Minerva, a graduate student researching an obscure horror writer, uncovers a manuscript that links a decades-old disappearance at her Massachusetts university to stories her great-grandmother told about a witch in early 1900s Mexico. As she digs deeper, eerie parallels emerge across three women in different eras, suggesting a lingering, dangerous force haunting their lives.

In near-future San Francisco, a group of abandoned food-service robots in a ghost kitchen take over a delivery app, rebrand themselves as a neighborhood lunch spot, and begin serving hand-pulled noodles. When their feedback page is flooded with fake bad-service reviews, the bots must uncover who’s sabotaging them before their ratings destroy everything they’ve built.

Against the backdrop of China’s one‑child policy, this book follows identical twins born in a rural bamboo grove who are separated—one growing up in China, the other adopted to the United States. A journalist’s investigation uncovers coerced relinquishments and child trafficking and examines the human costs of state policy, the ethics of international adoption, and the assumptions that shape how East and West view family and value.

John J. Lennon, who killed a man in Brooklyn in 2001, became a journalist while serving a 28-to-life sentence and wrote immersive profiles of four men who have killed. Interweaving his own story with the lives of others, Lennon traces the circumstances, backgrounds, and choices that led to violence and follows what happens to those convicted after the cell gate locks. The book examines our fascination with true crime and asks whether knowing a person’s full life story changes how we understand their crime.

Anders, a teenage idealist, enlists and reenlists during the Civil War and adopts a new identity to navigate shifting loyalties. Living among a Black Union regiment of eccentric comrades, he confronts questions of belonging, power, and who gets to be called American. Dennard Dayle’s novel uses dark humor and sharp satire to explore war, identity, and the contradictions of a nation.

"Ghostroots" by Pemi Aguda is a collection of twelve stories set in a reimagined Lagos, Nigeria, where the supernatural intertwines with everyday life. The tales explore themes of ancestral ties and the eerie possibility of inherited evil. From a woman who eerily resembles her deceased grandmother to a new mother facing mysterious challenges, each story delves into the uncanny. The cityscape serves as a backdrop for narratives filled with suspense and emotion, where ordinary events like market visits and family conversations are tinged with otherworldly elements.

The book delves into the landmark gender discrimination case at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) during the late 1990s, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of female scientists who fought for equality in a male-dominated academic environment. It explores the systemic biases and challenges these women faced, as well as their perseverance in advocating for change. Through personal stories and detailed accounts, the narrative sheds light on the broader implications of gender inequality in academia and the ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable landscape for future generations.

Great Expectations follows David, a young Black man, as he navigates the complexities of working on a historic presidential campaign. Drawn to the Senator's idealistic vision, David grapples with the challenges and compromises inherent in the political world. Over eighteen months, he encounters diverse individuals who prompt him to reflect on his own life, exploring themes of history, race, religion, and fatherhood. This journey leads David to a deeper understanding of his identity and role as a father in America, offering a poignant exploration of personal growth and societal issues.

In "Fi," Alexandra Fuller shares a deeply personal journey through grief and healing. Set against the backdrop of Wyoming's rugged landscape, Alexandra grapples with the loss of her 21-year-old son, Fi, while navigating the complexities of her own life. As she mourns, she reflects on past losses, including her father and her homeland of Zimbabwe, and strives to remain present for her two daughters. Her path to healing takes her from the mountains of Wyoming to a grief sanctuary in New Mexico and a meditation retreat in Canada. Through poetry, nature, and the wisdom of her childhood in Zimbabwe, Alexandra seeks solace and understanding in a world that offers no clear guide to grieving a child. Her story is a poignant exploration of loss, resilience, and the unexpected moments of humor that can arise even in the darkest times.

In "The Extinction Of Irena Rey," eight translators gather at a secluded house in a forest on the border of Belarus, tasked with translating the magnum opus of the renowned author, Irena Rey. However, their mission takes an unexpected turn when Irena mysteriously vanishes. As they delve into the forest's ancient mysteries and examine Irena's belongings for clues, the translators uncover hidden secrets about the author. Their quest becomes a tangled web of rivalries and desires, challenging their unity and threatening their work. Set against the backdrop of a primeval Polish forest, this novel explores themes of art, celebrity, and the power of language, as the characters navigate love, destruction, and creation.

In a city grappling with climate change and advanced technology, May faces the loss of her job to artificial intelligence. To help her family financially, she undergoes a procedure that makes her invisible to surveillance. Seeking a break from their tech-driven lives, May takes her family to a lush Botanical Garden, hoping for peace and connection. However, the experience is more challenging than expected, and when her children are endangered, May must rely on an unpredictable ally to protect her family. "Hum" delves into themes of family, identity, and the impact of technology in a rapidly changing world.

"My Good Bright Wolf" by Sarah Moss is a reflective memoir that delves into the complexities of childhood and the lasting impact of early experiences. Through vivid storytelling, Moss recounts her upbringing with distracted parents, supportive grandparents, and teachers who doubted her abilities. As she navigates adolescence, she grapples with a challenging relationship with food, a struggle that persists into adulthood. The memoir explores themes of privilege, scarcity, and the societal narratives surrounding women and food. Moss also examines the healthcare system's shortcomings in addressing mental health, particularly for women and minorities. With introspection and honesty, she shares her journey of self-discovery through reading, thinking, and the continuous effort to understand her own mind and body.

Melting Point reconstructs the Galveston Movement of the early 20th century, when thousands of Russian Jews were redirected to Texas to escape persecution. Using only letters, diaries, newspapers and interviews, Rachel Cockerell traces her great-grandfather David Jochelmann, Israel Zangwill and other migrants across continents and decades, exploring choices about identity, belonging and assimilation without revealing key plot details.

In "The Hypocrite," Sophia, a budding playwright, crafts a play inspired by a past vacation with her father, a once-renowned author. As the play unfolds on stage, Sophia's father realizes that she has used their shared experiences to critique the values and behaviors of his generation. Set against the backdrop of the London theater scene and a Sicilian island, the story explores the complex dynamics between a father and daughter, highlighting generational tensions and the challenge of understanding in a rapidly evolving world.

A woman returns to her hometown after a year away to look after her unpredictable mother, Moffa. Settling into a temporary sub-let, she finds herself constantly on edge, wary of the landlord's visits and curious about the other resident she has yet to meet. Her mind often wanders back to the room she left behind, now occupied by a new lodger whose imagined life intrigues her. The story explores the complexities of living arrangements and the dynamics of family and personal relationships.

Set during the pandemic, Dream Count follows four women whose lives span Nigeria and the United States: Chiamaka, a travel writer in America reckoning with past relationships; Zikora, a successful lawyer forced to confront betrayal; Omelogor, a driven cousin in Nigeria questioning her identity; and Kadiatou, a housekeeper raising her daughter while facing an unexpected crisis. Through their intersecting stories the novel explores love, choices, motherhood, and what it means to know oneself, all without revealing plot details.

"Black Folk" by Blair L.M. Kelley delves into the rich history of the Black working class in America, spanning 200 years. The book highlights the lives of everyday Black workers, from enslaved ancestors to essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. It explores the roles of laundresses, Pullman porters, domestic maids, and postal workers who became a significant force in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These workers, often confined to segregated neighborhoods, found community and resilience in shared spaces, laying the groundwork for future labor movements and civil rights. Through personal stories of her own family, Kelley illustrates the enduring spirit and vision for a better future that has driven generations of Black workers.

**The Dress Diary** by Kate Strasdin delves into the life of Mrs. Anne Sykes, a Victorian woman who documented her world through a unique textile scrapbook. Starting in 1838, Anne collected fabric snippets from various garments, each piece telling a story of her experiences and the era she lived in. Fashion historian Kate Strasdin uncovers the secrets within this diary, tracing Anne's journey from Lancashire's mills to Singapore's ports and back to England. Through these fabric fragments, readers explore Victorian society, from the intricacies of mourning customs to the impact of the British Empire and the cotton industry's human cost. This book offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of the past, revealing the stories behind the clothes we wear.

"Burn It Down" by Maureen Ryan delves into the systemic issues of harassment and bias within Hollywood. The book explores how abuse and exploitation are ingrained in the entertainment industry, highlighting the need for comprehensive change. Through fresh reporting and interviews with industry insiders, Ryan examines the broader patterns that allow such behavior to persist. She challenges the myths that Hollywood perpetuates about itself, offering insights into how these narratives enable a culture of impunity. The book provides a critical look at the entertainment world and suggests ways to foster a more accountable and equitable industry.

Set against the backdrop of Singapore's transformation from a sleepy fishing village to a bustling metropolis, this evocative narrative follows the life of a young boy with a unique gift for discovering hidden islands. As he grows up, his abilities become intertwined with the nation's ambitious land reclamation projects, reflecting the broader themes of change, loss, and the relentless march of progress. Through the lens of personal and national identity, the story explores the sacrifices and triumphs that accompany the pursuit of a modern future, capturing the essence of a rapidly evolving society.

Joan Goodwin, a thoughtful physics and astronomy professor, answers NASA’s call for women astronauts and is selected to train at Johnson Space Center. As she bonds with a diverse group of fellow candidates, Joan discovers new passions and unexpected relationships that lead her to rethink her place in the world. Atmosphere is a character-driven, emotional novel about ambition, friendship, and how life-changing experiences reshape identity.

In a world where reality and illusion intertwine, a young woman embarks on a journey of self-discovery, navigating the complexities of love, identity, and the pursuit of happiness. As she delves deeper into her own psyche, she encounters a series of enigmatic characters and surreal landscapes that challenge her perception of truth and existence. Through a blend of introspective narrative and vivid imagery, the story explores the delicate balance between the tangible and the ethereal, ultimately questioning what it means to find paradise within oneself.

Set against the backdrop of the 1970s, this poignant narrative explores the intricate dynamics of family, love, and resilience. The story follows a single mother and her three children as they navigate the challenges of life after the mother is hospitalized for severe depression. As the siblings grapple with their new reality, they are forced to confront their own identities and the bonds that hold them together. Through their journey, the novel delves into themes of mental health, societal expectations, and the enduring strength of familial ties, offering a heartfelt examination of the sacrifices and commitments that shape our lives.

Wyeth, a gay Black painter who moves from the South to New York, struggles with artist’s block while navigating the competitive Manhattan art world and working part time restoring paintings. After he meets Keating, a former seminarian, he begins to reassess how he sees people and his work, confronting questions about race, the white gaze, artistic compromise, and intimacy. The novel offers a quiet, character-driven portrait of creativity, friendship, and the challenges of making art.

After a painful long-term breakup, Melissa Febos spends a year of celibacy examining patterns in her romantic life. Blending personal narrative with reflections on historical women and communities, she explores solitude, self-worth, creativity, and how stepping away from romantic entanglement reshapes desire, relationships, and daily life.