In this charming piece of participatory journalism, Foer—the younger brother of novelist Jonathan Safran Foer—explores the role of memory in both public and private life, while also telling the story of his efforts to compete in the U.S. Memory Championship.

A 25-year-old debut novelist ponders the wisdom of the ages.

Set among the glamorous literati in bohemian 1920s Paris, this novel celebrates the life of Hadley Richardson, the first Mrs. Ernest Hemingway.

An exhaustive biography of the audacious entertainer who shattered racial barriers, wowed audiences, and famously feuded with other African-American show-biz legends.

The best-selling writer's ambitious 18th novel mixes topical issues—gay marriage, in vitro fertilization—with timeless themes of love and family. Bonus: It comes with a soundtrack CD.

Moments of exquisite pain and surprising joy fill this memoir by a poet who sets out to understand the shocking death of her sibling.

The Dominican-American woman at the center of this engaging novel finds her peaceful suburban life interrupted when an old lover tries to win her back.

A memoir that flings open the kitchen door to expose the backbreaking toil and passionate obsession of a world-class chef.

In this provocative novel, a multiracial girl living in a white community feels like an outcast. When an African-American couple moves to town, things really get complicated.

A preppy editor ends up working the night shift behind the counter at his immigrant in-laws' Brooklyn grocery store in this funny, poignant, true story.

When a baby's mother dies, a Dublin community bands together to care for the infant and keep her out of foster care. Joyful, quintessential Binchy.

In this evocative novel set in 1950s Sudan, a young woman is torn between tradition and progress, much like the country in which she lives.

The weird and (sort of) delightful tale of a monkey who's scarily human.

We dare you to turn away from these two disturbing but beautifully written memoirs.

Sometimes the most dangerous demons are the ones inside us.

Good people make all the right moves, and still, things fall apart.