1. "The Glass Hotel" by Emily St. John Mandel – This novel follows the interconnected lives of a group of people affected by a financial scam. The Wall Street Journal praises Mandel's intricate plotting and beautiful prose, calling it a "riveting and haunting read."
2. "The Nickel Boys" by Colson Whitehead – This novel tells the story of two African American boys sentenced to a reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida. The Wall Street Journal hails Whitehead's powerful storytelling and emotional depth, calling it a "devastating and necessary" read.
3. "The Splendid and the Vile" by Erik Larson – This nonfiction book chronicles Winston Churchill's leadership during the Blitz in World War II. The Wall Street Journal commends Larson's meticulous research and engaging narrative style, calling it a "fascinating and immersive" read.
4. "Deacon King Kong" by James McBride – This novel follows the aftermath of a shooting in a Brooklyn housing project in the 1960s. The Wall Street Journal praises McBride's humor and humanity, calling it a "vibrant and unforgettable" read.
5. "The Mirror and the Light" by Hilary Mantel – This historical novel concludes Mantel's acclaimed Wolf Hall trilogy, following the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII. The Wall Street Journal lauds Mantel's masterful storytelling and vivid characterizations, calling it a "sweeping and brilliant" read.