Fans of smart young women with complicated family dynamics who are driven by love and honor to solve mysteries and catch murderers should try this novel about a young nurse named Hyeon, set in and around the royal palace in 1758 Joseon (Korea).

The political is personal and vice versa in this novel that follows the dissolution of an affair during the collapse of the German Democratic Republic. Erpenbeck expertly examines themes of hope, obsession, and loss. This is one of the best books I've read in my life.

This debut novel is a fun supernatural romance set at the Jersey Shore. When a spell goes awry, a witch and a merman find themselves thrown together in a series of unexpected events that lead to romance. The perfect escape from reality with a magical happy ending.

This is a substantial look at writer and illustrator Edward Gorey, detailing both his life and his works, and especially his relationships with other people. It's a strong attempt to know someone who desperately wanted NOT to be known.

This fantasy novella is set in an alternate New Orleans, where air pirates roam the skies and the Haitian Revolution was won with the magic of West African gods. A quick read in a fascinating setting--I'm hoping the author writes LOTS of sequels.

A look back at 50 years of hip-hop from a member of The Roots and the director of Summer of Soul. Questlove grew up alongside hip-hop and this history is personal, informative, and fun to read.

A blend of memoir and cultural investigation that takes readers on a deep dive into the world of blindness. As he confronts his own gradual but progressive vision-loss, Leland explores the rich culture and community of blindness that is often invisible to the seeing world.

A feverish and surreal manga interpretation of Kafka's work, this slim and slightly claustrophobic book is both a dizzying visual translation and a translation (into English from Japanese) or a translation (of the original German into Japanese.)