Stories of the future, stories of the past. Tales for young readers, tales for adults. Our May new releases have something for everyone...
James Mather is a psychiatrist in his sixties who is invited to take on a new group of patients, all of whom have one unusual thing in common. Capture is an extraordinary new novel about what we can believe in a post-truth world, by the Miles Franklin Award-winning author of The Labyrinth.
‘A serious – and seriously wonderful – novel about alien abductees…Elusive, unsettled, defiant.’ Monthly
First of December
by Karen Jennings
From the Booker and Women’s Prize longlisted author comes a novel about the momentous week leading up to midnight on 1 December 1838, the day that South Africa’s slaves were finally emancipated.
‘This is an extraordinary novel. It is shattering, almost unbearable, yet – so good, so clear – it is unputdownable.’ Roddy Doyle on Crooked Seeds
It’s 2045 and the world is full of tech. Eddie has a bot in his ear giving him advice all day, a bathroom scale that identifies illnesses, and classroom bots keeping track of him at school. Emily Gale’s new middle-grade mystery novel is a gripping adventure set in a near-future world where the truth can be difficult to find and where real friends will always be better than the smartest tech.
‘A thrilling adventure with all the ingredients of a classic. Loved it.’ Nova Weetman
Hafsa wants to be a doctor but faces challenges from her family when she’s accepted to a prestigious summer science camp. From the author of the New York Times bestseller Amal Unbound, Hafsa’s Way is an uplifting story about a girl who defies expectations by pursuing her dreams.
‘This companion to Amal Unbound and Omar Rising highlights challenges that girls face in traditional households...An inspiring story showing the power of one person’s voice to make a difference.’ Kirkus Reviews
The Maidenheads
by Benny B. Peterson
Publication date: 26 May 2026
Jamie is bad at endings, which is why she’s stuck at a dead-end newspaper job, continuing to have break-up sex with her first-ever hetero partner, and haunted by the what-ifs of her ex-girlfriend Mari – a charismatic and brilliant musician – and their former band together, the Maidenheads. A big-hearted debut novel about queer yearning, indie musicians and finding a thorny path back to your first love.
‘A standout debut with an impeccable voice. This is a memorable story about music, love, and self-discovery. I was hooked from page one.’ Emily Austin, author of Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead
Our May new releases are available in print and ebook from all good booksellers.
