Book of the Day

A sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments is set fifteen years after the original novel. It follows three female narrators—Aunt Lydia, a powerful enforcer of Gilead’s laws; Agnes, a girl raised in Gilead; and Daisy, a Canadian teenager unknowingly tied to the regime. Their stories intertwine to expose the fragility and hypocrisy of Gilead’s power structure. Atwood crafts a thrilling and timely narrative that explores resistance, indoctrination, and female agency in a dystopian society. The novel deepens the world of Gilead while offering a glimmer of hope for its collapse.

Set in 1930s Brighton, this noir thriller follows Pinkie Brown, a teenage gangster who murders a rival and desperately tries to cover it up. When a naive waitress, Rose, threatens to expose him, Pinkie marries her to keep her quiet, while journalist Ida Arnold seeks justice. Blending crime drama with Catholic themes of sin and redemption, Greene presents a chilling portrait of moral ambiguity and youthful sociopathy. Brighton Rock is both a gripping crime story and a profound meditation on good and evil.

Americanah follows Ifemelu and Obinze, two Nigerians whose lives diverge as they emigrate—she to the United States, he to the UK. Through Ifemelu’s journey, Adichie explores themes of race, identity, immigration, and the complexities of love across continents. The novel offers incisive commentary on the experience of Blackness in America and Britain, while remaining rooted in the characters’ emotional truths. Thought-provoking and deeply human, Americanah is a sweeping yet intimate portrait of the modern global diaspora and what it means to return “home.

Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley is a powerful debut novel that follows Kiara, a Black teenager navigating poverty and systemic injustice in Oakland, California. After a tragic family crisis and with no reliable support, Kiara turns to sex work to survive, eventually becoming entangled in a police scandal involving abuse and corruption. Mottley, who wrote the novel at just 17, brings poetic intensity and raw vulnerability to Kiara’s voice. The novel explores themes of exploitation, resilience, and the desperate search for dignity in a world that routinely devalues Black lives. Nightcrawling is unflinching, heartbreaking, and deeply human.

Historian David Olusoga presents a comprehensive exploration of Black British history, tracing its roots from Roman times to the present day. The book challenges the traditional narrative of British history by illuminating the long-standing presence, struggles, and contributions of Black people in the UK. Olusoga combines meticulous research with powerful storytelling to highlight systemic injustices and the resilience of communities. Black and British is both an essential corrective and a deeply engaging chronicle, helping readers understand Britain's colonial past and its enduring impact on race relations and identity.

In this classic British crime novel, Inspector Morse investigates the murder of a young woman last seen hitchhiking to Woodstock. As Morse and his partner Lewis delve into the victim’s complex social life, they uncover a web of lies, affairs, and secrets. With a sharp mind and a penchant for classical music and beer, Morse brings an intellectual edge to the case. Colin Dexter’s debut introduces a beloved detective in a plot that twists through Oxford’s academic and social circles. Rich in atmosphere and psychological depth, it sets the tone for the long-running Morse series.

Douglas Stuart's Shuggie Bain portrays the harrowing coming-of-age of a young boy in 1980s Glasgow, navigating poverty and his mother's alcoholism. Shuggie's unwavering love for his mother, Agnes, anchors the narrative as he grapples with his identity and the harsh realities of his environment. The novel offers a raw and compassionate exploration of addiction, resilience, and the enduring bonds of family.

This is Going to Hurt offers a candid and humorous glimpse into the life of junior doctor Adam Kay during his tenure in the UK's National Health Service. Through diary entries, Kay shares the challenges, absurdities, and emotional toll of working in obstetrics and gynecology. Balancing wit with poignant reflections, the memoir sheds light on the sacrifices made by healthcare professionals and critiques systemic issues within the NHS.

Set on a remote Australian island after World War I, The Light Between Oceans follows lighthouse keeper Tom Sherbourne and his wife Isabel, who discover a baby adrift in a boat and decide to raise her as their own. Years later, they face moral dilemmas when they learn about the child's biological mother. Stedman's debut novel explores themes of love, loss, and the consequences of choices, painting a poignant portrait of human resilience and the complexities of right and wrong.

In Bad Blood, investigative journalist John Carreyrou exposes the rise and fall of Theranos, a biotech startup led by Elizabeth Holmes that promised revolutionary blood-testing technology. Through meticulous reporting, Carreyrou uncovers a web of deception, corporate malfeasance, and the dangers of unchecked ambition in Silicon Valley. The book serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of startup culture and the importance of journalistic integrity in holding powerful entities accountable.