Platinum has compiled some of our favourite upcoming books for the New Year that we believe you will love.
The Things That We Lost by Jyoti Patel (Jan)
The debut novel from 2021 Merky Books New Writers’ Prize winner Jyoti may be one of the best books you read this year. The Things That We Lost is an achingly tender and heartfelt exploration of family, loss, and the lengths to which we go to protect the ones we love. Nik has lots of questions about his late father but knows better than to ask his mother, Avani. It’s their unspoken rule. But after his grandfather passes, the cracks in the perfect picture Nik has of his father begins to show.
Jyoti Patel is an exciting new writer, deftly exploring deep family intricacies, love and grief in equal measure.
Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor (Jan)
A blistering page-turner fuelled by seductive wealth and chilling corruption, Age of Vice sees the lives of a watchful servant, a playboy heir and a journalist grappling with a moral dilemma entwine, as the reality beneath the glitz and glamour of New Delhi’s elite world starts to unravel.
Equal parts crime thriller and family saga, transporting readers from the dusty villages of Uttar Pradesh to the urban energy of New Delhi, Age of Vice is an intoxicating novel of gangsters and lovers, false friendships, forbidden romance, and the consequences of corruption. It is binge-worthy entertainment at its literary best.
Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm by Laura Warrell (February)
For American author Laura Warrell, writing Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm has been a labour of love. Warrell, who is 51, decided a few years ago to give up on love, having survived a marriage, a divorce, and a string of relationships with men who failed to commit to her. Taking these experiences, she channelled them into a fantastic debut novel. It brings together a rich array of women’s voices who all have one man in common: the same man, jazz trumpeter Circus Palmer. Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm interrogates love – and its absence – from deep within these decade-spanning relationships, resulting in a book that is varied, exploring the messiness of life (and love), with a keen eye for moments of unexpected joy.
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld (April)
Ever since she exploded onto the bestseller charts with Prep in 2005, author Curtis Sittenfeld has demonstrated a keen eye for satire and the ability to deliver a razor-sharp line. She’s even appeared in Platinum’s Books That Made Me feature, so you can best believe we’re big fans.
After nearly two decades of writing witty, fabulous and well-observed novels about high society, Sittenfeld is back with Romantic Comedy, about a loveless TV writer and her unlikely romance with a pop idol. After all, if average-looking men can bag beautiful, successful female dates, why can’t it work the other way around? Razor sharp and funny, all Sittenfeld fans will love this.
Happy Place by Emily Henry (April)
Harriet and Wyn are the perfect couple – sorry, were the perfect couple. Now, they’ve broken up (nearly six months ago, in fact) by are bound by a pact to appear together for the annual holiday with their favourite people. One week of sun, sea and far too much wine. Sounds glorious – but maybe not what they need.
This year, they’re lying to their friends about their relationship. But the cottage is for sale, so why rock the boat with their news? They can fake it for one week, surely. But can you fake love in front of the people you love the most?
Emily Henry always knows how to tug on the heartstrings – and her latest is no different. Feel good and fizzing with romance, this will be one of the favourite books of 2023.
The Happy Couple by Naoise Dolan (May)
The follow-up to Dolan’s Exciting Times is already one of the most talked about books for 2023. Set against the backdrop of a wedding as five friends begin to unpeel the loves, passions, betrayals and lies at the core of their relationships. As the wedding approaches and these five lives intersect, each character will find themselves looking for a path to their happily ever after – but does it lie at the end of an aisle?
Naoise Dolan makes the Marriage Plot entirely her own in a sparkling ensemble novel that is both ferociously clever and supremely enjoyable.
The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams (May)
A nice house, a carefree life, a doting husband, a best friend who never leaves your side. What more could you ask for? There’s just one problem, your husband and best friend love you, but they hate each other. What do you do?
Set over the course of a single day, husband, wife and best friend Temi toe the lines of compromise and betrayal. Told in three parts, each voice as compelling as the next, three people’s lives, and their visions of themselves and each other begin to slowly unravel, until a startling discovery throws everyone’s integrity into question. If you didn’t know already – we can’t wait for this one.
Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson (May)
The acclaimed author of Open Water is back with his second book, Small Worlds. The one thing that can solve Stephen’s problems is dancing. Stephen has only ever known himself in song. But what becomes of him when the music fades? When his father begins to speak of shame and sacrifice, when his home is no longer his own?
The novel is an intimate and powerful exploration of a son-father relationship, music, and searching for meaning. Small Worlds takes place over three summers in Stephen’s life, from London to Ghana and back again, as Stephen has to find a new way to feel free. It’s one of the big books set for 2023.
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan (June)
Following her bestselling novel Acts of Desperation (consider this a sign to pick up a copy if you haven’t yet), Megan Nolan’s second book Ordinary Human Failings, explores the real stories behind tabloid headlines. Set in 1990’s, ambitious reporter Tom Hargreaves stumbles across a scoop: a dead child on a London estate, with the suspicion of one reclusive family of Irish immigrants swirling in the background.
Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang (June)
From the author of the bestselling Babel, Yellowface is a wild ride set against modern-day publishing. Literary darling Athena Liu and her less impressive author friend June Hayward are set to take over the writing scene. But when Athena dies in a freak accident, June does what any good friend would do: she steals her manuscript. What could possibly go wrong? With razor-sharp wit and timely observations, Kuang’s next novel is sure to be one you can’t put down.
