Just one batch of paperbacks to look out for in September, five of which I’ve already reviewed beginning with Jon McGregor’s The Reservoir Tapes. Readers who’ve been following this blog over the past year will know that I’m passionate about Reservoir 13, not to mention mystified as to why it’s not won all the prizes. The Reservoir Tapes is a prequel to McGregor’s novel and, unusually, started life as a podcast. Comprising fourteen stories, the collection explores the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Becky Shaw. McGregor’s acutely observed characters all have their own stories – often interconnected – offering a nuanced portrait of a small community with its secrets and history, and the writing is all that fans like me would want it to be.
Given my admiration for Jane Harris’ previous novels – The Observations features in my Blasts from the Past series – hopes were high for Sugar Money. Based loosely on true events, it tells the story of an attempt to bring a group of slaves back from Grenada to Martinique, restoring them from British to French hands. Harris has a particular skill in telling her stories through the voice of engaging narrators and the bumptious, sardonic, young smart alec, Lucien, is no exception. A rattling good yarn which manages to entertain while never losing sight of its subject’s horrors.
Robin Sloan’s Sourdough offers a bit of light relief after that. A techie wage slave at General Dexterity, Lois lives off stress and Slurry, the nutrient gel championed by her boss. A flyer leads her to two brothers delivering delicious bread who look to Lois to save their sourdough starter when they’re forced to leave the country, sparking an obsession in her. A thoroughly enjoyable piece of entertainment which, like Sloan’s previous novel Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, has something to say about the way we live – and eat – now.
David Bergen’s Stranger takes a more serious turn, exploring themes of entitlement and deprivation through a young Guatemalan woman left pregnant by her American lover who returns to the States after a devastating accident. When her daughter is abducted shortly after she’s born, İso sets out to find her. Written in clear, direct language, heightening the tension and constant danger of İso’s journey, Stranger is an easy, absorbing read – I finished it in an afternoon – but it has some serious points to make and makes them well.
I wasn’t entirely sure I was going to include this one but the paperback edition of Alicia Drake’s 
debut, I Love You Too Much, sports such an atmospheric jacket that I’ve come down in its favour. Largely ignored by the adults around him, thirteen-year-old Paul watches from the fringes of his mother, her lover and his father’s lives. Before long he’s seen something he shouldn’t but finds unlikely consolation in Scarlett, a rebellious classmate. ‘I Love You Too Much is a novel of extraordinary intelligence and heart, a devastating coming-of-age story told from the sidelines of Parisian perfection’ say the publishers. Let’s hope they’re right.
That’s it for September’s paperbacks. A click on a title will take you to my review for the first five and a more detailed synopsis for I Love You Too Much. If you’d like to catch up with the new titles, they’re here and here.
Reservoir 13 was one of those very rare books that are a hit with all members of our reading group. We have very different tastes so this doesn’t happen very often. Some of the group had listened to The Reservoir Tapes and strongly recommended it, so that is definitely on the tbr list. And after last week’s Summer School and the vigourous discussion prompted by Mr Penumbra, Sourdough will have to join it.
I’m so pleased to hear you all enjoyed Reservoir 13. I loved it but it seems to be something of a Marmite book. I hope you enjoy Sourdough, too.
I really enjoyed listening to Reservoir 13 when it was serialised on R4’s Book at Bedtime a few months ago. Do you know if those Reservoir Tapes podcasts are still available? If so, I’ll probably chase them down and give them a go.
It’s possible you might still be able to catch them on iPlayer, Jacqui. I think they were keeping them for a year after they were first broadcast. You might try YouTube if they’re not. Quite often enterprising folk seem to upload things from iPlayer – not sure how that works with copywright!
I loved Resevoir 13 so am really looking forward to The Resevoir Tapes. Jon McGregor is one of those authors whose books I just have to read.
Me, too, Cathy. Already eager for a new one!