New Book Releases: February 9, 2021

Each week, I’ll catalog the biggest and most exciting adult and YA fiction — and the occasional nonfiction — coming out that Tuesday.

A TIP FOR THE HANGMAN, Allison Epstein. A spectacularly funny, smart novel about poet and playwright Christopher Marlowe, who was roped into spying on Mary Stuart, among others, by Elizabeth I’s spymaster. Bookshop.

THE ELECTRIC KINGDOM, David Arnold. A dynamic cast of characters attempt to survive a world devastated by an apocalyptic pandemic. “Strange and off-kilter, this is not a simple post-apocalyptic novel but instead a quiet, philosophical exploration of humanity with a touch of science fiction around the edges,” writes Kirkus. Bookshop.

KINK, R.O. Kwon and Garth Greenwell. An anthology of short stories exploring desire, BDSM, and love, featuring stories by Alexander Chee, Roxane Gay, and Carmen Maria Machado. “Thrilling, provocative, and unapologetically kinky,” writes Kirkus. Aggregated critical reviews, Bookshop.

A PHO LOVE STORY, Loan Le. Sparks fly when a chance encounter brings together the teenaged children…