5 new books to read this week

Take a look at some new releases, whether you’re looking to treat yourself or fill a loved one’s Christmas stocking…

Fiction

1. Your Neighbour’s Table by Gu Byeong-mo, translated by Chi-Young Kim, is published in paperback by Wildfire, priced £14.99 (ebook £8.49). Available now

All is not what it seems in Your Neighbour’s Table, and a feeling of dread grows as the book goes on. South Korean author Gu Byeong-mo’s somewhat dystopian novel focuses on a new type of government-owned apartment block outside of Seoul, where residents such as Yojin, her husband and daughter are given modern housing – under the condition she has at least two more children in the next 10 years. Somewhat creepy, yes, but not out of the bounds of possibility, particularly when you think of declining birthrates. The block isn’t full yet, but the families already in it are thrust into a strange kind of communal living, almost against many of their wills, including carpooling to work and sharing childcare. It’s an interesting concept and the characters are engaging, making for a gripping read – but you wonder if Byeong-mo could have pushed the concept even further, taking these plausible scenarios and making them even eerier.

8/10

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(Review by Prudence Wade)

2. Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto is published in hardback by Gollancz, priced £20 (ebook £11.49). Available December 12

You can imagine this pacy sci-fi heist on the big screen. It romps away against the cinematic backdrop of Kepler Space Station, where those in the shiny upper echelons have everything they could want, while the lower districts look on, scraping out an existence. Thief Edie’s been locked up for eight years after a job went wrong. Released on early parole, the person waiting for them is the one who sold them out, Angel. With their sister to support, Edie agrees to one final heist with Angel and a māhū crew (third gender people in Hawaiian culture) of skilled misfits. Debut author Yamamoto nails the existential threat posed by their target – a tech billionaire developing algorithms to manipulate memory – but the plot skids along so fast you can’t quite get a grip on Edie and Angel’s history, making their motivations flimsy. The supporting characters have spark, but the mechanics of the robbery are short on drama. If anything, the crew need to encounter more snarls and peril to avoid it feeling a little too neat in the end.

6/10

(Review by Ella Walker)

3. The Midnight Hour by Eve Chase is published in paperback by Penguin, priced £9.99 (ebook £2.99). Available now

The Midnight Hour is a classic mystery, rapidly unfolding across two timelines: present day and Nineties Notting Hill, London. Teenage Maggie wakes up to realise her supermodel mother never came home, and she’s left to take care of her younger brother Kit as it becomes increasingly clear that their mum is properly missing. Fast forward to present day, and both Maggie and Kit are grappling with what happened back then – with Maggie evidently knowing that something terrible went down, but keeping Kit in the dark to protect him. The way the book is structured means it’s a solid beach read – you won’t want to put it down, as the strands unspool and eventually come together. But the writing is rather heavy-handed and the story doesn’t feel particularly fresh, leaving an ultimately unmemorable impression.

6/10

(Review by Lily Rose)

Non-fiction

4. Over The Rainbow: Tales From an Unexpected Year by Alex James is published in hardback by Particular Books, priced £18.99 (ebook £9.99). Available now

In Over The Rainbow, Blur bassist-turned-Cotswolds farmer Alex James provides a charming account of a year in his life. And this isn’t any old year – it’s 2023, when Blur reformed, released a new album and played Wembley Stadium. James follows the year chronologically, covering the tentative band rehearsals to touring the world, all while trying to keep his farm and its annual food and music festival, the Big Feastival, running smoothly. The rockstar’s voice really shines through – as does his exuberance, which is obviously shared by the gaggle of five kids he has his wife Claire Neate. It makes for a really lovely insight into the life of a rocker-turned-farmer – and ultimately, it breeds a whole lot of respect for James’ party-going stamina.

9/10

(Review by Prudence Wade)

Children’s book of the week

5. Penguin And Pup! The Perfect Christmas by Hazel Gardner, illustrated by Nikki Dyson, is published in paperback by Macmillan Children’s Books, priced £7.99 (ebook £3.99). Available now

This vibrant and beautifully illustrated book is a delight for young readers and their families. The story revolves around two unlikely friends, Penguin and Pup, who couldn’t be more different. Penguin is gentle and thoughtful, and finds happiness in the simple joys of life. In contrast, Pup is spirited, exuberant, and thrives on making the most of every moment. Their contrasting personalities come to the fore as they prepare for Christmas. Pup’s grand vision includes snow machines, elves and extravagant festivities, while Penguin prefers a quieter, simpler celebration. Despite their differences, they ultimately learn that the essence of the season is being together, underscoring the importance of compromise and understanding in relationships. Its engaging visuals and heartwarming narrative make reading time a joyful experience. Moreover, it subtly introduces themes of acceptance and the value of friendship, offering meaningful lessons for both children and their parents.

8/10

(Review by Joanne Brennan)

BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 7

HARDBACK (FICTION)

1. Quicksilver by Callie Hart

2. We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

3. Wind And Truth by Brandon Sanderson

4. In Too Deep by Lee Child & Andrew Child

5. Orbital by Samantha Harvey

6. Killing Time by Alan Bennett

7. A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon

8. Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

9. Murder Under The Mistletoe by Reverend Richard Coles

10. The Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer

(Compiled by Waterstones)

HARDBACK (NON-FICTION)

1. Private Eye Annual 2024 by Ian Hislop

2. I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You by Miranda Hart

3. A Pawtobiography by Ted the Dog

4. Guinness World Records 2025

5. Diddly Squat by Jeremy Clarkson

6. The Book Of Gifts by Lucy Claire Dunbar

7. Simply Jamie by Jamie Oliver

8. Unleashed by Boris Johnson

9. Bored Of Lunch Six Ingredient Slow Cooker by Nathan Anthony

10. Viz Annual 2025

(Compiled by Waterstones)

AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION)

1. Wind And Truth by Brandon Sanderson

2. We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

3. I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You by Miranda Hart

4. The Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer

5. Odyssey by Stephen Fry

6. Atomic Habits by James Clear

7. Lights Out by Navessa Allen

8. The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

9. An Ideal Husband by Erica James

10. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

(Compiled by Audible)