War

Weaving a brilliant latticework of family legend, loss, and love, Téa Obreht, the youngest of The New Yorker’s twenty best American fiction writers under forty, has spun a timeless novel that will establish her as one of the most vibrant, original authors of her generation.In a Balkan country mending from years of conflict, Natalia, a young doctor, arrives on a mission of mercy at an orphanage by the sea. By the time she and her lifelong friend Zóra begin to inoculate the children there, she feels age-old superstitions and secrets gathering everywhere around her. Secrets her outwardly cheerful hosts have chosen not to tell her. Secrets involving the strange family digging for something in the surrounding vineyards. Secrets hidden in the landscape itself.But Natalia is also confronting a private, hurtful mystery of her the inexplicable circumstances surrounding her beloved grandfather’s recent death. After telling her grandmother that he was on his way to meet Natalia, he instead set off for a ramshackle settlement none of their family had ever heard of and died there alone. A famed physician, her grandfather must have known that he was too ill to travel. Why he left home becomes a riddle Natalia is compelled to unravel. Grief struck and searching for clues to her grandfather’s final state of mind, she turns to the stories he told her when she was a child. On their weeklytrips to the zoo he would read to her from a worn copy of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, which he carried with him everywhere; later, he told her stories of his own encounters over many years with “the deathless man,” a vagabond who claimed to be immortal and appeared never to age. But the most extraordinary story of all is the one her grandfather never told her, the one Natalia must discover for herself. One winter during the Second World War, his childhood village was snowbound, cut off even from the encroaching German invaders but haunted by another, fierce a tiger who comes ever closer under cover of darkness. “These stories,” Natalia comes to understand, “run like secret rivers through all the other stories” of her grandfather’s life. And it is ultimately within these rich, luminous narratives that she will find the answer she is looking for.

If you're drawn to stories that showcase the indomitable human spirit, "Born Survivors" is a poignant must-read. Wendy Holden masterfully intertwines the harrowing experiences of three women, revealing the extraordinary courage it takes to cling to life in darkness. It honors the deep instinct to survive and protect, moving beyond tragedy to celebrate unexpected bonds formed in the face of sheer adversity.

This book is more than just about coffee; it encapsulates the spirit of resilience and the pursuit of a dream against remarkable odds. Mokhtar's journey is a testament to the ideals of entrepreneurship and cultural preservation. It speaks to anyone looking for inspiration or who has ever had a seemingly impossible dream, making it a compelling narrative that can offer hope and motivation.

A beautiful new limited edition paperback of The English Patient, published as part of the Bloomsbury Modern Classics list.Haunting and harrowing, as beautiful as it is disturbing, The English Patient tells the story of the entanglement of four damaged lives in an Italian monastery as World War II ends. The exhausted nurse, Hana; the maimed thief, Caravaggio; the wary sapper, Kip: each is haunted by the riddle of the English patient, the nameless, burn victim who lies in an upstairs room and whose memories of passion, betrayal, and rescue illuminate this book like flashes of heat lightning. In lyrical prose informed by a poetic consciousness, Michael Ondaatje weaves these characters together, pulls them tight, then unravels the threads with unsettling acumen. A book that binds readers of great literature, The English Patient garnered the Booker Prize for author Ondaatje. The poet and novelist has also written In the Skin of a Lion, Coming Through Slaughter and The Collected Works of Billy the Kid; two collections of poems, The Cinnamon Peeler and There's a Trick with a Knife I'm Learning to Do; and a memoir, Running in the Family.

"The Kite Runner" reaches into the core of human connections, vividly showcasing the complexities of friendship and guilt against a backdrop of a turbulent Afghanistan. If you're drawn to stories that weave personal struggles with historical events, this book could be a powerful and evocative addition to your reading list. It's intimate, yet expansive in scope, capturing the intricate dance between personal demons and societal upheaval.

Three Kingdoms is an epic tale of Chinese history that will thrill readers who enjoy books about power, politics, and war. The book offers a unique perspective on historical events, bringing them to life in a way that is both engaging and educational. Its characters are complex and memorable, and the book's portrayal of power dynamics and diplomacy is both startling and unsparing. If you are looking for a book that will take you on a journey through one of the most fascinating periods of Chinese history, Three Kingdoms is the perfect choice.

The golden skies, the translucent twilight, the white nights, all hold the promise of youth, of love, of eternal renewal. The war has not yet touched this city of fallen grandeur, or the lives of two sisters, Tatiana and Dasha Metanova, who share a single room in a cramped apartment with their brother and parents. Their world is turned upside down when Hitler's armies attack Russia and begin their unstoppable blitz to Leningrad.Yet there is light in the darkness. Tatiana meets Alexander, a brave young officer in the Red Army. Strong and self-confident, yet guarding a mysterious and troubled past, he is drawn to Tatiana—and she to him. Starvation, desperation, and fear soon grip their city during the terrible winter of the merciless German siege. Tatiana and Alexander's impossible love threatens to tear the Metanova family apart and expose the dangerous secret Alexander so carefully protects—a secret as devastating as the war itself—as the lovers are swept up in the brutal tides that will change the world and their lives forever.

This book could be a good read for someone interested in exploring the complex and nuanced experiences of Chinese people during times of political and social upheaval. David T.K. Wong's writing style is both economical and deeply insightful, providing a vivid depiction of the struggles faced by his characters. One of the most unique and distinctive features of this book is its ability to illuminate the intersections between personal and political experiences, showing how the two are often inextricably linked. Readers are likely to appreciate the way in which Wong's writing combines historical context with timeless human experiences, ultimately offering insights into what it means to be human in times of change.

This book is a deeply poignant exploration of loss, longing, and the legacy of war. Through the protagonist's journey into Sri Lanka's war-torn north, the author takes readers on a haunting and introspective exploration of the imprints of the past and the unattainable distances between who we are and what we seek. With precise and graceful prose, this novel captures the devastation of war while offering a powerful meditation on absence and the human spirit. It is a must-read for those who crave a deeply moving and thought-provoking literary experience.

From Conn Iggulden, #1 bestselling author of six historical epics and coauthor of the international sensation The Dangerous Book for Boys, comes a magnificent new work of fiction. Here, the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan, stalked by enemies seen and unseen and plagued by a divided family, leads a sprawling force of horsemen beyond the realm of their known world.

Recommendation: Revulsion is a must-read for fans of Thomas Bernhard and readers who enjoy dark humor. Castellanos Moya's relentless criticism of post-war El Salvador is searing and uncompromising, making for an engrossing read that will leave a lasting impression. The book's lack of paragraph breaks may be daunting at first, but it also enhances the feeling of Vega's ranting.

"The Anarchy" sheds light on the ruthless tactics of the East India Company, which exploited India's riches for corporate gain. The book is a cautionary tale that highlights the dangers of unchecked corporate power. It is a must-read for history buffs interested in the dark side of imperialism and colonialism.

If you're drawn to the intricate tapestry of history unfurling amidst chaos, "The Siege of Krishnapur" offers just that—a blend of suspense, humor, and profound insights into civilization's fragility. It's a page-turner that doesn't just rely on action, but dives deep into a riveting period of history, examining both the heroism and insanity that crisis can provoke. The book doesn't shy away from the details, whether it's the mechanics of war or the sociology of a siege. Its Booker Prize isn't merely a decoration, but a testament to its layered narrative and lasting impact.

The classic international bestseller recounting the epic turning point of the second world war.

Recommendation: This book would be a good read for someone who appreciates emotionally raw storytelling and powerful narratives. "Incendiary" takes you on a gripping journey through the devastating loss of a husband and son at the hands of a criminal. Through grief, compassion, and unexpected humor, the protagonist's broken heart is laid bare, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit. Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions that will leave you contemplating the depths of love and tragedy.

"Homegoing" is a mosaic of raw, interweaving lives, connecting personal histories with the broader tapestry of human experience. It's a book for those who appreciate deep emotional resonance and multifaceted narratives. As Gyasi guides you through generations, the diversity of perspectives and profound themes of identity, heritage, and the legacy of the past may profoundly move you.