From Barack Obama to Dawn French: Dive into these latest book releases

Whether you enjoy getting lost in the world of fiction or you prefer to spend your time discovering and making your way through non-fiction as we spring into summer, this book recommendation list will have something for every reader, even for the cookbook lovers!

‘Serpentine’ – Philip Pullman

Serpentine, a standalone fantasy novella from the incandescent imagination of Philip Pullman, takes place after the conclusion of His Dark Materials series and finds teenage Lyra and her dæmon, Pan, on a perilous journey North in search of an old friend.

Serpentine is the “missing episode” that shows us what Lyra did after the events of His Dark Materials and before The Book of Dust.

Dafne Keen plays the role of Lyra Silvertongue in the BBC adaptation of Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ series. Image: Supplied

In this snapshot of their forever-changed lives, Lyra and her Pan soon discover that things are not exactly as they seem, and their lives take a deadly turn once more in Serpentine…

His Dark Materials has been adapted into a fantasy drama television series based on the novel series with Dafne Keen playing the role of Lyra Silvertongue.

Illustrated throughout by Tom Duxbury, Serpentine has been described by Penguin Books as “the perfect gift for every Pullman fan, new and old”. 

Discover the missing chapter between His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust. Written 16 years ago, SERPENTINE by Philip…

Posted by Philip Pullman on Thursday, October 15, 2020

‘Cook, Eat, Repeat: Ingredients, Recipes and Stories’ – Nigella Lawson  

Described by Waterstones as “witty essays about food and tantalising recipes from her kitchen”, in Cook, Eat, Repeat Nigella shares her culinary philosophy through heart-warming stories and delicious recipes. 

“Food, for me, is a constant pleasure: I like to think greedily about it, reflect deeply on it, learn from it; it provides comfort, inspiration, meaning and beauty, as well as sustenance and structure.

More than just a mantra, “cook, eat, repeat” is the story of my life.”

– Nigella Lawson 

Containing more than 50 new recipes, this latest cookbook from the self-titled “domestic goddess”, promises bold recipes for cooks of all levels and will have you laughing out loud and filled with culinary inspiration. 

‘The Searcher’ – Tana French 

From best-selling author Tana French comes another engrossing mystery with compelling characters and small-town secrets. 

Cal Hooper thought a fixer-upper in an isolated village in Ireland would be the perfect escape from a messy divorce and a lengthy career in the police force. He is looking for a quiet life, in an idyllic small town where nothing much happens. 

This all changes when one of the local children comes to Hooper, asking for his help to find his missing brother.

Even though Hooper is here to get away from any and all investigations, he cannot seem to quite let this mystery go. 

Soon he will learn that even in the most perfect-looking small town, dark secrets lurk, people aren’t always what they seem, and trouble can come calling at any moment.

‘A Promised Land’ – Barack Obama 

The highly anticipated first volume of a series of presidential memoirs, A Promised Land, is a riveting, deeply moving and personal account of history in the making from the former American president, Barack Obama, who inspired everyone around the world to believe in the power of democracy. 

The book everyone has been waiting for! 😍 'A Promised Land' by former US President @barackobama. The telling of his story, his way.

Get your copy now: https://t.co/iddBVWS3iC#WHSmith #WHSmithBooks #BarackObama #NewBook pic.twitter.com/eAAEOOCQg8

— WHSmith (@WHSmith) November 17, 2020

Obama takes readers on an intimate journey through his political career as well as his early life as a young, black man trying to find himself while fighting for what he believes to be right. 

“This beautifully written and powerful book captures Barack Obama’s conviction that democracy is not a gift from on high, but something founded on empathy and common understanding and built together, day by day”

Waterstones 

The former president took to Twitter on Tuesday 17 November, tweeting that in honour of his book hitting shelves, “I put together this playlist featuring some memorable songs from my administration”:

Music has always played an important role in my life—and that was especially true during my presidency. In honor of my book hitting shelves tomorrow, I put together this playlist featuring some memorable songs from my administration. Hope you enjoy it. pic.twitter.com/xWiNQiZzN0

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 16, 2020

‘Because of You’ – Dawn French 

This latest release by Dawn French became an instant Sunday Times Bestseller and has become a firm favourite among book clubs worldwide. 

Because of You, French’s first book in five years, tells the heart-warming and poignant story of two vastly different women who happen to give birth to two remarkably similar daughters in the same hospital on the same night. One mother leaves with a beautiful baby girl, and one leaves with empty arms.

Seventeen years later, the gods who keep watch over the two mothers, wreak mighty revenge, and a dark truth starts coming to light, threatening to tear lives, families and relationships apart.