Five new releases I want everyone to read

Because great books are meant to be shared.

I’ve read a slew of excellent books this month (and yes, I know we’re only ten days into April). They’re the type of books I want to tell every one about; that I want to press into the hands of everyone I know, with a desperate plea: Read this. My good book streak began with a melancholy gem set in the Big Apple, and after finishing my fifth consecutive banger this afternoon—a propulsive read about art—I figured it was high time to share the spoils, in case you’re in the market for a new book.

Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje

I am shooketh that not only is Slanting Towards the Sea a debut—but it’s also written in

Lidija Hilje

’s second language. Her command of English puts most of us to shame (myself included). Set against the craggy seaside cliffs of Croatia, Slanting Towards the Sea follows Ivona—divorced, in her late thirties, and living with her father. It’s a story of lost love, second chances, secrets, loneliness, and desire.

The prose is achingly beautiful. The storytelling, utterly gripping. The atmosphere, hypnotic. I cried like a baby at the end. I didn’t want it to be over. I want you all to read it.

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I believe in writing without a paywall—but it does take time. If you’re enjoying this post, I’d be so grateful if you considered buying me a coffee. It would absolutely make my day.

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Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico

God, this book was good. Translated by Sophie Hughes, this slip of a book was shortlisted for this year’s International Booker Prize and I had seen it all over Instagram before getting myself a copy. It’s a cleverly observed novel that follows two expats in Berlin—Anna and Tom—whose lives look perfect from the outside: leafy apartment, carefully curated weekends, sun-soaked getaways. But under the surface, they ache for something more: Berlin feels both stagnant and too fast-moving. Restlessness creeps in. They crave authenticity, and Perfection quietly dismantles the idea of what that even means. Part satire, part mirror, this razor-sharp novel about poor, privileged millennials cuts uncomfortably close to the bone.

Audition by Katie Kitamura

I’m not entirely sure how I’ve never read Katie Kitamura before, but suffice it to say I’m now thrilled to have her entire back catalogue to work through. Her newest novel, Audition opens in a Manhattan restaurant, where a seasoned actress is having lunch with a man young enough to be her son. As two very different narratives begin to unravel, we slowly learn more about who they are to each other, and how their roles intertwine. It’s full of interiority and ambiguity, with gorgeous, meandering sentences that somehow never lose the thread. Thoughtful, slippery, brilliant. I loved it.

Room on the Sea by Andre Aciman

God I loved this book. Perfect for fans of The Elegance of the Hedgehog or Lilian Boxfish Takes a Walk (two of my personal faves), Room on the Sea is my third André Aciman and it might just be my favourite to date.

An absolute snack of a book that I read in a single sitting, it takes place over five days and follows a lawyer and a psychologist—both in their sixties—who meet during jury duty in New York. It’s about unspoken dreams, and quiet regrets. It’s about missed opportunities, and the self-exploration of who we are, who we thought we were, and who we could still become. It’s about love, and longing and missed opportunities. It’s about Italy and ice-cream and one hot week in New York. It’s a perfect, perfect book.

We Need Your Art by Amie McNee

We Need Your Art by

Amie McNee

is an urgent read about the importance of creativity and art, and it’s one of those books that found me at the precise time I needed it. It’s is a generous, galvanising reminder that creativity comes in many forms. It tackles perfectionism, procrastination, burnout, and self-doubt—and encourages us to honour our artistic lives, whatever shape they take.