The Sunday Read: 'The Battle Over the Sea-Monkey Fortune'

Long Bright River is a deeply affecting novel that delves into the lives of two sisters, Mickey and Kacey Fitzpatrick, in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. Mickey, a single mother and police officer, searches for her missing sister Kacey, who is struggling with addiction and works as a sex worker. The story unfolds as a mystery-thriller, with a series of murders involving prostitutes, forcing Mickey to confront their troubled childhood and the complexities of their relationship. The novel explores themes of addiction, family dynamics, and the broader social issues of poverty and community policing, offering a gripping and emotionally charged narrative.

Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's "Venus in Furs" is a novella that explores themes of dominance, submission, and sexual power dynamics. Published in 1870, the story follows the relationship between Severin, a man who enjoys being dominated, and Wanda, a woman who wields considerable power over him. The novella's exploration of masochism and sadomasochism is groundbreaking for its time, and it has had a lasting impact on literature and psychology. The complex relationship between Severin and Wanda is central to the narrative, highlighting the psychological and emotional aspects of their interactions. The book's influence extends beyond its literary merit, as the term "masochism" is derived from the author's name.