9 books that excited us in January

Monday 20th January 2025 11:38 PM

A graphic novel: “A year in the police. Anatomy of a police station”, by Mikael Corre and Bouqé

One year in the police. Anatomy of a police station, by Mikael Corre and Bouqé

We hear about the police in the media when there are slip-ups, complaints against officers, or blunders on public roads… Mikael Corre, daily journalist The Crossspent a year at the Roubaix police station to learn about the daily life of police officers. His investigation appears today as a graphic novel. It’s exciting. We are witnessing the filing of complaints, police custody, searches, the reception of victims, autopsies and above all attempts to dismantle drug dealing points, one of which is even in front of a primary school! The work is sprawling, poverty permeates this entire society, which makes a police officer say: “At the police station, we are at the bottom of the scale of respect.” Under an apparent narrative simplicity, we thus overview the major current questions concerning violence and security. An essential book for understanding our society.

One year in the police. Anatomy of a police stationby Mikael Corre and Bouq, ed. Bayard Graphic’, 172 p., €23.

A thriller: “Polar Shell Shock”, by Michaëla Watteaux

Polar Shell Shock, by Michaëla Watteaux

In Paris, the Roaring Twenties hesitated between entertainment and the memory of the war of 14-18. Young women try to gain their independence while guarding against a serial killer who targets them. It’s up to the reader to find the link between a broken face, a minister, a cocaine addict cop and a psychoanalyst. A spicy plot!

Polar Shell Shockby Michaëla Watteaux, ed. Hachette Fictions, coll. Black Lab, 352 p., €21.90.

A first novel: “Ceinture”, by Céline Robert

“Belt”, by Céline Robert

A woman cheats on her husband, her lover’s wife feels an attraction to the babysitter, while the latter could well have a crush on her teacher… This round of seduction forms a loop told by each protagonist until returning to the first scene. Light, original construction, a pleasant first novel to read.

They are calledeby Céline Robert, ed. Calmann-Lévy, 250 p., €18.

An adventure novel: “All the white in the world”, Alizée Gau

“All the white in the world”, Alizée Gau

The young Apollinaire is originally from Mayotte but his dream is the South Pole. He manages to get hired for an archaeological mission in Antarctica: an 18th century wreck has just been discovered between the icebergs. There, he discovers the life of ice scientists, harsh and sublime. An adventure close to contemplation.

All the white in the worldand, Alizee Gau, ed. Dalva, 336 pp., €22.50.

“The Last Door”, by Lise Marzouk

Clémence is a nurse in a maternity ward. Through his caring gaze, we witness ten births, which are all different social and family realities. A unique way of understanding today’s France in its ethnic, cultural and economic diversity. Between the document and the fiction.

The Last Porteby Lise Marzouk, ed. Héloïse d’Ormesson, 144 p., €17.

On the pocket side: “The Miraculous Destiny of Edgar Mint”, by Brady Udall finally reissued!

“The Miraculous Fate of Edgar Mint”, by Brady Udall

Published in large format around twenty years ago, this exhilarating book is coming out in paperback. It’s the story of a child from an American Indian reservation, with a deformed head and astonishing verve. Not to be missed!

The Miraculous Destiny of Edgar Mintby Brady Udall, ed. The Pocket Book, 624 p., €9.90.

“The Mitford Affair”, by Marie Benedict

The Mitford sisters are English aristocrats, darlings of London in the 1930s. European politics will tear them apart: Diana and Unity become closer to Hitler, while Jessica becomes involved with the Spanish Republicans. Nancy writes her books and tries to remain neutral. A thrilling true story.

The Mitford Affairby Marie Benedict, ed. 10/18, 384 p., €8.90.

“The Masters of Time”, by Stéphanie Janicot

This is a novel that reads like playing with an hourglass: the story flows fluidly and lively… turning time in all directions! A young apprentice of Isaac Newton propelled from the 17th to the 21st century turns the lives of a novelist, a philosophy student and a physicist upside down. Their adventures invite a fascinating reflection on our relationship with time. A theme dear to our colleague Stéphanie Janicot, which she explores here with subtle empathy for our most existential questions. Florence Monteil

The Masters of Time, Stéphanie Janicot, ed. Albin Michel, 304 p., €20.90

Re(discover) Colette

Re(discover) Colette Want to read or reread the wonderful Colette? His work has just entered the public domain. Its publisher is taking the opportunity to republish his most famous texts in a very pretty new collection at a very low price. Claudine’s House, The Wanderer, Chéri or The Pussy…Which one will you be tempted by?

Ed. I read, €5.50