Order of Alma Katsu Books
Alma Katsu is an American author of historical fiction, Gothic fiction, and dark fantasy novels. Alma grew up in Concord, Massachusetts, which she credits for helping develop her interest in U.S. history. She earned a bachelor’s degree in literature and writing from Brandeis University, and a master’s degree in fiction from Johns Hopkins University. In 2022, she received the Bram Stoker Award for Best Long Fiction for her short story The Wehrwolf. (more…)
Order of Seth Hunter Books
Seth Hunter is the pen name of British novelist Paul Bryers, who writes nautical historical fiction under this pen name. He writes the Nathan Peake series. The stories are set during the War of the First Coalition, a conflict between revolutionary France and a European alliance later known as the First Coalition. (more…)
Order of Russell Banks Books
Russell Banks (1940-2023) was an American author. His works often explored major events in American history and working-class life. His novels have been translated into twenty languages, received numerous international awards, and two were adapted into acclaimed films. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. (more…)
Order of M.M. Kaye Books
M.M. Kaye (1908-2004) was a British author of historical fiction novels. Kaye was born in Simla, British India, into a British colonial family and went on to become best known for her bestselling historical novel The Far Pavilions, inspired by her early life in India. After publishing children’s books and mysteries set in various countries where she lived with her army officer husband, she turned to sweeping epics like Shadow of the Moon and Trade Wind, drawing on India’s colonial past. Her work combined romance, history, and political intrigue, earning her international acclaim. (more…)
Order of Maggie O’Farrell Books
Maggie O’Farrell is an Irish author of fiction and historical fiction novels. Born in Northern Ireland, Maggie grew up in Wales and Scotland. She studied English Literature at the University of Cambridge. She won the Betty Trask Award for her first novel, After You’d Gone; the Costa Novel Award for The Hand That First Held Mine; and the Women’s Prize for Fiction for Hamnet. She also won the author award at Harper’s Bazaar’s Women of the Year awards. Maggie is married to fellow writer, William Sutcliffe, with whom she has three children. (more…)
Welcome to June! Reader Mailbag: Book You Blindly Recommend
In the May 2025 newsletter, we asked readers what book they blindly recommend to others, regardless of a persons interests.
Here are the responses:
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Order of Ellen Marie Wiseman Books
Ellen Marie Wiseman is an American author of coming-of-age/historical fiction novels. She is a New York Times bestselling author. Ellen realized she loved both reading and writing when she was in first grade, which interestingly enough was in one of the last surviving one-room schoolhouses in New York state. Ellen lives with her husband and their dog, and has adult children and grandchildren. (more…)
Order of Stephen L. Carter Books
Stephen L. Carter is an American author of thriller novels and non-fiction books. He is a New York Times bestselling author. Stephen earned his B.A. in history from Stanford University and his J.D. from Yale Law School. He has been the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Yale Law School, where he has taught courses on contracts, evidence, professional responsibility, ethics in literature, intellectual property, and the law and ethics of war. His novel The Emperor of Ocean Park won the 2003 Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Fiction and the 2003 BCALA Literary Award. (more…)
Order of Elif Shafak Books
Elif Shafak is a Turkish author. She is known for her novels exploring identity, belonging, and cultural conflict. Shafak’s writing often tackles controversial issues such as gender violence, political oppression, and historical memory. Born in France and raised in Turkey, Shafak holds a Ph.D. in political science and has taught at universities in Turkey, the U.S., and the U.K., including the University of Oxford. She has faced legal challenges in Turkey for the political themes in her work, most recently a plagiarism accusation in 2024, which she is appealing. A vocal advocate for women’s rights and freedom of expression, she now lives in London, where she continues to write and speak on global human rights issues. (more…)