.” – Maria Padget, Book Club Director
The Dystopian Thought-Starter
Vanishing World by Sayaka Murata
“In Vanishing World, Sayaka Murata does not hold your hand as she drops you into a strange, futuristic reality where sex between husband and wife is considered dirty, and children are only conceived through artificial insemination. Protagonist Amane is unusual, an outsider conceived naturally by her parents, and although she tries to fit in and does all that is expected of her as a good citizen of this sterile world, her desires for love and intimacy challenge every societal expectation that she was brought up to believe in. Uncomfortable in many ways, with a blunt and deadpan outlook on sex and sexuality, Sayaka’s writing is original and completely gripping, flipping the world on its head to examine a deeper, unique angle of the human experience.” – Leila Wilkinson, Digital Content Intern
The Essential Feminist Fiction
Cautery by Lucía Lijtmaer
“A provocative dual-narrative novel that intertwines the lives of two women – one contemporary, one from the 17th century – who are both grappling with societal expectations and personal trauma. Each chapter alternates between the young woman, reeling from a toxic relationship in modern-day Barcelona, and Deborah Moody, a historical figure exiled to colonial America, both seeking autonomy through radical acts of defiance. Lucía’s sharp prose – brilliantly translated by Maureen Shaughnessy – is rich with dark humour and feminist critique, delivering a fascinating exploration of pain, rebellion, and the intricacies of female solidarity. I loved it!” – Samantha de Haas, Creative Production Manager
