The Book Review: Looking for a thriller to read? You’re in luck.

Plus: Han Kang's new novel and catching up with Gay Talese

View in browser|nytimes.com January 17, 2025 The New York Times Dear fellow readers, If — like me — you love a good thriller and are always casting about for your next one, I think you'll like this gorgeous new guide. It collects all of our thrillers coverage in one place, including the best thrillers of 2024, reviews of the latest releases, and recommendations from writers like Lucy Foley (who shares her favorite marriage-gone-wrong thrillers) and Ruth Ware (who writes about thrillers set in remote, very hard-to-reach places). Want to know which classic crime novels have been recently reissued, what the latest series mysteries are or which thrillers have just come out in paperback? You'll find all of that, and more. If you have time, let us know what you're reading. (We may publish your response on our Letters page, or feature it in an upcoming newsletter.) I'm engrossed in Amira Ghenim's "A Calamity of Noble Houses," which tries to piece together a fateful night that has reverberated through two families for four generations. It's my favorite kind of historical fiction, teaching me about events I'm not familiar with and set in a place I know little about — in this case, Tunisia. You can email us at books@nytimes.com. Tina Jordan Deputy Editor, The New York Times Book Review @TinaJordanNYT Like this email? Sign-up here or forward it to your friends. Have a suggestion or two on how we can improve it? Let us know at newsletters@nytimes.com. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. Let Us Help You Find Your Next Book Reading picks from Book Review editors, guaranteed to suit any mood. By The New York Times Books Staff We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. THIS WEEK IN THE BOOK REVIEW Hokyoung Kim Fiction In Han Kang's Latest, a Quixotic Bird Rescue Expedition Turns Tragic The Nobel laureate's new novel, "We Do Not Part," revisits a violent chapter in South Korean history. By Lydia Millet Shirley Chong Poetry The Desperate Housewife Whose Face Launched a Thousand Ships In "Helen of Troy, 1993," the poet Maria Zoccola relocates a figure from Greek mythology into small-town Tennessee. By Karl Kirchwey Sara Stathas for The New York Times nonfiction She Changed History, Then Erased Her Own In "The Secret History of the Rape Kit," Pagan Kennedy explores the tangled story of a simple but life-changing innovation, and the woman who fought for it. By Cindi Leive Pablo Amargo Crime & Mystery In These 4 Novels, the Detectives Have Killer Instincts Our columnist on the month's best new releases. By Sarah Weinman Prisma/UIG, via Getty Images Nonfiction The Secret to a Good Life? Thinking Like Socrates. In "Open Socrates," the scholar Agnes Callard argues that the ancient Greek philosopher offers a blueprint for an ethical life. By Jennifer Szalai THE BOOK REVIEW PODCAST The Book Review How Silence Improves Pico Iyer's Life The travel writer and essayist discusses his new book, "Aflame," about his stays at a California monastery. 44 MIN LISTEN ETC. Ahmed Gaber for The New York Times Gay Talese Keeps Notes, Especially on Everyone's Clothes In a new collection about New York City, the writer turns his gimlet eye on its icons, its architecture, its hot spots — and its suits. "Clothes matter — especially when you get old," he says. By Sadie Stein editors' choice 5 New Books We Recommend This Week Suggested reading from critics and editors at The New York Times. Caroline Gamon Children's Books First Love and First Loss in 1941 Iowa In H.M. Bouwman's wise and heartbreaking "Scattergood," the shadow of the Holocaust reaches a farm girl trying to help her ailing friend. By Laurel Snyder Ben Hickey How Much Do You Know About These Controversial Classics? Try this short quiz on literature from the first half of the 20th century that drew censorship challenges — and still does. By J. D. Biersdorfer Amir Hamja/The New York Times Publishers and Authors Wonder: Can Anything Replace BookTok? With a ban looming, publishers are hoping to pivot to new platforms, but readers fear their community of book lovers will never be the same. By Alexandra Alter BEST SELLERS Read all of our lists Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Books from The New York Times. To stop receiving Books, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018