海角大神

The selections this month cover a range of genres, from a thrilling novel about secret maps and a coming-of-age love story to a nonfiction look at Russian 茅migr茅s聽in Paris after the 1917 revolution.聽 聽聽

1. The Great Passion聽by James Runcie

James Runcie evokes the rigors and rewards of studying with Johann Sebastian Bach during the 1720s. The busy composer brings Stefan, a bullied teenager and talented singer, under his wing, providing purpose and a sense of home. Runcie vividly depicts the teacher-pupil dynamic and the all-consuming demands of a creative pursuit. In soaring language, he portrays music鈥檚 ability to rouse, heal, and awaken wonder. 聽

2.听骋谤辞耻苍诲蝉办别别辫颈苍驳听by Lee Cole

Lee Cole鈥檚 novel sheds light on America鈥檚 social and political divisions through a coming-of-age love story. College groundskeeper Owen, a Kentuckian with deep roots in the South, and accomplished Alma, a Bosnian immigrant on an academic fellowship, find solace despite their different backgrounds. 聽

3.听叠辞辞迟丑听by Karen Joy Fowler

Karen Joy Fowler鈥檚 鈥淏ooth鈥� offers an absorbing tale of the family of Junius Booth, one of the most famous Shakespearean actors of his time 鈥� whose sons included John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of Abraham Lincoln. Her focus is on the circumstances that produced this man, and how his heinous act affected his close-knit, pro-Union, mostly abolitionist family. But like the best historical fiction, 鈥淏ooth鈥� helps us recognize connections between the past and present.

4.听骋濒辞谤测听by NoViolet Bulawayo

鈥淕lory鈥� depicts the anguish, absurdity, and grind of life in a fictional African autocracy. Each well-drawn character 鈥� from the ancient despot and his sycophants, to the rapacious successor, to exhausted citizens 鈥� is an animal. The engrossing allegory delivers a powerful emotional punch, along with keen political and social commentary.聽

5.聽The Cartographers聽by Peng Shepherd

Peng Shepherd鈥檚 captivating thriller begins with the death of an esteemed cartographer, who years earlier inexplicably fired his daughter, Nell, from the New York Public Library after she uncovered a 1930 map. Nell鈥檚 investigation unveils secrets about her family鈥檚 past and the map鈥檚 allure.聽

6.聽Read Dangerously聽by Azar Nafisi

A prolific reader and gifted Iranian American writer argues that careful reading of challenging literature helps us make sense of our chaotic and turbulent times. A meticulously reasoned, timely, and welcome reminder about why we read.聽

7.听奥辞尘补苍听by Lillian Faderman

Lillian Faderman charts the changing meaning of 鈥渨oman鈥� from the 17th century to the present. She illustrates historical cycles of repression and resistance with a wealth of examples, demonstrating that women of all races and classes have chafed against oppressive notions of what a woman ought to be.

8.聽After the Romanovs聽by Helen Rappaport

One of the effects of the Romanov dynasty鈥檚 fall in 1917 was a flood of Russian refugees into Europe, including the arrival of aristocrats, artists, writers, and intellectuals who landed in Paris at the height of the city鈥檚 creative ferment. Helen Rappaport tells their stories with marvelous skill and empathy.

9.聽Julia Morgan聽by Victoria Kastner

Victoria Kastner pulls back the curtain on architect Julia Morgan, the first woman admitted to Europe鈥檚 finest school for architecture, the first woman licensed to practice聽in California in the early 1900s, and the creator of roughly 700 structures, including Hearst Castle. It鈥檚 an inspiring portrait, highlighting the grit and grace that Morgan possessed.

10.聽In Pursuit of Jefferson聽by Derek Baxter

In Derek Baxter鈥檚 winning debut, the attorney and amateur historian follows the itinerary suggested by Thomas Jefferson in an unpublished travel guide, 鈥淗ints to Americans Traveling in Europe.鈥� Along the way, with humor and heart, he grapples with the founder鈥檚 complicated legacy.