Each week we bring you a sample of the books we’re reading, the films we’re watching, the television shows we’re hooked on, or the music we’re loving.

Ele Jenkins is reading The Dawnhounds by Sascha Stronach

I’m reading this Māori-inspired debut New Zealand fantasy, in which a disillusioned beat cop is murdered, but brought back to life by mysterious entities to defend her home city.

A queer fungal-punk romp with all the world-building richness of China Mieville’s Bas-Lag novels, and reminiscent of Pratchett’s Guards arc in the Discworld books. It’s delightful to read a fantasy rooted in something other than European tropes - and refreshing to encounter familiar Southern hemisphere vernacular in the dialogue.

Chris Gordon is reading everything Ann Cleeves.

I have a particular means of managing my TBR pile. I have a very steady process: fiction, crime, nonfiction, cook book … repeat for the rest of my life.

Recently a dear friend sent me a wonderful pile of Ann Cleeves titles. You may know her because you’ve watched Vera or simply because she is one of the best crime writers in the world. I’m late to Cleeves’ game, but goodness I’m all in now. I finished her upcoming novel, The Rising Tide in one glorious weekend. I’ve nearly finished reading The Long Call, this is the first of the DI Matthew Venn series. I like Ann Cleeves because she allows us to be privy to the private (complicated) lives of the detectives, we become witness to long cold winter scenery and to communities that keep secrets.

Ohh, its’ just a treat to read. I understand reading crime novels should not be comforting, but honestly, I find myself completely bewitched and relaxed reading this genre. I believe it works because I trust the author’s moral compass.

Jess Strong is reading Parachutes by Kelly Yang

I became a fan of Kelly Yang’s work through her debut novel for younger readers, Front Desk (highly recommend for 12+). I adored the humorous and fun narration combined with her respectful refusal to euphemise the hardships of her characters’ lives. It was clear Yang trusted the judgement of her young readers, allowing the narrative space for them to thoughtfully digest the events of the novel and discern morally where they stood (with excellent sign-posting, of course).

With this in mind, I was so happy to find Parachutes, written for young adults, had the same storytelling hallmarks. Parachutes has two fierce protagonists – both doing their best, both a little isolated, both believably flawed – whose stories are the stage for some razor-sharp cultural analysis.

With dual protagonists, the plot centres on each teenagers’ experience attending a preparatory academy in California. Dani De La Cruz is a straight-A student and passionate debater who also works part time as a maid to help her single Mum pay the rent. Claire Wang, equally studious and competitive, is their boarder who has recently relocated from Shanghai to finish out her education at an American school. Over the course of the novel, we’re privy to each of the girls’ struggles, including their often fraught relationship with one another, as they attempt to find their common ground that, at first, is hidden below the surface.

The novel grapples with themes including racism, classism and sexism (tw: sexual violence, predatory behaviour) with nuance and care. Like Front Desk, throughout Parachutes there is the powerful message about the importance of both using your voice to speak up against injustice, as well as really listening to others when they speak their truth. Readers 15+ are safe in Kelly Yang’s hands.