From groundbreaking art histories and long-overdue biographies to gripping memoirs and page-turning fiction, this 10-book roundup captures the range of stories shaping today’s cultural conversation. These titles move across disciplines and decades, spotlighting artists who challenged systems, icons who reclaimed their narratives, politicians reflecting on resilience, and novelists unafraid to expose the cracks beneath polished lives. Whether you’re drawn to visual culture, social justice, personal transformation, or escapist suspense, this collection offers a sharp, timely mix of books that inform, unsettle, and linger well after the final page.
“Black Artists in America: From the Bicentennial to September 11” is the final volume in a landmark three-book series examining a century of Black artistic expression in the United States. Edited by Ellen Daugherty with contributions from Earnestine Lovelle Jenkins, Julie L. McGee, and Kevin Sharp, the book focuses on the late 1970s through the early 2000s, a period marked by experimentation and cultural reckoning. Featuring 150 richly illustrated works, it highlights artists including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Faith Ringgold, Kara Walker, and Carrie Mae Weems, whose art confronted racial, political, and social inequities. The volume accompanies a traveling exhibition at the Crocker Art Museum and Dixon Gallery and Gardens.
“Banksy: The Prints” is a definitive hardcover catalog documenting the elusive artist’s print editions, offering an in-depth look at a vital yet often misunderstood part of his career. Written by Roberto Campolucci-Bordi and Paul Coldwell, the book meticulously details 174 unique prints created since 2002, when Banksy began producing editions alongside his street work. Organized by release year and featuring high-quality reproductions, the volume traces how these highly collectible works expand on the political and social themes seen on city walls worldwide. Originally sold at modest prices, Banksy’s prints helped broaden access to his art and cement his influence on contemporary culture.
“Fearless and Free: A Memoir” introduces English-language readers to Josephine Baker’s extraordinary life for the first time. Originally published in France in 1949 and newly translated, the book traces her rise from a teenage performer of the Harlem Renaissance to an international icon who found artistic freedom in Paris. Baker recounts her fame during the Roaring Twenties, her daring work as a spy for the French Résistance during World War II, and her later commitment to civil rights in the United States. Written in a vivid, intimate voice, the memoir restores Baker as both a cultural force and the author of her own legacy.
“Lab Dog: A Beagle and His Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research” tells the story of Hammy, a beagle who spent nearly four years in a research lab, and his owner, journalist Melanie D.G. Kaplan. Curious about Hammy’s past and the broader world of animal testing, Kaplan explores the use of beagles in biomedical research, education, and product testing. Visiting labs, meeting researchers, activists, and ethicists, she examines both the ethics and innovations in nonanimal testing. Part investigative journalism, part heartfelt story, Lab Dog offers a compassionate, nuanced look at our complex relationship with animals and a hopeful vision for their future.
Marsha P. Johnson’s Life, Legacy, and Radical Joy Take Center Stage in New Definitive Biography. Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson is a landmark biography by filmmaker and writer Tourmaline that finally gives revolutionary activist Marsha P. Johnson the full, vivid treatment her legacy deserves. The national bestseller chronicles Johnson’s life as a fearless Black transgender activist, artist, and cultural force at the center of the modern LGBTQIA+ movement. Through rich research and lyrical storytelling, Tourmaline traces Marsha’s impact from Stonewall to the avant-garde art world, capturing her brilliance, resilience, and radical joy. The book cements Johnson’s place as both a historic figure and an enduring source of inspiration.
“Affirmations for Self-Love”: Zanna Keithley’s Guide to Embracing Your Best Self. Poet and social media creator Zanna Keithley inspires readers to cultivate self-love in her new book, Affirmations for Self-Love: 100 Lessons for Learning to Love Yourself Through the Beautiful Days, the Hard Days, and Everything in Between. Packed with 100 empowering affirmations and reflections, the collection encourages mindfulness, personal growth, and intentional living. Keithley’s words guide readers to trust their inner voice, follow their hearts, and embrace authenticity. By practicing daily self-care and setting intentions for joy and abundance, readers are invited to build a fulfilling, beautiful life rooted in love for themselves.
“Holler, Child”: LaToya Watkins’ Heartfelt Short Story Collection Explores Love, Loss, and Home. LaToya Watkins’ Holler, Child is a powerful collection of eleven short stories that examines community, family, love, and forgiveness. Longlisted for the National Book Award and winner of the Reading the West Book Award, Watkins’ storytelling is both “spellbinding” and deeply moving. From a suburban horse causing trouble in “Cutting Horse” to the wrenching choices of a mother in the title story, each tale reveals characters shaped by place and circumstance, navigating hope, reconciliation, and freedom. With insight into race, power, and inequality, Watkins illuminates the extraordinary in everyday life.
“The Joy of Politics”: Amy Klobuchar Chronicles Resilience Through Life and History. In her memoir The Joy of Politics, Senator Amy Klobuchar offers a candid, witty, and deeply personal account of navigating life’s toughest curveballs alongside America’s historic challenges. From her 2020 presidential campaign to certifying the 2020 election during the January 6 insurrection, and facing family health crises and a cancer diagnosis, Klobuchar shares a story of perseverance and insight. Blending political insider perspectives with reflections on personal loss, humor, and hope, the book reveals how resilience—both personal and national—can be found even amid chaos, proving that joy is possible in life’s hardest moments.
“Happy Wife”: A Twisty Beach Read Where Wealth, Marriage, and Secrets Collide. Happy Wife, a Read With Jenna pick and national bestseller, is a fast-paced psychological thriller set in the polished, pressure-filled world of Winter Park, Florida. Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores introduce readers to Nora Davies, a struggling young woman who suddenly finds herself married into privilege after a whirlwind romance with an older, powerful attorney. When her husband vanishes the morning after his birthday party, suspicion turns sharply toward Nora. Moving between their glossy courtship and the frantic search that follows, the novel peels back the illusion of perfection, exposing the danger, manipulation, and quiet menace that can hide behind manicured lawns and smiling faces.
The House of My Mother Exposes the Dark Reality Behind a Viral Family Brand. The House of My Mother is Shari Franke’s harrowing memoir detailing her escape from abuse hidden behind her family’s wildly popular 8 Passengers YouTube channel. As the eldest daughter of Ruby Franke, Shari reveals how a rigid moral code, influencer fame, and the manipulative teachings of life coach Jodi Hildebrandt created a dangerous and punitive home environment. While millions watched an idealized version of family life online, Shari endured control, fear, and isolation. The book traces her painful journey toward independence, accountability, and healing, while also serving as a sobering examination of influencer culture and unchecked authority within families.