This first instalment of April goodies includes several I’ve already read, one of which had me remembering my old bookselling days. I’m starting with the 
I’d enjoyed both Harmless Like You and Starling Days so much I needed no persuasion to read Rowan Hisayo Buchanan’s The Sleep Watcher which follows a young woman looking back to the summer in which she discovered her beloved father was not the man she thought he was. The family has settled by the seaside where Kit’s mother is a therapist and her father does a little freelance IT work. Towards the end of her GCSE year, Kit finds herself having strange nocturnal experiences. It’s a time that’s shaped her adult relationships and she knows she must explain herself before she asks her lover to live with her. I was a little wary of the out-of-body device, but it works well; Kit’s story is so immersive that it never feels strained. Review shortly…
From one dysfunctional family to another, flawed in an entirely different way. Jenny Jackson’s Pineapple Street was one of those titles surrounded by so much brouhaha that it very nearly put me off but I liked the premise. It’s about two generations of the Stocktons, old money and proud of it. Chip and Tilda have passed the baton on, giving their Brooklyn family home to their son and daughter-in-law who is from a background very different from their own convincing her sisters-in-law that she’s a gold digger which couldn’t be further from the truth. By the end of this entertaining novel, the older generation will be left staring in wonder and puzzlement at their children’s decisions before shrugging their shoulders and carrying on as usual. Review soon…
In Dan Chaon’s Sleepwalk, fifty-year-old Will Bear spends his life travelling in his campervan running errands for an organization he chooses not to examine too closely. When he’s called by a woman claiming to be his biological daughter, a result of one of his many sperm donations, he finds himself in a tricky situation given her involvement with his employers and their dodgy goings-on. ‘With his signature blend of haunting emotional realism and fast-paced intrigue, Dan Chaon populates his fractured America with characters who ring all too true’ say the publishers of a novel much praised by Rebecca Makkai.
Claire Fuller’s The Memory of Animals sounds as if it may have a foot in speculative fiction territory to me. A young woman 
First published in 1999, Thomas Brussig’s satire The Short End of the Sonnenalle is set in East Berlin before the fall of the Wall. It 
That’s it for April’s first batch of new fiction. As ever, a click on a title will take you to a more detailed synopsis for any that take you fancy. Part two soon…
For some reason Close to Home really appeals, even though the starting situation is so horrible. I’ll look forward to your review!
Not an easy read but there is redemption.
Sleep Watcher, Sleepwalk and The Memory of Animals all sound very intriguing. All interesting choices, my future purchases list grows and grows!
Ah, sorry! I can certainly vouch for Sleep Watcher and I’d be very surprised if The Memory of Animals wasn’t excellent.
I’ve just finished Close to Home and I thought it was a strong debut. The rest of these also sound really interesting.
It’s impressive, isn’t it. Another good month!
Thanks for the shout out!
Always welcome, Claire.
I have the Fuller to read soon and I’ll hope to get a few of the others from the library. Isn’t it odd that they illustrated ‘Pineapple’ Street with an orange?!
Isn’t it? I don’t recall oranges being mentioned at all although it is some time since I read it. I’m sure the Fuller will be great.
The books are new to me but look promising. Enjoy them.
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Thank you. Probably won’t manage to read all of them.
Nice list, as always! I’ve read a little of the hype surrounding Pineapple Street, so I’ve been debating adding it to my list. The story sounds appealing for a lazy afternoon but — it has been so very much hyped! (I think some studio has already acquired rights to make a series). Drawn by the premise and a very entertaining opening, I’ve actually read a fair chunk of Chaon’s Sleepwalk before ultimately putting it aside. Nothing to do with the book, really, which seemed to be delivering what it promised (thrills, intrigue & entertaining dialogue) but it just didn’t suit my mood at the time.
Thank you! Light entertainment smartly delivered is how I’d describe Pineapple Street. I’ll probably give the Chaon a try although it’s not top of my list.
Not so bothered about the Brussig, but I’d read all of the others, particularly Claire Fuller (natch), Alice Slater and Dan Chaon.
The Slater’s such a treat. I’m sure you’ll like it, Annabel.
I like the sound of Death of a Bookseller, so I’ll be looking out for your review of that one. Coincidentally I read a book with the same title not so long ago – a vintage mystery. It must be almost impossible to find a book title these days that hasn’t been used before!
I’m sure I spotted one called The Luminaries on Twitter recently. Very confusing given Catton’s just published a new novel.
I’ve just reserved the Thomas Brussig at the library, where it’s on order. In fact every one of these books is on order, though not necessarily at my branch, so I plan to try to get hold of them, eventually!
Great to hear that libraries are still able to get their hands on new titles despite the many challenges that have faced them over the past decade or so.
Our library service has remained brilliant about new acquisitions. But with the new local government structure, who knows?
Fingers crossed for you.
The Thomas Brussig sounds promising, Susan, such a fascinating period of history. It sounds as though you’re planning to read it – if so, I’ll be interested to hear more.
I’ll let you know, Jacqui. I’ve become increasingly interested in the period since travelling in Central and Eastern Europe.
I have Pineapple Street TBR so I’m glad it’s better than I’ve feared it will be!
It’s an easy read with a nice, if not entirely credible, spin on the rich. Hope you enjoy it!