10. Suzanne Gluck: “I'm a Person Who Can Convince Other People to Do Things”

This novel follows the story of Sunja, a young Korean woman, and her family as they navigate the challenges of living as immigrants in Japan from the early 1900s to the late 1980s. The book explores themes of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty, set against the backdrop of significant historical events including World War II and the Korean War. It delves into the experiences of discrimination, cultural identity, and the struggles of everyday life for Korean families in Japan.

Freakonomics is a collaboration between economist Steven D. Levitt and journalist Stephen J. Dubner that delves into the riddles of everyday life, from cheating and crime to parenting and sports. The book argues that economics is fundamentally the study of incentives and how people get what they want or need, especially when others want or need the same thing. It covers various topics such as the inner workings of a crack gang, the truth about real estate agents, and the secrets of the Ku Klux Klan, using forceful storytelling and wry insight to challenge conventional wisdom.

The Yellow House is a memoir by Sarah M. Broom that tells the story of her family's life in a shotgun house in New Orleans East. The book begins with her mother, Ivory Mae, purchasing the house in 1961 and building a life there with her family. After her father's death, the house becomes a central figure in the family's struggles and triumphs. The memoir spans a hundred years of family history, including the impact of Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed the Yellow House. It delves into themes of home, family, class, race, and the enduring drives of clan and familial love in the face of inequality and adversity.

She Said is a thrilling account of the investigative journalism that led to the exposure of Harvey Weinstein's decades-long history of sexual abuse and harassment. Written by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, the book chronicles their meticulous investigation, including secret meetings, harrowing phone calls, and private text exchanges with A-list actresses and other sources. It also explores the systemic structures of power that enabled Weinstein's behavior and the broader impact of the #MeToo movement, including the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford against Brett Kavanaugh. The book is praised for its detailed and suspenseful narrative, offering insights into the rigorous process of quality reporting and the significant cultural shifts it helped catalyze.

Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the lives of women and girls in a remote Russian community following the disappearance of two young sisters. The story unfolds over a year, each chapter focusing on a different character connected to the event, highlighting social and ethnic tensions in the region. The novel explores themes of identity, community, and the struggles faced by women in isolated societies.