15 New Books for May
This month, we’ve got our eyes on The Red Grove, Love Is a Burning Thing, Reading the Room, and 12 other titles by writers on the West.
ALL FOURS, BY MIRANDA JULY
An artist’s plan to traverse the country goes awry when she checks into a roadside motel, leaving her husband and child behind. What ensues is a sexy and sharp exploration of middle-aged sexuality and one woman’s thirst for liberation while still performing her role in a nuclear family. Riverhead Books, May 14
AND THEN? AND THEN? WHAT ELSE?, BY DANIEL HANDLER
From the author best known as Lemony Snicket comes a book that is half advice and half memoir. Handler discusses the art and “strange literature” that have influenced him, as well as his path to becoming a writer. Liveright Publishing Corporation, May 21
CALIFORNIA SNAKES AND HOW TO FIND THEM, BY EMILY TAYLOR
Nobody wants to come across a rattlesnake on a walk, except for Taylor, a biologist. Here, she aims to quell our fears of snakes by explaining serpent behavior and sharing knowledge about nearly 50 species that live in California. Throughout the book, Taylor provides detailed tips on how to find, identify, and enjoy snakes in the wild. Heyday Books, May 7
CECILIA, BY K-MING CHANG
In this surreal short novella, Chang delves into the intricacies of female friendship and the lasting impact of memory. A woman named Seven embarks on a transformative journey through her past after meeting Cecilia, who has been the object of her obsessions since childhood. Soon, the lines between past and present blur, challenging Seven’s understanding of herself and her relationships. Coffee House Press, May 21
THE DEFAULT WORLD, BY NAOMI KANAKIA
Kanakia’s novel revolves around a San Franciscan named Jhanvi, who leaves the Bay to seek sobriety and save up for gender-affirmation surgery. When the promise of health benefits lures her back, she hatches a plan to exploit the tech workers who have co-opted her city. Amethyst Editions, May 28
THE DEVIL’S BEST TRICK, BY RANDALL SULLIVAN
In his latest book, Sullivan traces the character of the Devil and his many manifestations across millennia and cultures. Covering everything from exorcisms to murders, Scripture to horror fiction, he chronicles encounters with violence, paranormal activity, and the human capacity to commit heinous acts, while questioning whether a greater force of darkness is at work. Atlantic Monthly Press, May 14
EARLY SOBRIETIES, BY MICHAEL DEAGLER
Getting sober was only the beginning of Dennis Monk’s problems. Now that the 26-year-old protagonist of Deagler’s novel is ready for a fresh start, he finds many in his old group of friends not living their best lives. As Dennis stumbles forward, he realizes that his expectations of success must change if he is to find his way. Astra House, May 7
EXHIBIT, BY R.O. KWON
In Kwon’s second novel, a young married photographer named Jin meets mysterious ballerina Lidija at a gathering in the hills outside San Francisco and falls under her sway. But when Jin reveals a secret curse that haunts her family, she exposes herself to losses tinged by desire and curiosity. As the relationship deepens, Jin must test how close she can fly to the sun without getting burned. Riverhead Books, May 21
LOVE IS A BURNING THING: A MEMOIR, BY NINA ST. PIERRE
This striking memoir looks back at St. Pierre’s childhood with an unpredictable and mentally unstable mother—a woman who once set herself on fire. St. Pierre examines the stigmas around mental health, the effects of poverty, and the role spirituality plays in her life. Dutton, May 7
PERFUME AND PAIN, BY ANNA DORN
Dorn’s third novel is the story of a novelist, Astrid Dahl, who is doing her best to remain drug-free and uncontroversial after nearly wrecking her career at a public event. Yet when Astrid meets Ivy, a grad student obsessed with lesbian love stories, her dreams of staying out of trouble become compromised. This sultry tribute to lesbian pulp unfolds in a Los Angeles bungalow, complete with movie stars and nosy neighbors. Simon & Schuster, May 21
READING THE ROOM: A BOOKSELLER’S TALE, BY PAUL YAMAZAKI
For more than 50 years, Yamazaki has been the principal buyer at San Francisco’s City Lights Bookstore. In this charming reminiscence, he offers us a glimpse inside the sometimes challenging but always people-centered profession. Ode Books, May 8
THE RED GROVE, BY TESSA FONTAINE
Fontaine’s debut novel is a spellbinding thriller that begins in a secluded grove, deep in the redwoods, where women are promised protection and security. Then a man dies after asking questions about the Red Grove, and a woman vanishes seemingly without a trace. Now it’s up to her daughter to uncover the truth about the disappearance and figure out what exactly is going on. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, May 14
THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK, BY EMIKO JEAN
Jean’s novel begins as a missing teenager, Ellie Black, is found in the Washington woods. Detective Chelsey Calhoun—whose own sister vanished decades before—believes the girl’s experience might lead to finding other missing girls. When Black refuses to speak, however, it’s up to Calhoun to unravel the mystery. Simon & Schuster, May 7
STORIES FROM THE CENTER OF THE WORLD, EDITED BY JORDAN ELGRABLY
This collection features writers from Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, and other Middle Eastern countries. From students in Istanbul grappling with one another’s differing faiths to former ISIS-fighting combatants coping with PTSD, the narratives here illuminate the heartbreak, rage, and hopes of people from a vastly misread region of the world. City Lights Books, May 7
THE Z WORD, BY LINDSAY KING-MILLER
Queer relationship drama meets zombies and survival tactics in King-Miller’s new novel, which begins as, in the aftermath of a tough breakup, a character named Wendy starts noticing people around her acting strangely. When they turn violent and brainless, Wendy must team up with friends and frenemies alike (including her ex) to find a solution. Quirk Books, May 7
Elizabeth Casillas is an assistant editor at Alta Journal. A graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, she has previously written for the Poly Post and Enspire Magazine.
Jessica Blough is a freelance writer. A former associate editor at Alta Journal, Blough is a graduate of Tufts University where she was editor in chief of the Tufts Daily.
Ajay Orona is an associate editor at Alta Journal. He earned a master’s degree from USC Annenberg’s School of Journalism in 2021 and was honored with an Outstanding Specialized Journalism (The Arts) Scholar Award. His writing has appeared in Los Angeles Review of Books, Ampersand, and GeekOut.
14 New Books for September
15 New Books for August
New Releases for July
Upcoming Releases: Moderation and Cozy Dystopias
