This month’s cover story highlights 11 exciting new debut novels:
—Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman
—Farishta by Patricia McArdle
—The Very Thought of You by Rosie Alison
—The Echo Chamber by Luke Williams
—Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
—In Malice, Quite Close by Brandi Lynn Ryder
—This Burns My Heart by Samuel Park
—Bright’s Passage by Josh Ritter
—South of Superior by Ellen Airgood
—Bed by David Whitehouse
—Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson
We interviewed five of the authors for today’s BookPageXTRA, on everything from how they felt when they found out their first novel would be published, to what they like to do besides writing, to what they’re working on next.
Here’s a smattering of quotes from the interviews:
S.J. Watson on what everyone should read: “Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. It’s a warning.” Keep reading.
Brandi Lynn Ryder‘s one-sentence description of her novel: “That which you long to possess comes to possess you . . .” Keep reading.
Samuel Park on unrequited love: “Because you don’t have the lover, you have to either try to get to the lover, or try to work through your feelings for the lover. This means lots of external and internal conflict.” Keep reading.
Patricia McArdle on what she does besides writing: “My work with solar cooking, which began in Afghanistan, will never end. My involvement with this technology is much more than a hobby. It has now become an obsession. I know that simple, inexpensive solar cookers work. I have seen them used around the world.” Keep reading.
Stephen Kelman on learning he would be published: “I was surprised, elated, honoured and grateful. I’d wanted to be a published author for as long as I can remember, so it was very much the fulfilment of a dream.” Keep reading.
Read our debut roundup, then let us know: Which debut are you most excited about reading?
So I’m completely enthralled with the idea of Samuel Park’s novel, set in post war South Korea. Having travelled to the country several times, I can’t wait to read it.. A close second has to be South of Superior… a place close to my heart as well.
“In Malice, Quite Close” is my pick.
This Burns My Heart is my selection
The Very Thought of You and Bright’s Passage are two I am excited to read. South of Superior is another one I want to read also.
I want to read “Angel of Afghanistan”
I am really interested in “This burns my heart” and “Bright’s Passage”. Both sound really great.
“Provencal Secrets” is extremely intriguing to me. Having lived in Paris for many years and spent time in the enchanting area of Provence, I can see how it would be “magical” for anyone and easy to ignore the obvious. Daphne du Maurier will always be an one that other authors will want to emulate. I look forward to reading this book.
For “new” authors, I would say “This Burns my Heart”. but I’m also eagerly looking forward to “Northwest Corner”, because I read “Reservation Road” several years ago, and it’s a book that has stuck in my memory ever since. Love Book Page and Book Page Extra. I’m addicted to both…..
Ditto Dennis – In Malice, Quite Close. I have a friend who reviewed the book and lent it to me afterwards. Her excellent review was spot on; I was completely entranced. The great reviews are well deserved, and I won’t bother repeating what they all say- including the review here on BookPage. If this doesn’t hit the NY Times Bestseller list, I will be quite surprised. There is already a palpable buzz going for it.
Can’t wait for the sequel- which is in the works, according to an interview I saw with the author.