Hello, February. We’ve had a lot on our minds over here at Vol. 1 Brooklyn HQ, as is the case (we suspect) for many of you. It’s a complicated time, and our recommended books for the month reflect that. These books cover everything from the challenges of the creative life to a satirical look at society; perhaps one (or more) of them will give you a new vantage point on the world.

Evelio Rosero, House of Fury (translated by Victor Meadowcroft)
(Feb. 4, New Directions)

“He affirms unashamedly that literature can and should change social reality, and that this is one of its main functions,” wrote Antonio Ungar about Evelio Rosario in 2010. House of Fury is the latest of Rosario’s novels to appear in an English translation; it’s set against the backdrop of a swanky part in 1970 Colombia, one where fractures familial and societal come to a head.

Ali Smith, Gliff
(Feb. 4, Pantheon)

It’s little secret that we’re big admirers of Ali Smith’s writing. (You’ll note that Smith came up in our recent Christina Cooke interview, for instance.) Her latest novel veers into a more speculative realm, telling a story of the near future that also veers into Smith’s ongoing interest in storytelling and archetypes.

Lidia Yuknavitch, Reading the Waves: A Memoir
(Feb. 4, Riverhead Books)

Speaking of writers we’ve long admired! Lidia Yuknavitch’s previous foray into memoir was the excellent The Chronology of Water; now, she’s returned with a new work of nonfiction that chronicles everything from her early life to the evolution of her literary work. This one looks to be an essential work for Yuknavitch’s readers.

Alex Zamalin, Blackkklansman: Movies Minute by Minute
(Feb. 6, Bloomsbury Academic)​​​

February looks to be a busy month for Alex Zamalin; in addition to this book, which provides an in-depth analysis of Spike Lee’s critically acclaimed (and award-winning) film, his book Counterculture: The Story of America from Bohemia to Hip-Hop is also newly out in the world. If you’re in search of incisive, insightful books on art, you’ve come to the right place.

Lisa Marie Basile, saint of
(Feb. 10, White Stag Publishing)

Lisa Marie Basile’s writing has reckoned with mysticism, transcendence, and religious iconography over the years. Publisher White Stag describes Basile’s new book saint of as “a gilded exploration of hunger—the hunger for the erotic, the ancestral, the forbidden, divinity, and hope.” We are intrigued!

Sara Gran, Little Mysteries
(Feb. 11, Dreamland Books)

Sara Gran’s books have covered plenty of ground, from gripping tales of mystery to the atmospheric, immersive disintegration of Come Closer. Gran’s latest ventures into a shorter realm, offering readers nine twisting tales for their consideration, many of which abounds with mood and a sense of the uncanny.

Bob Johnson, The Continental Divide
(Feb. 11, Cornerstone Press)

What kind of secrets does one Indiana town contain? That’s one of the big questions at the heart of Bob Johnson’s new collection The Continental Divide, about the unsettling questions at the center of one community. Foreword Reviews hailed it for its “characters grounded in their convictions and using language ripe with country pulp.”

Emma Ruth Rundle, The Bella Vista
(Feb. 11, Unnamed Press)

We know Emma Ruth Rundle primarily through her work as a musician, including a stunning 2020 collaboration with the band Thou. Like many an acclaimed songwriter before her, she’s now making a foray into the textual realm; The Bella Vista is her first collection of poetry, but we suspect it won’t be the last.

Shane Jesse Christmass, Latex, Texas
(Feb. 13, Filthy Loot)

There’s no easy way to describe the work of Shane Jesse Christmass, but we’re very into the indescribable, stylish, and inventive work he’s creating. Derek McCormack called this one “a gripping, gorgeous portrait of purgatory,” which certainly got our attention.

Corey Farrenkopf, Haunted Ecologies
(Feb. 14, Journalstone)

When we spoke with Corey Farrenkopf last year, he had this to say about his then-upcoming collection: “Eco-Horror is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift… at least that’s what my publisher tells me.” This month sees the formal publication of that eco-horror collection, Haunted Ecologies; now, you can see for yourself if it’s the ideal match for your special someone.

Rebe Huntman, My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic & Miracle
(Feb. 18, Monkfish Book Publishing)

For some writers, the search for family can involve travel to unexpected places. Rebe Huntman’s new memoir chronicles her memories of her late mother with her knowledge of dance and the history of Cuba, taking this very personal narrative to a host of revelatory destinations. As an added bonus, Kirkus’s review called it “a feast for the soul.”

Note: all release dates and cover art are subject to change.

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