10 best books of November 2016
Amazon’s editors offer a list of the best books to watch out for this month
1. Moonglow by Michael Chabon
The Amazing Adventures
of Kavalier & Clay author Chabon’s new novel details a mysterious story told by the narrator’s grandfather, one that includes everything from the story of a marriage to thoughts on technology. “It’s really earnest and heartfelt,” says Amazon senior editor Chris Schluep.
2. Swing Time by Zadie Smith
On Beauty author Smith’s novel tells the story of two young girls, both of whom have one white parent and one black parent and who meet in a dance class in London in the 1980s. “Zadie Smith tackles big issues with this novel,” Schluep says. “She’s a great novelist.”
3. The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
The new book by Yoon of Everything, Everything is the story of Natasha, whose family is from Jamaica, and KoreanAmerican Daniel, who experience a love affair over the course of a single day. “It’s a very powerful story,” Schluep says. “It’s about fate and it’s about love.” He said fans of Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor & Park will find a lot to like about Sun.
4. You Will Not Have My Hate by Antoine Leiris
French journalist Leiris’s memoir follows the death of his wife in the November 2015 Paris attacks. Leiris tells of his reaction to the attacks and his life since then. “I think this is going to be a life-changing read for a lot of readers,” Schluep says.
5. Walk Through Walls by Marina Abramovic
Performance artist Abramovic’s memoir details her childhood and how she became involved in performance art, a career that led her to success, particularly with a 2010 MoMA exhibit in which people were invited to sit across from her without speaking. Schluep calls the book “really compelling.”
6. The Earth Is Weeping by Peter Cozzens
In his new book, Cozzens (of
No Better Place to Die) looks back at the conflicts between the US military and Native Americans, featuring historical figures such as Sitting Bull and Ulysses S Grant. The book is “even-handed”, says Schluep. “It’s scrupulously researched.”
7. Night School by Lee Child
Jack Reacher returns in Child’s latest novel, which finds the protagonist in the military in the mid-1990s. Jack, an FBI agent, and a CIA agent are sent to find a mysterious fellow countryman who may have become involved with terrorists. Schluep believes it’s “Child’s best novel in some time”.
8. Bear by Robert Greenfield
The new biography from former
Rolling Stone associate editor Greenfield tells the story of counterculture figure Augustus Owsley Stanley III, a self-taught chemist, who had significant interactions with major 1960s movers and shakers, ranging from Ken Kesey to The Who, Jimi Hendrix, and the Beatles. “It’s kind of a window onto the counterculture... this feels fresh,” Schluep says.
9. Victoria by Daisy Goodwin
Daisy Goodwin, who created and wrote the Masterpiece programme Victoria, puts her story on the page with this new novel, which tells of the beginning of the queen’s reign and her romance with Prince Albert. “This really helps you to understand her,” Schluep says.
10. The Education of Dixie Dupree by Donna Everhart
Debut novelist Everhart’s work is the story of 11-year-old Dixie, whose family is struggling. Now things may be made worse by Dixie’s lying. “It’s about the tension between mothers and daughters,” Schluep says. “It brings the South to life.”