New books we can't stop thinking about
New books we can't stop thinking about
Hi booklovers! It's Clare Mulroy here, USA TODAY's Books Reporter. Here's this week's news in books.
Recently, I read a book that stopped me in my tracks. More specifically, it had me in tears within four pages, a feat that no other book has accomplished in my long journey as a reader. I'm talking about 'This is a Love Story' by Jessica Soffer, which traverses a couple's decades together in the backdrop of Central Park. It's an exquisite ode to New York, dripping with vignettes of city life and love.
If that doesn't entice you (though I hope it will), we've got plenty more reads to recommend. Our monthly recap of January new releases includes 15 novels across genres for you to dive into, from contemporary romance to fantasy to historical fiction.
Some of my favorites are:
' Homeseeking ,' a story of childhood friends who fall in love, lose each other and reconnect across the Chinese diaspora and U.S. over sixty years.
,' a story of childhood friends who fall in love, lose each other and reconnect across the Chinese diaspora and U.S. over sixty years. ' We Could Be Rats ,' a heart-wrenching (but also hilarious) tribute to sisterhood, queerness and mental health.
,' a heart-wrenching (but also hilarious) tribute to sisterhood, queerness and mental health. 'Good Dirt,' from the author of 'Black Cake,' which follows a wealthy Black New England family and the public spectacle that surrounds them after their son is murdered.
Also on our list is 'Onyx Storm,' which is still holding strong at the top of the USA TODAY Best-selling Booklist. Freida McFadden's latest, 'The Crash,' also joins the ranks this week at no. 3.
And if you haven't started reading for our Winter Book Challenge – there's still time! We're raffling off a $100 Bookshop.org gift card to those who submit a completed bingo card. See the full challenge rules here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Nintendo Switch 2 games and accessories at Amazon, plus a hidden spot to buy the console
Nintendo Switch 2 games and accessories at Amazon, plus a hidden spot to buy the console Order games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Sonic X Shadow Generations here and find out who actually still has the console available to purchase. Show Caption Hide Caption Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here with a new Mario Kart game The new Nintendo Switch is now available. It retails for $449.99, and is expected to sell out fast due to heavy pre-order volume and low retail stock. The Nintendo Switch 2 has launched, and accessories and games are available on Amazon with fast shipping. Enhance your Switch 2 experience with screen protectors, cases, controllers, and charging docks. Popular games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Sonic X Shadow Generations are available for the new console. The Nintendo Switch 2 officially launched on June 5, and pretty much sold out immediately. If you were one of the lucky gamers to get your hands on the new tech, it is time to figure out what you're going to play and how you're going to make the most out of the coveted release. While you won't find the console itself on Amazon yet, there are still a ton of must-have accessories and games you can shop to help power up your play. From tempered glass screen protectors and carrying cases to wireless controllers and charging docks, you can totally customize and upgrade your Switch 2 experience at Amazon. Even better? USA TODAY Shopping did the work for you. We found popular games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Sonic X Shadow Generations for Nintendo Switch 2, gaming accessories, plus the only place you can actually still order the 2025 Nintendo Switch 2 right now. Whether you're shopping for yourself or grabbing a quick Father's Day gift, Amazon's fast shipping and wide selection make it easy to gear up and game on. Nintendo Switch 2 shopping guide Are original Nintendo Switch games compatible with the Switch 2? Yes, most original Nintendo Switch games work on the new Switch 2—and some are expected to run even better thanks to performance upgrades. Are Switch 2 accessories compatible with older gear? Good news—many Nintendo Switch accessories like Joy-Con controllers and docks work with the Switch 2. That said, some gear might need updates or replacements to function properly. Check out a few top picks for Nintendo Switch 2 accessory upgrades below. Buy at Amazon: ivoler 3-Pack Screen Protector Tempered Glass for Nintendo Switch 2 Buy at Amazon: JSAUX Thumb Grips for Nintendo Switch 2 The Nintendo Switch 2 sold out almost immediately at Walmart, Target, Sam's Club and GameStop. Lucky for you, we found it at StockX. The price might be higher than the original cost but if you want the console, you might have to pay. The Nintendo Switch 2 is a big leap forward from its predecessor. With a 1080p OLED display, 4K TV compatibility, magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers and built-in video chat capabilities, this 2025 gaming device is designed for both solo adventures and group gaming marathons. It even supports most original Switch games, so your library will stay relevant once you upgrade. More: The Lebron James Kenbassadors Doll is sold out everywhere: We found one available When did the Nintendo Switch 2 come out and how much is it? The Nintendo Switch 2 officially launched on June 5, 2025, with a retail price starting at $449.99. There was also a bundle with Mario Kart World released for $499.99. 📲 More: Follow USA TODAY Shopping on Instagram for deals, trends and more How much does Amazon Prime cost? New members can try one week of Amazon Prime benefits for just $1.99. After that, Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year. The annual plan will save you about $40 total compared to paying monthly. What are the benefits of an Amazon Prime membership? The biggest benefit for Amazon Prime members is same-day, one-day and two-day delivery options on millions of products. The free and fast delivery perk makes shopping more convenient than ever. The newest Prime benefit will come with the launch of Alexa+, Amazon's new virtual assistant. There will be a fee of $19.99 per month to utilize the new assistant, but that fee only applies to non-Prime members. Prime members will get Alexa+ for free. More: Is an Amazon Prime membership worth it? Here's what you need to know Shop popular Amazon deals
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
'Love Island USA' star Yulissa Escobar apologizes after sudden exit over racial slur
'Love Island USA' star Yulissa Escobar apologizes after sudden exit over racial slur Show Caption Hide Caption 'Love Island USA' host Ariana Madix on if she watches 'The Valley' "Love Island USA" host Ariana Madix explains to USA TODAY's Ralphie Aversa what it would take to get her back on Bravo reality TV show. Days after Yulissa Escobar unceremoniously left the "Love Island USA" villa, she has issued an apology for the online controversy that preceded her sudden departure. Before the show's seventh season premiered June 3, fans of the show were in an uproar over resurfaced clips of her using a racial epithet on a podcast. But the 27-year-old Miami businesswoman had presumably already lost access to her phone during production in Fiji. Her exit was briefly mentioned in voiceover narration during the second episode on June 4. Now off the Peacock show, Escobar has addressed the social-media frenzy over her resurfaced comments. "First, I want to apologize for using a word I had no right in using. Podcast clips from years ago have recently resurfaced, and I want to address it directly," Escobar wrote in the caption of a June 6 Instagram post. "In those clips, I used a word I never should've used, a racial slur. I used it ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it. I wasn't trying to be offensive or harmful, but I recognize now that intention doesn't excuse impact. And the impact of that word is real. It's tied to generations of trauma, and it is not mine to use." Escobar continued to explain, "I was speaking casually in conversation, not thinking deeply or critically about what I was saying. But that doesn't take away from how wrong it was. The truth is, I didn't know better then, but I do now. I've taken the time to reflect, to learn, and to grow from that moment." She said she has "changed a lot since then" and acknowledged, "Growth means recognizing when you were wrong, even if it's uncomfortable, and choosing to move forward with humility and accountability." She denounced statements from others that "don't reflect me or my heart" and shared, "I'm choosing to speak for myself because I take full ownership of my actions." Escobar ended the post with contrition, writing, "To those who are disappointed or offended, I understand and I apologize. I am sorry." Peacock has not responded to USA TODAY's request for comment on Escobar's departure. The show's only on-air acknowledgement that Escobar was no longer on the show was Iain Stirling mentioning around 20 minutes into Episode 2, "Yulissa has left the villa." 'Love Island USA' complete guide: New to the show? Here's the must-know terminology Which contestants have been kicked off 'Love Island?' Over the years, a few Islanders have unceremoniously disappeared from the show, only to later emerge on social media with claims as to why they were no longer on screen. The show seldom issues an explanation through official channels. Some of these contestants who suddenly stopped appearing on the reality show included Season 2's Noah Purvis, Season 3's Leslie Golden and Season 4's Kyle Fraser. There have also been emotional departures over the previous six seasons, such as when Day 1 islander Josh Goldstein left the villa with then-partner Shannon St. Claire after his sister died. How to watch 'Love Island USA' New episodes of Love Island USA stream Thursday through Tuesday at 9 p.m. E.T. on Peacock.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Rock icon Fito Páez isn't looking at legacy yet: 'I still have many things left to do'
Rock icon Fito Páez isn't looking at legacy yet: 'I still have many things left to do' Don't give Fito Páez his flowers yet. He's still planting new seeds. The Argentina-born singer-songwriter and film director, whose landmark 1992 album "El Amor Después del Amor" celebrated its 33rd anniversary June 1, continues his tradition of avant-Latin rock on his latest album "Novela." Páez, 62, became "The Troubadour of Argentine Rock" by waxing poetic with his heady, romantic lyrics and free-spirit flamboyance. On "Novela," an ambitious 25-track record Páez had been working on since 1988, the Grammy-winning rocker explores the inner workings of true love through the tale of Maldivina and Turbialuz, a pair of young witches tasked with creating the "perfect romance." "I don't compose music for albums. My connection to music, to writing or to film is permanent. I'm not thinking, 'Now I'm going to do this or that,'" Páez tells USA TODAY in Spanish. "It's almost like breathing." Something that comes just as naturally to Páez is writing about the primal magic of human connection. "There's nothing more important than love," he says. Fito Páez preaches the importance of artistic independence For Páez, there's nothing more vital than marching to the beat of your own drum. The acclaimed rocker, who's released nearly 30 albums since his 1984 debut "Del 63," shares his concern about today's music landscape, which he views as valuing conformity over originality. "The world has changed so much," he reflects. "In the last century, to be different (as an artist) was a virtue. Today, virtue is being like everybody else." Despite his lower middle-class upbringing in Rosario, Argentina, Páez was fed a rich musical diet, consisting of the sounds of Frank Sinatra, Burt Bacharach and The Beatles. He says these trailblazers informed the experimental rock style he's now known for. So, Páez's advice for younger artists? Embrace the uncertainty of carving out their own path. "Music is like the sea. It's deep and warm and at the same time, full of storms," Páez says. "This is much more fun than repeating a beat and four lyrics for five minutes." Karol G interview: Singer talks vulnerable new documentary, love life and upcoming 'dream' album Fito Páez's proudest achievement may surprise you Over the years, Páez has been lauded for his artistic contributions, including 11 Latin Grammy Awards. In 2021, the Latin Recording Academy recognized Páez with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Páez's music has been equally championed by la gente. His beloved eighth album, "El Amor Después del Amor," is reportedly the best-selling album in the history of Argentine rock. "I don't want a legacy yet. I still have many things left to do," Páez says with a laugh. "In the end, that's the beauty of the spread of music, that it's not the process of one era, of one song, of your vanity or of your brand, but it's a journey through time. And when it happens for real, it's very beautiful." Natalia Lafourcade interview: Mexican singer on alter ego in 'Cancionera,' significance of touring in her 40s The greatest accolade for Páez lies in his continued ability to create. "I really love that 12-year-old boy who listened to music with his parents, and something was awoken there that is still alive, and that boy never said never," Páez says. "So, I'm really proud of that little boy."
