Browns Best New Books for April 2026
2nd April 2026
Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer. The clocks have sprung forward, spring is in the air and we have (hopefully) seen the last of the endless days of rain that meant 2026 began in a very soggy fashion for many of us! April is a packed month, as well as the Easter holidays for many it’s Autism Awareness month, World Art Day (April 15th) Earth Day (April 22nd) and World Book Night on April 23rd. There are also lots of new books to put a spring in your step (and hopefully we might even have some days warm enough to enjoy a book outside!) and we hope you find a new favourite amongst our picks for this month.
Check back next month for our picks of the new books May has to offer.
Adult Non-Fiction
London Falling
Keefe, Patrick Radden
Hardback
In November 2019, 19 year-old Londoner Zac Brettler fell to his death from a luxury apartment building next to the Thames. Desperate for answers as to how and why their son died, Zac’s devastated parents began to look into the case and made a terrible discovery – their son had been leading a fictional life posing as the son and heir of a Russian oligarch. It was in this guise that he had become entangled in a slippery and dangerous world of murderous gangsters and a London that was nothing like the one they knew.
Patrick Radden Keefe’s is the author of some of the most popular and brilliant investigative non-fiction writing of recent years, including Say Nothing (recently adapted for Channel 4) and Empire of Pain (which won the Baillie Gifford prize for Non-Fiction). This new book is a meticulously researched look at London’s billionaire-funded crminial underworld and an intimate look at love, loss and grief. Patrick Radden Keefe is not only a brilliant investigator, but he is also a masterful storyteller and this book will have readers gripped, shocked and outraged whilst never losing sight of the deeply personal family tragedy and humanity at the heart of this story. Another fascinating book from a really gifted writer.
More DetailsAdult Fiction
Son of Nobody
Martel, Yann
Hardback
Harlow Donne has spent his life immersed in the classical world so when the opportunity to study an obscure collection of papyrus fragments at Oxford University arises, he grabs it despite the fact it means leaving his daughter and his marriage in Canada. Whilst studying the forgotten texts he discovers a lost account of the Trojan War which he names The Psoad after it’s protagonist Psoas of Midea, a Greek commoner known as ‘son of nobody’. As translator and interpreter, Harlow dedicates this new epic to his daughter Helen and as he works on the Ancient Greek text, parallels between the ancient and modern worlds are revealed…
Yann Martel is probably best known for his much-loved novel Life of Pi which won the 2002 Booker prize and has been successfully adapted for both film and theatre. This new book is hugely ambitious with Martel creating an epic poem about the Trojan war as an alternative to The Iliad and intertwining it with the story of the life of a contemporary classicist. With dual timelines and themes of loss, the socioeconomics of war and society and class, this novel has an innovative structure which helps to blend the two narratives. A fascinating book, perfect not only for fans of Martel’s immersive and moving writing but for those who are currently enjoying the popular trend of myth retellings. A book that stays with the reader and is sure to attract much acclaim.
More DetailsChildren’s Non-Fiction
Creative Writing Magic: 80 Tips and Tricks for Young Writers
Jones, Andy
Paperback / softback
Writing is magic! Creative writing can seem like a tricky task at times - especially when you are faced with a blank page and either no ideas on what to write or lots of ideas but no clue about how to get them down on paper. But what if you could magically transform your writing with clever tricks, fun facts and enjoyable activities?
The first book in the Creative Monster series, Unleash Your Creative Monster: A Children’s Guide to Writing, was the winner of the 2023 Lollies Book Award for Non-Fiction and a brilliant introduction to the creative monster inside us and how to nurture and encourage it. This fantastic follow-up has even more tips and tricks for getting the most out of your ideas and how to develop your own unique and brilliant writing style. With ideas, prompts and essential skills for all story tellers this is a hugely fun and accessible guide to creative writing that can help even the most reluctant of writers to magically transform their stories. With fun and engaging illustrations throughout this is a great book to help and encourage children in their writing and a perfect addition to KS2 classrooms.
More DetailsChildren’s Fiction
The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away
Anderson, Sophie
Paperback / softback
Marinka has always lived in the house with chicken legs, together they run across the world having magical adventures. Marinka is a Yaga, helping to guide spirits from this world to the next and her house is an important part of this special role; Marinka knows how the house is feeling and it knows her too. But something strange is happening – the house is acting oddly and before anyone can stop it, it has run away! Marinka and her friends Benjamin and Jack must go on a quest, travelling to far-away places and magical lands to find a healing stone to help restore the house. Along the way they must face their fears but can they rescue the special house?
Like many, many readers we adore Sophie Anderson’s brilliant take on Slavic folklore, The House With Chicken Legs, and so we were extremely excited to learn that there would be a follow up. Marinka is a fabulous heroine, dealing with grief after a heart-breaking loss and her special relationship with her unique house is a beautiful thing. Once again, Sophie Anderson’s fantastic and vivid writing conjures up magical worlds and hugely entertaining adventures whilst cleverly working in themes of loss, family, facing up to fears and much, much more. Beginning with a prologue to recap events in the first book, this can be enjoyed as a standalone novel and is just as delightful, magical and wonderful as the first adventure. A great follow-up to one of our favourite books and one that will enchant readers. Highly recommended.
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