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The story follows Selina Peake De Jong, who decides to become a school teacher in a farming community. She marries a Dutch farmer, Pervus De Jong, and they have a son, Dirk, nicknamed 'So Big.' After Pervus's death, Selina takes over the farm to ensure her son's future. The novel explores Dirk's journey as he becomes an architect and later a stockbroker, while grappling with his mother's values of aesthetics and beauty. The story also involves characters like Roelf Pool, a sculptor, and Dallas O'Mara, an artist, who influence Dirk's perspective on life. Ultimately, the novel is a tale of one woman's unrelenting devotion to hope, beauty, and possibility.

In 'Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant', Roland Lazenby provides a comprehensive and detailed portrait of Kobe Bryant. The book covers Bryant's life from his ancestral influences and childhood, where he was exposed to basketball through his father Joe Bryant, to his illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Lazenby uses extensive research and numerous interviews to reveal the complexities of Bryant's public image, his personal life, and his relationships on and off the court. The biography is praised for its thoroughness and engaging writing, making it an essential read for basketball fans and those interested in sports biographies.

Giant is Edna Ferber's novel that explores the lives of Texans in the 1950s, revealing the difficulties and persecutions faced by minority populations. The story centers around Jordan 'Bick' Benedict, a larger-than-life cattle rancher, and Leslie Lynnton, a sharp-witted Virginia socialite, whose marriage brings them to Bick's ranch in Texas. Leslie confronts the oppressive heat, vastness, and social inequities of Texas, including poverty and racism suffered by Mexican workers. The novel masterfully captures the essence of Texas with its wealth, excess, cruelty, prejudice, pride, and violence.