• Kaleidoscope City by Piers Moore Ede. An evocative and rich account of a year in Varanasi, India’s spiritual capital. We meet the pilgrims who come to bathe in the Ganges, silk weavers, sweet makers, weary bureaucrats and musicians. Ede discovers a place where “holiness and corruption walk side by side”. (Bloomsbury, February 26)
    Kaleidoscope City by Piers Moore Ede. An evocative and rich account of a year in Varanasi, India’s spiritual capital. We meet the pilgrims who come to bathe in the Ganges, silk weavers, sweet makers, weary bureaucrats and musicians. Ede discovers a place where “holiness and corruption walk side by side”. (Bloomsbury, February 26)
  • The Rise of Islamic State by Patrick Cockburn. After the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and the Arab Spring, a new extremist threat emerged – ISIL. On-the-ground report from the foreign correspondent of the UK’s The Independent, which examines not just the chilling threat the group brings but the total failure of western policy. (Verso, February 3)
    The Rise of Islamic State by Patrick Cockburn. After the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and the Arab Spring, a new extremist threat emerged – ISIL. On-the-ground report from the foreign correspondent of the UK’s The Independent, which examines not just the chilling threat the group brings but the total failure of western policy. (Verso, February 3)
  • Lay Me Down by Nicci Cloke. Elsa and Jack move from London to San Francisco. Jack has landed his dream job working on the Golden Gate Bridge but no one told him about the jumpers – those who leap to their deaths. One in particular begins to haunt him and his life beings to unravel. (Vintage Original February 5)
    Lay Me Down by Nicci Cloke. Elsa and Jack move from London to San Francisco. Jack has landed his dream job working on the Golden Gate Bridge but no one told him about the jumpers – those who leap to their deaths. One in particular begins to haunt him and his life beings to unravel. (Vintage Original February 5)
  • The Chimes by Anna Smaill. Set in an alternative London where life is orchestrated by a vast musical instrument that renders people ­unable to form new memories. A boy arrives in the city to find out what happened to his parents but discovers he has a gift that could change everything. (Sceptre, February 12)
    The Chimes by Anna Smaill. Set in an alternative London where life is orchestrated by a vast musical instrument that renders people ­unable to form new memories. A boy arrives in the city to find out what happened to his parents but discovers he has a gift that could change everything. (Sceptre, February 12)
  • The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma. Set in 1990s Nigeria, this tells the story of four young brothers. When their father must travel long distances for work, they skip school and go fishing. But an encounter with a madman at a forbidden river will change their lives forever. New and promising voice from Africa. (One, February 26)
    The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma. Set in 1990s Nigeria, this tells the story of four young brothers. When their father must travel long distances for work, they skip school and go fishing. But an encounter with a madman at a forbidden river will change their lives forever. New and promising voice from Africa. (One, February 26)

Our top six books this week: the rise and fall of fashion visionary Alexander McQueen and more

  • English
  • Arabic

Here’s a look at what we’re reading this week.

Sun jukebox

Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)

This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.

Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)

The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.

Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)

Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.

Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)

Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.

Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)

An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.

Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)

Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.

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