recent work; recent publication
Refers to a book, paper, or other written work recently published by the author or scholar being discussed. Common in academic, literary, and review contexts.
先生の近著はとても読みやすい。
The professor's recent book is very easy to read.
In his recent work, he discusses environmental issues in detail.
この論文では、著者の近著をいくつか参照している。
This paper references several of the author's recent works.
The writer released his recent work last month.
According to the professor's recent work, this theory is still in the verification stage.
著作 is a general term for any written work regardless of when it was published, whereas 近著 specifically points to one published recently.
新刊 refers to a newly released book in general publishing terms, while 近著 is used specifically about an author's or scholar's own recent work.
Compound of 近 (kin, 'recent') and 著 (cho, 'writing' or 'work'). The reading きんちょ follows standard on'yomi.