Simon&Schuster

In Mad, Bad, Dangerous to Know, award-winning author Colm Tóibín (The Master, Brooklyn) profiles the fathers of three great Irish writers— Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, and James Joyce—as a lens through which to view his country’s literary tradition. “Three compelling portraits...a short but entertaining, thoroughly engaging study on the agony of filial influence.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

On the day I turned 2, Chernobyl was struck by disaster. Three days later, hidden among the news and chaos, the Los Angeles Public Library was in flames. Two thousand degrees, more than a million books destroyed or damaged, and the source of the fire unknown. Susan Orlean centers her book on the fire and then moves outward to include librarians past and present, the role of a library in a community, and our own relationships with books. Like Orlean’s other books, there is some crime, some travelling, fascinating people, and an amazing tangle of details. - Rachel

Cigarette smoke and shadows tie together this graphic fantasy from acclaimed novelist Saladin Ahmed and artist Sami Kavela. Journalist Elena Abbott, armed with a camera and the truth, finds herself pitted not only against the injustice and police brutality of 1970’s Detroit, but also against a dark magic that is haunting her past and home. A winning cast and a noir story with a funky backbeat. - Jocelyn

Krug’s graphic memoir packs a powerful historical punch. As a German born two generations after the Holocaust, she struggles with her country’s atrocious past and the ambiguity of her family’s own involvement. Through vivid text and graphics, historical photos and documents, layering memory and story with poignancy, she seeks the truth and delves deep into her family’s history. Krug does the hard work to bring the personal past back to life and ask how one shapes one’s identity and finds one’s sense of home in its midst. Beautifully done in every way. - Melinda

It’s time to celebrate: Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan (authors of Oh Joy Sex Toy) have a sex ed book! With pink, friendly tones, an upbeat attitude, and the always positive and diverse “masturbateers,” these comics cover everything from self-exploration, consent, and protection, to practical techniques for whatever sexy times you’re drawn to. - Jocelyn

A journal, a satchel, and an old photograph are all mysteriously connected, and something inside Elodie Winslow needs to know how they fit together. Her search unearths an unsolved crime that has been nearly forgotten in the 150 years since it took place. Morton has created a vivid tale that spans generations and weaves together a large and varied cast of characters. This is the perfect read for anyone who likes a touch of mystery in their historical fiction. - Jade

Sometimes the most satisfying reads are the ones that can pack a punch in short form. Kate Walbert’s new novel, His Favorites, is a telling novella of a #metoo moment in the hallways of an elite New England boarding school. The story of Jo, a young girl facing the fact that she accidentally killed her best friend before facing the attention and abuse of a teacher at the school where she flees to rebuild her life, showcases how women not only carry these injustices but also carry the weight of their inner lives through these moments. A relevant and powerful tale. - Casey

David Quammen takes on the unraveling and explanation of discoveries in molecular biology, reminding us of what we thought we knew about evolution and the folks who continue to push the boundaries. He’s one of my favorite science communicators, due to his ability to convey complexities to the general public, and in this book, tackles the concept of infective hereditary (getting genes from viral infections rather than direct ancestors). None of that is in my preferred wheelhouse of flora and fauna, but there is a conversational narrative here that made the information easier to take in and process. - Rachel

Drawing on a wealth of research and studies, Walker presents a compelling case that the power of sleep and dreams, properly utilized, can enhance the everyday lives of individuals and even society at large. Reap the benefits of consistent, quality sleep. Reading this book changed my approach to sleep and produced remarkably positive results! - Trey

The first and foremost lesson of the Bushido Shushinsu, or Code of the Samurai, is to keep death in your mind at all times. This may seem a bit dramatic, but it allows the warrior to remember that every action is important and all life is precious. With riffs on a broad range of subjects from finance to laziness, The Code of the Samurai is a must read for any modern warrior. - Aric