Our top book picks this week: a powerful memoir of life between Russia and America and much more



Russian Tattoo by Elena Gorokhova

When a Russian girl arrives in the United States, her only link to her past is a suitcase filled with relics. Elena slowly adapts to America, until her mother comes to visit ... for 24 years. Said to be a powerful memoir of what it means to be caught between two worlds. (Windmill Books, June 4)

The Naked Surgeon by Samer Nashef

Did you know that the more an operation is likely to kill you, the better it is for you? Pioneering surgeon Samer Nashef reveals the truth about the operating table, and examines how quality control and transparency is revolutionising the field of medicine. (Scribe, June 4)

Intercept: The Secret History of Computers and Spies by Gordon Corera

Computers have transformed the world of espionage, which has moved from Cold War spy hunting to industrial scale cyber warfare today. Corera is a BBC journalist and reveals how electronic espionage affects us all. (Weidenfeld, June 11)

The Household Spirit by Tod Wodicka

Howie has been alone since his wife and daughter moved out. He is now an accidental recluse and content to spend his days fishing. Emily, however, is the opposite, irreverent with a happy disposition. Both have been neighbours for years but have never spoken, until a tragedy brings them together in unimaginable ways. (Jonathan Cape, June 4)

Left of the Bang by Claire Lowdon

Tamsin is a failing pianist, who is apparently happy with her teacher boyfriend. But when Chris appears, a soldier who is about to leave for a tour of duty of Afghanistan, things become complicated. This is a book about a “lost generation” of Londoners, from an author being compared to Zadie Smith. (Fourth Estate, June 4)

The Reader on the 6.27 by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent

Guylain Vignolles works at a book pulping factory and reads aloud from the pages he salvages on the 6.27 train every day. But when he discovers the diary of a lonely woman, things will change for ever. This French bestseller details the redemptive power of books. (Mantle, June 4)

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

Singham Again

Director: Rohit Shetty

Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone

Rating: 3/5

Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale

Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni

Director: Amith Krishnan

Rating: 3.5/5

Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs

Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo

Gearbox: 7-speed automatic

Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 350Nm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km

Price: Dh235,000

Disclaimer

Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners