"Shuggie Bain" is a heart-wrenching tale set in 1980s Glasgow, Scotland, centered on a young boy, Shuggie, who is struggling with his mother's deteriorating mental health and alcoholism. As he tries to navigate his own burgeoning sexuality in a harsh, unforgiving environment, he also strives to care for his mother, who is trapped in a cycle of addiction and abusive relationships. The book gives a stark portrayal of poverty, addiction, love, and the human spirit's resilience.

"A Kind of Spark" tells the story of Addie, an 11-year-old girl with autism who is determined to fight for acceptance and understanding in her small town. Inspired by the historical injustices faced by those accused of witchcraft, Addie embarks on a mission to have a memorial erected in memory of the people who were wrongfully persecuted. Through her unwavering determination, Addie not only educates her community about neurodiversity but also discovers the power of her own voice. This heartfelt and empowering novel explores themes of identity, friendship, and the importance of standing up for what is right.

"Zoo City" by Lauren Beukes is a gripping urban fantasy novel set in a gritty Johannesburg where people who have committed a crime are magically bonded with an animal familiar. The story follows Zinzi December, a former journalist with a sloth on her back, as she becomes embroiled in a dangerous mystery involving a missing pop star and a dark conspiracy that threatens her newfound stability. With its unique blend of crime, magic, and social commentary, "Zoo City" explores themes of redemption, identity, and the consequences of our actions in a captivating and thought-provoking way.

"The Deadman's Pedal" is a coming-of-age novel set in a small Scottish town in the 1970s. It follows the life of Simon Crimmons, a young trainee signalman who becomes infatuated with a local girl, Nikki, and finds himself caught up in the complexities of adult relationships and the harsh realities of working-class life. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the struggle to find one's place in a changing world, painting a vivid picture of a community on the brink of transformation.

"Deep Wheel Orcadia" by Harry Josephine Giles is a speculative fiction novel set in a future where climate change has ravaged the world. The story follows the protagonist, a young woman named Jo, as she navigates the post-apocalyptic landscape of Orcadia, a floating city made up of interconnected wheels. Jo becomes involved in a rebellion against the oppressive ruling class, discovering secrets about the city's history and her own identity along the way. Through themes of power, resistance, and personal growth, the novel explores the complexities of a society on the brink of collapse and the resilience of the human spirit.

This novel delves into the lives of a white South African family over several decades, tracing the country's transition from apartheid to democracy. At the heart of the story is a broken promise made to Salome, a black woman who works for the family, to gift her a house. This unfulfilled commitment serves as a metaphor for the broader societal promises of justice and equity that remain unkept. Through the lens of one family's complex dynamics, betrayals, and secrets, the narrative explores themes of guilt, racial tensions, and the struggle for redemption, reflecting on the challenges of reconciling with the past in a changing South Africa.

This novel is a gripping thriller that intertwines the lives of a time-traveling serial killer and one of his survivors, who is determined to bring him to justice. Set against the backdrop of Depression-era Chicago, the narrative follows the killer as he uses a mysterious house to travel through time and target young women with bright futures—his "shining girls." After one victim survives a brutal attack, she embarks on a relentless quest to find her assailant, uncovering a trail of similar murders stretching across decades. The story masterfully blends elements of crime, horror, and science fiction, creating a chilling and suspenseful tale of resilience and retribution.