In search of something to read? Some suggestions from among recent book releases:
‘Strange Planet’ by Nathan W. Pyle
(Morrow Gift, comics, $14.99)
What it’s about: Nathan W. Pyle’s four-panel comics have a disarmingly simple formula: Little blue aliens come to earth and offer unexpectedly profound insights on how silly, wonderful and weird life is.
The buzz: It’s practically impossible to be on the Internet and not trip over a charming “Strange Planet” comic.
‘The Kill Club’ by Wendy Heard
(MIRA Books, fiction, $15.99)
What it’s about: Twenty-eight-year-old Jasmine “Jazz” Benavides will do anything to save her little brother from their dangerous foster mother. When the law fails her, an underground group of “helpers” offer to eliminate the abuser — if she’ll kill a stranger herself.
The buzz: “Fans of ‘Stranger on the Train’ scenarios will find much to like,” Publishers Weekly writes.
‘A Small Town’ by Thomas Perry
(Mysterious Press, fiction, $26)
What it’s about: Two years later, 12 conspirators who set hundreds of prisoners free to rob, rape and murder haven’t been caught. It’s Detective Lt. Leah Hawkins’ job to find — and kill — them.
The buzz: “A superior live-action version of the Road Runner cartoons with 12 coyotes and non-cartoon violence,” Kirkus Reviews writes.
‘Nowhereville: Weird Is Other People’
(Broken Eye Books, fiction, $34.99)
What it’s about: This anthology of 19 short tales of speculative urban fiction includes stories by Cody Goodfellow, Nuzo Onoh, Maura McHugh and Mike Allen.
The buzz: “Remarkably powerful urban tales,” Kirkus Reviews writes.
‘Dead Astronauts’ by Jeff VanderMeer
(MCD, fiction, $27)
What it’s about: There’s a post-apocalyptic city, all-powerful company that’s littered with biotechnic ghosts and, oh, a messianic blue fox.
The buzz: “VanderMeer is a master of literary science fiction, and this may be his best book,” Kirkus Reviews writes.
‘The Book of Science and Antiquities’ by Thomas Keneally
(Atria Books, fiction, $28)
What it’s about: The author whose “Schindler’s Ark” inspired the movie “Schindler’s List” explores parallel lives of a documentary filmmaker and a prehistoric man, each forced to come to terms with mortality.
The buzz: “This novel falters in the alternately perplexing and overwrought writing in [one character’s] voice, which reads like ‘The Clan of the Cave Bear’ as imagined by Penthouse magazine,” a USA Today review says.
‘Just Watch Me’ by Jeff Lindsay
(Dutton, fiction, $26)
What it’s about: The “Dexter” author has a new villain: master thief Riley Wolfe, who targets the 1% and is disgusted with their obscene wealth.
The buzz: “Fans of the ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ film franchise will be eager for more,” Publishers Weekly writes.
‘Herring Hotel’ by Didier Lévy and Serge Bloch
(Thames & Hudson, picture book, ages 5-8, $14.95)
What it’s about: A boy living in a hotel becomes friends with an odd, old lady who says she’s a royal.
The buzz: “Lit clear through with the warmth of found family,” Kirkus Reviews writes.
Read more at USA Today.
