Ruta Sepetys
Following a lesser-known, or I should say, lesser-told story of Communist Romania in 1989, I Must Betray You takes readers through the horrific living environments and everyday terror faced by the Romanian people. Through the eyes of those who resisted Nicolae Ceaușescu, we see the tyranny of his totalitarian regime but also the bravery of the many people who stood up and finally took it down. A gut-wrenching tale that awakens readers to the reality of what millions endured, the novel also gives hope in depicting a courageous willingness to stand against evil, even at great cost.
Gabrielle Meyer
Born with the supernatural ability to live in both colonial Williamsburg on the brink of the American Revolution and in New York City before World War I, Libby alternates between these lives each day. The Libby of 1774 supports the American patriots and the man she loves, while 1914 Libby, passionate about women’s suffrage, longs for more than Gilded Age privilege and being married off to a man of her mother’s choosing. As her 21st birthday inches closer, she must decide which path to follow and which to give up. This creative, inspirational novel will entertain readers and keep them guessing.
Ibi Zoboi
Going beyond a traditional enemies-to-lovers retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Ibi Zoboi’s Pride brings timely depth to a beloved story. Zuri Benitez takes pride in Brooklyn, her family, and her Afro-Latino roots. But as her neighborhood gentrifies, she no longer recognizes her beloved community. When the wealthy Darcy family moves in across the street, Zuri’s sister falls for the older brother, but Zuri wants nothing to do with Darius, the younger brother. As they get to know one another, however, the walls between them break down. Pride speaks naturally to issues like gentrification, racism, and sexism while staying true to Austen’s original story.
