The novel follows the life of Sir Edward Feathers, a successful but emotionally stunted barrister, who is known by the nickname "Old Filth" (Failed in London, Try Hong Kong). The protagonist's life is traced from his birth in Malaya, his upbringing in Wales, to his successful law career in Hong Kong, and retirement in England. The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and the lasting effects of the British Empire, while revealing the personal history and emotional landscape of a man who has spent his life avoiding introspection and emotional connections.

"A Mercy" by Toni Morrison is a historical fiction novel set in the late 17th century in America. The story follows a young slave girl named Florens who is sold by her mother to a Dutch trader in exchange for a debt. Florens is then taken to a plantation in Virginia where she becomes part of a diverse group of women, including a Native American, a white indentured servant, and the plantation owner's wife. The novel explores themes of race, gender, and power dynamics as the women navigate their relationships with each other and the harsh realities of life in colonial America.

The novel follows the life of twin brothers born from a secret union between an Indian nun and a British surgeon in Ethiopia. Their mother dies during childbirth and their father disappears, leaving them to be raised by two doctors at the mission hospital where they were born. The story spans several decades and continents, and explores themes of love, betrayal, medicine, and the complexity of family ties. One of the brothers, a gifted surgeon, flees to America after a political revolution in Ethiopia, while the other remains and struggles with the challenges of practicing medicine in a developing country.

"The Great Believers" by Rebecca Makkai is a powerful novel that tells the story of two interconnected groups of people: a group of gay men in 1980s Chicago during the height of the AIDS epidemic, and a woman in 2015 who is searching for her estranged daughter in Paris. The novel explores themes of love, loss, friendship, and the devastating impact of the AIDS crisis. Makkai's writing is both heartbreaking and hopeful, and she skillfully weaves together the two timelines to create a poignant and unforgettable story.

The novel follows the life of Count Alexander Rostov, an aristocrat who is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin, by a Bolshevik tribunal during the early years of Soviet Russia. Despite the vast historical changes occurring outside the hotel's walls, the Count lives a life of intellectual exploration, emotional discovery, and surprising personal growth within the confines of the luxurious establishment. Over the decades, his reduced circumstances provide a lens through which to observe the tumultuous events of mid-20th century Russia, as he befriends staff and guests, raises a spirited young girl who comes into his care, and adapts to his new reality with grace and wit.

This novel tells the story of a young Sudanese girl, Zuleika, who is married off at the age of 11 to a rich, older Roman businessman in Londinium, 211 AD. Despite the luxuries her marriage affords her, Zuleika feels trapped and yearns for real love and freedom. The narrative takes a turn when she meets and falls in love with the Roman Emperor, a relationship that brings her joy but also puts her in grave danger. The book is a vivid portrayal of ancient Rome, with its mix of cultures, and explores themes of love, freedom, and the struggles of a woman in a patriarchal society.

Set in a remote English village over a seven-day period, "Harvest" tells the story of a community on the brink of inevitable change. The village's way of life is threatened when three outsiders set up camp on the outskirts, and a fire at the manor house leads to suspicion and blame. As the villagers grapple with the intrusion and the resulting chaos, the imminent enclosure of the common land looms, signaling the end of the agrarian lifestyle they've always known.

"Hamnet" is a deeply moving and beautifully written historical novel that reimagines the life of a young boy, Hamnet, who is the son of a glovemaker in Stratford-upon-Avon. The boy tragically dies at the age of 11, which leaves a profound impact on his family, particularly his father, who is inspired to write one of the world's most famous plays. The narrative alternates between the time leading up to Hamnet's death and the aftermath, providing an intimate portrait of grief, love, and the power of art.

"The Time of Our Singing" is a complex narrative that follows the lives of a mixed-race family in America from the 1930s to the 1990s. The family, born from the union of a black woman and a Jewish man, grapples with racial identity, familial bonds, and the power of music. The story is told through the perspective of one of the sons, a talented singer, and delves into themes of race, identity, and the struggle for civil rights in America.

The novella captures the life of Robert Grainier, a day laborer in the American West during the early 20th century. Through a series of vignettes, it traces Grainier's experiences from his work on railroads and bridges to his personal tragedies, including the loss of his family and the profound changes in his way of life. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly transforming America, the narrative delves into themes of isolation, the ruggedness of the frontier, and the impact of industrialization on the natural world and the human soul. Grainier's story is one of quiet endurance and the haunting beauty of the landscape amidst the relentless march of time.

"Tree of Smoke" is a war novel that explores the chaos, violence, and moral ambiguity of the Vietnam War. The story follows a diverse cast of characters, including a CIA operative, a young soldier, and a pair of missionaries, all of whom are trying to navigate the uncertainties and horrors of the war. The novel delves into themes of faith, fate, and the human capacity for both good and evil, offering a gritty and complex portrait of a turbulent period in history.

In this Regency-era romance, a young woman of marriageable age faces societal pressures to find a suitable match. When she forms a pact with a charming and rebellious duke, they agree to a ruse of courtship to stave off the advances of other suitors and meddling family members. However, as they navigate the complexities of their faux engagement, they find themselves drawn to each other in unexpected ways, challenging their initial intentions and leading them to confront the possibility of a genuine and deep-seated love. Their story is a dance of wit, romance, and the intricate social mores of high society, revealing that the path to true love is seldom straightforward.

This novel explores the complex relationship between a Chinese-American woman and her immigrant mother, who is suffering from dementia. As the mother's condition worsens, her daughter discovers a manuscript written in Chinese that reveals her mother's traumatic past and the true identity of her grandmother - a renowned bonesetter in China. The narrative oscillates between contemporary San Francisco and early 20th century China, illustrating the enduring power of family bonds, the weight of cultural heritage, and the profound impact of past events on present lives.

"Deacon King Kong" by James McBride is a novel set in 1969 Brooklyn, where a drunken Deacon Sportcoat shoots a drug dealer named Deems Clemens in the courtyard of the Cause Houses housing project. The shooting sets off a chain of events that brings together a cast of characters from the neighborhood, including a young drug dealer, a church-going widow, a corrupt cop, and a group of elderly church women. Through their perspectives, McBride explores themes of race, religion, and community in a vibrant and humorous tale.

The novel centers on a group of American military wives stationed with their husbands at an Air Force base in England during the 1950s. It follows their lives, friendships, and the challenges they face as they navigate cultural differences, personal dreams, and the shifting social landscape of the 20th century. Despite the varied paths their lives take over the years, the women share a bond that endures through love affairs, family strife, and societal changes, capturing the essence of an era and the enduring power of friendship.

"The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois" is a multi-generational family saga that explores the complexities of race, identity, and history through the experiences of Ailey Pearl Garfield. As a young woman, Ailey is haunted by the legacy of her family's slave-owning past and struggles to reconcile her own sense of self with the expectations of her community. Along the way, she uncovers the stories of her ancestors, including the famed civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois, and grapples with the enduring impact of racism in America. With lyrical prose and a rich cast of characters, Honoree Fanonne Jeffers' novel is a powerful meditation on the enduring power of love and the search for belonging in a divided world.

Set at the turn of the 19th century on the artificial island of Dejima in Nagasaki Harbor, the novel follows a young Dutch clerk who arrives with the East India Company to make his fortune. Amidst the strict trade confines between Japan and the outside world, he encounters a complex web of relationships, power struggles, and cultural exchanges. His life becomes intertwined with that of a beautiful, yet disfigured Japanese midwife, leading to a forbidden love affair that defies the era's rigid boundaries. As he navigates through corruption, intrigue, and the clash of civilizations, the protagonist's integrity and loyalty are put to the test in a story that explores themes of isolation, connection, and the passage of time.

The book is a poignant tale of two French sisters during World War II who face the brutal German occupation of France in their own unique ways. While one sister joins the Resistance, risking her life to save others, the other struggles to maintain her family's home and protect her daughter, showcasing the resilience and strength of women under the shadow of war. Their paths are fraught with danger, moral complexity, and heartbreaking sacrifices, as they each fight for love, freedom, and survival against the backdrop of a world torn apart by conflict.

"The Terror" is a historical fiction and horror novel that follows the ill-fated Franklin Expedition. The crew of two British Royal Navy ships are trapped in the Arctic ice, where they face not only the harsh environmental conditions but also a mysterious and brutal monster that stalks them in the endless night. The novel combines historical and survival themes with supernatural horror, creating a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere.

This novel is a powerful exploration of the life of a Native American community in the 1950s, focusing on a determined night watchman who fights against a Congressional effort to dispossess his people of their land. Inspired by the author's own grandfather, the story weaves together the lives of several characters, each navigating personal and collective struggles amidst the backdrop of historical injustices. Through a narrative that blends the spiritual with the political, the book not only portrays the resilience and complexity of its characters but also offers a poignant critique of the policies that sought to undermine Native American identity and sovereignty.

The novel is a poignant historical fiction set during World War II, which follows the intertwining fates of four young people from different nations and backgrounds as they desperately flee the advancing Soviet army in East Prussia. Their paths converge en route to the ill-fated Wilhelm Gustloff, a German evacuation ship that promises salvation from the encroaching war. The narrative, rich in detail and emotion, explores themes of guilt, redemption, and survival, while bringing to light one of the most tragic and little-known maritime disasters in history. Through their harrowing journey, the characters confront the brutal realities of war and the impact of their choices amidst a world torn apart by conflict.

"Code Name Verity" is a gripping historical fiction novel set during World War II. The story follows two best friends, a British spy and a pilot, as they navigate the dangerous world of espionage and warfare. When their plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France, their friendship and loyalty are tested as they face interrogation, betrayal, and the harsh realities of war. Through alternating perspectives and a complex web of secrets, the book explores themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the enduring power of friendship.

"Shell Shaker" is a compelling narrative that intertwines the lives of two Choctaw families separated by centuries. The story oscillates between the 18th century, where Red Shoes, a respected leader, becomes embroiled in a murder that threatens to ignite war among the Choctaw, and the late 20th century, where his descendants grapple with a similar crisis of political intrigue and murder. The novel explores themes of power, betrayal, and redemption, weaving Choctaw history and spirituality through a multigenerational tale that reflects on the enduring impact of ancestry and the inextricable connections between the past and present.

"Property" by Valerie Martin is a thought-provoking novel set in the 19th century American South, where the institution of slavery is deeply ingrained. The story follows the complex relationship between Manon, a white plantation mistress, and Sarah, her mulatto slave. Through their contrasting perspectives, the book explores themes of power, race, and identity, shedding light on the harsh realities of slavery and the inherent cruelty of human ownership.

In the novel, two boys, Stephen and Keith, live in a quiet English suburb during World War II. Keith's mother becomes the object of their spy games when they suspect her of being a German spy. As the boys delve deeper into their espionage, they uncover secrets that change their understanding of their families, their neighborhood, and themselves. The story is a poignant exploration of childhood innocence, friendship, and the loss of innocence that comes with knowledge.