White Mughals
William Dalrymple
Set in 18th-century Hyderabad, 'White Mughals' unearths the forgotten love story between James Achilles Kirkpatrick, the British Resident, and Khair un-Nissa, a Hyderabadi noblewoman. William Dalrymple meticulously reconstructs their romance and semi-secret marriage, revealing a surprising extent of cultural exchange and integration between East and West before the rigidities of empire set in. This compelling narrative challenges conventional views of British India, offering a vivid panorama of a time when love and appreciation transcended cultural divides.
Wandering Stars
Tommy Orange
A powerful and sweeping multi-generational novel that delves into the enduring impact of historical trauma on Native American families. From the brutal realities of the Sand Creek Massacre and Indian boarding schools to the complexities of contemporary life in Oakland, the narrative intricately weaves together the lives of characters grappling with identity, addiction, and the profound search for belonging. It explores how the echoes of history shape individual destinies and the collective spirit of a people striving for survival and self-discovery.
One Bullet Away
Nathaniel Fick
From an Ivy League graduate to a Marine Corps officer, Nathaniel Fick's gripping memoir offers a raw and insightful look into the rigorous training, profound challenges, and transformative experiences of becoming a combat leader. Detailing his journey through Officer Candidates School and The Basic School, and his eventual deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq, Fick provides a boots-on-the-ground perspective on the Marine Corps ethos, the complexities of leadership under fire, and the personal cost of war. This is a powerful account of discipline, courage, and the making of a modern warrior.
Invisible Child
Andrea Elliott
From Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Andrea Elliott, this riveting and unforgettable book chronicles eight dramatic years in the life of Dasani, a young girl whose indomitable spirit is tested by homelessness, poverty, and racism in an unequal America. Weaving Dasani's personal story with the history of her family, from slavery to the Great Migration, 'Invisible Child' illuminates the profound challenges faced by countless children in contemporary America, exploring themes of resilience, family, and the devastating cost of inequality.
What Not
Rose Macaulay
Set in a post-Great War Britain, this 'prophetic comedy' introduces a bureaucratic and absurd 'Ministry of Brains' tasked with regulating society's intelligence and reproduction. Through the eyes of Ivy Delmer, a naive typist, and Kitty Grammont, a sharp-wwitted pamphleteer, the novel satirizes government overreach, social engineering, and the very notion of 'improving' humanity. As the Ministry's influence grows, the characters navigate a world where personal freedom and individual thought are increasingly under scrutiny, raising profound questions about the future of society.
Year of Wonders
Geraldine Brooks
In the spring of 1666, as the Great Plague descends upon the quiet Derbyshire village of Eyam, its villagers make the extraordinary decision to isolate themselves in a fateful quarantine. Through the eyes of eighteen-year-old Anna Frith, we witness the devastating loss of her family, the disintegration of her community, and the emergence of a dangerous and illicit love. Based on a true story, this powerful novel explores themes of love, fear, fanaticism, and the clash between seventeenth-century science and religion at the dawn of the modern era, as Anna navigates a world transformed by suffering and resilience.
The Ornament of the World
María Rosa Menocal
Challenging conventional narratives of the 'Dark Ages,' María Rosa Menocal unveils the vibrant, multicultural civilization of al-Andalus, medieval Spain, where Muslims, Jews, and Christians forged an extraordinary culture of tolerance, intellectual flourishing, and artistic innovation. Through vivid historical vignettes, Menocal explores how this unique society thrived for centuries, leaving an indelible mark on European history, and ultimately grapples with the forces that led to its tragic decline. This illuminating work offers a timely reflection on the complexities of coexistence and the enduring legacy of a lost world.
On Savage Shores
Caroline Dodds Pennock
Shattering the Eurocentric narrative of discovery, 'On Savage Shores' unveils the untold stories of thousands of Indigenous Americans who journeyed to Europe from 1492 onwards. From diplomats and interpreters to enslaved individuals, these forgotten pioneers navigated a strange new world, profoundly influencing European culture and challenging its preconceptions. This meticulously researched history reveals a complex, often brutal, transatlantic exchange, highlighting the resilience, agency, and tragic fate of Native peoples at the heart of empire.