The Best New Books on Scribd

First and foremost, comedian Gethard wants you to know that being a dad is fun and deeply rewarding — but it’s also stressful, draining, lonely, and tons of other bleak adjectives. This compilation of interviews Gethard did with his dad friends (and one mom friend) is full of candid, vulnerable insights about parenthood that men typically don’t acknowledge, let alone share.

Schine’s (“The Grammarians”) latest is an engaging and witty ode to storytelling. Mamie Künstler has lived in Los Angeles since her family fled Austria in 1939. In 2020, her floundering grandson comes calling, but lockdown extends his visit indefinitely. Mamie fills their time by sharing stories of Old Hollywood and her community of refugees, including notable Jewish artists, performers, and intellectuals.

What most of us know of Hilton was curated by early aughts reality TV, which painted her as an overly-sexualized fashionista and party girl. This eye-opening memoir delivers a fresh portrait of a surprisingly grounded woman. In “Paris,” Hilton covers sexual abuse, mental health, and mainstream media’s delight in exploiting young women. Gracious and empathetic, the heiress corrects the popular narrative without veering into self-pity — and that’s hot.

This linked story collection fearlessly embraces female grief without the constraints of societal expectations. Each protagonist faces a loss of some kind, and their emotions become increasingly and authentically savage. Set in neglected towns across the American South, which have an untamed quality of their own, “A Manual for How to Love Us” is spellbinding and genre defying.

This book reveals how America’s healthcare system fails its most vulnerable people and offers a model for a humane future. Nuila doesn’t shy away from the harsh truths of capitalism and for-profit healthcare, sharing stories of actual patients to make this topic less theoretical and more human. “The People’s Hospital” is essential reading today and for as long as our system remains unchanged.

Carmen Sánchez oversees a renovation project in Mexico City with her two young daughters in tow. When ancient artifacts are discovered at the construction site, the job is cut short, and the Sánchezes return to New York — but they aren’t alone. A sinister spirit follows, using Carmen’s daughter to avenge atrocities of the past. Gout skewers colonialism and racism with this possession tale based on Indigenous Mexican mythology.

A disgraced police inspector hopes to salvage his career by solving an especially sinister case. But he needs the help of Antonia Scott — a civilian with an astonishing mind for forensics who’s currently out of commission after a personal tragedy. Newly translated from Spanish, “Red Queen” is the first in Gómez-Jurado’s Madrid-based crime trilogy featuring Antonia Scott. Translations for the next two titles are forthcoming, as is an Amazon Prime Spanish Original series adaptation (“Reina Roja”).

Theranos meets “The Social Network” — with a queer twist. After dabbling in petty scams, best friends and con artists Ezra and Orson found a shady wellness company called NuLife, which promises health and happiness to all who buy in. Frumkin (“The Comedown”) accomplishes something rare in “Confidence,” a zany dark comedy that manages to disparage capitalism and the wellness industry without becoming preachy or grim.

The original Walkman didn’t walk just so the iPhone could run. The invention of the cassette tape let us, for the first time, create our own private, portable realities. This audiobook compilation from the podcast “Radiolab” tells the history of cassettes, with rich soundscapes and fascinating findings.

The human body is a marvel that we’re only just beginning to figure out. Learn why older scientific paradigms, like the use of X and Y chromosomes to determine a person’s sex, may need to shift in the wake of new discoveries. Everything from guts to butts is covered in this anthology from the eclectic podcast “Radiolab.”

Spoiler warning: There’s a high probability this anthology from “Radiolab” will kick you right in the feels. These aren’t typical tearjerkers or touching stories — they explore the mysteries of emotions through observations about octopuses, apes, and more, to rattle you right to your core.

In Lucas’ pensive debut, a middle-aged woman remembers the love affair she had in her twenties with a much older man and how their relationship affected her views on intimacy, loyalty, and self. Set on the Australian coast and rich in metaphor, “Thirst for Salt” is a love letter to love itself, particularly young love with all its fraught ups and downs.

Sarna’s life and career are proof that you don’t have to have an early advantage to succeed. Despite years of being disregarded — or perhaps because of it — she went on to develop a life-saving medical device for women. Sarna is now a successful venture capitalist and a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur. “Without a Doubt” overflows with humor, vulnerability, and empathy as the author inspires readers to chase their passions no matter the odds.

In a highly anticipated thriller by the author of “Every Last Fear,” the past comes back to haunt Jenna, Nico, Ben, and Donnie, who met in a teen group home. As adults, they’re drawn together when Ben is murdered and the rest narrowly avoid the same fate. The brisk plot shifts between their perspectives as they navigate twists and turns to discover who is out to get them and why.

Penner follows her bestselling debut, “The Lost Apothecary,” with an equally enthralling sophomore novel. In 19th-century Paris, Lenna Wickes works with renowned medium Vaudeline D’Allaire to solve her sister’s murder. They soon become entangled with the all-male London Séance Society — and a darker plot involving the occult. This gothic mystery includes feminist themes and sapphic romance. Naturally, it begins and ends with a séance.

Though the author dedicates much of this book to her sobriety journey, “Stash” is much more than an addiction memoir. Robbins, host of the podcast “The Only One in the Room,” opens up about living a lie and the toll dishonesty takes on our joy and humanity. The result is an unflinchingly honest account of a complicated life and the determination to live it as well as possible.

Read the inspiring true story of Nancy Hopkins and 15 other women scientists who revealed institutionalized sexism at MIT — a groundbreaking move that sparked national conversations and led to major changes in STEM. Zernike, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who originally broke the story, gives an in-depth report on this defining historical moment without losing sight of the individual women who led the charge. “The Exceptions” pairs well with “The Secret of Life” and “Hidden Figures.”

“At its heart, the book is about trying to find a shape for your life that hasn’t already been prescribed as your inevitable, cramped destiny,” says debut author Schwartz of her new novel. “After Sappho” fills in historical gaps, speculating on the lives, pursuits, and feelings of 20th-century women like Virginia Woolf and Natalie Barney. This story splinters between the protagonists but reads like a collective chorus railing against patriarchal expectations.

When everything from politics to social norms is polarizing, Hasan, an MSNBC journalist and broadcaster, asserts that arguing doesn’t have to be contentious. Done right, debates can be productive, healthy, and even fun. “Win Every Argument” teaches readers to do just that. Based on Hasan’s interviews (and arguments) with celebrities, politicians, and beyond, the tips in this straightforward guide reveal how to remain calm, articulate, and compelling.

What can our relationship with the elusive wolf teach us about ourselves? “Wolfish” begs this question and more in a blend of natural history, cultural analysis, and coming-of-age memoir. Berry grounds her work in OR-7, the first confirmed wild wolf on the U.S.’s West Coast since the mid-20th century. Along the way, she explores the ideas of predator and prey — and how humans often confuse the two. Perfect for fans of “H Is for Hawk.”

An unlikable video game designer named Miles creates a new virtual reality game that sparks unexpected backlash. As his career and personal life spiral, increasingly desperate Miles grasps for new ideas. Winnette (“The Job of the Wasp”) delivers a dizzying sci-fi thriller that explores the dangers of unchecked ambition and innovation. The perfect companion read for HBO’s “Severance,” starring Adam Scott.

Lara, a biracial teenager, struggles with the desire to separate herself from her mother, a Russian emigrant who’s at once emotionally distant and controlling. Angel-Anjani’s debut novel grapples with race, class, and sexuality — and how these complex issues can test already fraught mother-daughter relationships.

Roth, best known for her Divergent series, adds a sci-fi spin to a Greek classic in this concise retelling of “Antigone.” After the death of her parents, Antigone’s uncle Kreon asserts his power by holding his niece captive. Roth infuses timely themes like reproductive freedom into the original story while elevating Antigone’s rage, power, and autonomy.

After a heartbreaking loss, Bringley left his position at The New Yorker to work as a guard in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. For a decade, the author found comfort in the ecosystem of one of New York’s most-loved institutions. This thought-provoking memoir chronicles the art, visitors, and personal epiphanies that hallmarked Bringley’s time at the Met.

In Pardo’s alternate 2009, Argentina is a global powerhouse after creating chemical weapons that control human emotions, while America flounders due to rampant street use of the psychotropics. In San Francisco, Agent Kay Curtida follows a dark political plot to manipulate Americans en masse. Called a “heady mix of high-concept speculative fiction, alternative history, and hardboiled detective fiction” by CrimeReads, “The Shameshine Blind’s” imaginative setting is just as intriguing as the novel’s noir plot.

Indigo’s husband promises not to ask questions about her past, but his curiosity intensifies when the couple returns to Indigo’s childhood home, “the House of Dreams,” to visit her dying aunt. Soon, it’s clear that something otherworldly threatens their relationship and very lives. Sometimes claustrophobic and always engaging, Chokshi’s (“The Gilded Wolves”) atmospheric adult debut is a gothic fairy tale that tantalizes from beginning to end.

Have your past heartbreaks made you wary when you approach new relationships? Activist and author Zebian provides helpful advice on how to heal from past traumas with partners, parents, and friends to foster a healthy relationship with the most important person in your life — yourself. “Trust Your Heart” is a spiritual journey of self-discovery.

Olivarez (“Citizen Illegal”) offers a new poetry collection about love in all forms, including self-love, friendship, and romance. The poems explore the darker aspects of humanity that slowly eat away at our ability to love, including capitalism, colonization, displacement, and othering. “Promises of Gold” is salve to the soul in a world where differences encroach on connection.

Greta, a transcriptionist for a sex coach, is beguiled by one client’s voice, nicknaming her “Big Swiss.” Then Greta meets Big Swiss in real life, and a passionate love affair begins. Only Beagin (“Vacuum in the Dark”), with her penchant for the off-color and eccentric, could pen a romantic comedy that’s as weird as it is endearing, addressing trauma while simultaneously making fun of New York elites.

Jones returns with a sequel to his Bram Stoker-winning novel, “My Heart Is a Chainsaw.” After four years in prison, Jade Daniels is back in Proofrock, Idaho, now going by Jennifer. Her name may be new, but some things never change: Jennifer must once again use her slasher film expertise when a serial killer starts shedding blood. Sharp in dialogue and plot, “Don’t Fear the Reaper” more than lives up to Jones’ reputation as a master of contemporary Indigenous horror.

In 1940s Trinidad, poverty stricken workers live in the shadows of opulence at Dalton and Marlee Changoor’s estate. When Dalton mysteriously disappears, Marlee hires Hans, a laborer, for protection, causing devastating ripple effects through the plantation and beyond. Hosein (“The Repenters”) dissects the generational impact of colonialism and class divide in this affecting noir.

In 1966, the emergence of the Black Power movement marked a significant shift from Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis’ peaceful methods. Whitaker (“Smoketown”) chronicles the people and happenings of that fateful period of the civil rights movement while drawing parallels with today’s Black Lives Matter. “Saying It Loud” is rich in historical detail, but it reads more like a fast-paced novel with high stakes and vivid characters.

Haynes adds to her body of Greek myth retellings (“A Thousand Ships,” “The Children of Jocasta”) with “Stone Blind.” The classics paint Medusa as a monster, but this reimagining questions the very meaning of the word, offering a fresh perspective with male-perpetrated violence at its core. True to form, Haynes gives voice to women characters previously pushed aside.

It starts with a spoon. Lucky by name but unlucky in life, Dimaline’s (“Empire of Wild”) Indigenous protagonist discovers an ancient spoon, inducting her into VenCo, a coven of witches on the brink of rebirth — but only if Lucky can find their seventh and final member before witch hunters strike them all down. Feminism and inclusivity battle the patriarchy in this energetic and fun fantasy.

Two young Black women in 1950s America fight to keep their dreams afloat in the face of unexpected circumstances. In Philadelphia, Ruby Pearsall longs to attend college, while Eleanor Quarles, a Howard University student, is set to be the first graduate in her family. Both of their lives are upended after finding love. Johnson’s (“Yellow Wife”) powerful historical fiction revisits a time when women, particularly those of color, grappled with limited choices and seemingly predetermined futures.

Kit, a 1950s Cherokee girl, is taken from her widowed father and sent to a boarding school rife with Christian indoctrination and sexual abuse. She journals her experiences, but her ruminations begin to reveal a dark secret about why she was stolen from her home. The underlying truth is a spellbinding, haunting presence in this historical fiction by Verble, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for “Maud's Line.”

Luna, an acclaimed life coach, speaker, and podcaster, shares words of wisdom on living authentically. Using her popular framework called “Permission Slips,” learn how to set boundaries and stop people-pleasing without fear of judgment. This empathetic and funny guidebook packs an empowering punch.

Eric Ross, a desperate father of two daughters, accepts a bizarre proposal: Stay in the notoriously haunted Masson House in Degener, Texas, long enough to document ghostly activity. If Eric can complete the job (and keep his sanity), his money problems are over. In Compton’s debut, a Gothic horror novel told from multiple perspectives, paranormal threats put familial bonds to the test.

Fairy tale themes and Persian mythology unite once again in this highly anticipated sequel to “This Woven Kingdom.” Alizeh’s path to the Jinn throne is in the hands of Cyrus, ruler of Tulan. But Cyrus is motivated by evil forces, and Alizeh can’t forget the kiss she shared with Kamran of Ardunia, who has a fresh vendetta against Cyrus. Mafi, a National Book Award nominee, continues to build an intricate fantasy world bursting with rich characters, conflicting emotions, and powerful enemies.

Contrary to what rom-coms and pop culture teach us, love takes work. Shetty, inspirational thought leader and author of bestselling “Think Like a Monk,” gets real about love, including the typical relationship cycles we all navigate and how to show up for your partner when those lovey-dovey feelings subside. Shetty also offers honest advice on when it’s time to move on and how to avoid the most common pitfalls in romantic relationships.

Spurred on by the loss of her husband and a cane with mystical properties, the elderly matriarch of a contemporary Indian family embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing. An International Booker Prize winner, this novel pushes the boundaries of a traditional family saga as Shree (“Mai”) dissects expectations, feminism, and identity through magical realism. “Tomb of Sand” was translated into English by Daisy Rockwell.

Maddie, the dependable one in her British Ghanaian family, finally chooses to prioritize herself and build the life she deserves. George’s novel, called a “pitch-perfect debut” by Publishers Weekly, is a coming-of-age journey featuring a vulnerable protagonist readers can simultaneously identify with and root for. “Maame” includes themes of systemic racism, family obligations, and self-empowerment.

Louise Chao may be a vampire, but she struggles with the same ordinary challenges as any human, including loneliness. When her estranged nephew shows up on her doorstep, Louise experiences a new spark for life — and punk rock. Chen’s (“Light Years from Home”) book is far from your typical vampire novel, using humor and music to address the relatable experience of feeling like an outsider.

Newitz, the award-winning author of “The Future of Another Timeline” and “Autonomous,” delivers a space opera set on Sask-E, where corporate and capitalistic agendas clash with the planet’s residents. Endearing characters ranging from humans to robots to cognizant train cars must all make brave choices to claim their personhood and live in harmony with the environment. The result is a hopeful and brilliant fantasy that’s perfect for fans of Becky Chambers.

Engel follows her award-winning 2021 release, “Infinite Country,” with a collection of 10 stories unfolding across the U.S., Colombia, Cuba, and beyond. Though the stories deal with bleak choices and scenarios, they each highlight uplifting, human-forward themes like courage, empathy, and redemption.

In the 18th century, former slave Benjamin Honey settled Malaga Island off the coast of Maine alongside his Irish wife. Over a century later, government officials would forcefully displace the mixed-race inhabitants of Malaga. Many were involuntarily institutionalized. Harding (author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Tinkers”) rehumanizes history in this fictitious retelling of true events, highlighting the effects of racism, eugenics, and colonization with affecting prose and rich characterization.

A former CIA operative lays out nine rules he learned while working for America’s human intelligence agency that helped him successfully launch his own business in this Scribd Original. “Company Rules” provides practical advice for entrepreneurs (spy skills not required but can come in handy) alongside insightful and humorous stories of Baker’s transition from the public to the private sector.

With a title like “Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone” (also the novel’s opening line), it’s no surprise that Stevenson’s latest is delightfully cheeky and intriguing. A self-referential play on cozy whodunnits, it follows Ernie Cunningham and his untrustworthy family, all reuniting at a remote ski resort. The first body drops quickly, and the plot develops via Ernie’s detective work. HBO has already acquired the rights to this entertaining mystery, making it a must-read before the series premieres.