The Hero of This Book by Elizabeth McCracken
A New England-based writer travels to London to reflect on her mother, who recently died. McCracken’s book is written as fiction but veers close to memoir, as it mirrors much of the author’s own experiences with her mom. The Hero of This Book, named one of the most highly anticipated books of October by sources like LitHub, BookPage, and Publishers Weekly, delivers gorgeous prose in an original style that defies genres.
Breathless by David Quammen
The pandemic changed the world forever, but our understanding of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 infections, is still evolving. Quammen’s (The Tangled Tree) reporting is one of the most comprehensive yet, based on copious research and nearly 100 interviews with scientists and virologists. Breathless looks back to the virus’ start (earlier than most of us realize) and also to a future where it continues to adapt and spread (though perhaps not as virulently as the original). Free of politics, this scientific deep dive is educational and engrossing.
The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera
This prequel to Silvera’s They Both Die at the End (a favorite among YA fans and critics) travels back to the initial launch of Death-Cast — a technology that alerts people on the day of their death. Chronically ill Orion Pagan meets up-and-coming model Valentino Prince on Death-Cast’s opening day, but a single phone call changes everything. One may be living their final hours, but the two are determined to spend them together.
Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese
In Hester, Albanese imagines Nathaniel Hawthorne’s inspiration for his classic The Scarlet Letter. Seamstress Isobel Gamble emigrates from Scotland to Salem, Massachusetts in the early 19th century, where her creativity and independent nature make many enemies and one friend — Hawthorne. Albanese uses their evolving relationship to explore how American “freedom” is often limited to a select few, and how women’s idiosyncrasies are used against them.
Making a Scene by Constance Wu
In a memoir-in-essays, Wu, an actress best known for her roles in Fresh Off the Boat and Crazy Rich Asians, reflects on her journey from a girlhood of “fitting in” in Richmond, Virginia, to making plenty of scenes (on and off screen) in Hollywood. In straightforward and sometimes self-deprecating prose, Wu addresses Asian American stereotypes, on-set sexual harassment, and how acting enabled her to find her voice and sense of self.
American Midnight by Adam Hochschild
America’s entry into the First World War marked a tumultuous period of the nation’s history marred by xenophobia and civil rights violations. Rather than stopping it, government leaders like J. Edgar Hoover only fanned the flames of violence and injustice. Hochschild, esteemed historian and author (King Leopold's Ghost, Bury the Chains), recounts the chaos eloquently and confidently, driving home that democracy is fragile and should never be taken for granted.
The Night Ship by Jess Kidd
In 1629, precocious young Mayken sets sail aboard the Batavia to meet her father in the Dutch East Indies. In 1989, Gil joins his grandfather in a small fishing village off the coast of Western Australia — the site of the famed Batavia shipwreck centuries before and said to be haunted by a young girl. Kidd (Things in Jars) weaves and intersects their stories, adeptly bringing two eras to life from childlike perspectives. Danger, adventure, and the power of friendship abound in this entrancing work of historical fiction based on a real shipwreck.
The Revivalists by Christopher M. Hood
In an America ravaged by climate change and a devastating flu, married couple Bill and Penelope work hard to rebuild their lives. But when their daughter joins a radical cult, they must leave their newfound stability to rescue her, facing a treacherous journey from New York to California. This speculative family saga offers social commentary along with post-apocalyptic adventure, all to the hopeful tune of a family who will not be broken, even if the rest of the world most certainly is.
Miss del Río by Bárbara Mujica
Travel back to the Golden Age of both Hollywood and Mexican cinema in this biographical novel about Dolores del Río — popularly known as “Miss del Río,” the first Latinx actress in American film. Mujica (Frida) tells del Río’s story from the perspective of the star’s hair stylist, who witnessed del Río’s rise to fame and temporary fall from grace during war times. Readers also bear witness to del Río’s tumultuous personal life, but her struggles never succeed in snuffing out her brilliance.
Chip War by Chris Miller
The rise of technology and the IoT (internet of things) means more devices than ever are controlled by microchips. It’s no longer just computers and smartphones, but also cars, home appliances, solar panels, and more. In short, the world runs on chips. For years, America led in microchip innovation and advancement, but China is gaining ground. Miller explores the policies, both governmental and corporate, that led to the U.S. losing its lead, as well as the economic and political fallout we can expect if nothing changes.
Cruz by Nicolas Ferraro
In northern Argentina, Tomás Cruz refuses to live a life of crime like his incarcerated father, Samuel, and his older brother, Seba. But when Seba is arrested, Tomás must delve into the dark cartel world to save his niece and sister-in-law, potentially losing his sense of morality in the process. Ferraro’s thrilling crime noir explores the dark choices we make — and the lies we tell ourselves — in the name of family.
Man Made Monsters by Andrea L. Rogers
This collection of morbidly beautiful YA stories flows from the 19th century to a speculative future, following one Cherokee family through time. Rogers (a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) draws parallels between human and monstrous villains, from colonizers to vampires, in a haunting family saga readers won’t soon forget.
Down and Out in Paradise by Charles Leerhsen
Anthony Bourdain’s (World Travel, Kitchen Confidential) suicide in 2018 left a major void in the travel and culinary worlds. Leerhsen explores the life of the late chef, including working his way up in NYC kitchens and creating hit TV shows like No Reservations and Parts Unknown. Based on interviews with people who knew Bourdain, Leerhsen also speculates on his mental health in those final months as well as his fraught relationship with Asia Argento. Though brash and fast paced (just like its subject), this unauthorized biography reflects the deep well of emotions Bourdain inspired in us all.
Nerd by Maya Phillips
Phillips, writer and arts critic for The New York Times, offers an entertaining essay collection reminiscing over 1990s pop culture (Saturday morning cartoons anyone?) and flowing into present day mega universes like Marvel and Star Wars. Her sharp observations and cultural criticisms cover the evolution of fandom, lack of diversity in media, and how “nerdy” interests shaped her coming of age.
The Visible Unseen by Andrea Chapela
The Visible Unseen is a thought-provoking essay collection rooted in the clash between science and the arts. Using the concepts of reflections and light — particularly mirrors — Chapela discusses perception versus reality, a topic that hits home in both scientific and creative endeavors (the author’s two passions). Chapela was named one of Granta’s Best Young Spanish-Language Novelists in 2021.
Brown Enough by Christopher Rivas
Rivas, an actor (Call Me Kat), academic, and podcaster (Rubirosa), explores Hollywood, race, and the nuances of American culture in his literary debut. Thoughtful, intelligent, and vulnerable, Brown Enough is a memoir about life on the fringe — not white, not Black, not quite fitting in anywhere, but putting oneself out there nonetheless. Rivas’ experiences are relatable to anyone who’s ever fought to find their own identity.
Quitting by Keith Boykin
Boykin has quit unfulfilling jobs and let go of harmful mentalities long before these concepts became part of what's now referred to as the Great Resignation. And he wants you to know that it's okay if you, too, decide to call it quits on what doesn't suit you. This Scribd Original highlights Boykin's journey in moving away from high-profile, lucrative jobs to put his personal freedom first.
The Last Chairlift by John Irving
Likened to Dickens by both Time and The New York Times, Irving (The Cider House Rules) writes his first novel in seven years. Part family saga, part ghost story, it covers legacy, sexual identity, and acceptance. In search of the father he’s never met, writer Adam Brewster visits the ski resort in Aspen, Colorado, where he was conceived in 1941. The novel unspools Adam’s life from infancy to adulthood, as well as his mother’s journey as a single mother and lesbian during a less tolerant time.
README.txt by Chelsea Manning
In 2013, Manning, a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst, was sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks. President Obama commuted her sentence in 2017. In this highly anticipated memoir, Manning opens up about her childhood, military career, and life as a trans woman. README.txt covers her decision to leak military documents and why, but it also goes much deeper into the life of a woman who has faced many challenges and came out on the other side stronger and more self-actualized.
How Am I Doing? by Dr. Corey Yeager
It’s easy to plow ahead with our goals without stopping to consider who we truly are and what we want. How Am I Doing? can change that. Yeager, a psychotherapist for the Detroit Pistons, poses 40 questions that help us reflect on our mindset, habits, and desires. These inner conversations can offer just the clarity we need to realign our actions and feelings, putting us one step closer to fulfillment.
The Song of the Cell by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Mukherjee, a Pulitzer-winning author, physician, and biologist, already offers deep dives on cancer (The Emperor of All Maladies) and genetics (The Gene). Now, he turns his attention to those tiny units of matter that make up all living things: cells. This fascinating study unites history and scientific research, covering the discovery of the cell, the resulting scientific advancements, and the near-endless potential that cells offer for future medical breakthroughs. Mukherjee’s jargon-free prose is accessible to all.
Uphill by Jemele Hill
In Hill’s unflinching memoir, the journalist and former ESPN broadcaster speaks of a childhood rooted in poverty and parental substance abuse, finding her calling through writing, and the milestones — and controversies — of her career, including backlash she received after calling out Trump on Twitter. The result is a passionate exploration of discovering one’s values and sticking to them.
Ghost Town by Kevin Chen
Keith Chen, a gay man who left his native Taiwan to live openly in Berlin, returns home after serving a decade-long prison sentence for murdering his boyfriend. The why and how of the crime are slowly revealed through snapshots of past and present, seen through the eyes of Keith as well as the sisters he’s reunited with in Taiwan. Chen builds a dark atmosphere of desperation and longing in a family saga that explores the idea of ghosts, both literal and figurative.
The Seven Circles by Chelsey Luger and Thosh Collins
Enhance your mind and body through practices derived from Native American philosophies laid out in this book. Luger and Collins, a married couple who founded indigenous wellness brand Well for Culture, explain their families’ ancestral teachings on key lifestyle elements, which work in harmony with one another. Touching on spirituality, physical health, and gratitude, the authors offer valuable insight on how non-Native readers can incorporate these practices without appropriating them.
Anywhere You Run by Wanda M. Morris
In Jim Crow-era Deep South, two Black sisters flee their home in Mississippi. Violet hides out in Georgia after killing a white man that assaulted her, while her older sister Marigold, pregnant and unwed, heads north to avoid social ostracization. But an unknown pursuer gains ground on both, threatening the futures they’re trying to build (and their very lives). Thrilling in tone and rooted in history, Anywhere You Run more than measures up to Morris’ popular 2021 debut, All Her Little Secrets.
A Touch of Moonlight by Yaffa S. Santos
Santos follows her savory debut, A Taste of Sage, with a sweet tale bursting with Dominican folklore and delectable baked goods (recipes included). Meet Larimar Cintrón: punk rock lover, corporate ladder climber, and, secretly, a ciguapa — a mythical creature that transforms every full moon. When Larimar falls for local bakery owner Ray Concepción, she must decide whether she can reveal her true self. A Touch of Moonlight is made richer through Dominican culture and themes of self-love and belonging.
Strike the Zither by Joan He
He (The Ones We’re Meant to Find) reimagines the Chinese classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms in this YA series opener. In 414 during the Xin Dynasty, Zephyr, a brilliant 18-year-old strategist, supports warlordess Xin Ren’s claim to the throne, placing herself at the heart of dangerous political terrority to secure Xin Ren’s victory. He’s world-building skills shine in this fast paced, tightly knit tale about an ambitious young woman determined to change the fate of her continent.
New books are a beautiful thing, but so are newish books. It’s never too late to read Scribd’s Best New Books from past months.
About the Author: Lanie Pemberton
Lanie is a San Diego-based freelance writer with many Scribd Snapshots and recommended reading lists under her belt. She loves reading about animals and the natural world, with plenty of murder mysteries peppered in. When she needs a break from writing and reading, Lanie can be found taking long walks under the SoCal sun, usually alongside her husband and pampered pittie, Peach.
