Simon&Schuster

I do not pretend to speak from much experience, but Having and Being Had is the most interesting, most resonant writing about capitalism I’ve ever read. Eula Biss’s personal examination begins after buying her first home, follows the peculiarity and discomfort she finds living within the confines of class, property, and ownership, and expands in fascinating ways from there. Each refreshingly bite-sized essay is equal parts intelligence and personality, like the best late-night conversation with your smartest friend—utterly, brilliantly delightful. —Melinda

Not many would read about the end of the world for fun during a pandemic. If you smiled at that last sentence, pick up this book. Katie Mack is funny, educated, incredibly smart—and will make you feel the same. Beyond pop-culture references and complex scientific concepts (that she makes absolutely relatable and understandable!) Mack’s passion will hook you in to the last (hilarious) footnote, leaving you excited for what is left to discover (and following @AstroKatie on Twitter) before the end. —Jocelyn 

Lulu Miller writes of chaos, of scientist David Starr Jordan, of the elegance that can come from putting everything in order (be it emotions, milestones in life, fish in jars). She intersperses her own story and personal reflections within history and true crime events, scientific discoveries and hidden horrors. I have raved about this book at multiple coworkers and added it to my small stack of “books I have hugged upon finishing.” It is dog-eared, something I never do (which I attribute to all the chaos in said book), and a book I’ll be recommending to as many folks as possible. 

Butterflies have entranced humans for hundreds of years. Why did this fascination begin? And what part do butterflies take in our ecosystem? Wendy Williams has carefully crafted a study about the fascinating history of humankind’s relationship with these delightful, colorful insects, as well as into butterflies’ evolution. A perfect addition to any naturalist’s collection and to that of the casual appreciaters of butterflies.

Topical for the COVID-19 era, this magical realist novel is inspired by the 1962 Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic and set in a fictional version of Cape Town, Ilze Hugo’s hometown. This time, the laughter never stopped; seven years later, everyone is wearing a mask, laughing is forbidden, taxi drivers are death collectors, and a little girl is trying to find her brother—who may or may not be a ghost. But when even the truth is up for debate, what is one to do but laugh?

A beautiful French novel exploring the difficult subject of mental illness. Written to the soundtrack of Nina Simone singing Mr. Bojangles, this is a magical love story. A young boy tells the story of watching his parents dance their way through life even as his mother descends into madness. This is a book that will make you laugh and cry. An international bestseller.

A remarkably touching magical-realist young-adult novel about a boy and a girl (who are, refreshingly, not a couple but best friends!) that explores social issues such as race, sexuality, and class with humor, heart, a touch of magic, and a sprinkle of apocalypse. - Ksenia