Book List

New and Notable Fiction for June

FICTION

THE ABSENT SEA

by Carlos Franz translated by Leland H. Chambers

Dark, brilliant and disturbing. Let’s hope this first U.S. publication for Chilean novelist Franz will be followed by many... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

FICTION

AMERICAN MASCULINE

by Shann Ray

Think Hemingway or Jim Harrison, and know that Ray's collection is the deserving winner of the Bread Loaf Writers'... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

FICTION

THE ASTRAL

by Kate Christensen

A masterpiece of comedy and angst. Think Gulley Jimson of Joyce Cary’s The Horses Mouth transported from 1930s London to... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

THRILLER & SUSPENSE

BLOODMONEY

by David Ignatius

A terrific, believable novel about the intersection of politics, ethics and finance. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

FICTION

BUZZ ALDRIN, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN ALL THE CONFUSION?

by Johan Harstad & translated by Deborah Dawkin

A modern saga of rocketships, ice floes and dreams of the Caribbean, and great fun to read. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

FICTION

PARTITIONS

by Amit Majmudar

Written with piercing beauty, alive with moral passion and sorrowful insight—a rueful masterpiece. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

FICTION

THE ROCK HOLE

by Reavis Z. Wortham

Not just scary but funny too, as Wortham nails time and place in a sure-handed, captivating way. There’s a lot of good stuff... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

FICTION

THE SECRET HISTORY OF COSTAGUANA

by Juan Gabriel Vásquez

To read this novel is to enter a Borgesian rabbit hole—it’s a fiction that purports to tell the truth obscured by another... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

FICTION

JAMRACH'S MENAGERIE

by Carol Birch

Jaffy’s experience could well move the reader as profoundly as it changed the narrator. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

More Book Lists

The Magazine: Kirkus Reviews

Featuring 312 industry-first reviews of fiction, nonfiction, children’s, and YA books; also in this special Food Issue: interviews with Adam Roberts, Jill Damatac, Alexander Smalls, and Roselle Lim; and much more

subscribe
  • kirkus star
  • The Kirkus Star

    One of the most coveted designations in the book industry, the Kirkus Star marks books of exceptional merit.

  • kirkus prize
  • The Kirkus Prize

    The Kirkus Prize is among the richest literary awards in America, awarding $50,000 in three categories annually.

Great Books & News Curated For You

Be the first to read books news and see reviews, news and features in Kirkus Reviews. Get awesome content delivered to your inbox every week.

Thank you!

Close Quickview