You Can’t Be Serious by Kal Penn
From the onscreen stoner Kumar on a White Castle quest to an IRL role in the White House as an aide during Obama’s presidency, Penn shares his life story in this funny, poignant memoir.
Both/And by Huma Abedin
Abedin first captured the public’s attention as Hillary Rodham Clinton’s trusted advisor, helping guide the senator, two-time presidential candidate, and Secretary of State through high-leverage situations. She was also blindsided by her then-husband former congressman Anthony Weiner’s sexting scandal. In this deeply revealing memoir, Abedin takes center stage to tell her own story, one that is surprising and deeply personal.
Blue-Skinned Gods by SJ Sindu
Born in India with blue skin, Kalki is worshipped as the reincarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. But when Kalki’s manipulative dad sets up an ashram to profit off his son’s divine reputation, doubts drive Kalki into New York City’s rock and roll underworld. Roxane Gay calls Sindu’s coming-of-age novel “heart breaking and exhilarating.”
Wild Tongues Can’t be Tamed edited by Saraciea J. Fennell
Fifteen wild tongues, wandering hearts, and worldly souls write about their personal experiences with the Latin American diaspora in this collection. Just as identity exists in a state of flux and is always being actively shaped, these essays experiment with form for further insight. It includes nonfiction works from some of the biggest Latinx YA authors, including Elizabeth Acevedo, Mark Oshiro, and Ibi Zoboi.
The Perishing by Natashia Deon
Sci-fi meets mystery meets historical fiction in this riveting mashup that transcends classification. Set in 1930s Los Angeles, a young Black woman wakes up in an alley with no memory of who she is or how she got there. As she forges a life for herself as a trailblazing journalist, Lou begins to suspect she might be a time traveler on a mission.
Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King
People can’t stop raving about this enthralling short story collection from the author of Writers & Lovers. Esquire gushes, “Each masterful story reminds us that King is one of our finest cartographers of the human heart.” Vogue applauds it as “stories of outsiders finding their people.” Ann Patchett says it “moved me, inspired me, thrilled me. It filled up every chamber of my heart.”
You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
Sam died suddenly, but when his grieving girlfriend Julie calls him just to hear his voicemail, she’s shocked, confused, and delighted to find she’s actually speaking with him. Smartphones prove how powerful and magical they really are at helping us stay connected in this sentimental story about grief and moving on. For fans of the movie Your Name from Makoto Shinkai.
All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman
Wielding high magick requires fighting to the death for a lucky group of teens in the city of Ilvernath. No one escapes the tournament unblemished, yet all of these villains manage to remain admirable and lovable. Foody and Herman’s work is the perfect combination of Harry Potter and the Hunger Games.
Patricia Highsmith edited by Anna von Planta
The Talented Mr. Ripley author’s evolving persona was so enigmatic she could have been a character in one of her own stories. Never authorizing an official biography during her lifetime, Highsmith finally reveals her story and complex psyche through this vast collection of journals, diaries, and notebooks discovered by her long-time editor in a closet after her death.
Noor by Nnedi Okorafor
Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone (Outlander #9) by Diana Gabaldon
The wait is over. In the ninth entry in Outlander, the wildly popular time-traveling historical romance series, Claire and Jamie have found their way back to each other — and to their daughter and her husband in the American colonies. But just as the family reunites in North Carolina, the rumblings of the Revolutionary War threaten to drag them apart.
These Precious Days by Ann Patchett
A famous writer once told Patchett that having children was a prerequisite to learning about love and being a great writer. In this collection of personal essays, childless Patchett — one of the greatest contemporary authors — expounds upon many of the relationships that have made her life enviably fulfilling. These are moving pieces about the precious people in Patchett’s life, from her husband and her three dads to Snoopy and Tom Hanks’ assistant, Sooki.
Harsh Times by Mario Vargas Llosa
A riveting political thriller set in 1950s Guatemala during the CIA-supported military coup. Masterfully weaving together suspense, recent history, and political intrigue, Nobel winner Vargas Llosa conjures up the chilling fingerprints of global conspiracies and the Cold War on Latin America’s destiny.
A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger
Modern technology meets Apache myths in this luscious story that bridges two worlds. Climate change is devastating the Earth, and the catastrophe bleeds into the Reflecting World. Nina, a Lipan Apache whose family still has connections to the Reflecting World, and Oli, a cottonmouth determined to save his spirit friends, team up to save those they love in this original adventure.
Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio
In this must-read economics breakdown, the author of Principles, an essential guide to the art of leadership, reveals the market and social forces behind why powerful nations have succeeded or failed throughout history. As his findings flag urgent, present-day implications, Dalio offers practical advice for dealing with the U.S. and China today.
Twelve and a Half by Gary Vaynerchuk
Entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author of multiple business bestsellers, Vaynerchuk is best known to his legions of fans as “GaryVee.” In Twelve and a Half, he explores an undervalued key to success: emotional intelligence. From curiosity to empathy to self-awareness, no business education is complete without an understanding of these crucial traits.
About the Author: Katie Winters
Katie is the Senior Editorial Associate at Scribd who digs bikes, beers, baseball, and — surprise, surprise — books! She loves putting her librarian training to work connecting readers with fantastic books.
