A mixture of fact, fiction and famous films dominate our April 2024 book review. Do you prefer Rebel or rebels?
You Are Here by David Nicholls
Written with Nicholls’ trademark wit and empathy, this affecting love story from the author of One Day finds two lost souls thrown together on an epic walk back home.
Marnie is stuck. Stuck working alone in her London flat, stuck battling the long afternoons and a life that increasingly feels like it’s passing her by.
Michael is coming undone. Reeling from his wife’s departure, increasingly reclusive, taking himself on long, solitary walks across the moors and fells.
When a persistent mutual friend and some very English weather conspire to bring them together, Marnie and Michael suddenly find themselves alone on the most epic of walks and on the precipice of a new friendship. But can it survive the journey?
Published by Hodden & Stoughton on April 23rd
An African History of Africa: From the Dawn of Civilisation to Independence by Zeinab Badawi
Scientists believe that all humanity originated from Africa and this book is therefore for everyone.
For too long, Africa’s history has been neglected. Dominated by western narratives of slavery and colonialism, its past has been fragmented, overlooked and denied its rightful place in our global story.
Now, Zeinab Badawi guides us through Africa’s spectacular history, from the origins of humanity, through ancient civilisations and medieval empires with powerful queens and kings, to the miseries of conquest and the elation of independence.
Seeking out occluded histories from across the continent, meeting with countless historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and local storytellers and travelling through more than thirty countries, Badawi weaves together a fascinating new account of Africa: an epic, sweeping history of the oldest inhabited continent on the planet, told through the voices of Africans themselves.
Published by Penguin Books on April 18th
Rebel Rising by Rebel Wilson
From the scene-stealing star of Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids comes a refreshingly candid, hilarious, and inspiring book about her unconventional journey to Hollywood success and loving herself.
For decades, Rebel Wilson had single-mindedly focused on her career, making a name for herself through her iconic roles. Now she’s ready to chronicle the emotional and physical lessons she learned, as well as her most embarrassing experiences. A malaria induced hallucination? An all-style-martial arts fighting tournament? Junior handling at dog shows? And this was all before she moved to Hollywood!
Rebel Rising follows Rebel Wilson’s incredible journey of ‘making it,’ constantly questioning “Am I good enough?”, “Will I ever find love?” and “Will I ever change and become healthy?” Rebel writes for the first time about her most personal and important moments in her life— from fertility issues, weight gain and loss, sexuality, overcoming shyness, rejections and, well…okay there’s at least one story thrown in about Brad Pitt!
It’s all here. This memoir shows us how to love ourselves, while making us laugh uncontrollably.
Published by Hodder & Stoughton on April 18th
Star Wars: The Living Force by John Jackson Miller
Last in our April 2024 book review, one for the sci-fi fraternity, set a year before The Phantom Menace, as Yoda, Mace Windu and the Jedi Council face a transforming galaxy.
The Jedi, traditionally peacekeepers, are now centralised in Coruscant, tackling galactic crises. When Qui-Gon Jinn criticises their isolation, Mace Windu proposes that all twelve Jedi Masters visit Kwenn, a planet with a decommissioning Jedi Outpost, to reinforce the Jedi’s presence.
However, their visit sparks conflict, as pirate factions, empowered by the Jedi’s absence, plan to assassinate the Council to assert their control, even at the cost of innocent lives.
Isolated from Coruscant, the Jedi Masters must face a harsh reality: their focus on the future might have neglected those needing immediate help.
Published by Random House on April 9th
