FASCINATING SOCIAL HISTORY of “pseudoscience” debates focuses on Velikovsky’s “worlds in collision” theory.

GRAND STEAMPUNKY COLLAGE of science fiction and historical fact revolves around H. G. Wells’s WAR OF THE WORLDS.

RAMSHACKLE DELTA PICARESQUE finds two tough repo men trying to help the world’s most no-account thieves.

SURPRISINGLY ENTERTAINING MEMOIR details a writer’s multi-decade struggle with a serious anxiety disorder.

THE SHATTERING IMPACT of World War I is vividly depicted here; the portrayal of family conflict is less strong.

I don’t review poetry here, but I cannot help taking a minute to rave about the new collection of poems by the late, great Lucille Clifton.  The poems are beautifully curated, the book design is clear and readable, and the foreword by Toni Morrison was touching in its recognition of Clifton’s gifts.  Do think about buying this if you’re a poetry fan—or maybe even if you aren’t!  Clifton was a strong and distinctive voice, and the power of her work cannot be denied.

A MOTHER/DAUGHTER relationship, fractured by addiction and depression, is healed by feminism and by coming out.

SWEET FABLE ABOUT love, loss, and neighborhood from Sandra Cisneros, with charming art by Ester Hernández.

THE INTERTWINED LIVES of several generations in a small Turkish seaside town—luminous early Orhan Pamuk.

BLEAK, COMPLEX POLICE procedural from Swedish crime fiction star Håkan Nesser. Atmospheric, if dour, puzzler!