Looking for your next reading obsession? These exciting new books will keep you hooked all March long.
Twist by Colum McCann on the 4th of March
Anthony Fennell, a journalist, is in pursuit of a story buried at the bottom of the sea: the network of tiny fibre-optic tubes that carry the world’s information across the ocean floor – and what happens when they break.
So he has travelled to Cape Town to board the George Lecointe, a cable repair vessel captained by Chief of Mission John Conway, a talented engineer and fearless freediver.
As the boat embarks along the west coast of Africa, Fennell learns the rhythms of life at sea and finds his place among the band of drifters who make up the crew. But as the mission falters, tensions simmer, and Conway disappears, Fennell must set out to find him.
Twist is the work of a master storyteller at the height of his powers.
Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillam on the 4th of March
When Andie lands her dream job as a senior book publicist, she’s ready to take the world of New York publishing by storm.
Until her first day, she discovers that her biggest author is Jack Carlson – the same Jack who ruined her life in university. Who she hasn’t spoken to in five years. Who is not only still infuriatingly hot but incredibly successful. And whose campaign she definitely cannot mess up if she wants to keep her job.
For a month, Andie will have to travel across romantic sports Europe with the man who, if she were being totally honest, she’d like to hit with her car. But she will not lose this opportunity, especially not because of him.
An irresistible bookish enemies-to-lovers and second-chance romance set in the world of publishing.
Theft by Abdul Razah Gurnak on the 18th of March
It is the 1990s. Growing up in Zanzibar, three very different young people – Karim, Fauzia and Badar – are coming of age and dreaming of great possibilities in their young nation. But for Badar, an uneducated servant boy who has never known his parents, it seems as if all doors are closed.
Brought into a lowly position in a great house in Dar es Salaam, Badar finds the first true home of his life – and the friendship of Karim, the young man of the house. Even when a shattering false accusation sees Badar sent away, Karim and Fauzia refuse to turn away from their friend.
But as the three of them take their first steps in love, infatuation, work and parenthood, their bond is tested – and Karim is tempted into a betrayal that will change all of their lives forever.
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami on the 4th of March
Sara is returning home from a conference abroad when agents from the Risk Assessment Administration pull her aside at the airport and inform her that she will commit a crime.
Using data from her dreams, their algorithm has determined that she presents an imminent risk to the person she loves most, and must be transferred to a retention centre for twenty-one days to lower her ‘risk score’.
But when Sara arrives at Madison to be observed alongside other dangerous dreamers, it soon becomes clear that getting home to her family is going to cost more.
Then, one day, a new resident arrives, disrupting the order of the facility and setting off a chain of events that lead Sara on a collision course with the companies that have deprived her of her freedom.
Our Beautiful Boys by Sameer Pandya on the 18th of March
Revelling in the triumph of a high school football win, MJ, Vikram and Diego find themselves at an ill-fated party on a night that ends with the school bully in hospital. When no one comes forward with the truth of what happened, all three teenage “all stars” are suspended for the rest of the season, their futures suddenly uncertain.
In the aftermath, the families gather to assess the damage to their children’s prospects, reputations and relationships.
More from the FENNEC Book Club here
