Welcome to this week's Book Briefing where we round up the news for the week!
This week there's plenty of new books announced including some BIG ticket romance titles, an amazing Kiwi author, and more. There's also stage adaptations of our favourite novels, more books being banned, and discussions around reading and libraries that are sparking lots of fascinating debates.
We are getting a sequel to The Love Hypothesis!
Ali Hazelwood fans are being gifted a highly anticipated sequel to their favorite science-inspired romance, ‘The Love Hypothesis,’ with the sequel being announced right as we are all enjoying the movie adaptation. Expected to release in February next year, ‘The Two-Body Problem’ is about Adam and Olive and what happens next for them. Hazelwood said in her announcement that “the TLH movie and its cast made me fall for Adam and Olive all over again, and that revisiting them was an absolute pleasure.”
Giselle Clarkson’s ‘Omnibird’ takes out the perfect score at PANZ Book Design Awards
The gorgeous hardback children’s book, ‘Omnibird’, by Giselle Clarkson was named last week as the overall winner for the PANZ Book Design Award, as well as taking home the Best Children’s Book Award. Designed along with Vida Kelly, ‘Omnibird’ is a brilliant book, and judges said it was the only one to score perfect 10s with its handwritten typography, use of color and illustrations, and engaging approach to presenting scientific information.
Author of ‘Amma’ announces her second novel
Longlisted for the Women’s Prize for her debut novel, ‘Amma’, it is no surprise to see a two-way auction take place for the rights to Saraid de Silva’s next novel—titled ‘Men I’ve Killed In My Sleep’. Aiming to be published in April 2028, the publishers, Footnote, say about the second novel that it is a “rage-filled road trip anchored by friendship,” and the commissioning editor described it as a “propulsive, short and spiky novel.” Saraid de Silva is a writer, podcaster, and creative who is based right here in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
Ian McEwan announces an intimate collection on his life so far
One of the world’s most acclaimed novelists, Ian McEwan, has announced his next publication will be his first full-length non-fiction book. Titled ‘Between Books', this collection is to be published next spring and will include material previously published as well as brand new essays that will take readers on what McEwan hopes will be an “emotional and intellectual journey.”
Threshing Day arrives for some bookshops, but not others.
Some indie bookshops in America and the UK were left apologizing to customers after stock was prioritized for larger outlets. Various stores posted on Instagram sharing their disappointment that they weren’t able to deliver on their promise of having ‘Threshing Day’ on release day, and the publisher has blamed the delays on the “exceptionally high volume” of books. Rebecca Yarros herself chimed in with how heartbroken she was and vowed to follow up with her publishers.
Kiwi author chosen for Reese’s October Blook Club
Kiwi author, Meg Mason, has been selected for the October book club pick by Reese Witherspoon, a huge deal for this wonderful novel about a woman who works at a literary festival and the author she is enamored with. About the pick, Witherspoon said it’s “A funny and tender story about loneliness, connection, and finding your way back to yourself.” Meg Mason lives in Sydney but was New Zealand-born and shot to popularity with her international bestseller, ‘Sorrow and Bliss.’
New Abby Jiminez announced titled ‘feels like falling’
The No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of ‘The Night We Met’ is back, announcing a brand new feel-good romance about redemption, family, and love. Officially the third in the ‘Say You’ll Remember Me’ series, this new novel is titled ‘Feels Like Falling,’ has a stunning cover, and lands in bookshops in April 2027. Sign us right up.
The Vatican Library opened to the public with a new exhibition.
Asking the question ‘What is a library afraid of?’, one of the world’s most famous historic libraries opened its doors to the public with an exhibition exploring that idea and the many answers. With a huge black and white wave across the 16th-century façade, water is put forward both as something dangerous for books but also as something required for their conservation. It’s a thought-provoking move for this research institution to be available to the public, and for bookworms, it's the chance of a lifetime to get inside.
Alice Feeney hand in final edits for her next novel, ‘Twist’.
Alice Feeney has shared that the final edits are all done for her next novel, and it’s off to the printers in preparation for its release in February next year. A novel about a flight attendant who has perfected the double life, playing a charming wife and loving mother as well as a glamorous bride—this new novel is bound to be full of all the twists and turns that Feeney does so well, and we cannot wait.
Piranesi is being adapted for the stage and it sounds INCREDIBLE
The incredible and experimental novel from Susanna Clarke, ‘Piranesi’, is being adapted by The Royal Shakespeare Company alongside Virginia Woolf’s ‘Mrs Dalloway’, two hugely challenging and ambitious stories to adapt that will be absolutely magical to see brought to life on stage. ‘Piranesi’ won the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2021 and is about a man trapped in a labyrinthine mansion that includes an ocean covering one entire floor.
New Kate Morton novel announced
The author of best-selling novels like ‘Homecoming’ and ‘The House at Riverton,’ Kate Morton, has had a new novel announced that is being published by Pan Macmillan in 2027. Titled ‘Christabel,’ the new sweeping novel is about a previous friend of a lonely girl who lives in an old English manor on the edge of an ancient wood. As with all of Kate Morton’s novels, we expect this one to be atmospheric and mysterious, full of secrets and evocative settings.
Booker Prize judge explains why she dislikes the phrase ‘I really love reading’.
The Chair of the Booker Prize 2026 judging panel, Mary Beard, explained in a livestream that she thinks we should be reading for more than just pleasure, and has caused a stir in the book community by saying, “I cannot bear the phrase ‘I really love reading.'” Her explanation was about the way that reading is so much more to humanity than just a source of pleasure, and that it is underestimated by us just relegating it “to the wellbeing section of our lives.” It’s sparked a lot of discussion online about reading and what it means to people and to society as a whole.
Cover revealed for new T. Kingfisher novel
T. Kingfisher’s new novel is coming in May next year and sounds and looks incredible, with a perfect cover revealed for the charming murder mystery about a retired devil and a retired angel who pair up to catch a small-town murderer. T. Kingfisher is a genre-defying author who writes books across fantasy, horror, and now cozy crime, and we are so here for all of it.
That's all for this book briefing! For more bookish news, new releases, staff picks and plenty more from all the team at Book Hero, follow us on Instagram at @bookheronz and check back here on our blog as we post regularly!
