Score cool points with your bookish friends
Few thrills in life compare to the excitement of discovering a new favourite author. It’s like finding a mithai ka dabba you didn’t know was there — sweet, unexpected, and meant to be shared. When you stumble upon debut novels that resonate with you, it’s not just a pleasant surprise, but a moment that reignites the sheer joy of reading (could you be in a reading slump?). You feel like a literary explorer, with the bonus of scoring points for being the first in your circle to unearth, so to speak, this new talent and introduce it to the group.
But what makes one book stand out from the rest of the debut novels entering the literary world? According to author and award-winning journalist Symeon Brown, “a great debut novel is unparalleled in its delicate interrogation of the human condition and its knowing of people.” It doesn’t just tell a story — it makes you feel seen. It offers a unique perspective on life, allowing you to explore the world through the eyes of characters, who may be completely different from you and yet, utterly relatable.
Take, for instance, our Tweak India x Crossword book club pick of the month, Teen Couple Have Fun Outdoors by Aravind Jayan. It captures the awkwardness and vulnerability of young love in a digital world, presenting universal themes through a fresh, relatable lens.
Rachel Yoder’s Nightbitch and Bonnie Garmus’s Lessons in Chemistry are some of our favourite and most distinctive debuts with their bold, unconventional takes on women’s lives. Nightbitch uses dark comedy to explore a mother’s surreal transformation into a dog, offering a biting critique of societal expectations and gender roles. Meanwhile, Lessons in Chemistry follows Elizabeth Zott, a 1960s chemist who defies norms as a TV cooking show host, blending humour and feminist themes to challenge gender inequality. Both novels stand out for their unique narratives and fresh perspectives on women’s struggles and triumphs.
Like Garmus and Yoder, we’re looking at recent debut novels of the past year that stand out for their ability to surprise, challenge, and linger in readers’ minds. Books that remind us why we fell in love with reading in the first place—and why debut novels are worth celebrating.
Debut novels that blew our mind
The Scent of Fallen Stars by Aishwarya Jha
The Scent of Fallen Stars by Aishwarya Jha is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of family across two generations. Set against the backdrop of India’s rapid transformation, the novel interweaves the stories of Will, a disillusioned academic, whose life is irrevocably changed by a passionate encounter with Leela, a mysterious woman who disappears without a trace.
Years later, Aria, a talented musician, embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of her mother’s past. As their paths converge, the novel delves into themes of identity, longing, and the enduring power of human connection. Jha’s lyrical prose and intricate storytelling create a mesmerising tapestry of love, loss, and redemption. Read it for its evocative portrayal of India, its complex and relatable characters, and a story that lingers long after the final page.
Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey
Monica Heisey explores modern love, friendship, and self-discovery with wit and relatable insights. The novel centres on Maggie, a 29-year-old woman unexpectedly divorced after just 608 days of marriage. As she navigates the complexities of single life, Maggie confronts the emotional fallout of her breakup, grappling with heartbreak, self-doubt, and societal pressures to “have it all”.
Heisey’s sharp wit and observational humour illuminate Maggie’s journey through her new reality. The novel captures Maggie’s relatable and often hilarious mistakes as she stumbles through her quest to rebuild her life. Amidst the chaos of navigating post-divorce dating, reconnecting with friends, and confronting her insecurities, Maggie’s experiences offer comedic relief and poignant moments of introspection.
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
A powerful and deeply personal novel that explores themes of grief, identity, and the search for meaning. The story follows Cyrus Shams, the newly sober, orphaned son of Iranian immigrants, as he grapples with the loss of his parents and a troubled past.
Guided by the voices of artists, poets, and historical figures, Cyrus embarks on a quest to uncover a family secret that leads him to a terminally ill painter living out her final days at the Brooklyn Museum. As he delves deeper into his family history, Cyrus confronts the complexities of his Iranian heritage, the impact of trauma, and the possibility of redemption. Akbar’s writing is both raw and poetic, creating a deeply immersive and thought-provoking reading experience.
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Dubbed as the new-age Hunger Games, Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah is a dystopian novel that offers a scathing critique of the American prison system. In this grim future, convicted murderers are forced to participate in televised death matches for the entertainment of the masses. These inmates, organised into “chain gangs”, fight each other in brutal, televised spectacles. The winners are offered a glimmer of hope for freedom, while the losers face even harsher conditions.
Beyond its thrilling plot, the novel serves as a powerful indictment of systemic racism, mass incarceration, and the exploitation of marginalised communities. Adjei-Brenyah’s unflinching portrayal of violence and his sharp social commentary have garnered widespread praise. The book is a stark reminder of the dehumanising effects of the prison system and the dangers of a society obsessed with spectacle.
Western Lane by Chetna Maroo
Western Lane by Chetna Maroo is a coming-of-age story centred around grief, family, and the transformative power of sport.
The novel follows Gopi, a young girl who finds solace and escape in the world of squash. Her mother’s untimely death casts a long shadow over her life, and her father, in an attempt to cope with his loss, immerses Gopi in a rigorous squash training regimen. As Gopi matures, the squash court becomes a battleground not just for her athletic prowess, but also for her own emotional turmoil. The novel explores the intricacies of family dynamics, the weight of grief, and the search for identity. Western Lane is a beautifully written and deeply moving exploration of loss and resilience.
The Alice Project By Satwik Gade
The Alice Project by Satwik Gade is a sharp, witty exploration of millennial life, capturing the existential struggles and anxieties of a generation caught between ambition and uncertainty. The novel follows Alice as he navigates the challenges of urban life, tackles career aspirations, relationships, and the pervasive sense of being lost in a fast-paced world.
Set against the backdrop of a modern city, Alice’s journey reflects the broader millennial experience, marked by a search for meaning in an environment where expectations often clash with reality. The narrative is both introspective and relatable, delving into themes of identity, purpose, and the pressures of societal norms. Gade’s writing scours the nuances of contemporary life with humour and insight, making The Alice Project a compelling read for anyone who has ever felt adrift in the modern world.
The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard
The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard is a speculative fiction novel set in a world where parallel valleys represent different 20-year periods. In this intriguing landscape, residents have the ability to petition for relocation between valleys, effectively allowing them to travel through time. The story follows Odile, a young woman standing at a pivotal crossroad in her life. Her world is upended when two visitors from the future—grieving parents of her close friend—arrive in her valley.
As Odile becomes entangled in their sorrow and the prospect of altering not just her own future, but that of others, she must navigate the emotional and ethical complexities that come with such power. The novel explores the profound impact of her choices, highlighting the tension between personal aspirations and the greater good of her community. Through Odile’s journey, the story delves deep into the moral quandaries of time manipulation and the heart-wrenching consequences of attempting to rewrite fate.
Ours by Phillip B Williams
Set in the 1830s, Ours by Phillip B Williams is a spellbinding novel about a mysterious conjurer named Saint. With her formidable powers, Saint frees enslaved people from plantations in Arkansas and establishes a secret haven called Ours, just north of St. Louis. This sanctuary becomes a place where the liberated can finally live safely and freely.
As the community of Ours grows, the novel delves into the lives of its residents, revealing their struggles and triumphs. But as Saint’s powers begin to wane and her memories fade, the town faces new dangers from the outside world. Williams masterfully weaves together themes of freedom, community, and the layers of human nature, exploring what it means to be truly independent.
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