Lillian Graham

A romance set in Boston about two rival booksellers falling in love and reading books? Sounds like the best book ever! I am perhaps biased, but it is also that good. (pub date June 2025)

Another Emily Henry classic! She is always a delight to read, and Great Big Beautiful Life is no different. Bubbly celebrity journalist Alice comes up against grumpy prize-winning author Hayden, as the two vie to win over Margaret Ives. As the final member of the Ives family, the last great American dynasty, she is the keeper of many secrets. But as Alice and Hayden compete for the story, they start to realize that more is at stake, especially with their own hearts. (pub date May 2025)

This series has continually delighted me, and the conclusion is just as lovely! Emily and Wendell make the most delightful pair and this time they are tackling the challenge of taking back his kingdom. They are one of my absolute favorite fiction couples ever, and it was bittersweet to have to say goodbye to them in this final installment of the series. But the conclusion is satisfying, with all the charm, action, and scholarly insight as the previous two books in the series. (pub date February 2025)

For fans of friends to lovers! This adorable romance is about two poets whose poems are Definitely Not about each other. Back in high school, Leigh had a crush on Will, until he gave her crushing feedback. Now that they have run into each other again as MFA students, they have a second chance. This rom-com is perfect for those waiting for the next Emily Henry. (pub date February 2025)

This historical account by Professor Davis traces America’s complicated relationship with sex and sexuality. A sweeping account, she illustrates how the concepts have changed and evolved over time, arguing that some of current ideas and understandings are actually relatively novel, developing in the 19th century. This book is perfect for those who are interested in historical accounts and especially those who are searching for books that utilize an intersectional lens. (pub date September 2024)

An impressive mix of romance, sci-fi, mystery, and thriller, this book looks at our modern reality through the lens of a time traveler. The unnamed narrator works for a top secret British government agency and is tasked with acclimatizing a Victorian sailor to the 21st century. However, things soon start going awry and the mess makes for an exciting read! (pub date May 2024)

I have never read a book quite like this, in the most complimentary way. Mellors structured her novel by having every chapter focus on a different character, and in doing so, she creates incredibly human and flawed characters. Cleo and Frank and their friends and family evoked every emotion. This novel is beautiful, both inside and out. (I strongly recommend checking the trigger warnings.) (pub date February 2022)

This book made Janelle Brown my favorite writer, and I will now read anything that she writes. This story follows two women, Nina and Vanessa, and is told from their alternating points of view. Their perspectives and voices are so distinct and nuanced, and the story is so engaging that I devoured this book. It is the perfect blend of literary and thriller. (pub date April 2020)

Sociologist Matthew Desmond profiles the lives of families in Milwaukee during the 2008 recession. He shows how low-income renters get stuck in cycles of eviction, as they struggle to find affordable housing, and as they deal with landlords and the government. Through this ethnographic fieldwork, he illustrates broader themes of economic hardship present throughout America as a whole. This book was informative and eye-opening, especially as such issues continue to persist in America. (pub date February 2017)