Browse our selection of the best books of the season! From fiction to nonfiction to our favorite picks for kids, we guarantee you’ll find the perfect book for every reader.
Marilynne Robinson
"The story flows swiftly — and without a hint of inevitability — as Robinson explores a favorite theme, 'guilt and grace met together.' [P]roof of the thesis that love conquers all — but not without considerable pain." – Kirkus (Starred Review)
Ayad Akhtar
"Not an easy book to read, but a very compelling and well-written one, Homeland Elegies is a sharp reminder of the role 9/11 plays as both the end-result of American actions abroad and the start of our steep, continuous slide into a country increasingly defined by anxiety and division." – Rhianna W., Powells.com
Elena Ferrante
"Based on my love for Ferrante's Neopolitan Quartet, I'm waiting impatiently for this new offering. Again set in Naples, featuring class struggle and a young woman's coming-of-age, this promises to be classic Ferrante." – Kathi K., Powells.com
Yaa Gyasi
"A searching, intimate novel about so many issues: race and the immigrant experience...addiction and depression...the power and the limitations of religious faith and of scientific inquiry, and how we cope with profound loss and grief. This is a moving, urgent story, and I couldn't put it down." – Tim B., Powells.com
Bryan Washington
"Bryan Washington is an expert in illuminating the way we love. Memorial perfectly captures the lives lived in-between what we do and what we say, what we need and what we allow ourselves to have. It is a beautiful heartbreak." – Mira Jacob, author of Good Talk
Raven Leilani
"In phenomenal prose, Raven Leilani has captured the complex, intimate ways that people help and hurt each other; the drudgery of modern workplaces and the gig economy; twisting paths of finding creative passions; the pains of IBS; and so much more." – Michelle C., Powells.com
Brit Bennett
"The Vanishing Half is an utterly mesmerising novel....It seduces with its literary flair, surprises with its breath-taking plot twists, delights with its psychological insights." – Bernardine Evaristo, author of Girl, Woman, Other
Emma Cline
"On every other page, it seems, there is something remarkable — an immaculate phrase, a boldly modifying adverb, a metaphor or simile that makes a sudden, electric connection between its poles." – James Wood, The New Yorker
Ta-Nehisi Coates
"The best nonfiction writer of our generation makes his fiction debut with this intricately constructed novel about slavery in America. Ta-Nehisi Coates's voice is distinctive and powerful, and this book is one to cherish." – Mary S., Powells.com
Karen Russell
"Sleep Donation was first published in 2014, but from the viewpoint of 2020, it reads less like an imagined dystopia and more like a thinly veiled rebuke of late-stage capitalism, corruption, exploitation, and the federal pandemic response." – Emily B., Powells.com
Margaret Atwood
"I discovered Margaret Atwood's poetry in the Seminary Co-Op Bookstore in Chicago, and six years later my best friend was reading 'Variations on the Word Sleep' at my wedding. If you love Atwood's imaginative and incisive novels, her ability to channel those gifts into the discipline of poetry will transport you." – Rhianna W., Powells.com
Gregory Maguire
"Maguire parallels the swan boy's story of brokenness to Laura's own struggles overcoming class and cultural differences. Fans of Maguire's retellings will love this simple, elegant story." – Publishers Weekly
V. E. Schwab
"I rarely read fantasy, but this story pulled me compulsively through all 600 pages, from France in the 1700s to current day NYC. [The Invisible Life is] a great tale of choosing life despite crippling loneliness, forging a career as an artistic muse, outwitting the 'dark,' and finding love." – Kathi K., Powells.com
Alice Hoffman
"Hoffman offers an eye-opening account of how single women were treated in the 17th century, particularly when their knowledge or intelligence was deemed threatening. [This] page-turning adventure is thoroughly enjoyable." – Publishers Weekly
Jonathan Letham
"An impeccably executed, moving, and wildly inventive tale of madness and narrative at the end of the world. Lethem is at the top of his game." – Emily St. John Mandel, author of The Glass Hotel
Susanna Clarke
"Piranesi is a miraculous and luminous feat of storytelling, at once a gripping mystery, an adventure through a brilliant new fantasy world, and a deep meditation on the human condition: feeling lost, and being found. I already want to be back in its haunting and beautiful halls!" – Madeline Miller, author of Circe
Ernest Cline
"Let's face it: We all could use a nostalgia machine right now. Cline's Ready Player Two is here to whisk you back into the riddle-riddled world of Oasis for a story of wit, trivia, and one-on-one combat." – Matt K., Powells.com
Rebecca Roanhorse
"This remarkable book from the original and fresh voice of Rebecca Roanhorse is epic and personal all at once. A world completely new, yet born from the Native stories of the Americas. Characters that pull at your heart. Humor, sex, danger, adventure, intrigue, and in all its fantasy, filled with humanity." – Doug C., Powells.com
Naomi Novik
"Hilarious and wild! Take any fictional magic school, make it as over-the-top dangerous as possible, and populate it with a bunch of snarky teenagers; the result is pure batshit fun." – N. K. Jemisin, author of The City We Became
Tana French
"Tana French's latest is set in a small Irish village and features a retired Chicago cop. It's richly atmospheric. Like all French's work, it is dark and utterly compelling." – Kathi K., Powells.com
Ruth Ware
"Ware's gifts for characterization, plot, and pacing shine here....Ware's fans will devour this in a sitting." – Library Journal (Starred Review)
Louise Penny
"There are multiple stories, often contradictory, to be found in the many-tentacled web of human tragedy and suffering that Gamache teases to the surface in this moving exploration of ties that both bind and destroy." – Booklist (Starred Review)
Anthony Horowitz
"Horowitz returns to the wonderful characters from Magpie Murders and revisits the book-within-a-book plotting device. It works again, brilliantly, in this bright, modern homage to Agatha Christie." – Kathi K., Powells.com
Allie Brosh
"With her signature illustration style, stories of very bad animals, and humorous, yet deeply moving observations, Brosh is bound to warm your heart and have you laughing out loud." – Rachel M., Powells.com
Nathan W. Pyle
"Nathan W. Pyle's droll moments in time as seen through the eyes of his uniquely formal-tongued space aliens are a balm for the stressed soul, making us laugh at the ridiculousness and poignancy of everyday life. Stranger Planet is irresistibly enchanting." – Gigi L., Powells.com
Steve Martin
"Is there anything Steve Martin can't do? Okay, here he's had some help from acclaimed cartoonist Harry Bliss, and the two comedians outdo themselves with cartoons that are sometimes about the existential lives of slinkies, sometimes about the authors, and always hilarious." – Moses M., Powells.com
Barack Obama
"[A Promised Land] is the most anticipated presidential memoir in living memory, largely because of the quality of the writing than for any possible revelations.... Obama has been called the most literary president since Abraham Lincoln." – The Guardian
Jon Meacham
"There is no book that I would rather be reading this fall. Jon Meacham is a powerful writer and his portrait of Congressman Lewis is sure to be one of the most significant books of the year." – McKenzie W., Powells.com
Tina Ontiveros
"One of the things I really loved about this book was how it illuminated new corners of the Northwest — towns I’d never heard of, places I’ve only passed through. I also loved Ontiveros's refusal to reduce her father to a simple villain. She shows us his complexity without excusing his abusive behavior." – Mary Jo S., Powells.com
Dolly Parton
"In Dolly Parton, Songteller, she shares the fascinating stories behind the lyrics of her popular songs, along with personal photos and memorabilia. Even if you're not a fan (but you're almost certainly a fan), it's a stellar portrait of decades of American history, from one of our greatest heroes." – Michelle C., Powells.com
Kahran and Regis Bethencourt
"Gorgeous photography, but so much more. A truly inspired and inspiring work that speaks eloquently to our inherent beauty and power." – Brittney Cooper, author of Eloquent Rage
Les Payne and Tamara Payne
"An extraordinary and essential portrait of the man behind the icon." – Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
Peter Cozzens
"An insightful, unflinching portrayal of the remarkable siblings who came closer to altering the course of American history than any other Indian leaders." – H. W. Brands, author of Heirs of the Founders
Leonard Mlodinow
"Mlodinow offers a heartfelt account of his friendship with theoretical astrophysicist Stephen Hawking...a complex person driven by a passion to understand, overcome the limitations of his disability, and make human connections." – Booklist
Yotam Ottolenghi
"What more can I say about Ottolenghi? Every cookbook is a delight of unbelievably delectable plant-based recipes that will do wonders for chefs of all levels. Ottolenghi Flavor offers more than 100 mouth-watering dishes, and dives into fascinating core concepts like flavor pairings and cooking reactions that will enhance every meal you make." – Michelle C., Powells.com
Liz Crain
"Liz Crain walks you step-by-step through [dumpling] preparation, bringing uncommon passion and creativity to her recipes in what may be the most charming book on dumplings ever written. I only wish she did takeout!" – Steven Raichlen, author of The Barbecue Bible
Jenn Louis
"With over 100 recipes from all over the world, Jenn Louis proves this hearty, comforting staple comes in many delicious forms: tom kha gai, poule au pot, green chili chicken stew, to name a few. The 'chicken essentials' section has already improved my stock and changed my life." – Michelle C., Powells.com
Andrea Bemis
"Andrea shows us how eating locally is an opportunity to be more connected to the people in our community and to ourselves. And of course she always has the best flavor combination ideas. I mean, zucchini butter? Grilled garlic scapes? Yes, please!" – Erin Gleeson, author of The Forest Feast
Marcus Samuelsson
"Americans owe a great deal of our food history to unsung and forgotten cooks of yesteryear. Samuelsson brings back respect and a feel of history to these folks whom time and society have erased." – Tracey T., Powells.com
Kate McDermott
"I plan to be the most popular person at the Thanksgiving table this year with the help of local author Kate McDermott's Pie Camp. Maybe I'm just hungry, but every page of this book makes me want to get out a rolling pin and attempt to recreate her gorgeous pies." – McKenzie W., Powells.com
Isabel Wilkerson
"A masterly examination of the deeply rooted systems of power encoded in every facet of American life, and a thought-provoking exploration of the parallels between the American caste system and those of India and Nazi Germany. Caste is necessary reading." – Emily B., Powells.com
Mychal Denzel Smith
"Mychal Denzel Smith is the rarest of tenacious writers who remind us that the only way into a dignified free future is backwards. And our refusal to go walk back together makes the stakes highest for the most vulnerable children of tomorrow." – Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy
Claudia Rankine
"[A] passionate and persuasive case about many of the complex mechanics of race in this country....Rankine writes with disarming intimacy and searing honesty....A work that should move, challenge, and transform every reader who encounters it." – Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
Jill Lepore
"Data science, Jill Lepore reminds us....has a past, and she tells it through the engrossing story of Simulmatics, the tiny, long-forgotten company that helped invent our data-obsessed world, in which prediction is seemingly the only knowledge that matters. A captivating, deeply incisive work." – Fredrik Logevall, author of Embers of War
Michael Eric Dyson
"In gorgeous prose and erudite analysis, Dyson argues that both the trap of white comfort and the peril of cancel culture thwart a genuine reckoning with race in our country....a searing cry for racial justice from one of our nation's greatest thinkers and most compelling prophets." – Robin DiAngelo, author of White Fragility
H. W. Brands
"Entertaining and insightful....Brands provides essential historical context and intriguing insights into both men's characters and decision-making. American history fans will be thrilled." – Publishers Weekly
Katie Mack
"Engrossing, elegant....Despite the book's sobering title, [Mack] sprinkles in delightful esoterica along the way, while providing a guide to some of the most plausible scenarios about the end of the universe." – The New York Times
Helen Macdonald
"Helen Macdonald returns with an essay collection centered on our relationship to the world around us. Whether she's discussing migration patterns, mushroom hunting, or returning to her childhood stomping grounds, Macdonald paints an eloquent and illuminating portrayal of the natural world." – Mary Jo S., Powells.com
David Allen Sibley
"Lingering over every page of What It's Like to Be a Bird, this is what can be seen: The book's beauty mirrors the beauty of birds it describes so marvelously." – NPR
Robin Wall Kimmerer
"It is the way she captures beauty that I love the most — the images of giant cedars and wild strawberries, a forest in the rain and a meadow of fragrant sweetgrass will stay with you long after you read the last page." – Jane Goodall
Foster Huntington
"I always wanted to live in a treehouse as a kid, and spend a maybe-embarrassing amount of my adult life watching tiny home TV shows and scrolling through the #vanlife hashtag. Off Grid Life is the perfectly curated collection of my dreams, showcasing beautiful homes in stunning landscapes. It's the perfect escape from 2020." – Michelle C., Powells.com
Ed Caesar
"A wonderful adventure story, beautifully told. Based on years of painstaking archival research, Ed Caesar's The Moth and the Mountain brings us a modern-day myth with a beguiling, impossible hero from a vanished era of empire, one man on an epic quest that is by turns gripping and heartbreaking." – Adam Higginbotham, author of Midnight in Chernobyl
Adam Savage
"Artists, inventors, and creators of every stripe will find Savage's work inspiring and informative, while Mythbusters fans and others will savor his many amusing 'making' foibles and misadventures." – Booklist
Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant
"Building on their popular podcast with this fascinating book, the SYSK hosts are going to change the way you look at everything — Mr. Potato Head, getting lost, facial hair, and more. The ideal read for anyone who's ever wondered why things are the way they are." – Michelle C., Powells.com
David Sedaris
"Eloquent and silly, Sedaris's collection could probably find unshakable life even in the dust kitties under the bed....He gets you laughing even as he gently turns you toward the darkness we all must face." – Caroline Leavitt, San Francisco Chronicle
Lindy West
"Like catching up with a dear and funny friend, this insightful and irreverent book is a soothing balm for turbulent times." – Kirkus Reviews
Rachel Bloom
"Rachel is one of the funniest bravest people of our generation and this book blew me away." – Amy Schumer
Yuval Noah Harari
"With The Birth of Human Kind (Sapiens #1), we can see Harari's work brought to life in captivating illustrations, further encouraging us to discuss and debate our favorite subject: us. Who are we really, and where did we come from?" – Corie K-B., Powells.com
Sandra Boynton
"If you have two thumbs and one is typically in your mouth, chances are you adore Sandra Boynton, and you'll adore this book. With its ridiculous premise, funny illustrations, and engaging prompts, no beginning reader (or adult, for that matter) can resist its charms! – Renee P., Powells.com
Carson Ellis
"With a moonlit setting and simple, repetitive phrasing...Ellis's...latest offering gives a nod to Goodnight Moon....Silly and sweet, this comforting book will be wholly embraced by children as a new bedtime favorite." – Booklist
Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James
"A powerful celebration of Black boyhood, countering many of the negative messages that a racist society puts forth about African American boys....The need for a book like this...could not be greater." – Booklist (Starred Review)
Jessica Love
"A celebration of weddings and a subtle yet poignant reminder that gender, like love, is expansive. Lovely." – Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
Cathy Camper and Kenard Park
"Readers will savor this calm, kind, and loving moment between a granddaughter and her grandma." – Kirkus Reviews
Dav Pilkey
"An utter, unfettered delight." – Booklist (Starred Review)
Lev Grossman
"I loved it. Completely unpredictable and completely charming. A perfect book to cuddle up with and savor — and even better to read aloud with someone you love." – Adam Gidwitz, author of A Tale Dark and Grimm
Amy Timberlake and Jon Klassen
"Amy Timberlake writes with whimsical humor reminiscent of A. A. Milne, Arnold Lobel, and Kenneth Grahame, which is reinforced by Jon Klassen's splendid illustrations. [A] charming, funny, and touching trilogy opener." – Shelf Awareness
Rosanne Parry
"Parry creates a spellbinding, heart-stopping adventure for middle-grade readers....Parry's thorough research, observation, and creative writing combine to share the marvelous matriarchal familial world of orcas." – Booklist (Starred Review)
Jacqueline Woodson
"Woodson again shows herself to be a masterful writer, and her meaningful exploration of concussions and head injuries in football...provides young athletes with necessary insights into sport's less glamorous side." – Booklist (Starred Review)
Jeff Kinney
"Life is never boring for erstwhile adolescent Greg Heffley, and this new round of adventures involves a less-than-pleasant RV park, bad weather, and possible calamity. Diary fans will eat up the Heffley family's cascade of problems, and Greg's hilarious — if bad-mannered — take on the highs and lows of life." – Matt K., Powells.com
Sy Montgomery and Rebecca Green
"A thoughtful, gentle work that highlights the connection between animals and humans. This tender picture book will inspire reflection." – School Library Journal (Starred Review)
Jerry Craft
"This highly anticipated graphic novel takes the reader through Drew's experience of working 10 times harder than his privileged peers for the same opportunities, while dealing with prejudices and microaggressions.... Illustrating tough situations with humor and compassion, Craft writes and illustrates from an authentic voice." – Kim T., Powells.com
Jonathan Hill
"When a mysterious package arrives at their doorstep, Ginny knows she must leave the homestead in search of her mother to discover possible answers in an uncertain future. Award-winning author Jonathan Hill's trichromatic illustrations and story, set in the rich, forested Western landscape, is as compelling as it is beautiful." – Kim T., Powells.com
Katie O'Neill
"A tender, lovingly crafted book about growth, longing, grief, and renewal that I want to read over and over again!" – Carey Pietsch, The Adventure Zone
Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
"Sixteen-year-old Amal has been wrongly accused of a crime he didn’t commit, simply for being in the wrong place in the wrong time. Punching the Air is an impactful and necessary book for young adults, families, and educators trying to understand the injustice of systemic racism." – Kim T., Powells.com
Nina LaCour
"LaCour presents a ghost story that is moving, unsettling, and full of atmospheric beauty with foggy, coastal air that hangs heavy in the pages....100% LaCour at its core." – SLJ (Starred Review)