Gangster by Lorenzo Carcaterra (Fawcett, $8). This 2001 novel is even better than The Godfather. A story of growing up gangster in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, it’s told like a punch to the gut—in visceral, dramatic terms that pack a wallop all their own. Vividly real to its tiniest NYC detail, and equally authentic in its explorations of the human soul.
Boy Still Missing by John Searles (Perennial, $13). One of the most original mystery/psychological/family stories that I have read in my life. It’s so beautifully written, and the sheer power of the prose will carry you deep into its story—and the human heart.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Paths of Desire by Dominique Browning (Scribner, $12). A wonderfully lyrical meditation on life, women, and how we create and re-create our homes as our families grow and contract over a lifetime. Girls everywhere will weep, it’s so good.
A Simple Habana Melody
Lucia, Lucia
The Adventures of Augie March
-
Burkina Faso's misinformation warUnder The Radar The president of the West African country has quickly become the face of a viral, AI-powered propaganda campaign
-
Jeffrey Epstein's secretsFeature Six years after his death, conspiracy theories still swirl around the sex trafficker. Why?
-
Voting: Trump's ominous war on mail ballotsFeature Donald Trump wants to sign an executive order banning mail-in ballots for the 2026 midterms
-
Keith McNally's 6 favorite books that have ambitious charactersFeature The London-born restaurateur recommends works by Leo Tolstoy, John le Carré, and more
-
Garrett Graff's 6 favorite books that shine new light on World War IIFeature The author recommends works by James D. Hornfischer, Craig L. Symonds, and more
-
Helen Schulman's 6 favorite collections of short storiesFeature The award-winning author recommends works by Raymond Carver, James Baldwin, and more
-
Beatriz Williams' 6 timeless books about history and human relationshipsFeature The best-selling author recommends works by Jane Austen, Zora Neale Hurston, and more
-
Aysegul Savas' 6 favorite books for readers who love immersive settingsFeature The Paris-based Turkish author recommends works by Hiromi Kawakami, Virginia Woolf, and more
-
Geoff Dyer's 6 favorite books about the realities of warFeature The award-winning author recommends works by Ernie Pyle, Michael Herr, and more
-
Laura Lippman's 6 favorite books for those who crave a high-stakes adventureFeature The Grand Master recommends works by E.L. Konigsburg, Charles Portis, and more
-
Thomas Mallon's 6 favorite books from the 80's and early 90'sFeature The author recommends works by James Merrill, Calvin Trillin, and more
