ENGAGING HISTORY of the early 20th century’s most influential anarchists, communists, Utopians, fringe thinkers.

THOUGHTFUL, WARM-HEARTED, and snarky memoir of high-risk parenting by the mother of an extremely premature baby.

ROLLICKING HISTORICAL MYSTERY adds a salty madam of a heroine to the usual Victorian intrigue.

A JOURNEY INSIDE the power and processes of reading and writing, delicately led by Turkish Nobelist Orhan Pamuk.

CHARLIE CHAN LIVES in this utterly absorbing look at the real Hawai’i cop who inspired the fictional detective.

SNARK MEETS SELF-HELP in this comedian’s memoir of her past relationship disasters. Some laughs, some insights.

INSIDE LOOK AT the 1939 World’s Fair contrasts its official optimism with corruption, terrorism, world war.

REMAPPING THE SOLAR SYSTEM with the astronomer whose discoveries led to Pluto’s demotion. Surprisingly funny!

FUNNY/SAD/QUIRKY/HAUNTING memoir of a difficult childhood and coming of age as an outsider in rural Arkansas.

INTRICATE SOUTH AFRICAN THRILLER contrasts the hunt for a serial killer, a tangle of post-apartheid politics.