Here’s the lowdown on some of the latest must-read new books.
‘Always the Queen: The Denise LaSalle Story’ by Denise LaSalle with David Whiteis
University of Illinois Press, nonfiction, $19.95
What it’s about: A posthumous memoir from blues and soul singer Denise LaSalle, who died in 2018, written with Chicago writer David Whiteis, takes us from her childhood picking cotton and dreaming of performing in Belzoni, Mississippi, to her move to Chicago as a teenager and her hits “Trapped by a Thing Called Love” and “Married, but Not to Each Other.” The singer, whose real name was Ora Denise Allen, signed with — but never recorded for — the legendary Chess Records and also started three record labels. Her final Chicago performance was in 2017 at the Chicago Blues Festival.
The buzz: “This is an empowering story, soulfully told,” says Publishers Weekly, which described the storytelling as “shimmering” and says: “LaSalle’s pride in being a songwriter, performer and producer rings loudly, and she acknowledges that ‘God has been truly, truly good to me.’ ”
“Always the Queen: The Denise LaSalle Story” by Denise LaSalle with David Whiteis.
University of Illinois Press
‘A Most Beautiful Thing: The True Story of America’s First All-Black High School Rowing Team’ by Arshay Cooper
Flatiron Books, nonfiction, $27.99
What it’s about: Arshay Cooper, who was a student at Manley Career Academy on the West Side, tells the moving true story of the first all-Black high school rowing team in the United States. He was one of the group of young Black men who faced down adversity to transform the sport — and their own lives. Cooper, who later coached the Chicago Urban Youth Rowing Club, self-published this book under the title “Suga Water” in 2015. Now, it’s been republished by Flatiron Books ahead of the movie update version, also called “A Most Beautiful Thing,” coming out in mid-July.
The buzz: “Engrossing as a sports memoir but also relevant to any conversation about privilege and race,” Kirkus Reviews says.
‘This Is Major’ by Shayla Lawson
Harper Perennial, nonfiction, $16.99
What it’s about: Shayla Lawson makes no apologies about being major. In a fierce and funny new voice comes a collection of essays, personal stories and pop culture observations that ask questions like: Why are Black women invisible to AI? What is “Black girl magic”? Am I one viral tweet away from becoming Twitter famous?
The buzz: “With sharp insight, Lawson elevates the discussion of race in America,” Publishers Weekly says.
‘Mexican Gothic’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Del Rey, fiction, $27
What it’s about: After she receives a frantic letter from her newlywed cousin begging for help, Noemí Taboada heads to her distant house in the Mexican countryside in this feminist horror tale. Silvia Moreno-Garcia gives us an isolated mansion, a charismatic aristocrat and a brave and glamorous debutante drawn to expose their secrets.
The buzz: “It’s as if a supernatural power compels us to turn the pages,” the Washington Post says.
‘Home Before Dark’ by Riley Sager
Dutton, fiction, $27
What it’s about: Interior designer Maggie Holt, who inherits a spooky Victorian estate in the woods, doesn’t believe in ghost stories — not even her own father’s. But that doesn’t mean the house isn’t haunted.
The buzz: “Sager’s novel is packed with the expected horror-trope-tinged suspense, literary jump-scares and more than one twist,” USA Today says.
‘One Last Lie’ by Paul Doiron
Minotaur, fiction, $27.99
What it’s about: The discovery of a badge belonging to a long-missing Maine game warden who vanished while investigating a poaching ring sends retired warden Charlie Stevens on a quest to solve the missing man’s fate.
The buzz: The 11th novel in Paul Doiron’s fine Mike Bowditch crime fiction series. The “suspenseful, fast-paced plot has more twists and turns than usual in a Mike Bowditch novel,” The Associated Press writes.
‘Devolution’ by Max Brooks
Del Rey, fiction, $28
What it’s about: The author of “World War Z” tackles the Bigfoot legend in a new thriller that sees a volcanic eruption displace Sasquatches that unleash havoc on a Washington state community.
The buzz: “A tasty, if not always tasteful, tale of supernatural mayhem that fans of [Stephen] King and [Michael] Crichton alike will enjoy,” Kirkus Reviews writes.
‘The New One: Painfully True Stories from a Reluctant Dad’ by Mike Birbiglia
Grand Central Publishing, nonfiction, $28
What it’s about: The comedian meditates on fatherhood in this witty, fast-paced memoir recounting the foibles and joys of raising his young daughter.
The buzz: “Birbiglia’s witty take on new parenthood will resonate especially with those who’ve been there,” Publishers Weekly says.
