The historical novel "The Steel Beneath the Silk" brings Emma of Normandy to life with authentic details and timeless themes around women’s autonomy. Set in eleventh-century England, Patricia Bracewell’s "The Steel Beneath the Silk"... Read More

In A. S. Thornton’s romantic fantasy novel "Daughter of the Salt King", a princess strives to find peace and happiness with the jinni she loves. Just as Emel’s dreams are about to come true, tragedy robs her of her last chance to... Read More

A mysterious death brings chaos and clarity in Priyanka Champaneri’s novel, "The City of Good Death". To die in Kashi is to be freed from the endless burden of reincarnation and rebirth. Pramesh, who manages a hostel for dying... Read More

Norris Hundley and Donald C. Jackson’s "Heavy Ground" focuses on the events surrounding the St. Francis Dam disaster. On March 12th, 1928, the St. Francis Dam collapsed, and twelve billion gallons of silted water crashed through the... Read More

Two women grapple with their intertwined destinies in a world beset by storms in Kesia Lupo’s fantasy adventure, "We Are Blood and Thunder". The city of Duke’s Forest sealed itself off six years ago after a never-ending storm... Read More

Death has never been quite so uplifting as it is in "Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins", Katarina Bivald’s feel-good novel about a friendly ghost who’s determined to repair relationships from the not-far beyond. Henny always... Read More

Michael Shapiro interviewed thirty-two luminaries from the arts for "The Creative Spark". The book’s subjects include well-known and obscure personalities, with chefs, scientists, and musicians among them. Filmmaker Francis Ford... Read More

With the confidence that Mexico’s respect for people of retirement age would ferry him safely through the dangers hinted at by the state department, Paul Theroux set out to drive across Mexico, a trip recorded in "On the Plain of... Read More