“The way to entice people into cooking is to cook delicious things.” – Yotam Ottolenghi
American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era by Nico Lang
nonfiction / biography / sociology.
Media coverage tends to sensationalize the fight over how trans kids should be allowed to live, but what is incredibly rare are the voices of the people at the heart of this debate: transgender and gender nonconforming kids themselves.
For their groundbreaking new book, journalist Nico Lang spent a year traveling the country to document the lives of transgender, nonbinary, and genderfluid teens and their families. Drawing on hundreds of hours of on-the-ground interviews with them and the people in their communities, American Teenager paints a vivid portrait of what it’s actually like to grow up trans today.
From the tip of Florida’s conservative panhandle to vibrant queer communities in California, and from Texas churches to mosques in Illinois, American Teenager gives readers a window into the lives of Wyatt, Rhydian, Mykah, Clint, Ruby, Augie, Jack, and Kylie, eight teens who, despite what some lawmakers might want us to believe, are truly just kids looking for a brighter future.
“A necessary and compassionate collection of stories that is a must-read for anyone looking to expand their horizons.” – Kirkus Reviews
“[A] series of complex, sometimes searing and always sensitive portraits of young people whose right to existence currently hangs in the balance.” – Deborah Mason, BookPage, STARRED REVIEW
“…American Teenager shows us that there is no one way to be trans — or a teen. At their heart, these trans teens dream of what’s after high school, gossip, dread tests and class assignments, and try to figure out life.” – Kristin Saner, Indie Next
Banchan: 60 Korean American Recipes for Delicious, Shareable Sides by Carolie Choe; photographed by Ghazalle Badiozamani
nonfiction / food / cooking.
Banchan, the shared side dishes that accompany a Korean meal, are often the real stars of the table, and it’s time we celebrate them. This first-of-its-kind cookbook showcases the wide world of banchan, from traditional staples to modern Korean American renditions, with 60 recipes from the kitchen of chef Caroline Choe.
Highlighting this underrepresented aspect of Korean cuisine, Banchan offers 60 mouthwatering recipes for classic and modern banchan dishes so home cooks everywhere can get in on the deliciousness. From namul (fresh vegetables) to buchimgae (pancakes), these tasty sides are proof that big flavor can be found in small bites:
● Smoky Gochujang Chicken Salad rounds out a delightful midweek lunch.
● Perfectly tender-on-the-inside, crisp-on-the-outside Hobakjeon (Zucchini Pancakes) are what dreams are made of.
● Pa Muchim (Shaved Green Onion Salad) is a must-have with a Korean barbecue meal or an unexpected pizza topping.
● And, of course, a favorite: Kimchi! Use Mom and Dad’s Kimchi, a favorite recipe passed down through Caroline’s family, to make Kimchi Mac & Cheese or Creamy Kimchi Bacon Dip for a crowd-pleasing party dish.
With tips on stocking a Korean American pantry and ideas for making banchan into a meal—add to a quiche, wrap in a kimbap, pile on a sandwich—Banchan shares an ancient and beloved feature of Korean cooking that will make every meal sing.
“The flavors are complex, but the instructions are simple, and the tone is relaxed and friendly. Like banchan itself, this collection offers a lot of inviting variety.” – Publishers Weekly
The Driving Machine: A Design History of the Car by Witold Rybczynski
nonfiction / Design / technology / automotive.
In this lively and entertaining work, Witold Rybczynski—hailed as “one of the best writers on design working today” by Publishers Weekly—tells the story of the most distinctive cars in history and the artists, engineers, dreamers, and gearheads who created them. Delving into more than 170 years of ingenuity in design, technology, and engineering, he takes us from Carl Benz’s three-wheel motorcar in 1855 to the present-day shift to electric cars. Along the way, he looks at the emergence of mass production with Henry Ford’s Model T; the Golden Age of American car design and the rise of car culture; postwar European subcompacts typified by the Mini Cooper; and the long tradition of the streamlined and elegant sports car.
Rybczynski explores how cars have been reflections of national character (the charming Italian Fiat Cinquecento), icons of a subculture (the VW bus for American hippies), and even emblems of an era (the practical Chrysler minivan). He explains key developments in automotive technology, including the electric starter, rack-and-pinion steering, and disc brakes, bringing to light how the modern automobile is the result of more than a century of trial and error. And he weaves in charming accounts of the many cars he’s owned and driven, starting with his first—the iconic Volkswagen Beetle.
The Driving Machine is a breezy and fascinating history of design, illustrated with the author’s delightful drawings.
“Rybczynski has some great stories to tell, and his love for his subject shines through on every page.” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“An eminent architecture writer brings his singular eye to a dazzling history of car design… With 22 books beneath his belt, Rybczynski’s engaging voice continues to ring clear… sustains our curiosity until the last page. The author’s signature delight and insight grace this breezy study.” – Hamilton Cain, Star Tribune
“Mr. Rybczynski shows us the changes through his own drawings of the cars whose history he retrieves; the sketches are spirited and eloquent and tell us all we really need to know to follow the narrative. That story, too, is spirited, and although there is a fair amount of technical explanation, all of it is brisk, lucid and enjoyable… full of good stories…” – Richard Snow, Wall Street Journal
The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science by Dava Sobel
nonfiction / biography / science.
“Even now, nearly a century after her death, Marie Curie remains the only female scientist most people can name,” writes Dava Sobel at the opening of her shining portrait of the sole Nobel laureate decorated in two separate fields of science—Physics in 1903 with her husband Pierre and Chemistry by herself in 1911. And yet, Sobel makes clear, as brilliant and creative as she was in the laboratory, Marie Curie was equally passionate outside it. Grieving Pierre’s untimely death in 1906, she took his place as professor of physics at the Sorbonne; devotedly raised two brilliant daughters; drove a van she outfitted with x-ray equipment to the front lines of World War I; befriended Albert Einstein and other luminaries of twentieth-century physics; won support from two U.S. presidents; and inspired generations of young women the world over to pursue science as a way of life.
As Sobel did so memorably in her portrait of Galileo through the prism of his daughter, she approaches Marie Curie from a unique angle, narrating her remarkable life of discovery and fame alongside the women who became her legacy—from France’s Marguerite Perey, who discovered the element francium, and Norway’s Ellen Gleditsch, to Mme. Curie’s elder daughter, Irène, winner of the 1935 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. For decades the only woman in the room at international scientific gatherings that probed new theories about the interior of the atom, Marie Curie traveled far and wide, despite constant illness, to share the secrets of radioactivity, a term she coined. Her two triumphant tours of the United States won her admirers for her modesty even as she was mobbed at every stop; her daughters, in Ève’s later recollection, “discovered all at once what the retiring woman with whom they had always lived meant to the world.”
With the consummate skill that made bestsellers of Longitude and Galileo’s Daughter, and the appreciation for women in science at the heart of her most recent The Glass Universe, Dava Sobel has crafted a radiant biography and a masterpiece of storytelling, illuminating the life and enduring influence of one of the most consequential figures of our time.
“A lucid, literate biography, celebrating a scientific exemplar who, for all her fame, deserves to be better known.” – Kirkus Reviews
“[A] vital portrait of Marie Curie and the women who joined her… As Sobel vividly tells their tales of valor, diligence, and brilliance, she fuses elements human and scientific to create a dramatic group portrait encompassing passion, struggle, poignancy, and triumph.” – Donna Seaman, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“Sobel analyzes her subject with care and through detailed historical and personal accounts… a necessary reminder of Curie’s remarkable contributions to science, and how one person, using the opportunities given to them, can open doors for other people and reshape entire fields. This is an essential read for anyone who values works that highlight women in the sciences.” – Michelle Anya Anjirbag, Shelf Awareness
From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir by Lisa Marie Presley & Riley Keough
nonfiction / memoir / music.
In 2022, Lisa Marie Presley asked her daughter to help finally finish her long-gestating memoir.
A month later, Lisa Marie was dead, and the world would never know her story in her own words, never know the passionate, joyful, caring, and complicated woman that Riley loved and now grieved.
Riley got the tapes that her mother had recorded for the book, lay in her bed, and listened as Lisa Marie told story after story about smashing golf carts together in the yards of Graceland, about the unconditional love she felt from her father, about being upstairs, just the two of them. About getting dragged screaming out of the bathroom as she ran toward his body on the floor. About living in Los Angeles with her mother, getting sent to school after school, always kicked out, always in trouble. About her singular, lifelong relationship with Danny Keough, about being married to Michael Jackson, what they had in common. About motherhood. About deep addiction. About ever-present grief. Riley knew she had to fulfill her mother’s wish to reveal these memories, incandescent and painful, to the world.
To make her mother known.
This extraordinary book is written in both Lisa Marie’s and Riley’s voices, a mother and daughter communicating—from this world to the one beyond—as they try to heal each other. Profoundly moving and deeply revealing, From Here to the Great Unknown is a book like no other—the last words of the only child of an American icon.
John Lewis: A Life by David Greenberg ★
nonfiction / biography / history / politics.
Born into poverty in rural Alabama, Lewis would become second only to Martin Luther King, Jr. in his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. He was a Freedom Rider who helped to integrate bus stations in the South, a leader of the Nashville sit-in movement, the youngest speaker at the 1963 March on Washington, and the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which he made into one of the major civil rights organizations. He may be best remembered as the victim of a vicious beating by Alabama state troopers at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where he nearly died.
Greenberg’s biography traces Lewis’s life through the post-Civil Rights years, when he headed the Voter Education Project, which enrolled millions of African American voters across the South. The book reveals the little-known story of his political ascent first locally in Atlanta, and then as a member of Congress. Tapped to be a part of the Democratic leadership in Congress, he earned respect on both sides of the aisle for the sacrifices he had made on behalf of nonviolent integration in the South and came to be known as the “conscience of the Congress.”
Thoroughly researched and dramatically told, Greenberg’s biography captures John Lewis’s influential career through documents from dozens of archives, interviews with hundreds of people who knew Lewis, and long-lost footage of Lewis himself speaking to reporters from his hospital bed following his severe beating on “Bloody Sunday” in Selma. With new details about his personal and professional relationships, John Lewis: A Life is the definitive biography of a man whose heroism during the Civil Rights movement helped to bring America a new birth of freedom.
“This is the defining story of a great American.” – Isabelle McConville, B&N Reads
“An exemplary life, and an exemplary biography that will rekindle readers’ commitment to racial justice.” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“Greenberg captures Lewis’ life, achievements, and times with heart-stopping precision… a passionately researched and defining portrait of an American hero…” – Lesley Williams, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“…remarkable… does an excellent job of giving readers the context of Lewis’ life, including rifts between him and other giants of the movement… Greenberg’s riveting biography describes someone who was the captain of his soul.” – Andrew DeMillo, AP
The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak ★
fiction / suspense / mystery.
Frank Szatowski is shocked when his daughter, Maggie, calls him for the first time in three years. He was convinced that their estrangement would become permanent. He’s even more surprised when she invites him to her upcoming wedding in New Hampshire. Frank is ecstatic, and determined to finally make things right.
He arrives to find that the wedding is at a private estate—very secluded, very luxurious, very much out of his league. It seems that Maggie failed to mention that she’s marrying Aidan Gardner, the son of a famous tech billionaire. Feeling desperately out of place, Frank focuses on reconnecting with Maggie and getting to know her new family. But it’s difficult: Aidan is withdrawn and evasive; Maggie doesn’t seem to have time for him; and he finds that the locals are disturbingly hostile to the Gardners. Frank needs to know more about this family his daughter is marrying into, but if he pushes too hard, he could lose Maggie forever.
An edge-of-your-seat thriller that delves deep into the heart of one family, The Last One at the Wedding is a work of brilliant suspense from a true modern master.
“…Rekulak slyly reminds us that money isn’t the only thing that blinds us to bad behavior with a unique combination of class commentary and thrills.” – Erin Downey Howerton, Booklist
“Bestseller Rekulak impresses with this engrossing tale… the unwavering pace will keep readers up all night. This should please the author’s existing fans and win him new ones.” – Publishers Weekly
“With an endearingly grouchy protagonist and a bold, self-assured damsel in distress, this book reworks the traditional dad-rescues-daughter plotline into a far darker and more fascinating read… The Last One at the Wedding is one gripping daddy-daughter dance you won’t want to miss.” – Lucie Riddell, Book of the Month
“If you enjoy stories of dysfunctional families then you will LOVE this book. It features some absolutely despicable characters and some of the scenes are jaw-droppingly shocking.” – Tracy Fenton, Compulsive Readers
Love Can’t Feed You by Cherry Lou Sy
fiction.
After a harrowing flight, Queenie, her younger brother, and their elderly Chinese father arrive in the United States from the Philippines. They’re here to finally reunite with Queenie’s Filipina mother, who has been working as a nurse in Brooklyn for the past few years—building a life that everyone hopes will set them up for better prospects. But her mother is not the same woman she was in the Philippines: Something in her face is different, almost hardened, and she seems so American already.
Queenie, on the cusp of adulthood, has big dreams of attending college, of spending her days immersed in the pages of books. But there is not enough money for her and her brother to both be in school, so first she must work. Queenie rotates through jobs and settles, tentatively, into her new life, but her brother begins to withdraw and act out, and her father’s anger swells. As the pressures of assimilation compound, and the fissures within her family deepen into fractures, Queenie is left suspended between two countries, two identities, and two parents.
“[A] gorgeously written, shattering debut… Deeply compassionate and devastating.” – Caroline Leavitt, People
“…compelling. Sy’s first novel confirms that the American Dream, for many, is a myth that remains out of reach.” – Poornima Apte, Booklist
“[An] astonishing debut… Sy skillfully lays bare Queenie’s wide-ranging emotions, from rage to sadness, and reveals the nuances of the family members’ relationships. Rich details of Filipino culture such as folk stories and religious iconography are interwoven with gritty depictions of the compromises made by the immigrant characters, some of whom work in seedy massage parlors. It’s a knockout.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman
fiction / historical fiction / romance / fantasy.
On the cusp of turning eighty, newly retired pharmacist Augusta Stern is adrift. When she relocates to Rallentando Springs—an active senior community in southern Florida—she unexpectedly crosses paths with Irving Rivkin, the delivery boy from her father’s old pharmacy—and the man who broke her heart sixty years earlier.
As a teenager growing up in 1920’s Brooklyn, Augusta’s role model was her father, Solomon Stern, the trusted owner of the local pharmacy and the neighborhood expert on every ailment. But when Augusta’s mother dies and Great Aunt Esther moves in, Augusta can’t help but be drawn to Esther’s curious methods. As a healer herself, Esther offers Solomon’s customers her own advice—unconventional remedies ranging from homemade chicken soup to a mysterious array of powders and potions.
As Augusta prepares for pharmacy college, she is torn between loyalty to her father and fascination with her great aunt, all while navigating a budding but complicated relationship with Irving. Desperate for clarity, she impulsively uses Esther’s most potent elixir with disastrous consequences. Disillusioned and alone, Augusta vows to reject Esther’s enchantments forever.
Sixty years later, confronted with Irving, Augusta is still haunted by the mistakes of her past. What happened all those years ago and how did her plan go so spectacularly wrong? Did Irving ever truly love her or was he simply playing a part? And can Augusta reclaim the magic of her youth before it’s too late?
“[A] charming love story that proves it’s never too late for a second chance.” – Susan Maguire, Booklist
“…Augusta and Irving’s love story is charming without being saccharine, and Augusta’s tongue-in-cheek wit combined with her renewed hopefulness makes her the perfect unexpected heroine for new beginnings… For anyone who believes in second chances.” – Kirkus Reviews
“In this poignant tale of late-in-life love, Loigman showcases her talent for transporting readers into recent history through lovingly researched details and a touch of magical whimsy… This is a charmer.” – Publishers Weekly
Melania by Melania Trump
nonfiction / memoir.
Melania is a compelling and inspirational memoir that offers a glimpse into the life of a remarkable woman who has navigated challenges with grace and determination.
In her memoir, Melania reflects on her Slovenian childhood, the pivotal moments that led her to the world of high fashion in Europe and New York, and the serendipitous meeting with Donald Trump, a chance encounter that forever changed the course of her life. Melania opens up about their courtship, life in the spotlight, and experiencing the joy of motherhood. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from her time in the White House, shedding light on her advocacy work and the causes close to her heart.
Melania offers an unprecedented look into her time as a First Lady who was born outside the United States — a role she embraced with honor and dedication. It brings readers into her world and presents an in-depth account of a woman who has led a remarkable life on her own terms.
Melania Trump’s story is one of resilience and independence, showcasing her strength and unwavering commitment to her true self.
“The former First Lady opens up about her early life and pulls back the curtain on her time in the White House in this revealing memoir.” – Isabelle McConville, B&N Reads
“If there’s a plain truth in Melania, it’s that she loves her son, Barron, and will protect him at all costs; and sincerely cares for imperiled children.” – Alexandra Jacobs, New York Times
“[A] plainspoken dash through Melania’s life… a portrait of a woman who was adjacent to great power – and who may yet be again – and her strong dedication to her son, parents and husband.” – Dan Morrison, USA Today
The Modern Navajo Kitchen: Homestyle Recipes That Celebrate the Flavors and Traditions of the Diné by Alana Yazzie
nonfiction / food / cooking.
Nourish your body and mind through food with these 60 recipes celebrating Navajo culinary traditions.
The Modern Navajo Kitchen takes you on an exhilarating journey for your taste buds. This beautifully photographed cookbook ties together traditional Navajo recipes as well as global recipes with a Navajo spin, creating a truly unique culinary experience! Choose from a plethora of drinks, breads, breakfasts, soups, mains, sides, and desserts—the sky’s the limit.
Incorporating traditional and modern ingredients, some of the deliciously nourishing and comforting recipes include:
● Navajo Boba Milk Tea (Abe’ Boba Dééhk’azí)
● Fry Bread (Dah Díníilghaazh)
● Navajo Burgers (Atsį’ Yik’ą́ Náneeskadí Bił Ałch’į’ Át’éhí)
● Sumac and Strawberry Greek Yogurt Ice Pops (Chiiłchin Yogurt Tiní)
● and more!
This comprehensive cookbook also includes instructions for how to make such things as juniper ash, roasted cornmeal, and roasted chiles that will bring your Navajo cooking skills to the next level. A short history of Navajo culinary traditions is provided to provide cultural context behind your new culinary experiences, and sample meal plans will help you put together the perfect menus for the week ahead or for those special occasions with family and friends.
Reconnect to your cultural heritage or treat your palate (or both!) with The Modern Navajo Kitchen.
“…reflects the colorful, happy and vibrant lifestyle of Yazzie’s social media presence.” – Alexandra Wittenberg, Navajo-Hopi Observer
Operation Biting: The 1942 Parachute Assault to Capture Hitler’s Radar by Max Hastings
nonfiction / history.
In February 1942, RAF intelligence was baffled by a newly identified radar network on the coast of Nazi-occupied Europe, codenamed Würzburg. British intelligence proposed an assault to capture key components. Incredibly brave agents of the French Resistance risked their lives to probe the German defenses on the Normandy coast. Then a company of Airborne forces were dropped into France in the dead of night amid heavy snow. Launching their attack, the allied soldiers dismantled the German’s radar, and after three nail-biting hours and a fierce battle with Wehrmacht defenders, escaped in the nick of time using landing-craft that carried them back across the stormy seas to Portsmouth.
Operation Biting retells this dramatic operation through a gallery of amazing characters from Winston Churchill, who promoted the raid, to Lord Mountbatten, who commanded Combined Operations, to the brave unsung commandos who fought their way through enemy territory.
A cliffhanger of a story that ratchets the suspense to the last page, Operation Biting sheds new light on an exciting and little-known chapter of the Second World War.
“This book provides a fast-paced and engrossing account of the planning, execution, and aftermath of Operation Biting, set within the wider context of the British military and intelligence machine. It is essential reading for anyone interested in how Churchill’s ambitions for raids on the coastline of occupied Europe were realised through the lens of a single remarkable operation.” – Jonathan Eaton, The Past
“[A] gripping history… Operation Biting is an important book, and proof that the detailed telling of a small piece of history can illuminate our understanding of a much greater whole. It’s one in a long line of Second World War books written by Hastings in an engaging and entertaining way. Now that almost all the veterans of the conflict are no longer with us, his work is especially valuable: all that remains is the history, and the historians who tell it.” – Laurence Rees, The Telegraph
“There are few things in life more dependable than a war story told by Hastings… [he] is a superb military historian with a delightful talent for gossip… War histories are usually studies in failure. So many catastrophic mistakes. So many needless deaths. What a relief then, joy even, to be able to read about a battle with a happy ending and genuine heroes — a day that went well.” – Gerard DeGroot, The Times
Ottolenghi Comfort by Yotam Ottolenghi
nonfiction / food / cooking.
The New York Times bestselling author of Ottolenghi Flavor reimagines comfort food with over 100 global, personal recipes.
Yotam Ottolenghi—the beloved chef who has captured the hearts of homecooks looking for inspiration and great-tasting cooking—is back. In Ottolenghi Comfort, he brings his inspiring, flavor-forward cooking to comfort dishes.
With game-changing low-lift recipes as well as recipes to spend an afternoon on, Ottolenghi Comfort presents creative dishes that are comfortable to both cook and eat. In more than 100 recipes, Ottolenghi—and co-authors Helen Goh, Verena Lochmuller, and Tara Wigley—bring together childhood memories and travels around the world, celebrating food and friends and the connections they build together, ones to pass on from generation to generation.
For Ottolenghi, a bowl of pasta becomes Caramelized Onion Orecchiette with Hazelnuts & Crispy Sage, a warming soup is Cheesy Bread Soup with Savoy Cabbage & Cavolo Nero, and potatoes are transformed into Garlicky Aligot Potato with Leeks & Thyme. In Comfort, he tackles everything from crepes to hummus; lamb meatloaf to quick ramen; savory rugelah to chocolate mousse.
This is a book filled with meals that are easy and exciting, familiar and fresh, new and nostalgic, revelatory yet reassuring.
“…redefine[s] “comfort food” in a way that actually feels fresh and exciting… In this book, Ottolenghi’s approach proves that pretty much any ingredient can be transformed into a plate (or bowl!) of pure comfort.” – Amy McCarthy, Eater
“[A] book that exemplifies and explores the meaning of comfort food, offering nostalgia, convenience, indulgence, and nurturing… A feast for the eyes along with the heart, mind, and belly. This beautiful book ties hunger, taste, connection, and community together; it will be a welcome addition to all collections.” – Ron Block, Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“A new Ottolenghi book always feels like a special event, and this absolute beauty is no exception. It is just impossible to look at it without smiling: its beautiful cover radiates cheer and glowing cosiness, a clue to the big, bright, bold flavours within… intensely personal but at the same time universally welcoming.” – Nigella Lawson, Nigella.com
Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst ★
fiction / historical fiction.
Did I have a grievance? Most of us, without looking far, could find something that had harmed us, and oppressed us, and unfairly held us back. I tried not to dwell on it, thought it healthier not to, though I’d lived my short life so far in a chaos of privilege and prejudice.
Dave Win, the son of a a Burmese man he’s never met and a British dressmaker, is thirteen years old when he gets a scholarship to a top boarding school. With the doors of elite English society cracked open for him, heady new possibilities emerge, even as Dave is exposed to the envy and viciousness of his wealthy classmates.
Alan Hollinghurst’s new novel follows Dave from the 1960s on—through the possibilities that remained open for him, and others that proved to be illusory: as a working-class brown child in a decidedly white institution; a young man discovering queer culture and experiencing his first, formative love affairs; a talented but often overlooked actor, on the road with an experimental theater company; and an older Londoner whose late-in-life marriage fills his days with an unexpected sense of happiness and security.
From “one of our most gifted writers” (The Boston Globe), Our Evenings sweeps readers from our past to our present through the beauty, pain, and joy of one deeply observed life.
“Hollinghurst continues to amaze and delight, hitting both the most delicate grace notes and portentous chords perfectly.” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“Hollinghurst proves once more to be a master of emotive prose. It’s a tour de force.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“[An] extraordinary novel… memorably conceived, beautifully executed, and a gift to lovers of serious literary fiction. Every aspect is flawless: complex, multi-dimensional characters, subtle treatment of emotions, beautiful writing, a vividly realized theatrical setting, and more.” – Michael Cart, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“…flower[s] finally into something sadly beautiful — a meditation on growing old, the mutability of relationships, and the fragility of social progress, framed by the world-on-fire mood of the present.” – Sam Worley, Vulture
The Puzzle Box by Danielle Trussoni
fiction / mystery / suspense.
It is the Year of the Wood Dragon, and the ingenious Mike Brink has been invited to Tokyo, Japan, to open the legendary Dragon Box.
The box was constructed during one of Japan’s most tumultuous periods, when the samurai class was disbanded and the shogun lost power. In this moment of crisis, Emperor Meiji locked a priceless Imperial secret in the Dragon Box. Only two people knew how to open the box—Meiji and the box’s sadistic constructor—and both died without telling a soul what was inside or how to open it.
Every twelve years since then, in the Year of the Dragon, the Imperial family holds a clandestine contest to open the box. It is devilishly difficult, filled with tricks, booby traps, poisons, and mind-bending twists. Every puzzle master who has attempted to open it has died in the process.
But Brink is not just any puzzle master. He may be the only person alive who can crack it. His determination is matched only by that of two sisters, descendants of an illustrious samurai clan, who will stop at nothing to claim the treasure.
Brink’s quest launches him on a breakneck adventure across Japan, from the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to the pristine forests of Hakone to an ancient cave in Kyushu. In the process, he discovers the power of Meiji’s hidden treasure, and—more crucially—the true nature of his extraordinary talent.
“Fans of thrillers such as Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and the movie National Treasure will fall in love with this title, which is even better than its predecessor.” – Laura Hiatt, Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“…astonishing… thrilling… Trussoni’s depiction of Brink as both a puzzle-solving genius and someone learning to trust his own abilities lends the plot surprising emotional depth… This clever and satisfying novel cements Mike Brink as an action hero for the ages.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“…breathlessly paced and nail-bitingly suspenseful… The book can be read as a stand-alone, which means new readers can jump right in, although it’s highly likely they’ll then want to circle back and read the earlier book. A first-rate thriller. More, please!” – David Pitt, Booklist
Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon by Lauren Sherman & Chantal Fernandez
nonfiction / business / history.
Victoria’s Secret is one of the most influential and polarizing brands to ever infiltrate the psyche of the American consumer. Almost right at its start in the late 1970s, the company developed a cult following for its glamorous catalogs. Back then, shoppers had few alternatives to the stodgy department stores that sold most of the nation’s intimate apparel. By 1982, the founders of Victoria’s Secret avoided bankruptcy by selling to Les Wexner, the fast-fashion pioneer behind the Limited, whose empire of mall brands would go on to dominate American retail for forty years.
Wexner turned Victoria’s Secret into a multibillion-dollar business, and the brand’s cultural influence soared thanks to its airbrushed advertisements and annual televised fashion show, which drew millions of viewers each year. Its supermodel spokeswomen, the sweet but sultry Angels, personified a new American beauty standard.
But as our definition of beauty expanded, Victoria’s Secret failed to evolve and reached a crisis point. Meanwhile, Wexner became increasingly known for his complicated relationship with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, his former financial adviser and confidant.
Selling Sexy expertly draws from sources within Victoria’s Secret and across the industry to examine the unprecedented rise of one of the most innovative brands in retail history—a brand that today, under new ownership, is desperately trying to seduce shoppers again.
“[An] enthralling deep dive… A sharp assessment of the company’s financial and moral failings, this pulls no punches.” – Publishers Weekly
“A dynamic, fair-minded chronicle of the rise and fall of Victoria’s Secret.” – Kirkus Reviews
Shirley Chisholm in Her Own Words: Speeches and Writings edited by Zinga A. Fraser
nonfiction / history / politics.
Looking beyond her political symbolism to celebrate not only who Shirley Chisholm was but who she is—a revolutionary thinker with much to teach us today.
In the midst of her groundbreaking twenty-year career in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm once declared, “Everyone—with the exception of the black woman herself—has been interpreting the black woman.” Edited by Zinga A. Fraser, the leading scholar dedicated to the study of Chisholm’s legacy, Shirley Chisholm in Her Own Words gives readers a rare opportunity to engage with the congresswoman’s powerful ideas in her own voice.
Many Americans are familiar with Chisholm’s importance as the first Black woman in Congress and the first woman and African American to run for president with either major party. This long-overdue treatment of her work establishes Chisholm as an unparalleled public intellectual and Black feminist both in her time and now. The book not only contextualizes the Civil Rights and Black Power era; it also provides timeless insights on issues that are exceedingly relevant in our current moment. Featuring a captivating introduction by Fraser, Shirley Chisholm in Her Own Words introduces a new generation to one of the most impactful proponents of democracy in America.
“Chisholm’s bracing collection could not be more timely… Potent and relevant pieces by a groundbreaking Black politician.” – Kirkus Reviews
The Silver Snarling Trumpet: The Birth of the Grateful Dead by Robert Hunter
nonfiction / music / history / biography.
Discovered at last, the legendary lost manuscript of Grateful Dead co-founder and primary lyricist Robert Hunter, written in the early 1960s—a wry, richly observed, and enlightening remembrance of “the scene” in Palo Alto that gave rise to an incredible partnership of Hunter and Jerry Garcia, and then to the Grateful Dead itself—with a Foreword by John Mayer, an Introduction by Dennis McNally, and an Afterword by Brigid Meier.
“Strange to think back on those days when it was perfectly natural that we all slept on the floor in one small room… These were the days before practical considerations, matters of ‘importance,’ began to eat our minds. We were all poets and philosophers then, until we began to wonder why we had so few concrete worries and went out to look for some.”
So wrote Robert Hunter in The Silver Snarling Trumpet, both a novelistic singular work of art and the missing piece of the Grateful Dead origin story. In these pages, readers are privy to the early days of Hunter, Garcia, and their cohorts, who sit at coffee shops passing around a single cup of bottomless coffee because they lacked the funds for more than one. Follow these truth-seeking souls into the stacks at Kepler’s Books, renting instruments at Swain’s House of Music, and through the countryside on mind-expanding road trips. Witness impromptu jams, inspired intellectual pranks, and a dialogue that is, by turns, amusing and brilliant and outrageous. Hunter shares his impressions of his first gig with Garcia for a college audience, along with descriptions of his most intense dreams and psychedelic explorations. All of it, enlivened by Hunter’s visionary spirit and profound ideas about creativity and collaboration.
The lost manuscript is augmented with a Foreword by John Mayer, an Introduction by Dennis McNally, and an Afterword by Brigid Meier, who was part of their scene in the San Francisco Bay Area that served as a bridge from the beatniks to the hippies. Also included is Hunter’s own 1982 assessment of his work—about how he shared it with close confidants but then decided to leave it unpublished. Five years after Hunter’s death, the text has been found, so readers and fans of Hunter’s indelible poetry and song can explore the origin of his genius and his craft.
“Deadheads will drink this in…” – Publishers Weekly
“An essential document in the Deadhead library, and a pleasure to read.” – Kirkus Reviews
“[Jerry] Garcia springs to life on the page, partaking in zany banter with his comrades and deflating their pretensions… Hunter nicely captures the excitement of youth, when everything feels new and possibilities seem endless… Back in 1961, the trip was just beginning, and Robert Hunter was along for the ride. His book shows how exhilarating it was.” – John Check, Wall Street Journal
Slaveroad by John Edgar Wideman
nonfiction / fiction / essays / short stories / memoir / history.
John Edgar Wideman’s “slaveroad” is a palimpsest of physical, social, and psychological terrain, the great expanse to which he writes in this groundbreaking work that unsettles the boundaries of memoir, history, and fiction. The slaveroad begins with the Atlantic Ocean, across which enslaved Africans were carried, but the term comes to encompass the journeys and experiences of Black Americans since then and the many insidious ways that slavery separates, wounds, and persists.
In a section of Slaveroad, called “Sheppard”, William Henry Sheppard, a descendant of enslaved Virginians, travels back to Africa where he works as a missionary, converting Africans to Christianity alongside his Southern white colleague. Wideman imagines drinking afternoon tea with Lucy Gant Sheppard, William’s wife, who was on her own slaveroad, as she experienced her husband’s adultery with the African women he was trying to convert. In “Penn Station,” Wideman’s brother, after being confined forty-four years in prison, travels from Pittsburgh to New York. As Wideman awaits his brother, he asks, “How will I distinguish my brother from the dead. Dead passengers on the slaveroad.”
An impassioned, searching work, Slaveroad is one man’s reckoning with a uniquely American lineage and the ways that the past haunts the present: “It’s here. Now. Where we are. What we are. A story compounded of stories told, retold, untold, not told.”
“[A] heartfelt collection… Wideman’s probing mind shines through.” – Publishers Weekly
“…Wideman invites us into deep reflection about the inextricable link between the past and the present. Wideman’s insightful inquiries will appeal to fans of Ta-Nehisi Coates.” – Allison Escoto, Booklist
“[Wideman] tells and retells powerful, miry tales in Slaveroad that are incantatory, transporting and incendiary.” – Randy Boyagoda, New York Times
The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche
fiction / historical fiction / fantasy / mystery.
1348. As the Black Plague ravages Italy, Ginevra di Gasparo is summoned to Florence after nearly a decade of lonely exile. Ginevra has a gift—harnessing the hidden powers of gemstones, she can heal the sick. But when word spread of her unusual abilities, she was condemned as a witch and banished. Now the same men who expelled Ginevra are begging for her return.
Ginevra obliges, assuming the city’s leaders are finally ready to accept her unorthodox cures amid a pandemic. But upon arrival, she is tasked with a much different mission: she must use her collection of jewels to track down a ruthless thief who is ransacking Florence’s churches for priceless relics—the city’s only hope for protection. If she succeeds, she’ll be a recognized physician and never accused of witchcraft again.
But as her investigation progresses, Ginevra discovers she’s merely a pawn in a much larger scheme than the one she’s been hired to solve. And the dangerous men behind this conspiracy won’t think twice about killing a stone witch to get what they want…
“A fascinating historical read.” – Jane Simons, Indie Next
“…engrossing… the solution to the case turns out to be equal parts surprising and logical. Fans of M.J. Rose should take note.” – Publishers Weekly
“Elements of mystery and fantasy, well-rounded characters, and a relatable history make for an engaging story that includes a very satisfying epilogue.” – Maribeth Fisher, Booklist
Swordcrossed by Freya Marske
fiction / romance / fantasy / historical fiction.
Mattinesh Jay, dutiful heir to his struggling family business, needs to hire an experienced swordsman to serve as best man for his arranged marriage. Sword-challenge at the ceremony could destroy all hope of restoring his family’s wealth, something that Matti has been trying—and failing—to do for the past ten years.
What he can afford, unfortunately, is part-time con artist and full-time charming menace Luca Piere.
Luca, for his part, is trying to reinvent himself in a new city. All he wants to do is make some easy money and try to forget the crime he committed in his hometown. He didn’t plan on being blackmailed into giving sword lessons to a chronically responsible—and inconveniently handsome—wool merchant like Matti.
However, neither Matti’s business troubles nor Luca himself are quite what they seem. As the days count down to Matti’s wedding, the two of them become entangled in the intrigue and sabotage that have brought Matti’s house to the brink of ruin. And when Luca’s secrets threaten to drive a blade through their growing alliance, both Matti and Luca will have to answer the question: how many lies are you prepared to strip away, when the truth could mean losing everything you want?
“[T]he romantic tropes are delightful, the worldbuilding is vivid, and the cast of characters all lend a hand in creating a cozy fantasy with heat and heart.” – Kristi Chadwick, Library Journal
“…charming and steamy… Readers looking for red-hot queer romantasy will want to snap this up.” – Publishers Weekly
“This cozy fantasy sizzles with the heat between Matti and Luca… Fans of Marske’s Last Binding series will be thrilled to find the same effortless world building, rich characterization, gentle humor, and steamy love scenes here.” – Susan Maguire, Booklist
This Cursed House by Del Sandeen ★
fiction / horror / historical fiction.
In the fall of 1962, twenty-seven-year-old Jemma Barker is desperate to escape her life in Chicago—and the spirits she has always been able to see. When she receives an unexpected job offer from the Duchon family in New Orleans, she accepts, thinking it is her chance to start over.
But Jemma discovers that the Duchon family isn’t what it seems. Light enough to pass as white, the Black family members look down on brown-skinned Jemma. Their tenuous hold on reality extends to all the members of their eccentric clan, from haughty grandmother Honorine to beautiful yet inscrutable cousin Fosette. And soon the shocking truth comes out: The Duchons are under a curse. And they think Jemma has the power to break it.
As Jemma wrestles with the gift she’s run from all her life, she unravels deeper and more disturbing secrets about the mysterious Duchons. Secrets that stretch back over a century. Secrets that bind her to their fate if she fails.
“In this accomplished debut novel exploring topics of racism, slavery, family, and forgiveness, author Del Sandeen has generated a perfect Southern Gothic vibe, both chilling and suspenseful.” – Carolyn Scott, Mystery & Suspense
“[An] eerie and emotional journey into a family’s haunted past… vivid and chilling… a compelling read for anyone drawn to tales of family secrets and haunted legacies.” – Brittney Cray, Booklist
“…brings a fresh perspective to the gothic horror genre. The author’s exploration of bloodlines, family, and race is complex and nuanced, and her heroine is easy to root for as she confronts ghosts both literal and metaphorical.” – Publishers Weekly
“…nothing is as it appears and there are more secrets in the Duchon home than there are ghosts roaming about… an excellent Southern gothic ghost story that confronts the inherent, deep-seated racism found in the South, especially prevalent during the 1960’s and before. Del Sandeen is definitely an author to watch for in the future. Highly recommended.” – Ashley Perkins, Game Vortex
The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling
fiction / romance / fantasy / comedy.
Bowen Penhallow has always been a loner, studying dark and ancient magic on a mountaintop in Wales. He prefers it that way. But when his friend Colin—who happens to be a ghost—asks him to attend a Yuletide wedding at a grand estate deep in the Welsh countryside, Bowen reluctantly agrees.
Tamsyn Bligh is not a witch, but she makes her living off of them. As a procurer and seller of magical items, Tamsyn’s business is not always above board, but she’s been trying to fix that (mostly.) Bowen is an occasional customer—as well as the star of several of Tamsyn’s dirtiest dreams—but she’s been around enough witches to know that, as a human, getting involved with one is not the smartest idea. She’s finagled an invite to the Witchy Wedding of the Century in the hopes of finally making a score big enough to retire. Just one priceless magical artifact from Tywyll House would set her up for life.
But Tamsyn isn’t the only one sneaking about in Tywyll House, and the mix of a very strong spell combined with a wedding mishap transports Bowen and Tamsyn into Tywyll House’s past, to the Yuletide Celebration of 1958. As Bowen and Tamsyn work together to get back to the present, they must also face off with the origins of Tywyll House’s haunting, the suspicions of their fellow witches… oh, and the fact that somewhere between the mistletoe and the bonfire, they might be falling in love.
“…charming and sexy…” – Jenna Harmison, Library Journal
“A winsome, witchy rom-com.” – Kirkus Reviews
“…delightful… This thoroughly enjoyable combination of romance and magic is a holiday treat.” – Diana Tixier Herald, Booklist
What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella
fiction / romance.
Eve is a successful novelist who wakes up one day in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there. Her husband, never far from her side, explains that she has had an operation to remove the large, malignant tumor growing in her brain.
As Eve learns to walk, talk, and write again—and as she wrestles with her diagnosis, and how and when to explain it to her beloved children—she begins to recall what’s most important to her: long walks with her husband’s hand clasped firmly around her own, family game nights, and always buying that dress when she sees it.
Recounted in brief anecdotes, each one is an attempt to answer the type of impossible questions recognizable to anyone navigating the labyrinth of grief. This short, extraordinary novel is a celebration of life, shot through with warmth and humor—it will both break your heart and put it back together again.
“[Kinsella] packs love, laughter and a harrowing real-life health ordeal into a 133-page novella.” – Elisabeth Egan, New York Times
“[A] warm and deeply personal story… In another writer’s hands, such a book might feel heavy, upsetting, intolerably sad. But Kinsella’s gentle wit and glimmers of wisdom transform this story into a work of valiant and uplifting beauty.” – Brianna Goodman, Book of the Month
“…Ms. Kinsella is a skillful storyteller. She doesn’t front-load the narrative with exposition, instead parceling out information organically… Most resonant is this book’s bravery—and its emotional honesty.” – Joanne Kaufman, Wall Street Journal
Why I Cook by Tom Colicchio
nonfiction / memoir / food / cooking.
Tom Colicchio cooked his first recipe at 13 years old—a stuffed eggplant from an issue of Cuisine magazine that he picked up out of boredom—and it changed his life. Now for the first time ever, Tom recounts the extraordinary personal journey that brought him from his working-class Italian background in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to the award-winning kitchens of New York City’s best restaurants, to the set of Top Chef and the stage of the Emmy Awards.
Through 10 memoir chapters and 60 recipes, Why I Cook shares Tom’s personal reflections of more than 40 years behind the stove. From pre-dawn fishing excursions with his grandfather to running the flat-top at the snack shack of the local swim club, to finding his way as a young chef in New York City, Tom chronicles the dishes and memories that have shaped him as a person and chef.
Through these meaningful dishes, gorgeous recipe shots, and images from Tom’s childhood, Why I Cook is the most personal look into Tom’s life yet.
“Part memoir and part cookbook, this tome will have the Top Chef host’s fans engaged for the ride.” – Jessica S. Levy, Booklist
“Recipes are divided by season and are nestled in narrative chapters that are rich with his family’s foodways and his experiences as a chef… Cookbook readers and fans of culinary memoirs will devour these stories that look back at an accomplished career. Home cooks will find recipes that warm the heart and fill the table and will enjoy making their own memories over these dishes… This cultivated collection of tales from a storied culinary career will elevate cookbook shelves and deliver lots of family meals along with hours of reading enjoyment.” – Sarah Tansley, Library Journal
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