The season of eating too much and falling asleep in front of the telly is passed with only the bingedrinkerama of New Year to hurdle. Then we can all get back to doing what we truly love - reading!

Ian McEwan's Saturday is finally out in paperback in January. McEwan is one of the country's most reliable authors these days and he's back on top form with this one.

The awesome talents of Alice Munro are revealed again in Runaway, a connected series of short stories that will leave new readers amazed and fans deeply satisfied.

Kate Grenville is back after the Orange Prize winning success of The Idea of Perfection with a brilliant novel called The Secret River. Raised in the slums of London William Thornhill finds himself shipped to Australia as a convicted felon. This is one to watch...

Also from Canongate (beautiful people) comes a new novel from Ismail Kadare, winner of the first Man Booker Prize for international fiction. The Successor will serve as a useful introduction to those new to the work of this great writer. I am thrilled he is now receiving the attention his books deserve. I read Broken April some years ago and have remained haunted ever since.

Nelson Algren's Walk on the Wild Side is being re-issued, also by Canongate. The inspiration for Lou Reed's classic song is a real sleazy read and highly recommended.

Jared Diamond's Collapse is also out in January. His description of the way in which societies come to fall makes uncomfortable reading as we try to ignore the increasing pressures our lifestyles exert on a fragile planet.

Adam Hoschild returns with Bury the Chains, an inspirational story of the fight to abolish slavery. Where his last book, King Leopold's Ghost, revealed some of the more sinister aspects of the British Empire this is more positive but still a horrific read.

Look out for the theatrical Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding. Atmospheric and compelling it brings the London of 1790 into sharp focus that will enthrall readers aged 10ish.

Finally Nick McDonell is back with a novel called the Third Brother. His debut, Twelve, led to claims he was the new Hunter S Thompson. Now the great gonzo has finally exploded in a blaze of glory can Nick stand comparison? Watch this space...