September sees Kemps bursting at the seams with new books for pretty much every taste. If you have found yourself at the bottom of your book pile (trust us it can occasionally happen!), you will not be disappointed with the variety to choose from this month. From keenly anticipated paperbacks such as Jonathan Coe’s Bournville to the next in the series of Clive Cussler’s Oregon files, we have plots aplenty ready to take you away from those mundane September jobs. The children’s section is not forgotten either as there’s fun picture books right through to a teen fantasy fiction by Anna Goodall.
There can be few novelists writing today who have studied – and captured – the societal changes seen within England in the post-war years in such a reflective, incisive and witty manner as Jonathan Coe. His novels are both funny and poignant and, though perhaps heavier on the social commentary, Bourneville is no different. The story follows the ups and downs of four generations of one family navigating the great events and changes seen over the past 75 years from their suburban home which lies so close to the iconic Cadbury chocolate factory. With engaging characters and an almost up to the minute historical context, this is both a nostalgic read and an attempt to makes sense of the times that we have all lived through.
Clive Cussler’s massively popular Oregon Files Series has a new author! With a PhD in technology and conflict in international relations and as a fan of Tom Clancy novels (think Hunt for Red October), Mike Maden seems like the perfect choice to continue the work of Cussler. Described as ‘James Bond on steroids’, Hellburner follows mercenary Juan Cabrillo and his crew as they pursue what starts as a drugs and arms smuggling cartel but turns out to be something far more dangerous to the security of the entire planet. The novel delivers for its genre in spades: pacey, action-packed, full of twists and, of course, bad guys aplenty.
Another series that has been especially popular at Kemps is Japanese author, Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s coffee shop stories. The fourth in the series, Before We Say Goodbye is out this month and it follows the format of the previous three asking the same question, ‘Who would you choose to see again for one last time if you could travel back in time?’ Join another set of characters who get to do just this as they revisit a moment in the past by sitting in one special chair of the café Funiculi Funicula but don’t let them forget that they must return to the present before their coffee gets cold.
A notable mention must go to the mystery and thriller genre this month: Felix Francis’ new title No Reserve is a gripping tale set against the backdrop of the Newmarket racing scene; crime readers’ favourite, Jacqueline Winspeare offers a thoroughly enjoyable espionage thriller and, A Bitter Remedy, the first book in a new historical mystery series by Alis Hawkins hits our shelves.
With October and Hallowe’en not far around the corner, we dive into the wonderful world of author-illustrator Flavia Z Drago whose Gustavo the Shy Ghost enchanted us all last year. This time it is the turn of Vlad the Fabulous Vampire who, rather contrary to his species, looks ever so alive due to his lovely rosy cheeks! Will Vlad be able to hide his blushes from his vampire friends? Or will he make a discovery that will help him to accept that being rosy isn’t that bad after all?
Ever since Charles and Mary Lamb wrote ‘Tales from Shakespeare’ in the early Nineteenth Century, there has been a long tradition of Shakespearean retellings for children. The latest of these is the rather good offering from Michael Morpurgo which gives more than a nod to the Lambs’ ambitious and enduring stories. All the major plays are represented in this beautifully illustrated introduction to the Bard for young readers.
Finally, older children may like the second book in Anna Goodall’s fantasy adventure series, Maggie Blue and the White Crow. The story follows on from the first book and we join Maggie as she regains some semblance of normality after her visit to the Dark World. However, the dark forces are assembling again and Maggie realises she must return to the place she never wanted to visit again when she is followed by a White Crow that won’t leave her alone. With echoes of The Dark is Rising but featuring a heroine that must deal with issues that are very much part of the modern world, this fantasy fiction for teens has much appeal.
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