Cool reading: the brightest books of 2024

The past year will be remembered in the literary sphere not only for scandals (for example, the Russian Writers' Union found "destructive attitudes" in 60% of children's books) and the turn to the East (the largest prize "Yasnaya Polyana" in the nomination "Foreign Literature" was awarded to Korean writer Kim Chuhe for her novel "Beasts of the Small Earth"), but also for new authors. This year's catalog was filled with a huge number of both fiction and non-fiction works. Ekaterina Pisareva, editor-in-chief of the Litres group of companies, specially for Izvestia, has chosen six of the most curious books of 2024, published in Russian.

"The era of burnout superheroes", Alexei Soloviev

Alpina Publishers

When all around impose "successful success" and strategies to improve themselves, it is difficult to remain indifferent. But the popularity of motivational literature is gradually declining: people began to get tired of it. Here Alexei Soloviev writes about the "Age of burnout superheroes" and the fact that we are increasingly failing, and inflated expectations lead us to a dead end. Soloviev explains why there is nothing good about the "obsession with efficiency", how over-exertion drains our vitality and slowly but surely leads to depression. The second part of the book is self-help tips and psychological practices, as well as adequate ways out of the frantic race of modern achievers. If by the end of the year you feel that your strength is at zero, Alexei Soloviev's book will help you reboot over the New Year vacations and build a competent life strategy for the near future.

"Yellowface by Rebecca Quang

Fanzon Publishing

The novel "Yellowface" by American writer of Chinese descent Rebecca Kuang was much talked about - partly due to the local translation scandal. But if we omit the fact that Fanzon has not perfectly executed the translation into Russian, we must admit - the book deserves to be read. First, Quang has come up with a dynamic and interesting story of literary theft (one can think of many variations on the theme: from John Boyne's "Stairway to Heaven" and Gene Corelitz's "The Plot" to Patricia Highsmith's "The Talented Mr. Ripley"). Second, the theme of rivalry and envy is curiously played with. Thirdly, Kuang exposes the underside of the publishing business and shows how bestsellers are created, what an important role social networks play today, how easily an author can be elevated to the literary Olympus and at what speed he can lose everything. A wicked, ironic and honest book about the book backstage from the author of "The Opium War".

"What I've Been Silent About," Azar Nafisi

Livebook Publishing

Imagine living in Iran... That's how the memoir of Azar Nafisi, daughter of the former mayor of Tehran, might begin. Two years ago, when the publisher "Livebook" translated her "Reading "Lolita" in Tehran", we were all immersed in the domestic and political problems of Iran, trying to understand what it was like for the members of an underground literary circle in a country that strictly regulated freedom. And who Azar Nafisi, a teacher who emigrated to the United States and returned to her native Iran in 1979 on the eve of the Islamic Revolution, was to the students.

"What I've Been Silent About. Memoirs of a Prodigal Daughter" logically continues the writer's reflections on her family, the traditions imposed from all sides and the prohibitions that have become part of the familiar. Nafisi speaks of the common and the private, of the political upheavals she has witnessed and of whether it is possible to feel free in spite of everything. She talks about how the state taboos personal and private experiences, and also thinks a lot about her own parents. It's partly a family drama: the writer has an authoritarian mother who writes her own biography and juggles reality as she pleases, and an idealistic, kind, compassionate father in whom Azar sees salvation. And although the action takes place in Iran of the last century, we can all easily imagine what is happening and share the feelings of the protagonist.

"Messalina. Debauchery, slander and intrigue in imperial Rome", Honor Cargill-Martin

Publishing "Alpina non-fiction".

If all your thoughts are on ancient Rome, then be sure to pay attention to the novelty from Honor Cargill-Martin "Messalina". This study not only contains many details from the personal life of Emperor Claudius' third wife and how she flouted public morality, but also important facts about her rule and political activities. In fact, Messalina's image is far more complex than it appears to the uninitiated reader. Cargill-Martin offers insights into what this woman was like, which scholars have demonized her, and why Messalina is one of the most underappreciated and mysterious figures in ancient history.

"Push back from the pause," Daria Blagova

"Litres."

An important project of the year for Litres, a collaboration with the Gift of Life Foundation for their 18th anniversary. Young writer Daria Blagova, author of the novels "South Wind" and "Currents", specially communicated with the Foundation's beneficiaries and created seven touching stories about mutual help, faith, hope and love. The heroes of each story are real people - children who faced the disease and managed to come out of this life challenge with dignity. And one story - "The Seagull Spread its Wings" - is dedicated to the memory of Darina Alexeeva, a ward of the Foundation and a volunteer who helped other patients until the last minute. The book has an audio version voiced by Gift of Life ambassadors Mark Tishman, Elena Letuchaya, Ravshana Kurkova and Taisiya Vilkova.

"Testament of Water," Abraham Verghese

Phantom Press

After the excellent "Dissecting Stone", the name of the American writer and doctor Abraham Verghese remembered by book lovers for a long time. In his new novel, "Testament of Water," Verghese demonstrates that he not only has an excellent grasp of the medical profession, but also a unique literary style. By rights "Testament of Water" can be called the most unexpected and most atmospheric book of the year. Verghese takes readers to South India and tells a mesmerizing story that has a place not only for medicine but also for philosophy. If you like family secrets and intrigue, incredible Indian flavor and the slow passage of time, Verghese's novel will brighten your everyday life. And it starts with a 12-year-old girl being married off to a man who is a lifetime older than her.