Bringing up Bibi: Netanyahu testifies

The Forbidden Garden tells the story of the botanists who remained at the Plant Institute during the Siege of Leningrad. With over 250,000 seed samples collected by Nikolai Vavilov, the staff were faced with a terrible choice: distribute the seeds to the starving population or preserve them for future scientists to breed crops and prevent future famines. The book, drawn from previously unseen primary sources, highlights the bravery and self-sacrifice of these scientists during one of the darkest periods of World War II. It also explores the broader implications of their actions in the context of modern-day issues like climate change and food security.

In 'Stranger Than Fiction', Edwin Frank offers a new vision of the history and art of the novel, focusing on its transformations and adaptations throughout the 20th century. The book starts with Dostoevsky's 'Notes from Underground' and spans a wide range of authors, including H.G. Wells, Colette, Andre Gide, Gertrude Stein, and many others. Frank analyzes 32 novels, highlighting their responses to historical events such as World War I and II, and how they reinvented the novel form to reflect diverse cultural and historical contexts. The narrative is a rich chronicle of literary history, world events, and author biographies, showcasing the novel's power to reinvent itself and reflect the changing world.

In 'Mania', Lionel Shriver critiques the extremes of political correctness and radical egalitarianism through a satirical narrative. The story is set in a world where the Mental Parity Movement has abolished exams, degrees, and formal education, promoting the idea that all human brains are the same. The protagonist, Pearson Converse, rebels against this new order, facing dire consequences, while her friend Emory Ruth embraces the movement. The novel explores the consequences of such a society on various aspects of life, including education, healthcare, and politics.