Charity and Sylvia by Tillie Walden

The life of Charity and Sylvia, a lesbian couple who lived openly in 19th-century Vermont, is fascinating in itself, and acclaimed cartoonist Tillie Walden tells this story with such deftness: slice-of-life vignettes are interspersed with letters, dreams, lists, and mentions of Black and Indigenous history unfolding at the same time. My heart ached for these two deeply religious women, who even after decades together, fear their love will be their damnation. This is the first book I’ve ever read that moved me to sobs within a single page. (They were good tears!) Don’t miss the website for extensive annotations and background information. —Danika Ellis

London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

The story at the heart of London Falling is a hook on its own—the mysterious death of a family’s 19-year-old son reveals a double life with ties to London’s criminal underground—and in Radden Keefe’s hands, you’ll forget you’re reading nonfiction. His painstaking research, from extensive conversations with the boy’s family to chats with gangsters and oligarchs, is matched by the care he takes in piecing together a narrative that is deeply compelling without leaning into the salacious. That’s the PRK way (see Say Nothing, Empire of Pain, etc) and why this book will surely be a best of 2026 for many a reader at year’s end. —Vanessa Diaz

On Morrison by Namwali Serpell

What a gift this book is! Namwali Serpell has crafted the rare work of literary criticism that simultaneously elevates the texts of her famously difficult subject and makes them more accessible to civilian readers. Toni Morrison’s work is challenging, yes, but it is also funny, affirming, exciting, and crackling with creativity. Serpell’s blend of scholarly analysis and deep affection for Morrison’s work offers a welcoming guide for newcomers and an enriching resource for longtime Morrison fans alike. Every serious reader should have this book on their shelves. —Rebecca Joines Schinsky

Mother Tongue by Sara Nović

In this must-read memoir, Nović challenges the systems that plague deaf and disabled Americans while also celebrating her community’s strength and resilience in the face of ongoing marginalization. From her tween years as a deaf church kid to her adulthood creating a family of her own, Nović gives us glimpses into her life as she moves through the world. She may not have answers to life’s burning questions—about deaf culture, adoption, queerness, and gender identity, just to name a few—but she’s willing to wade through the unknown, bringing her readers along the way.

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On Witness and Respair by Jesmyn Ward

From two-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward, On Witness and Respair collects years of essays into a single volume. In her signature stunning prose, Ward shares her wisdom and gift for storytelling, much of which she learned from her childhood in Mississippi. This essay collection is Ward’s nonfiction prose at its best, sharp, insightful, and never flinching away from the hard truths.