The new one appears every week star with current bestsellers: We also present the books reviewed in the print edition online to you once a month.
It is somewhat surprising that so many people still buy “real” reading material despite increasing digitalization. On the other hand, it is also a good sign that so many readers still appreciate a good book. This is why you find the star-Those who order the print editions, which are published every Thursday, can now also do so online. Here are the fiction and non-fiction bestsellers from the January 2024.
“The City and its Uncertain Wall” by Haruki Murakami
This novel is based on Murakami’s early work Hard-Boiled Wonderland, and it helps a lot if you know its setting. Because the really crazy story of this visually stunning retelling doesn’t always make it easy for the readers. Roughly speaking, it’s about a mysterious, walled city in the middle of nowhere that can only be entered by those who leave their shadows behind. The nameless narrator is looking for a girl there with whom he fell madly in love at the age of 17. Because the city is where this girl’s true self is supposed to live. Murakami’s language continues to enchant. But if you’re expecting a plot that’s easy to follow, you won’t find it here. The book is available here.
“I no longer swim where the crocodiles are” by Sabine Kuegler
The author became famous as the “Jungle Child” in 2005. Sabine Kuegler wrote about her extraordinary childhood: about growing up in the swampy jungle of Papua New Guinea, surrounded by deep rivers and high mountains. At the age of 17, Kuegler came to Europe – and experienced a culture shock. In her new book she writes about the time afterwards: about the torn between two worlds and her life-threatening illness. Once again the author takes her readers into the jungle. Kuegler returns, desperately looking for a cure. Can she find it there? The book is available here.
“The Santa Claus Killer. A winter crime story from East Frisia” by Klaus-Peter Wolf
Klaus-Peter Wolf has long been the “King of the Paperback” (“Börsenblatt” of the German book trade). His 17 East Frisian crime novels all went straight to number one on the bestseller lists. Now he’s making his way into the hardcover charts with his cuddly, creepy “Santa Claus Killer.” This takes place in his adopted home of Northern Germany during the traditional puzzles on December 5th. Confusions? The participants roll the dice at various locations for baked goods, Mettwurst, Christmas ducks and sweets. Incidentally, Wolf managed to print five copies of his hardcover debut in five days. Comment: “I didn’t even expect the novel to appear in the top 20.” Well, happy holidays then. And we’re now puzzling over things in the editorial department. The book is available here.
“On life and other impositions” by Giovanni di Lorenzo
Giovanni di Lorenzo is probably the most famous journalist in the country. Editor-in-chief of “Zeit”, long-time talk show host and best-selling author. Here he brings together mostly interesting conversations that he has had over the past few years with politicians, writers, musicians, mountaineers and popes. Women are expressly included here – with the exception of the Pope. We close our eyes… oh no, that’s not possible while reading. But we imagine his gentle voice, his attractive appearance and enjoy the fact that he can package attacks in such a way that his counterparts still feel comfortable. The book is available here.
“Iron Flame – Kissed by Flames. Deluxe Edition” by Rebecca Yarros
The new episode of our popular series “star “Literature Explanation Bear” revolves around the term “Roman-tasy”, which millions of mostly young readers have long been familiar with. Rebecca Yarros combines romance and fantasy in her bestsellers about the adventures of Violet, a young cadet in a military academy for dragon riders. Heartbreak, battles, intrigue and sex in a dazzling fantasy world are the ingredients that characterize this subgenre, and Yarros is one of its most successful representatives. Of course, the five-volume series will soon be made into a film by Amazon as a series. That’s it . Thank you for your attention. In the next episode we will look at the crime subcategory “Furry Sleuth”. The book is available here.
“Cooking twenty-four seven” by Tim Mälzer
The older ones still remember: In the past you often had to decide: Geha or Pelikan? Beatles or Stones? Anni-Frid or Agnetha? This dualism is history today. There are too many choices. But stop! What about TV chefs? Two stand out in terms of popularity: Tim Mälzer and Steffen Henssler. Both are represented in this list. Which cookbook is better? We abstain. But not maltster. He says in a promotional trailer that his book is good and not superfluous. And then adds: “The Henssler books are superfluous.” A joke? We’re not sure. The book is available here.
“The Third Heart of the Octopus” by Dirk Rossmann and Ralf Hoppe
Dear Dirk Rossmann, we get it: you and a friend have written another disaster thriller and are promoting it aggressively on TV and radio. If you shop in one of your many drugstores, you will find it stacked next to crack ointment, diapers and toilet paper. You also took a stake in the publishing company. You can do anything. Other super-rich people are buying and ruining social networks. But if you’re going to spend so much money and annoy us on every channel, then please do it properly. Your lurid TV commercial with embarrassing kindergarten tricks is class-leading. The giant octopus and the explosion at the Sydney Opera House look like something from the Augsburg Puppet Box. There’s something else going on! The book is available here.
“19521 steps” by Guido Maria Kretschmer
In his encounter book, the popular fashion designer walked through Berlin for a day like everyone else and met many open arms. He goes to a café with a strange couple, he comforts a prostitute, spontaneously becomes a dog sitter, sings “Junimond” by Rio Reiser with a woman in a cemetery and accompanies another to the opera. All the episodes exude the typical Guido charm that fans love about him and which ensures that this man has been on air with “Shopping Queen” for over ten years. Because Kretschmer is interested in what people wear, but even more interested in what is hidden beneath the layers. The book is available here.
“A Question of Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus
Why not re-release this bestseller in a jewelry edition? Looks nice on the bookshelf, increases the overall sales figure a little and triggers the hunters and collectors in us. What in the area of music (premium box with CD, vinyl, MC, 50-page booklet and poster!, gold edition with scrappy demo recordings and creative murmuring in the background) and DVD (director’s cut, collector’s edition, extended version in a steelbook with film strips and a The director’s Locke) has been increasing sales for years, but now, we feel, maybe we’re wrong, who knows, it’s increasingly happening in the book sector. Soon, perhaps: “Parents’ evening – principal’s edition in a leather knapsack with a copy of Fitzek’s certificate from the 3rd grade.” The book is available here.
“Stories from History” by Richard Hemmer and Daniel Meißner
The first person to circumnavigate the world in a car was a woman. Didn’t you know that? No problem. History lessons were rarely about cars. And even more rarely about women. When you think of history, you might first think of the Middle Ages or studying dates. This book shows that history can be told in a lively and human way. The two authors are known from their podcast of the same name. There are now 20 stories in her book, and they all revolve around the question: How did this world become what it is today? The book is available here.
Tip: You can find further book recommendations from the editorial team on our topic page.
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