Daniel José Older

Experience the chaos of 1920s Shanghai, where two rival gangs are locked in a bloody feud. Juliette Cai, heir to the Scarlet Gang, must face her first love and former betrayer, Roma Montagov, heir to the White Flowers, as a mysterious contagion threatens their city. This heart-stopping debut, perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane, is a thrilling Romeo and Juliet retelling set in an imaginative 1920s Shanghai world.

This Booker Prize-winning novel by Michael Ondaatje takes readers to an abandoned Italian villa at the end of World War II, where the lives of four damaged individuals intersect in unexpected ways. This haunting story follows the nurse Hana, the thief Caravaggio, the Indian sapper Kip, and the nameless English patient as they grapple with their own traumas and search for meaning amidst chaos and destruction. A beautifully crafted and thought-provoking read.

This extraordinary memoir follows a bestselling author's journey towards self-discovery through candid letters addressed to friends, lovers, and family. Through the turmoil of relationships and transformative decisions, the author unveils the harrowing yet resolute truths of their own life. This book is as tender as it is brutal, and is animated by the same voracious intelligence that distinguishes their fiction. Electrifying and inspiring, Dear Senthuran is a revelatory account of storytelling, self, and survival.

A riveting debut fantasy novel that explores the godly ancestry of a Black teen from Houston. With evil threatening both the human and divine worlds, the protagonist must embrace her true identity and magical powers to save her neighborhood and loved ones. Fans of Angie Thomas, Tomi Adeyemi, and The Hunger Games will love this emotionally charged read.

"The Cross of Redemption" is a thought-provoking collection by James Baldwin featuring essays, articles, reviews, and interviews that have never before been published. Baldwin was a literary genius who fearlessly tackled issues of race, religion, and national identity. This book covers Baldwin's views on various topics such as anti-Semitism, African-American presidency, boxing, and the role of a writer in society. An essential read for anyone seeking profound insight on issues that continue to shape our world today.

This stunning novel follows the story of a family struggling to come to terms with the death of their son, Vivek, who they never really knew. As the story unfolds, we learn about Vivek's gentle and mysterious spirit, his disorienting blackouts, and his bond with his cousin Osita. The novel explores themes of family, friendship, loss, and transcendence, culminating in a heart-stopping act of violence. With unforgettable characters and beautiful writing, The Death of Vivek Oji is a propulsively readable and moving story.

"Dangerous magic and historical exploration meet in this dazzling and daring novel set against the backdrop of 1940s New York City. Follow a girl from Harlem as she navigates the glittering underworld of Manhattan, using her knives to strike fear in the most dangerous denizens. But her past haunts her, and when history threatens her loved ones, she must sacrifice everything to save her community. A brilliant and deeply American saga, Trouble the Saints is a must-read for lovers of magical love stories and compelling chronicles of interracial tension."