What to read next: the latest Kristin Hannah, the book behind everyone’s current Netflix binge, and more
The Amazon Editors have something for everyone this week, including the latest Kristin Hannah, a breathtaking debut novel, the romance behind everyone’s current Netflix binge, and more. Check out our Best Books of the Month across all genres for more great reads.
I’m absolutely obsessed with this book. I’ve read a fair amount about the Vietnam War—fiction and nonfiction—and The Women is truly special. Kristin Hannah introduces us to the American women who served in Vietnam as combat nurses, their stories not only unsung, but nearly invisible against the landscape of a brutal war. Sent off with minimal training, and no clue what they were going to face on the ground, they also experienced the same traumas as their male counterparts upon their return home. I felt the fear, joy, camaraderie, love, and strength of these characters in my bones, and read it so fast I’m surprised there weren’t sparks flying out of the pages. Don’t miss this one. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Publishing this week, this debut novel (which we named a Best Book of the Month) is reminiscent of beloved and award-winning novels like The Underground Railroad, The Water Dancer, and Let Us Descend. With a dash of magical realism, Williams unveils a multigenerational story of formerly enslaved men, women, and children who live together in a town called Ours—a town that does not appear on any map—thanks to the powers of the town’s creator, Saint. But, as time ticks by, this idealistic safe haven becomes vulnerable, and threats lurk everywhere—as Williams writes, "freedom didn’t mean safety...and if there’s anything more shockingly unpredictable than freedom, it’s love." And with that line, the novel ignites—smoking out the stories of those that live in Ours and beyond. Supported by a cast of characters that you won’t soon forget, and exquisite sentences throughout, Ours is at once saturated in majestic myth, an interrogation of slavery’s legacy, and the complications of community, friendship, and the very notion of freedom. —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
Emma and Dexter meet cute on July 15, 1988, just as they graduate from the University of Edinburgh. Though they don’t quite pull off a one-night stand, they forge a connection, and the book follows them over the next few decades, each year, on July 15. The ways Emma, a smart funny working-class lass, and Dexter, a man child of privilege, approach the ups and downs of life and love—especially the love these two so clearly share—make this a deeper, philosophical story. It’s a “real” romance that’s not afraid to inject a few tears and a harrowing plot twist or two. In fact, it made me think of Nick Hornby in places, who aptly described it as “The perfect beach read for people who are normally repelled by the very idea of beach reads." Now a hit Netflix show (the fabulous late-‘80s to mid-‘00s soundtrack had this Gen X-er dancing down memory lane), make sure you pop a few tissues into your bag, too, maybe an entire box. —Vannessa Cronin, Amazon Editor
To whet your appetite for Leif Enger’s latest (I Cheerfully Refuse) April 2. It is terrific), read his last gem, Virgil Wander. It’s an endearing yarn, set in a sleepy town near Lake Superior, inhabited by a quirky cast of characters. But you quickly discover that all is not quiet on the Midwestern front: the town is in decline, the novel’s namesake has just been in a harrowing car crash, an enigmatic kite enthusiast has arrived searching for his missing son, and, unbeknownst to all, a heartbroken handyman has embarked on a sinister project….Not everyone’s story has a happy ending, but Virgil Wander reminds us that there is hope, that small acts of kindness aren’t small at all, and—coupled with the contagious joy of flying a kite—they have the power to turn a flagging town’s frown upside down (and any frown you might have, too). —Erin Kodicek, Amazon Editor
If you’re looking for another romantasy series after finishing the latest Sarah J. Maas book, this two-book series is a great option. It follows Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king. In a world where she is prey, Oraya has learned to survive, relying only on herself and her father. But to do more than survive, she must win the Kejari—a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death. Oraya quickly realizes she’ll need an ally to make it through the tournament…at least until the final round. Enter Raihn, a ruthless vampire and maybe her greatest threat. But they’re drawn to each other on and off the bloody tournament stage. The gothic world-building in this series is lush and transporting, and the attraction between Oraya and Raihn builds with a delicious slow burn. I’m impatiently waiting for the next book in this series. —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
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