February’s Exclusive Books Recommends reflects the high-level trends we are seeing in book publishing, and gives us a glimpse into what to expect for the months ahead.
Booktok remains the most significant influence on book publishing and sales. Some brand new titles on the list include: Onyx Storm, by Rebecca Yarros – Get ready to “fly or die” in the breathtaking follow-up to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame from #1 New York Times bestselling author.
Carrissa Broadbent’s The Ashes and The Star Crossed King – Full of heartbreak, redemption, bloody intrigue, and heart-pounding action, this is the gutting second installment of the Crowns of Nyaxia series.
Playing Flirty by Shameez Patel – A board game designer is forced to work alongside her nemesis in this charming and geeky rivals-to-lovers romcom perfect for fans of Olivia Dade and Jen DeLuca.
Last year saw the genres blur, allowing for cross-pollination of ideas, and frankly, a more realistic snapshot of our nuanced reality. Strict adherence to categories doesn’t seem to capture it anymore.
Romantasy is the most popular of these hybrid mash ups, but this month features a romance-thriller by Asia Mackay – The Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage. It follows a couple of ex-serial killers as they kick their bloody habit for good, all while raising a family. This could save their relationship – unless it kills them first, of course. A couple that kills together stays together!
The current publishing landscape is bent on better representation of different authors, and diversity is paramount.
Locally published Buried in the Chest by Lindani Mbunyuza Memani, the 2024 Dinaane Debut Fiction Award Winner, fits the bill. It is a poignant tale of self-discovery, love, and community set against the backdrop of post-apartheid South Africa. The story follows Unathi’s journey as she searches for her mother, Mavis, while navigating her identity, sexuality, cultural heritage, and sense of belonging.
The Lion Women of Tehran from nationally bestselling author Marjan Kamali is another to add to the diverse voice selection. This book is an evocative portrait of friendship, feminism, and political activism set against three transformative decades in Tehran, Iran.
Mental health is in the spotlight – in the media and around dinner tables – and whilst traditional publishing, in the past, has balked at books about unsexy and traditionally awkward topics, like grief or menopause, there is now a ‘coming out’ of books on even difficult-to-discuss, unglamorous subjects. In this category, Everything I Wish I Could Tell You about Midlife, by Mikala Albertson, offers guidance, reassurance, science, stories, practical tools and support to navigate menopause, stress, hormones & common changes.
Personal growth is the top-selling non-fiction section at Exclusive Books, and we will continue to see books published that help us understand and sail through life’s complexities. Open When, by Dr Julie Smith, is the new book from bestselling clinical psychologist and TikTok sensation Dr Julie, author of Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? This is the book for life’s twists and turns, when being human starts to get complicated, or you feel overwhelmed or directionless.
Christianity is one of the fastest growing sections, and Pray Bold by Joel Osteen will be a feature in February reminding readers to ask for their dreams, for the big things, deepest hopes, for what looks impossible.
Seeking meaning is a timeless theme. Orbital, by Samantha Harvey, the winner of the Booker Prize 2024, is about outer space, but really so much more about life on earth, our humanity and humanness. Profound and original.
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Exclusive Books is one of South Africa’s largest bookselling chains with stores throughout South Africa, and one store in Gaborone, Botswana and in Namibia.
