海角大神

Empathy and compassion, along with honor and truth, are qualities woven throughout the books that made our list this month, along with penetrating insights and fascinating glimpses of history.听

1. Fellowship Point听by Alice Elliott Dark

Alice Elliott Dark鈥檚 exquisitely written, utterly engrossing novel 鈥淔ellowship Point,鈥� set in Maine鈥檚 gorgeous but threatened coastal landscape, explores the beauty and tensions of a lifelong friendship between two women whose choices have taken them down different paths. The result is a deftly woven narrative about caring for the places and people we love, and an affirmation that change and growth are possible at any age.

2. The Boys听by Katie Hafner

鈥淚鈥檇 spent a lifetime in hibernation,鈥� muses socially anxious tech whiz Ethan Fawcett, 鈥渟toring things up to share with Barb.鈥� Barb is the psychology major and soon-to-be love of his life; together they form the emotional center of Katie Hafner鈥檚 impeccably written and surprise-fueled debut novel about empathy鈥檚 role in addressing childhood trauma.

3. Winter Work听by Dan Fesperman

鈥淚n winter, the forest bares its secrets,鈥� begins Dan Fesperman鈥檚 history-rich spy thriller听set in East Germany after the Berlin Wall came down. Former Stasi spy Emil Grimm, investigating the killing of a colleague, crosses paths with agents, police, and hit men. It鈥檚 a well-crafted examination of truth, honor, and loyalty in a shifting world.

4. The Poet鈥檚 House听by Jean Thompson

Jean Thompson鈥檚 novel depicts the eccentric world of poets and artists through the eyes of an insecure gardener, Carla, who finds herself a guest in their enclave. It鈥檚 a story that鈥檚 beautifully rendered with wry wit, unusual charm, and poignant insights.

5. The Half Life of Valery K听by Natasha Pulley

Dr. Valery Kolkhanov is transferred from a prison in Siberia to a secret Russian territory in 1963 to study the effects of radiation on animals. Natasha Pulley builds a surreal world that slowly reveals immense dangers. It鈥檚 an absorbing Cold War thriller as well as a tribute to courage and determination.

6. How to Read Now听by Elaine Castillo

鈥溾�楬ow to Read Now鈥� runs off the tongue a little easier than 鈥楬ow to Dismantle Your Entire Critical Apparatus,鈥欌�� writes novelist Elaine Castillo in her debut nonfiction book, but such deconstruction is what makes for smarter, stronger readers. Boundless erudition and eloquent exasperation define her essay collection, which provokes and discomfits, but ultimately engages, edifies, and thoroughly entertains.

7. The Church of Baseball听by Ron Shelton

Screenwriter and director Ron Shelton writes entertainingly about making the 1988 film 鈥淏ull Durham,鈥� which no less than Sports Illustrated judged the best sports movie of all time. His book is a story of inspiration, talent, persistence, good fortune, and even better timing.听

8. Into the Great Emptiness听by David Roberts

In 1930, a young Englishman and his crew set off on an expedition to Greenland鈥檚 ice cap, dog-sledding through blizzards and dodging crevasses. What they ultimately gained wasn鈥檛 so much an understanding of a fantastic, frozen landscape, but of life鈥檚 essentials 鈥� love, leadership, and big breaks.听

9. Agent Josephine听by Damien Lewis听

Journalist Damien Lewis tells the exhilarating story of famed performer Josephine Baker鈥檚 espionage activity during World War II. Drawing on newly released historical documents, he chronicles her bravery and ingenuity on behalf of the Allies.

10. Proving Ground听by Kathy Kleiman

Kathy Kleiman鈥檚 debut nonfiction is a celebratory biography of the six women who helped program ENIAC, the first general-purpose computer. In engaging prose, she describes how the women found opportunities during World War II, while many men were overseas, and overcame discrimination and harassment to accomplish their important work.