Happy’s Best New Books of 2021 (6th June – 12th June)
Updated weekly by the fine folk at Happy Mag, these are the best new books that this week has to offer from Australia and around the world!
Geoffrey Robertson – Bad People – and How to Be Rid of Them
We live in an era of hyper-nationalism and the prominence of identity politics. As such, there are many fertile grounds for human rights abusers: aka ‘bad people’. But in his new book, Geoffrey Robertson — the eminent human rights lawyer — implores governments to follow a new plan. A passionate and articulate call to arms.
8.9
BUY HERE
GEOFFREY ROBERTSON
BAD PEOPLE – AND HOW TO BE RID OF THEM
Michael Mohammed Ahmad – The Other Half of You
In the eagerly awaited follow up to the Miles Franklin-shortlisted The Lebs, Michael Mohammed Ahmad delves into faith, love, and the demands of family. A poignant tale, it traces Bani and the relating of his life story to his son, Kahlil. The worldview that was forced upon Bani by his own parents is explored, as well as his own alternate perspective. At times confronting, this ultimately empathic novel is a delight.
9.2
BUY HERE
MICHAEL MOHAMMED AHMAD
THE OTHER HALF OF YOU
John Green – The Anthropocene Reviewed
In case you didn’t know, we’re smack bang in the middle of the Anthropocene — the geological age of human influence of the planet. The hugely popular novelist, John Green, has assembled a suite of sweeping essays, using his award-winning podcast of the same name as source material. If you’re looking for a whistle-stop tour of humanity — in all its complexity — you could a lot worse than picking up this book.
8.8
BUY HERE
JOHN GREEN
THE ANTHROPOCENE REVIEWED
Francesca Reece – Voyeur
This thrilling debut is, on the one hand, pure escapism. One the other, it’s a plot-driven psychological study of class, ambition, and power in relationships. It follows Leah, as she chases an opportunity to work as an author’s assistant in the south of France, but not all is as it seems. A perfect slice of summer as we hunker down for the winter chill.
8.5
BUY HERE
FRANCESCA REECE
VOYEUR
Kiese Laymon – Long Division
This dazzlingly funny and thought-provoking novel traces the tale of Citoyen ‘City’ Coldson, who finds himself in exile after his onscreen meltdown goes viral. Before he leaves, he’s gifted a book, Long Division, which features a character that bears his name. Beyond the strangeness of this revelation, Coldson’s book possesses mysterious time-travelling abilities.
9.1
BUY HERE
KIESE LAYMON
LONG DIVISION
Michael Dobbs – King Richard
Those who thought controversial presidencies began and ended with Donald Trump or even George W. Bush — Michael Dobbs has a story to tell you. In the 1972 election, incumbent president, Richard Nixon, was voted in by a landslide. But within a few months, the office that he’d relentlessly fought for was in a shambles. Following the recent release of thousands of hours of Nixon’s White House tapes, Dobbs’ thrilling volume takes readers into the heart of the conspiracy that was the ultimate undoing of King Richard.
