New books to read this week

Fiction

Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola is published in hardback by Headline Review

Sweet Heat is the sequel to Bolu Babalola’s 2022 novel Honey & Spice, which first introduced readers to protagonists Kiki and Malakai. This time around, we’re following Kiki after she and Malakai have broken up. She’s ostensibly with someone else, that is, until her best friend’s wedding where the pair come face to face for the first time in a few years. The second-chance love story is the perfect blend of past and present. Flashbacks give us an insight into what seemed to be a strong loving relationship between the pair, in comparison to where they are now. Babalola captures the chemistry, tension and passion between the two, while also integrating an amazing representation of Black love, the pressures Kiki faces as an eldest daughter in an African household, and the beauty that lies behind her friendships and relationships.

River of Stars by Georgina Moore is published in hardback by HQ

Set on a fictional island in the Thames, River Of Stars charts the stories of the families entwined with the island’s history, from its musical heyday of Sixties rock ‘n’ roll through to the present day. Protagonist Jo has a complicated relationship with the island’s landlord, Oliver, and with her own past. When Oliver returns to the island, Jo is forced to dredge up secrets she would prefer to remain lost forever. But after years of absence, no one is quite sure if Oliver’s loyalties lie with the island or whether he can be trusted. With a lively cast of emotionally-charged characters, River Of Stars is a pleasant escapist read for fans of Georgina Moore’s first book, The Garnett Girls, or anyone looking for a light summer romance read, but the plot does lack momentum and the sections set in the Sixties are more richly fascinating than the modern-day thread.

Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson is published in hardback by Faber & Faber

Wendy comes up with a crazy plan to murder her husband, inherit millions of pounds, and live with her childhood sweetheart, Thom. But how can they do it, get away scot-free and not arouse the suspicions of her husband’s family? The book starts at the end and ends at the beginning, which is an inventive twist on the classic murder mystery plot and thoroughly draws you in. As life goes on, Thom starts drinking too much, flirts with other women and Wendy fears he will reveal the secret that has become the inner kernel of their relationship. The book synopsis comes with the warning, ‘Marriage Can Be Murder’ and will make many readers reflect on the impact time and secrets have had on their own partnerships in life. American author Peter Swanson is best known for his psychological suspense novels and Kill Your Darlings is very impressive.

Non-fiction

Reframing Blackness: What’s Black about ‘History of Art’? by Alayo Akinkugbe is published in hardback by Merky Books

Founder of @ABlackHistoryOfArt, Alayo Akinkugbe has gathered together her thoughts on how ‘blackness’ has been treated in the art history world and what needs to change. She tackles five key themes: museums, the teaching of art history, feminist art, black muses and the curation of exhibitions. She recalls the Eurocentric approach applied to the art history degree she took at Cambridge and how this can distort thinking. She’s clear that eradication of whiteness is not the goal. Her argument is rational. She simply wants us to acknowledge the non-white contribution in what’s always been there, to shift our gaze and to be more inclusive. From black models whose names aren’t even known, to some of the recent groundbreaking exhibitions around the world, Akinkugbe argues that everyone would benefit from a greater understanding and acknowledgement of this overlooked contribution to art history. Work is beginning in some of the major galleries in reframing blackness, including discussing the impact of slavery on collections, to a more inclusive approach about whose work gets shown. Really useful to art lovers who want to explore further is the reading list, alongside the names of many artists whose work we should all get to know better.

Children’s book of the week

Dragon Dave the (Not So) Brave by Alex Latimer, illustrated by Phillip Cullen, is published in hardback by Scholastic

South African writer Alex Latimer presents his latest preschool picture book, with illustrations from up-and-comer Phillip Cullen. Reminiscent of Tom Fletcher’s Who’s In Your Book? series, this interactive tale is a twist on classic storytelling. Dave the Dragon is tired of the narrative about him being mean. He wants to change it but doesn’t know how. With the help of Prince George (a fearless squirrel) they take matters into their own hands to rewrite the story – literally, on the page in front of you. Colourful pictures illuminate this fun book which is ideal for four to six-year-olds, with a sweet undercurrent about self-definition and the courage to be who you want to be.