Best Of: Jon Batiste's 'Beethoven Blues' / Visual Artist Mickalene Thomas

In 'A Wilder Shore: The Romantic Odyssey of Fanny and Robert Louis Stevenson', Camille Peri chronicles the captivating and often tumultuous relationship between Fanny and Robert Louis Stevenson. The book provides a detailed and engaging account of their lives, travels, and the significant impact they had on each other and the literary world.

This edition presents all 1,304 of Emily Dickinson’s extant letters, including previously uncollected letters, letters more recently discovered in manuscript, and over 200 'letter-poems.' The editors, Cristanne Miller and Domhnall Mitchell, have redated much of her correspondence using records of Amherst weather patterns, historical events, and details about flora and fauna. The annotations place Dickinson’s writing in relation to national and international events, as well as the rhythms of daily life in her hometown. This collection reveals Dickinson as a poet deeply embedded in her social world, exchanging ideas with a wide circle of friends and family, and grappling with the significant events of her time, such as the Civil War[1][2][4].

In 'Tell Me Everything,' Elizabeth Strout reunites many of her beloved characters, including Olive Kitteridge and Lucy Barton, as they navigate new friendships, old loves, and a shocking crime in their midst. The story delves into the deep and abiding friendships between characters like Bob Burgess, a semi-retired criminal defense attorney, and Lucy Barton, an acclaimed writer. Together, they explore their lives, fears, regrets, and the meaning of their relationships. The novel is characterized by Strout's extraordinary capacity for radical empathy and her insight into the human condition[3][4].

In 'Long Island', Colm Tóibín continues the story of Eilis Lacey, a character from his earlier novel 'Brooklyn'. Eilis, now in her forties and living on Long Island with her husband Tony and their two teenage children, faces a crisis when she learns that Tony has fathered a child with another woman. This revelation prompts Eilis to return to her hometown in Ireland, where she reconnects with old friends and acquaintances, including Jim Farrell, the man she once loved. The novel delves into themes of unfulfilled desires, the search for identity, and the complex nature of home, as Eilis grapples with her feelings for Tony, her responsibilities to her children, and the future she desires for herself. The story is marked by its exploration of human emotions, the weight of secrets, and the intricate web of relationships that define Eilis's life[1][3][5].

In 'Cahokia Jazz', Francis Spufford reimagines American history by positing a world where European colonization did not decimate indigenous populations. The story is set in the state of Cahokia, carved out of eastern Missouri and surrounding states, in the 1920s. Detectives Joe Barrow and Phineas Drummond are tasked with solving a gruesome murder that leads them into a complex web of politics, culture, and crime. The novel blends elements of noir fiction, jazz age atmosphere, and a richly realized modern indigenous society, creating a unique and compelling narrative.

Percival Everett's "James" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that reimagines the classic tale of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim. Everett's writing is both sharp and witty, blending humor and pathos to create a compelling narrative. The novel explores themes of race, freedom, and identity in a way that is both timely and timeless. Everett's unique voice and perspective offer a fresh take on a familiar story, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about race and American history. The novel's unexpected twists and turns keep readers engaged until the very end, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.