5 New Must-Read Books Out This Week Including Isabel Allende

Isabel Allende returns with My Name Is Emilia Del Valle as five compelling new books hit shelves, ranging from memoir and history to magical fiction.

A wave of fresh literary releases hits shelves this week, and it’s led by a powerhouse of world literature: Isabel Allende. But while the iconic author’s new novel is sure to turn heads, she’s not the only name worth watching. From a secret wartime heroine to reflections on modern motherhood and a magical kitchen in revolutionary Iran, these five books deliver a rich range of themes and voices.

My Name is Emilia Del Valle

Isabel Allende continues her prolific streak with My Name Is Emilia Del Valle, marking her seventh novel in ten years. Set during Chile’s 1891 Civil War, the story follows Emilia del Valle, an American journalist with Chilean roots who persuades her editors to let her cover the conflict. Through Emilia’s eyes, readers explore a world of romance, upheaval, and the often-overlooked voices of women, children, the poor, and even animals. “I research a lot for historical novels, but that’s the official story,” Isabel Allende said in an interview. “I need to find the other voices.” Longtime fans may also notice the return of a familiar surname—del Valle—a nod to Isabel Allende’s earlier classic, The House of the Spirits.

But don’t let Isabel Allende’s legendary status eclipse the rest of this week’s standout titles.

Foreign Fruit: A Personal History of the Orange

In Foreign Fruit: A Personal History of the Orange, journalist Katie Goh crafts a genre-defying narrative. It’s a deep dive into the history of oranges—yes, the fruit—but it’s also so much more. Katie Goh blends personal reflection, cultural history, and global trade analysis into a juicy and poignant exploration of her own diasporic identity and how something as simple as fruit can hold the weight of generations.

The Gowkaran Tree in the Middle of Our Kitchen

The Gowkaran Tree in the Middle of Our Kitchen, by Shokoofeh Azar, weaves personal and political turmoil into a sweeping, magical tale. The Iranian-Australian author, who was shortlisted for the 2020 International Booker Prize, returns with another richly layered novel. This story, like her previous work, The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree, merges the personal drama of a family with the broader chaos of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. With influences reminiscent of Gabriel García Márquez, Salman Rushdie, and Isabel Allende herself, Shokoofeh Azar’s second translated novel stretches across decades and blends realism with the fantastic.

Josephine Baker’s Secret War

In the realm of nonfiction, Hanna Diamond brings new light to one of the most dazzling and daring figures of the 20th century in Josephine Baker’s Secret War. Baker, known worldwide as an entertainer, also served as a spy for the French Resistance during World War II. Diamond, a French history scholar, offers a meticulous and thrilling account of Baker’s covert operations, illustrating how her fame became a tool in fighting fascism.

Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age

Finally, in Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age, Amanda Hess tackles the modern dilemma of motherhood through a deeply personal lens. The New York Times critic recounts her own pregnancy journey in a world dominated by medical tech, prenatal screenings, and societal pressures. With wit and vulnerability, Hess explores the unique anxieties facing would-be parents today—especially women—and how digital tools can both empower and overwhelm.

Whether you’re in the mood for historical fiction, personal essays, magical realism, or wartime espionage, this week’s book list has something for every type of reader.