February is a month for hibernation. Must-haves: a loaded Netflix queue, a boiling pot of tea, and a closet full of layering options. And, of course, a stack of new books to get lost in. Whether you're stuck indoors avoiding bad weather or just want an excuse to burrito yourself in a blanket on the couch, we've rounded up six options sure to hold your attention. Especially when you’ve blown through everything on your watch list.From a page-turning thriller by a rising Brazilian crime author to a creepily magical Korean novel that truly proves you are what you eat, the new February titles ahead will cater to anyone's imagination. They're sure to transport you from your living room, your daily commute, or wherever you carve out time to read. Missed January's list? Check out those recommendations here, and be sure to stay tuned for next month's picks in this ongoing series of forthcoming releases.
The Queen of the Night, Alexander Chee
Out now
Alexander Chee’s sweeping sophomore novel brings readers into the wondrous and glamorous world of Second Empire Paris opera, where renowned soprano Lilliet Berne is forced to confront the past she's long hoped to forget. The singer steps into an original stage role that she discovers is based on parts of her own repressed, orphaned history. The novel's heroine has a bit of a Don Draper vibe going on that fans of Mad Men will surely appreciate.
The Vegetarian,Han Kang, translated by Deborah Smith
Out now
Don’t be fooled by this novel’s innocuous-sounding title — it’s quite the bone-chilling psychological thriller, translated from Korean. In it, a woman named Yeong-hyedecides to convert to vegetarianism after she's haunted by horrific and recurring bloody nightmares. But things take a real spooky turn when Yeong-hye actually transforms her own body into a plant, only permitting herself to subsist on water and sunlight. Needless to say, you’ve never read a fable like this before.
Wreck and Order, Hannah Tennant-Moore
On sale February 9
This coming-of-age tale from debut novelist Hannah Tennant-Moore has a premise that harkens back to Eat, Pray, Love, but feels infinitely more badass. A young woman, Elsie, seeks happiness, pleasure, and meaning through travel and new experiences. Really though, she mostly drifts, blows through her inheritance money, falls for the wrong men, and makes plenty of other bad decisions. But, as the book's title suggests, there is a glimmer of hope to the chaos that is life.
You Should Pity Us Instead, Amy Gustine
On sale February 9
If you prefer short stories over novels, this provocative collection from author Amy Gustine will certainly fulfill your bite-sized literary appetite. The overall theme of “parent and child” ties together the 11 stories in this book, and other complex explorations of familial obligations and morality also come into play. Expect gripping tales such as a mother in search of her kidnapped son, a father dealing with his daughter’s suicide, and a young child’s coming-to-terms with his adoptive family.
Perfect Days, Raphael Montes
On sale February 16
Buckle up — this English-language debut by Montes, a Brazilian crime novelist and screenwriter, will take you on an unpredictable ride throughout the South American countryside. Your guide: Téo, a med school student who prefers to spend his free time with a cadaver, Gertrude — until he sets his sights on Clarice, a living, breathing object of desire who doesn’t share his affections. When the two end up on the road together, what ensues is a thrilling tale with enough plot twists to warrant early Gone Girlcomparisons.
Cities I’ve Never Lived In, Sara Majka
On sale February 16
If you’ve ever fantasized about ditching town for unknown corners of the U.S., this debut collection of short stories is sure to satisfy your curiosity. In linked passages, we follow our narrator, a recent divorcée, as she dips in and out of cities like Detroit, Buffalo, St. Louis, and Memphis, anonymously eating at soup kitchens with strangers and flipping through books at the local library. Through her first-person, stream-of-consciousness narration, we slowly learn that for this traveler, a life of solitude on the road is more secure than what awaits her back at home. (Get a sneak peek at the book’s title story here.)
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