Latest news with #Can'tGetEnough
USA Today
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Need a new book? 10 new releases you can read right now from romance to thriller
Need a new book? 10 new releases you can read right now from romance to thriller What do a ghost-conjuring chef, a fast-food employee and a world-renowned dying artist have in common? They're the topics of some of our favorite new books from May, of course. Check out the titles we recommend this month, including new Stephen King, a swoony new romantasy bestseller and the book that Fredrik Backman said could be his last. Or, take a look at the titles we're most excited about this summer. Plus, there's still time to read for USA TODAY's Spring Book Challenge, where you could win a $100 gift card to just by filling out our bingo card. What should I read next? 10 new books from May Summer is just around the corner, and it's time to get your TBR ready for beach reading and vacations. From dystopian tales to steamy romance, here are the titles we think you should pick up at your local bookstore or library. 'The Emperor of Gladness' by Ocean Vuong 'The Emperor of Gladness' has all the poetic meditations and lyricism of Vuong's 'On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous,' but with a lovable cast of found family characters that practically leap off the page. In it, a young man about to commit suicide is stopped by an elderly woman with dementia. What results is an unlikely friendship, a fast-food job that reunites him with his cousin and a new supportive, quirky community. 'Aftertaste' by Daria Lavelle This dark comedy set in the culinary world follows a Ukrainian American chef who can conjure spirits of the dead by cooking their favorite foods. Haunted by the death of his father and yearning to use his powers for good, Kostya opens a restaurant where loved ones reunite over one last meal. With carefully crafted depictions of grief and mouth-watering culinary adventures, this is the perfect novel for the always hungry and for fans of 'The Bear.' 'My Friends' by Fredrik Backman Told in two timelines, Backman's heartwarming latest is about four childhood friends and one transformative summer. Their bond inspires a painting that eventually becomes, decades later, the most famous painting in the world. In the present, a teenager who cherishes that painting finds herself in unexpected ownership of the original. Her cross-country journey to learn how the artwork came to be connects surprising roads in her own life and the painting's subjects. 'Can't Get Enough' by Kennedy Ryan In 'Can't Get Enough,' ambitious, goal-oriented Hendrix Barry is thriving in most aspects of life, but caring for her aging parent means she doesn't have time for romance. But then she meets tech mogul Maverick Bell, and the one man she can't have seems to be the perfect match. 'Things in Nature Merely Grow' by Yiyun Li Writer and professor Li meditates on the loss of her two sons – both from suicide, seven years apart. Li searches for the words that might fill the loss of Vincent at age 16 in 2017 and James at age 19 in 2024. 'Things In Nature Merely Grow' is less of a book about grief and more a tribute to radical acceptance and the lasting power of memory. 'Immaculate Conception' by Ling Ling Huang Twisty dystopian horror 'Immaculate Conception' follows art students whose work and study are upended by artificial intelligence. Grappling with her artistic purpose and jealous of her friend Mathilde's global success, protagonist Enka comes across a new technology that would let her enter Mathilde's mind, inextricably linking the co-dependent friends. 'Never Flinch' by Stephen King King deviates from his terrifying horror to pen a detective novel in 'Never Flinch.' This mystery thriller puts beloved character Holly Gibney at the forefront, now working for a celebrity women's rights activist whose lecture tour is under threat by a violent mystery assailant. At the same time, Holly helps her police detective friend with a serial killer on a revenge mission. 'Along Came Amor' by Alexis Daria This steamy romance is the third and final installment of Daria's 'Primas of Power' series. When Ava Rodriguez's now ex-husband leaves her to chase dreams that don't include her, she tries to embrace her new singleness in a one-night stand with Roman Vázquez. Type-A Roman is laser-focused on building his empire, so he initially agrees to her no-strings-attached, no-feelings situationship. That comes crashing when the pair run into each other at Ava's family function. 'Shield of Sparrows' by Devney Perry This new romantasy series, billed for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros, sees a forgotten princess changing her fate. She's never meant to rule, only to obey her father. But after an encounter with a legendary monster hunter and a prince upends her life, she realizes she can make her own rules, becoming the warrior she was meant to be. 'How to Be Well' by Amy Larocca Everyone knows a 'well woman' – the spiritual, skincare aficionado who is just one cog in the machine of the multibillion-dollar wellness industry. Journalist Larocca touches on her own experience getting sucked into wellness culture before ripping back the curtain at the science behind it, as well as the standards of American womanhood driving the profits. Support AAPI authors all year: 10 new books by Asian authors to read Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY's Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you're reading at cmulroy@
Elle
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
Bestselling Author Kennedy Ryan Wants Publishing to ‘Let Her Cook'
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. In an early chapter from Can't Get Enough, the latest New York Times bestselling romance novel from author Kennedy Ryan, the ambitious businesswoman Hendrix Barry tells an audience of potential investors that 'there's no such thing as Black Girl Magic.' Cue the shock. She continues, 'I know as soon as I said that, many of you inwardly responded the way my grandfather did when I was growing up in the country: The hell you say. I know that for many of you, shoot, for me, there was a time when questioning Black Girl Magic would feel like sacrilege.' But, she finishes, 'We are not magic. We are resilient. It's not a wand. It's work.' Ryan is careful to outline the many differences between herself and her heroine. But, in this instance, Hendrix seems to speak directly from the author's own experience. 'I just said to my husband the other day, 'There's got to be an easier way to make a living,'' Ryan jokes from her office in North Carolina, from which she joins a Zoom call with me mere days before the release of Can't Get Enough. Ryan's success, like Hendrix's, has been a long time coming. Starting out in the '90s as a journalism graduate from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill—go Heels—she spent years writing and ghostwriting for nonprofits, churches, and, really, 'anywhere I could,' she says. When she later gave birth to a son who was eventually diagnosed with autism, she adjusted most of her work to focus on advocacy. She wrote for Chicken Soup for the Soul and parent-focused magazines; she launched an Atlanta-based nonprofit to serve individuals with autism and their families. But the constant intensity of this work, in addition to the personal demands of parenting her son, found her bereft of a creative outlet. Throughout much of her youth, she'd found solace in romance novels. Why not try writing one of her own? Thus Ryan began a draft of the book that would one day become Before I Let Go, the first installment in the Skyland trilogy, now finalized with Can't Get Enough. In 2013, she secured a book deal with Hachette Book Group, and though she (temporarily) put Before I Let Go aside, she rolled out what would become known as the Bennett series, kickstarting her author career. From then on, Ryan became a publishing force to be reckoned with. Over the ensuing years, she built a backlist—and, she's quick to add, a brand—as a hybrid author, straddling the worlds of traditional publishing and self-publishing in the romance genre. In 2019, she became the first Black author, ever, to win the RITA Award in the Best Contemporary Romance: Long category, bestowed by the Romance Writers of America, an organization long mired in controversy thanks to its mishandling of diversity, equity, and inclusion. (The RWA has since filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, though it is still active.) Ryan entered one of her self-published titles, Long Shot, into RITA consideration on something of a dare. 'I remember being on Twitter at the time, and there was this hashtag #RITASoWhite, the same way they had, like, #OscarsSoWhite,' Ryan says. 'And so many people were saying, 'Well, the reason there's never a Black author winning is because they just never enter.' And I was like, 'No…I think it's systemic.'' The RITAs had been handing out awards for nearly 40 years before a Black author won. 'I think there's something else to it,' Ryan deadpans. Even after she made history as a RITA winner herself, Ryan realized she wasn't satisfied with proving her point in only one gatekept space. 'I started looking around and not really seeing Black romance authors very much on the New York Times list,' she says. 'We weren't on shelves. There wasn't much visibility for our books, really, at all. I started thinking about the brand I had built, which was a brand that had something to say. Not that nobody else did, but I had a very clear sense of who I wanted to center and celebrate.' She didn't want to write to fulfill trends or tropes, or to surpass a sales goal. She didn't want to give readers a shiny alternative universe in which to reside, even if, as a requirement of the romance genre, her books had to have happy endings. She wanted to push the 'discourse' further. In the acknowledgments section of Can't Get Enough, Ryan writes, 'No one wonders about weightier issues being broached in literary fiction or crime novels or any other genre. Why must romance remain agnostic on the most urgent issues of the day?' In our interview, I asked Ryan to elaborate on this idea further. How does she think about romance writing, if it's not simply about that all-important Happily Ever After? 'I am not approaching romance from a place of escape,' she tells me. 'I'm approaching romance from a place of activism. I want to talk about the destigmatization of mental health in marginalized communities. I want to talk about domestic abuse, and I want to talk about it in the context of a patriarchal culture that values paternal right over women's and children's safety. In a romance novel? Yes, in a romance novel.' She wants to deliver the big-picture issues in a package her readers will appreciate. Take Hendrix in Can't Get Enough. This is a protagonist, Ryan argues, with a 'sense of agency, a woman who believes that her body is her own, a woman who has goals and dreams.' She begins the novel as a single 40-something businesswoman, childless by choice, with a substantial income and a group of loyal, adoring friends. When she meets the tech mogul Maverick Bell, she's attracted to him not on account of his money, but because of his respect for her. He sees her. He values her. He shares her commitment to investing—fiscally and emotionally—in Black communities. He empathizes with Hendrix's grief as she struggles with her mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis. And yet Hendrix still hesitates to begin a relationship. She doesn't want to abandon her ambitions to buoy a man's own success; she's seen it happen too many times before. Maverick, ultimately, must convince her he's worthy of her affections—and that he doesn't want her to contort the life she's built. 'When I'm writing all of that, it's not to escape from real life,' Ryan says. 'It's to say, 'This is not too much to ask for in real life.'' The RITA win had presented Ryan with an opportunity: She could broaden her reach (and her message) amongst readers, but do so on her terms. She revisited her draft of Before I Let Go and reestablished her relationship with Hachette, outlining from the jump what she wanted for her next round of traditionally published books: Black women on the cover. 'Natural hair. Pigmentation,' Ryan lists. Her Hachette imprint, Forever, 'listened, which doesn't always happen.' Before I Let Go became a fan favorite after it was published in 2022, and Ryan secured a deal with Peacock to adapt the book—and, by extension, what would become the Skyland series, including the New York Times bestselling follow-ups This Could Be Us and Can't Get Enough—for television. Ryan continues, 'I think it makes a real difference when we as Black artists get to shape things around who we know is our most predictable, reliable reader, which is a Black woman. A lot of times people are like, 'Gosh, why don't Black books sell?' And I'm like, 'No, you don't know how to sell Black books.' And if you would listen to the people who create them, if you would give them aid and creative agency and voice, your bottom line would improve.' When Hachette gave her that agency and that support, Ryan says, she allowed herself to dream big. 'I was like, 'What if this series does what I hope that it could do? I could see Black women on shelves. I could see Black women on billboards. I could see Black women, potentially, one day, on television, thanks to a book I wrote.'' Ryan laughs, delighted. 'And it's so funny, because all of those things have happened or are happening.' Now, Can't Get Enough is a hit; the Skyland saga is in active development at Peacock ('We're still working, and as soon as they say I can announce things, I will,' Ryan teases); and Ryan is at work on the next book in her Hollywood Renaissance series, titled Score. Anyone who has spoken with her for more than a few minutes knows she's the kind of person who practically vibrates with joy—there's a reason she's been dubbed 'Queen of Hugs' amongst fans—but that enthusiasm hasn't made her frustrations with the publishing industry any less acute. She doesn't want to be one of only a handful of Black romance authors who get this level of visibility, especially given that her own visibility pales in comparison to that of many white authors. She continues, 'I am frustrated by the fact that we can't figure out the systems that make it harder for Black women to break through. And it's funny because I hear some readers say, 'Kennedy Ryan is not the only Black romance author! There's a whole bunch of others!' And I get it. Because it's always been this way, not only in publishing but in entertainment in general, only allowing so many of us [Black women] through at a time.' Ryan doesn't want to be an outlier. She wants her success to represent one drop in a sea change. 'We need more Black editors,' she says. 'We need more Black publishers. We need more Black agents. And not just Black—brown, queer, marginalized. We need them in acquisition and editorial roles. When we don't have that, we have people who may not actually know our community making decisions about our art.' She pantomimes a conversation with a publisher. 'You have all these resources, and I respect that. We have this experience and talent and voice. When those two things align, and you give us space?' She grins. 'Like the kids say…'Let her cook.''
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I Couldn't Get Enough of J.Lo's Fashion at the AMAs
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." As host of the 2025 American Music Awards, Jennifer Lopez was not going to slack off when it came to her fashion. Our favorite outfit changer's style parade began with a dramatic coatdress that she wore for a six-minute dance performance that kicked off the ceremony. She opened the number with a few lines from her own song, 'Dance Again,' before switching to a medley of hits from the past year, like Billie Eilish's 'Birds of a Feather,' Shaboozey's 'A Bar Song,' and more—all of which moved to (while giving a few smooches to her backup dancers along the way). Lopez started the performance in a black belted coatdress from the Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2024 collection, which she quickly stripped off to reveal a custom catsuit from Michael Ngo underneath. The two-tone, black-and-tan piece featured a high neck and pants that morphed into boots. It was also decorated with gems that were made to resemble the inside of a motherboard. From there, shimmering details were a recurring theme for Lopez, who changed into sequin-clad designs like a cerulean strapless dress with jutting hips from David Koma, and a gold halter dress that functioned like a bodysuit, save for a few loin cloth-esque strips that hung down over her legs. Later, the 'Can't Get Enough' singer stepped out in a silver Bronx and Banco dress with a fringe maxi skirt and a halter bodice that wrapped across her body in the shape of a cross. Oh, and the skin-baring continued when walked the winners' red carpet in a caramel, halter-style Defaïence dress that bared her abs thanks to a plunging middle connected via a set of large, golden hoops. Lopez ended the night in couture from Miss Sohee. The outfit consisted of a gray plunging gown with tiers of white sequins that resembled scales, paired with a baby-blue cape that was embroidered with patterns of green vines and pink flowers. We can always count on to dance, and love, and dance—and change clothes—again. You Might Also Like 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine
Buzz Feed
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
May Is Finally Here, And A New Month Means New Books I'm Dying To Tell You About
Along with the beautiful weather, spring is also a time to soak up all of the amazing new reads. And as your residential book lover, I'm here to bring you the novels that deserve to be on your radar! Here are a handful of recommendations I've picked just for you: 1. Nobody's Fool by Harlan Coben Grand Central Publishing Genre: Thriller, Mystery Synopsis: Sami Kierce's life was shattered the day he woke up in a blood-soaked panic beside the body of his girlfriend, Anna, while backpacking in Spain. With a knife in his hand and no memory of what happened, all he could do was run. Now, twenty-two years later, Kierce is a weary private investigator and new father trying to leave his past behind. But when he spots Anna—alive and unmistakably real — sitting at the back of his night class in New York City, everything changes. As she vanishes once more, Kierce is thrust into a desperate search for the truth. To solve the mystery that has haunted him for decades, he must confront long-buried secrets, dangerous enemies, and the possibility that nothing he believed about that night — or Anna — was ever true. 2. Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan Grand Central Publishing Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Black Fiction Synopsis: Hendrix Barry has it all — success, style, and a life most only dream of. With a booming business in the entertainment world, devoted friends, and a tight-knit family, she's a woman on the rise. But behind the glitz, she's balancing a quiet struggle: caring for an aging parent while pushing her dreams forward. Love? It's never been worth the Maverick Bell. A tech mogul with undeniable magnetism, Maverick turns Hendrix's carefully curated world on its head. From the moment they meet, the chemistry is electric—and impossible to ignore. But he's off-limits for reasons Hendrix can't ignore if she wants to stay on track. Still, Maverick isn't one to back down, and as he breaks through her defenses, Hendrix must decide: will she stick to the path she planned, or risk it all for a love that might be everything she never knew she needed? 3. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune Genre: Romance, Contemporary Synopsis: Alice has always believed good things happen at the lake, just like her grandmother Nan says. It was true the summer she was seventeen, when a single photo of three teenagers in a yellow speedboat quietly altered the course of her life. Now a professional photographer, Alice is more comfortable behind the camera, capturing joy without being part of it. But when Nan breaks her hip, Alice seizes the chance to return to Barry's Bay, hoping another lakeside summer will bring healing for them both. What she doesn't expect is Charlie Florek. The boy from the photo is now a grown man with a teasing smile and a yellow boat that stirs up old memories. As sunlit days blur into starlit nights, Charlie rekindles something Alice thought she'd left in the past: wonder, desire, and the courage to be seen. But falling for someone who truly sees her might be the riskiest shot she's ever taken. 4. The Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony Gallery Books Genre: Historical Fiction, Feminism Synopsis: In 1969 Dublin, newlywed Maura Davenport begins to fear the future she dreamed of when her husband's violent nature shatters the illusion of a happy home. Her friend Bernie, already a devoted mother, faces a heartbreaking reality: another pregnancy could cost her life. Both women are forced to confront impossible choices in a world that offers them few. Fast forward to 2023, where Saoirse, after a terrifying experience, begins to question whether motherhood is right for her at all. What she doesn't realize is that women like Maura and Bernie fought quietly but fiercely for the freedoms she now has — and soon, their stories will collide. The Women on Platform Two is a stirring intergenerational tale of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of women who dared to choose their own paths. 5. My Friends by Fredrik Backman Genre: Literary Fiction, Contemporary Synopsis: Most people overlook the three small figures on the pier in one of the world's most iconic paintings, assuming it's simply a seascape. But young artist Louisa sees more, and she's determined to uncover the story behind them. Twenty-five years earlier, four teenagers bonded on a weathered pier, escaping troubled homes with laughter, storytelling, and dreams of a better future. Joar, the fighter; Ted, the grieving bookworm; Ali, the restless wanderer's daughter; and the unnamed artist whose hidden pain was matched only by his talent. From their friendship, a masterpiece was born, one that will one day land in Louisa's hands. Now, tasked with deciding the fate of the painting, Louisa sets off on a journey to trace its origins. What she discovers is a moving story of resilience, love, and the invisible threads that bind people across time. 6. Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang Dutton Genre: Horror, Science Fiction Synopsis: Struggling artist Enka becomes entangled in a consuming friendship with Mathilde, a brilliant but troubled rising star she meets in art school. As Mathilde's fame soars, Enka grows increasingly desperate to stay close to her, leading her to marry a billionaire whose family is funding a radical technology designed to absorb another person's trauma. Enka seizes the chance to literally inhabit Mathilde's mind, blurring the line between empathy and obsession. This dark and gripping novel explores the complexities of art, identity, and the dangerous extremes of intimacy, asking what it truly means to love someone and what we're willing to sacrifice to feel connected. 7. The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb Doubleday Genre: Mystery, Thriller Synopsis: Curtis Wilson is a classical music prodigy who's risen from the streets of D.C. to perform with the New York Philharmonic, thanks to his unmatched talent and determination. His father, Zippy, a small-time drug dealer, and Larissa, Zippy's girlfriend and Curtis's devoted mother figure, have held their unconventional family together. But when Zippy crosses a dangerous drug kingpin—one who ironically helped support Curtis's rise — the family is forced into witness protection, leaving behind everything, including Curtis's promising music career. When it becomes clear the authorities can't stop the cartel, Curtis, Zippy, and Larissa decide to take matters into their own hands, risking everything to reclaim their lives and future. 8. The Devil Three Times by Rickey Fayne Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy Synopsis: In this sweeping, genre-blending tale, Yetunde wakes aboard a slave ship bound for America, haunted by her sister's spirit and facing unimaginable horror until the Devil appears, offering protection and a sliver of his power in exchange for a sacrifice. Hoping to redeem himself in God's eyes, the Devil strikes a bargain that will echo through generations. Over the next 175 years, he visits Yetunde's descendants during their most desperate moments, from a conjure woman and a man passing as white, to siblings torn apart by betrayal, a girl who speaks to the dead, and a father clinging to hope. Each encounter reveals a new facet of humanity's struggle and the Devil's own yearning for redemption. At its heart, this is a powerful story about survival, legacy, and the blurred line between damnation and grace. 9. The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve Crooked Lane Books Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery Synopsis: In a quiet beach town in California, four strangers are offered a chance to do the impossible: revisit one hour from their past. Elizabeth longs to see her late son again. Andy is searching for the woman who disappeared after stealing his heart. Logan wants to relive a moment of freedom before the accident that changed everything. Brooke is desperate for a moment's peace from the guilt that haunts her. Thanks to Aeon Expeditions—a cutting-edge time travel technology created by Mark Saunders — they each get their wish. The rules are clear: the past can't be changed, and the visit lasts only sixty minutes. But when something goes wrong, and the hour stretches beyond its limit, the four become trapped in their pasts, on the same night, in the same place. As their stories collide, they uncover buried secrets and realize their lives were all altered by a single, devastating event. And someone else was there that night, someone dangerous, whose presence may hold the key to the truth. 10. Night Swimming by Aaron Starmer Genre: Young Adult, Romance Synopsis: In the summer of 1994, Trevor is stuck in the in-between. With high school behind him, college looming ahead, and a hopeless crush on his mysterious friend Sarah. Just when the days start to blur together, Sarah proposes a whimsical mission: break into and swim in every pool in their neighborhood. Their nightly adventures bring them closer, but Trevor's feelings grow heavier as Sarah keeps him at arm's length, haunted by her long-distance boyfriend and her fear of something deeper. Then they hear about a hidden, natural pool tucked away in the woods. What begins as another rebellious dip turns into something far stranger, as the pool reveals an eerie, magnetic power neither of them can explain. As their bond deepens, so does the mystery, and the summer takes a turn neither of them saw coming. 11. The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz Genre: Thriller, Mystery Synopsis: When Abby travels to the remote island of Isla Colel, she's searching for answers about the mysterious death of her fiancée, Eszter. The once-vibrant island is now quiet and eerie, still recovering from a devastating hurricane, with only a handful of locals and expats left behind, and a ferry that rarely comes. Abby is drawn in by a seductive circle of expats, but her unease grows when one of them claims to know what really happened to Eszter, only to disappear before he can tell her. As the others shrug off his absence, Abby senses something sinister at play. Driven to uncover the truth, she begins unraveling secrets that suggest Eszter's death may not have been accidental. The deeper Abby digs, the more convinced she becomes that someone in their midst is a killer, and they'll do whatever it takes to keep the past buried. 12. Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory Genre: Romance, LGBT Synopsis: Avery Jensen is nearly thirty, newly single, and ready to break out of her good-girl routine by learning how to flirt, date women, and finally have some fun. The only problem? She has no idea where to start. Enter Taylor Cameron — Napa Valley's most charming heartbreaker, who, fresh off her own breakup, bets she can stay celibate until Labor Day and offers to teach Avery the art of flirting as a distraction. Their weekly lessons start off innocent, but as Avery finds her confidence and starts enjoying herself, both women begin to realize there's more than just friendly chemistry between them. Taylor insists it's nothing serious — she has a bet to win, after all, but soon, denying their growing connection becomes impossible. As their feelings deepen, Taylor must decide if she can risk vulnerability for the first time, or if she's already lost the one person who sees her for who she really is. 13. Broken Souls and Bones by L.J. Andrews Genre: Fantasy, Romance Synopsis: Lyra Bien has always kept a low profile to avoid drawing the attention of Stonegate's ruthless, magic-obsessed king. But when the prince's infamous guard, Roark Ashwood, storms her village and exposes the magical secret behind her silver-scarred eyes, Lyra is forced to reveal her powers to save her best friend, only to be claimed by the crown as the new royal melder. Becoming the king's melder means power, yes, but also fear, control, and certain doom. Desperate to escape her fate, Lyra begins seeking answers, starting with the man who captured her. Yet Roark, quiet and haunted by rumors of bloodshed, turns out to be far more than he seems, and possibly the only person she can trust. As forbidden feelings grow between them and long-buried truths come to light, Lyra and Roark must decide: defy the kingdom and fight for freedom, or surrender to the dark roles they were forced to play. 14. The Devils by Joe Abecrombie Macmillan Publishers Genre: Horror, Fantasy Synopsis: Brother Diaz expects praise and a noble assignment when he's called to the Sacred City, but instead, he's given a flock of killers, dark magic users, and creatures barely clinging to humanity. His holy mission? One that demands violence and bloodshed to fulfill its divine purpose. As elven hordes threaten from beyond the borders and corrupt princes scheme for power, Diaz must rely on his unlikely and monstrous allies to survive the brutal path ahead. Luckily for him, when heaven falls silent, the devils are more than willing to answer. 15. Zeal by Morgan Jenkins Harper Collins Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance Synopsis: In 2019, Harlem, Ardelia, and Oliver celebrate their engagement when he surprises her with an old love letter — one that unknowingly links their families to a love story over 150 years in the making. Back in 1865, Harrison, a newly freed Union soldier, searches for his beloved Tirzah in Mississippi, only to be manipulated into staying by a woman at the Freedmen's Bureau. Meanwhile, Tirzah, now a teacher in Louisiana, sees an ad she believes Harrison placed, but the dangers of chasing the past keep her rooted in a safer life. Spanning generations from Reconstruction through the Great Migration to the present day, this sweeping novel traces the heartbreak, resilience, and unfinished longing passed down through Harrison and Tirzah's bloodlines. As Ardelia and Oliver confront their shared histories, they must ask: Are they meant to heal old wounds, or are they repeating a pattern of love lost? 16. The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson Hachette Group Genre: Fantasy, Mystery Synopsis: In the empire of Orrun, peace is ending as Emperor Bersun the Brusque prepares to step down after 24 years. Seven elite contenders are chosen to compete for the throne, but when one is murdered, the stakes rise dramatically. Neema Kraa, the emperor's sharp and unconventional High Scholar, is tasked with solving the mystery before the trials conclude. As she investigates, she uncovers generations of hidden secrets and faces off against cunning rivals, each with their own buried pasts and ruthless ambitions. With danger closing in, Neema must rely not just on her intellect, but on a mysterious, unseen force offering help—if she chooses to trust it. The crown and her life hang in the balance. 17. The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers with Alex Kiester Penguin Random House Genre: Thriller, Mystery Synopsis: Nicole 'Nic' Monroe is stuck, drifting through life at 24, burdened by a DWI, a dead-end job, and the shadow of her sister Kasey's unsolved disappearance seven years ago. Kasey vanished mysteriously, her car found far from home with no signs of struggle, just like another young woman, Jules Connor, who disappeared weeks earlier. Both cases went cold. Nic has long tried to bury the pain until Jenna, Jules's sister, shows up with a spark of hope. Together, the two women dive into the dark mystery linking their sisters' fates, willing to risk everything to uncover the truth — even if it means tearing apart their own lives in the process. 18. The Names by Florence Knapp Penguin Random House Genre: Historical Fiction, Contemporary Synopsis: After a devastating storm, Cora takes her daughter to register the birth of her newborn son. Her domineering husband, Gordon, expects the baby to be named after him, but when asked for the name, Cora hesitates. That moment splits the story into three alternate paths, each shaped by the name she gives her son. Spanning 35 years, the novel follows how each choice leads to a different version of their lives, examining the long-term impact of domestic abuse, the complexities of family, and the power of reclaiming one's agency. Did any of these books interest you? Tell me about it in the comments! Also, let me know what you're currently reading so I can add it to my TBR list.
Gulf Today
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker and Cyndi Lauper get into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
First-time nominees Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker and Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a class that also includes pop star Cyndi Lauper, the hip-hop pioneers Outkast, the rock duo the White Stripes and grunge masters Soundgarden. Salt-N-Pepa, the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status, and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award. The late record producer Thom Bell, pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award. The late Cocker, who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friends,' had the backing of Billy Joel, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Pete Thomas, a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, who argued that Cocker is "about as rock and roll as it gets.' Soundgarden - with the late Chris Cornell as singer - get into the Hall on their third nomination. They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall - Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Bad Company get in having become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as "Feel Like Makin' Love,' "Can't Get Enough' and "Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy.' The Ahmet Ertegun Award - given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music - will go to Lenny Waronker, a former head of Warner Bros. Records who signed Prince and R.E.M., and had a part in records from Madonna, Randy Newman, the Doobie Brothers, Rickie Lee Jones, Paul Simon and Gary Clark Jr. Some nominees that didn't get in this year include Mariah Carey, Phish, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Maná, the Black Crowes and Oasis. Checker's recording of "The Twist,' and subsequent "Let's Twist Again' are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock 'n' roll. The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn't been granted entry before, including telling the AP in 2014: "I don't want to get in there when I'm 85 years old. I'll tell them to drop dead, so you better do it quick while I'm still smiling.' Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as "Time After Time' and "Girls Just Want To Have Fun' and went on to win a Tony Award for "Kinky Boots.' OutKast, made up of André 3000 and Big Boi, have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. The White Stripes - made up of Jack White and Meg White - were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as "Seven Nation Army.' Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they're eligible for induction. The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall. Nominees were voted on by more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. The selection criteria include "an artist's impact on other musicians, the scope and longevity of their career and body of work, as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique.' Last year, Mary J. Blige, Cher, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton all were inducted. Associated Press
