June is a month brimming with literary delights, offering a diverse array of books that cater to every taste and interest. From gripping thrillers to thought-provoking non-fiction, and from debut novels to culinary adventures, there's something for everyone. Here's a curated selection of the best Australian books hitting the shelves this month, each one promising to captivate and challenge readers in its own unique way.
Night Swimming by Sharon Kernot
This novel is a compelling thriller in verse, marking Sharon Kernot's first book for adults. The story follows Clare Colson, haunted by the drowning death of her best friend, Julie, when they were teenagers. Now in her 40s, Clare drifts through her days in a haze of sedatives, alcohol, and insomnia. When she encounters an older man who was also present at the tragedy, she sees an opportunity to seduce her way back into his life. What makes this novel particularly intriguing is the revelation of Clare's true purpose, which is only unveiled in the tense final pages. It's a powerful exploration of how trauma can linger and shape our lives, and how we might find the strength to confront it.
How to Love the World by Ilka Tampke
Ilka Tampke's novel is a suspenseful narrative of survival and a reckoning with family history and motherhood. The story unfolds in a forest, where a woman is crushed by a falling bough, forcing her to grapple with the arc of her own life and her place in the world. What makes this novel fascinating is its deep connection to the forest's arboreal intelligence, which frames urgent questions about family, survival, and the interconnectedness of all life on Earth. It's a thought-provoking read that will leave you contemplating the delicate balance between humanity and nature.
Wormhole: My Journey into the Dark Heart of Alternative Medicine by Hannah McElhinney
Hannah McElhinney's non-fiction book is a gripping page-turner that explores the wellness wormhole her cousin fell into after years of struggling with chronic health conditions. McElhinney, with deep empathy and a firm eye on the science, navigates the complex landscape of alternative medicine, explaining why people with undiagnosed conditions are vulnerable to dangerous health conspiracies. What makes this book particularly compelling is its ability to maintain an understanding of the human element while providing clear and convincing explanations of the science. It's like true crime for wellness, with an urgent message about the importance of evidence-based healthcare.
The Northern Tomb by Isabelle Li
Isabelle Li's novel is a quiet and melancholic story that spans 80 years of Chinese history. The narrative is told from the perspectives of Mr Zhao, an elderly widower in northeast China, his pragmatic carer, Sister Fu, and their son. The novel explores the grief and trauma each character is trying to transcend, with a particular focus on the impact of wars, politics, and traditional life. What makes this book fascinating is its ability to reveal the vast gap between how each character sees themselves and the impact they have on others. It's a deeply moving read that will leave you contemplating the complexities of human relationships and the passage of time.
Smoke, Rice, Water by Kishwar Chowdhury
Kishwar Chowdhury's cookbook is a breath of fresh air, offering a sumptuously written exploration of Bengali food culture through an Australian lens. The title, a reference to the smoked rice water served on a MasterChef Australia season finale, unspools the rich history of Bengal food, from the influence of the Nawabs and Mughals to the joys of Bangla-Chinese cuisine. What makes this book particularly interesting is its focus on the national fish of Bangladesh, hilsa, and how it's usually barramundi that simmers in the spiced, sour fish broth known as mach'er jhol in Chowdhury's Melbourne home. It's a beautiful book that will transport you to the vibrant and flavorful world of Bengali cuisine.
No God But Us by Bobuq Sayed
Bobuq Sayed's debut novel is a powerful and alive tale of two queer Afghan men in exile. Delbar, newly outed, is moving east away from the United States and the strictures of his family, while Mansur, unable to live freely in Tehran, is moving west towards the fragile promise of Europe. When they meet in Istanbul, it feels like destiny, but destiny is a luxury in a world of borders. What makes this novel fascinating is its exploration of the collision between these two characters and the broader political and cultural landscape they inhabit. It's a thought-provoking read that will leave you contemplating the complexities of identity, love, and the human condition.
At Sea by Yassmin Abdel-Magied
Yassmin Abdel-Magied's first adult fiction novel is a pacy, thriller-like narrative that channels her own experience working as a mechanical engineer on an offshore oil rig for Shell. The story follows Zainab, an expert driller, who takes charge of a failing rig staffed by an all-male crew. Not only is it a hostile workplace for a young Black Muslim woman, but the rig itself is on the brink of collapse. What makes this novel particularly compelling is its exploration of the challenges faced by women in male-dominated industries and the urgent need for change. It's a powerful read that will leave you contemplating the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Krank Fuss by Andrew Upton
Andrew Upton's debut novel is a most unusual and thought-provoking tale. The story is told through the eyes of a chicken with a disfigured foot, written by a traumatized World War I veteran for his unborn daughter and found in a briefcase after her death. Set on a small farm in Bavaria during the gathering gloom of World War II, the novel is an allegory in the spirit of Animal Farm. What makes this book fascinating is its exploration of the wonders of the natural world and the collision course between humanity and nature. It's a beautifully written read that will leave you contemplating the complexities of existence and the role of animals in our world.
Angertainment by Ed Coper
Ed Coper's non-fiction book is a treatise on the new type of power defining not only our political and cultural debates but also our trajectory. The concept of Angertainment, both the name of the book and its central idea, describes how our natural human inclinations towards anger are hijacked and harnessed in the attention economy, where only the most entertaining survive. What makes this book particularly compelling is its framework for understanding the forces shaping our lives and how we might fight against them. It's a thought-provoking read that will leave you contemplating the role of anger in our society and the importance of critical thinking in the age of the attention economy.
