"Light" is a science fiction novel that intertwines three narrative threads, two set in 2400 AD and one in 1999. The story follows a scientist who discovers the principles of faster-than-light travel, a space pilot genetically modified to interact with a strange alien artifact, and a serial killer who sees a strange pattern in everything. As the narratives unfold, they eventually converge in a distant part of the galaxy, revealing a universe filled with strange life forms and advanced technologies.

In a sprawling steampunk metropolis teeming with bizarre creatures and arcane technologies, a gifted scientist unwittingly unleashes a nightmare upon the city. When his experiment with a rare caterpillar goes awry, monstrous, dream-eating moths are set loose, preying upon the citizens' minds and plunging the city into terror. As the scientist grapples with the consequences of his actions, a motley group of individuals, including a renegade artist, a wingless bird-man, and other outcasts, come together in a desperate attempt to save their city from the eldritch horrors that now haunt its shadowy streets. Their journey takes them through the city's various layers, from the opulent heights to the grimy depths, revealing the complex tapestry of cultures and conflicts that define this urban labyrinth.

"The Places In Between" is a memoir by Rory Stewart about his journey on foot across Afghanistan in 2002, shortly after the fall of the Taliban. He travels from Herat to Kabul, encountering a variety of people and landscapes along the way. The book provides a unique insight into the culture and history of Afghanistan, as well as the challenges faced by the country in the aftermath of war. Stewart's writing is both lyrical and informative, making for a compelling read.

The book revolves around the life of a 15-year-old boy, Vernon Little, living in a small town in Texas. After a horrific school shooting where his best friend kills 16 of their classmates before committing suicide, Vernon becomes the prime suspect. With the media and law enforcement on his tail, he attempts to escape to Mexico, resulting in a series of unfortunate events and dark comedic situations. The narrative is a biting satire of America's obsession with fame and the justice system.

"Home Fire" is a contemporary reimagining of Sophocles' Antigone set against the backdrop of modern-day London and Syria. The novel explores the lives of five characters caught in a complex web of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. The story revolves around two British-Pakistani families, each struggling with their own dilemmas related to identity, radicalism, and loyalty. One family is headed by a powerful politician who disowns his jihadist son, while the other consists of three orphaned siblings whose lives are turned upside down when their brother is accused of joining ISIS. The novel explores the consequences of their actions, questioning the extent to which one can go for love and loyalty.

The novel explores the life and thoughts of a successful comedian who, disillusioned with the superficiality and decay of human relationships in a hedonistic society, becomes involved with a cult that seeks immortality through cloning and genetic manipulation. As the narrative alternates between the comedian's experiences and the reflections of his future cloned descendants, it delves into themes of existential despair, the search for meaning, and the consequences of eternal life. The story weaves a bleak and satirical tapestry of humanity's obsession with youth, sex, and death, ultimately questioning the very nature of human progress and happiness.

"The Power" by Naomi Alderman is a speculative fiction novel that imagines a world where women develop the ability to produce electrical shocks from their bodies, giving them a newfound physical power over men. The novel follows the lives of four characters as they navigate this new reality and the societal and political upheaval that comes with it. Through their experiences, the book explores themes of gender, power, and the corrupting nature of authority.

"Autumn" is a post-Brexit novel revolving around the deep and complex friendship between an old man, Daniel, and a young woman, Elisabeth. Set in the United Kingdom, the story unfolds as Daniel lies in a care home slipping in and out of consciousness, and Elisabeth visits him, reading to him and reflecting on their shared past. The narrative weaves between the past and present, exploring themes of time, art, love, and political upheaval. It is a meditation on a world growing ever more bordered and exclusive, on what richness and worth are, on what harvest means.

"H Is For Hawk" is a memoir by Helen MacDonald about her experiences training a goshawk named Mabel after the sudden death of her father. MacDonald reflects on her grief and the challenges of training a wild bird while also delving into the history of falconry and the life of T.H. White, the author of "The Once and Future King" who also trained a goshawk. The book explores themes of loss, nature, and the complexities of human-animal relationships.

"Darkmans" is a contemporary novel set in Ashford, Kent, that intertwines the lives of several characters including a father and son, a chiropractor, a mysterious European woman, and the spirit of a 15th-century court jester. The narrative explores themes of history, identity, sanity, and the power of unconscious forces, while the presence of the jester serves as a mischievous symbol of the past's persistent intrusion into the present. The novel's complex structure, dark humor, and detailed characterizations contribute to a surreal, unsettling atmosphere.

This novel follows the lives of two biracial girls who dream of becoming professional dancers. Although they both have talent, only one of them has the ambition to pursue it. As their lives diverge, one girl becomes a personal assistant to a pop star while the other lives a life of relative obscurity. The narrative explores themes of race, class, friendship, and identity, weaving a story that spans decades and continents.

In this satirical fantasy novel, a notorious con artist is given a second chance at life by being forced to revive the defunct Ankh-Morpork Post Office. As the new Postmaster, he must contend with outdated mail systems, a haunted post office, and the competition from a powerful, unscrupulous clacks communication company. Using his wits and a motley crew of postal employees, he embarks on a madcap journey to restore the postal service, outmaneuver the corporate villains, and ultimately redefine the meaning of communication in a city teeming with magic and mayhem.

"GB84" by David Peace is a gripping novel set during the 1984-1985 miners' strike in Britain. The story follows the lives of various characters, including union leaders, miners, and government officials, as they navigate the brutal and violent clash between the National Union of Mineworkers and the Conservative government. With its intense portrayal of the social, political, and economic turmoil of the time, the book offers a raw and realistic depiction of the struggles faced by both the striking miners and those in power.

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 novel is a profound contemplation of life as seen through the eyes of two female protagonists: a 54-year-old concierge and a precocious 12-year-old girl, both living in the same upscale Parisian apartment building. The concierge, who conceals her intelligence and passion for literature and philosophy from the wealthy tenants, and the girl, who plans to commit suicide on her 13th birthday due to her disillusionment with the world, form an unlikely friendship. Their lives are forever changed when a wealthy Japanese man moves into the building.

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 protagonist, a middle-aged man, returns to his childhood home for a funeral and is drawn to the farm at the end of the road where he encounters a pond that was once an ocean in his childhood memories. He recalls a series of strange and terrifying events that occurred when he was seven, involving the mystical Hempstock women who live on the farm and their battle against malevolent supernatural entities that threatened his existence. The book explores themes of memory, magic, and the darkness that lies beneath the surface of everyday life.

"Midnight In Chernobyl" is a non-fiction book that tells the story of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The book provides a detailed account of the events leading up to the explosion, the immediate aftermath, and the long-term effects of the disaster. It also explores the political and social context of Soviet Ukraine at the time, and the impact that the disaster had on the country and the world. The book draws on interviews with survivors, officials, and experts, as well as archival documents and scientific research, to provide a comprehensive and compelling narrative of one of the worst nuclear accidents in history.

"Bold As Love" by Gwyneth Jones is a science fiction novel set in a near-future Britain that has been ravaged by climate change and political unrest. The story follows a rock band called Bold As Love, led by charismatic and enigmatic Ax Preston, as they navigate through a post-apocalyptic world. With themes of love, revolution, and the power of music, the book explores the band's journey to bring hope and change to a society on the brink of collapse.

A young, innocent college student interviews a handsome, enigmatic billionaire for her campus newspaper and soon finds herself drawn into his world of dominance and submission. As she navigates the unfamiliar territory of BDSM, she must also grapple with her own desires and the emotional complexities of their unconventional relationship. This erotic romance novel explores themes of power, control, and the nature of love and desire.

"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.

This charming novella explores the whimsical scenario in which the Queen of England becomes an avid reader, a hobby that begins quite by accident when she stumbles upon a mobile library parked at Buckingham Palace. Her newfound passion for books leads her on a journey of self-discovery, changing her outlook on life and her role as a monarch. As her reading list grows, so does her questioning of the status quo, much to the dismay of her courtiers. The narrative humorously and poignantly examines the transformative power of literature and its ability to inspire introspection, empathy, and an insatiable curiosity about the world.

A 15-year-old New Yorker is sent to live with her eccentric British cousins on a remote farm in England, where she falls in love with her cousin. Their idyllic summer is shattered when war breaks out and the country falls under martial law. The protagonist must learn to survive in this brutal new world, while also grappling with love, loss, and the complexities of adolescence.

"Anansi Boys" is a fantastical novel that follows the life of Fat Charlie Nancy, a mild-mannered man who is shocked to discover that his estranged father was the African spider god, Anansi. After his father's death, Fat Charlie's life is turned upside down when he meets his charming and charismatic brother, Spider, who has inherited their father's powers. As Spider begins to wreak havoc on Fat Charlie's life, the two brothers embark on a wild adventure through the spirit world, encountering gods, ghosts, and other supernatural beings along the way. With humor, heart, and a touch of magic, "Anansi Boys" is a thrilling and imaginative tale about family, identity, and the power of storytelling.

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.