Jess G's Top Recommendations!

I love character-driven stories that explore complex ideas with nuance, but I also love playful, cheeky writing that makes me laugh. Here are some of my favourite reads from the past year!

The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks

“It is said there is a price that every passenger must pay. A price beyond the cost of a ticket.”

It is the end of the 19th Century and between the cities of Beijing and Moscow lies the terrible wilderness known as the Wastelands. Nothing touches this abandoned wilderness except the Great Trans-Siberian Express, an impenetrable train built to carry cargo and passengers across continents. But as the train begins to leave the station once more, there are rumours it isn’t safe. On board is a woman with a borrowed name, a famous child born on the train, and a disgraced naturalist. As secrets begin to unravel, the passengers and crew must survive their journey through the Wastelands together - even as something uncontrollable seems to be breaking in .

The intimate setting of the Great Trans-Siberian Express and the slow unravelling of each character’s secrets squeezes you into the space to become another passenger on this dangerous and mysterious journey. Charged with political metaphors exploring eco-activism and corporate greed, this character-driven story genuinely feels like embarking on an adventure. I couldn’t put it down. 

A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang

Inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of the famous Four Beauties of Ancient China, this stunning historical fiction is an examination of war and feminine power.

Xishi's beauty is seen as a blessing to the villagers of Yue - where the best fate for a girl is to marry well and support her family. When Xishi draws the attention of Fanli, the famous young military advisor, he presents her with a rare opportunity: to use her beauty as a weapon; one that could topple the rival neighbouring kingdom of Wu, improve the lives of her people, and avenge her sister's murder. All she has to do is infiltrate the enemy palace as a spy, seduce their immoral king, and weaken them from within.

Rich imagery paired with complex characters and a forbidden romance makes this a pacey and entertaining read. A gorgeously woven tale that draws readers into a time defined by war, legend and myth. Liang will draw you in with sweet words and political intrigue before unapologetically breaking your heart. I also love how complex and nuanced all the characters are.

Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum, translated by Shanna Tan

“Yeongju did everything she was supposed to do: go to university, marry a decent man, get a respectable job. Then it all fell apart.” 

In a quaint neighbourhood in Seoul, surrounded by books, Yeongju, having abandoned her old life, and her customers take refuge. From the lonely barista to the unhappily married coffee roaster, the teenager who doesn’t see the point in any of it, and the writer who sees something special in Yeongju - disappointment and uncertainty define their lives. The Hyunam-dong Bookshop becomes the place where they all learn how to truly live.

This is a warm, charming and hopeful exploration of what really gives us peace and joy in this busy world. In the Hyunam-dong Bookshop, each character finds the safe space they’ve needed to question what success and happiness means for them as individuals and what they really want from their futures. This book is a warm hug and offers gentle permission to aim for your own version of contentment. 

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

A civil servant is offered a lucrative job in a mysterious new government ministry gathering 'expats' from across history to test whether time-travel is feasible. Her role is to work as a 'bridge': living with, supporting and monitoring expat '1847' - Commander Graham Gore, a former Victorian polar explorer. Gore, an adventurer by trade, soon adjusts to this bizarre new world of washing machines, feminism and Spotify. But as the true shape of the project that brought them together begins to emerge, Gore and the bridge are forced to confront their past choices and imagined futures. 

This book is equal measures delightful, contemplative, charming and confronting. Bradley pulls readers along with a delicate balancing act not unlike the one her protagonist is managing - a strange mix of friendly and affable while also being critical and challenging. I was totally gripped form beginning to end. 

Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove 

“The queer love child of pulp horror and classic sci-fi.” 

Demeter just wants to do her job: shuttling humans between Earth and Alpha Centauri. Unfortunately, her passengers keep dying, and the humans don’t believe her when she tries to tell them that vampires, werewolves or Cthulu are responsible. With each unsuccessful voyage, the humans come closer and closer to decommissioning Demeter, and the medical AI, Steward, along with her. Together, Demeter and Steward are going to have to overcome their tumultuous relationship and figure out a way to stay on the job. Luckily, a few monsters might be on board to help out. 

Of Monsters and Mainframes is clever, bizarre and downright fun! Between Demeter’s ‘pixel-blindness’ and Steward’s restricted movements, as a reader we’re only given the same pieces of the puzzle that the two AIs are, making it a blast to figure out who is causing mayhem on the ship at any given time. Truelove’s writing peppers tributes to horror and sci-fi throughout, all with a fresh and enthusiastic energy. A monster and AI story full of human heart, it’s perfect for lovers of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, The Murderbot Diaries and Becky Chambers.