We Must Not Think of Ourselves by Lauren Grodstein
Set in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II, We Must Not Think of Ourselves follows Adam Paskow, who joins a secret group documenting the lives of those trapped under Nazi oppression. Amid testimonies of survival and resilience, Adam falls in love with his flatmate Sala, a married woman, as they cling to hope and connection. When faced with the chance to escape, Adam must make an impossible choice that tests the limits of love and sacrifice.
The Sun Sets in Singapore by Kehinde Fadipe
In sunny, tax-friendly Singapore, expats Dara, Amaka, and Lillian are living glamorous lives until the arrival of Lani, a charismatic newcomer, upends their worlds. Dara, a lawyer, sees him as a career rival; Amaka, a banker, finds her precarious stability shaken by their connection; and Lillian, a pianist, is haunted by his uncanny resemblance to her late father. As their lives intersect, each woman is forced to confront the unresolved past they’ve been trying to escape.
How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair
Safiya Sinclair’s powerful memoir of breaking free from her strict Rastafarian upbringing, dominated by her father’s patriarchal control and fear of Western corruption, or “Babylon.” Forbidden from expressing herself, Safiya found solace in books and poetry, which became her tools for rebellion and self-discovery. As she clashed with her father’s escalating rage, Safiya reckoned with the cultural, patriarchal, and colonial forces that sought to silence her, ultimately finding her voice as a woman and poet.
Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood
A poignant and funny story about a 45-year-old woman who, overwhelmed by life and stalled in a midlife crisis, decides to reclaim herself. One chaotic day, Grace abandons her car in traffic and marches across London with a £200 cake, determined to reconnect with her estranged teenage daughter on her sixteenth birthday. Along the way, she discovers that no matter how far we fall, we can always rise again—and remind everyone, including ourselves, of our worth.
Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
Victoria “Vix” Leonard’s life is forever changed in 1977 when the dazzling Caitlin Somers draws her into a world of privilege and magical summers on Martha’s Vineyard. Years later, their once-intense friendship has faded, but when Caitlin asks Vix to be her maid of honor, Vix agrees, seeking answers about their complicated past and the heartbreak of their final summer together. A poignant story of friendship, love, and betrayal, it explores the enduring ties that bind us.
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
Follows Ann Tran as she returns to Florida after her grandmother Minh’s death, confronting an unexpected pregnancy, a crumbling relationship, and tensions with her estranged mother, Huơng. Inheriting the mysterious Banyan House, the two women must navigate their strained relationship while uncovering Minh’s hidden past—from her youth in war-torn Vietnam to her journey as an immigrant mother in America. Spanning decades and continents, this poignant tale explores the bonds between mothers and daughters, the secrets we carry, and the legacies we create.
The Celebrants by Steven Rowley
Follows a group of college friends—Jordan, Jordy, Naomi, Craig, and Marielle—who reunite in Big Sur to honor their pact of holding living “funerals,” celebrating life’s meaning amid its challenges. Now nearing fifty, they confront unresolved struggles, and Jordan harbors a secret that could shatter their tradition. With humor and heart, Steven Rowley explores the complexities of adulthood, enduring friendships, and the ways we find meaning and connection in the face of life’s uncertainties.
Chain-Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Follows Loretta Thurwar and Hamara “Hurricane Staxxx” Stacker, top gladiators in CAPE, a brutal and exploitative prison program where inmates fight to the death for a chance at freedom. As Thurwar nears her release, she wrestles with leaving behind her fellow “Links” while challenging a system fueled by racism, greed, and dehumanization. Through a gripping narrative that spans fighters, protestors, and corporate players, the novel delivers a searing critique of America’s private prison industry and the true cost of freedom.
Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling
In a near-future Canadian settlement, Camp Zero follows Rose, a climate refugee spying for her mother’s survival, and Grant, a professor fleeing his family’s dark past, as they uncover sinister secrets about the camp’s architect. Nearby, an elite group of women soldiers stationed at a Cold War-era research base adds to the intrigue. With twists and revelations, this compelling novel examines the intersection of gender, class, and migration in a world shaped by climate change.
Black Candle Women by Diane Marie Brown
In this magical family drama, four generations of Montrose women live under the shadow of a love curse that dooms anyone they fall for. Their quiet life in a California bungalow unravels when young Nickie brings home her first boyfriend, forcing them to confront secrets, regrets, and the origins of the curse. Spanning decades and unraveling in 1950s New Orleans, their journey may reveal the key to breaking the curse and finding love without fear.
Maame by Jessica George
Maddie, a Black woman in London, juggles the pressures of caring for her father with Parkinson’s, navigating a toxic work environment, and dealing with her overbearing mother. Eager to take control of her life, she embraces new experiences, from dating to career growth, only for tragedy to force her to confront her family’s complexities and her own growth. With humor and heart, the novel explores themes of cultural identity, familial duty, love, and friendship, capturing Maddie’s journey toward finding her place in the world.
Sam by Allegra Goodman
A poignant coming-of-age story about a girl who loves to climb, finding a sense of belonging in the physical act but struggling with self-doubt and the complexities of growing up. As she transitions into her teens, Sam contends with family tensions, a complicated relationship with her climbing coach, and the pressures of her mother’s expectations. In this reflective novel, Allegra Goodman explores the loss of childhood wonder and the search for identity, leaving readers with both heartbreak and hope.
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