Book Lists

Fiction / Social Best Sellers

New York Time Best sellers of Fiction / Social: The Hill We Climb (2021), Call Us What We Carry (2021), An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (2018), The Street Lawyer (1998), A Man in Full (1998) and other 22 books.

27 results found

The Hill We Climb

released in: 2021
The Hill We Climb
The instant #1 New York Times bestseller and #1 USA Today bestseller Amanda Gorman’s electrifying and historic poem “The Hill We Climb,” read at President Joe Biden’s inauguration. “Stunning.” —CNN “Dynamic.” —NPR “Deeply rousing and uplifting.” —Vogue On January 20, 2021, Amanda Gorman became the sixth and youngest poet to deliver a poetry reading at a presidential inauguration. Taking the stage after the 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden, Gorman captivated the nation and brought hope to viewers around the globe with her call for unity and healing. Her poem “The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country” can now be cherished in this special gift edition, perfect for any reader looking for some inspiration. Including an enduring foreword by Oprah Winfrey, this remarkable keepsake celebrates the promise of America and affirms the power of poetry.

Call Us What We Carry

released in: 2021
Call Us What We Carry
The breakout poetry collection by Sunday Times bestselling author and presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman 'This is poetry rippling with communal recognition and empathy' Guardian 'This is more than protest. It's a promise.' Including 'The Hill We Climb,' the stirring poem read at the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden, this luminous poetry collection by Amanda Gorman captures a shipwrecked moment in time and transforms it into a lyric of hope and healing. In Call Us What We Carry, Gorman explores history, language, identity, and erasure through an imaginative and intimate collage. Harnessing the collective grief of a global pandemic, these seventy poems shine a light on a moment of reckoning and reveal that Gorman has become our messenger from the past, our voice for the future. 'I think we all need more poetry - specifically her poetry - in our lives' i Praise for 'The Hill We Climb'- 'I was profoundly moved... The power of your words blew me away' Michelle Obama, TIME 'I was thrilled' Hillary Clinton 'She spoke truth to power and embodied clear-eyed hope to a weary nation. She revealed us to ourselves' Lin-Manuel Miranda, TIME

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

released in: 2018
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing
**In Hank Green's sweeping, cinematic debut novel, a young woman becomes an overnight celebrity before realizing she's part of something bigger, and stranger, than anyone could have possibly imagine.** ***THE CARLS JUST APPEARED.*** Roaming through New York City at three A.M., twenty-three-year-old April May stumbles across a giant sculpture. Delighted by its appearance and craftsmanship--like a ten-foot-tall Transformer wearing a suit of samurai armor--April and her best friend, Andy, make a video with it, which Andy uploads to YouTube. The next day, April wakes up to a viral video and a new life. News quickly spreads that there are Carls in dozens of cities around the world--from Beijing to Buenos Aires--and April, as their first documentarian, finds herself at the center of an intense international media spotlight. Seizing the opportunity to make her mark on the world, April now has to deal with the consequences her new particular brand of fame has on her relationships, her safety, and her own identity. And all eyes are on April to figure out not just what the Carls are, but what they want from us. Compulsively entertaining and powerfully relevant, *An Absolutely Remarkable Thing* grapples with big themes, including how the social internet is changing fame, rhetoric, and radicalization; how our culture deals with fear and uncertainty; and how vilification and adoration spring from the same dehumanization that follows a life in the public eye. The beginning of an exciting fiction career, *An Absolutely Remarkable Thing* is a bold and insightful novel of now. This description comes from the publisher.

The Street Lawyer

released in: 1998
The Street Lawyer
"The Street Lawyer" by John Grisham follows the story of a successful attorney whose life takes an unexpected turn after a chance encounter with a homeless man. The novel explores themes of social justice, homelessness, and the transformative power of empathy. Grisham blends legal drama with a compassionate exploration of societal issues, offering readers a poignant and thought-provoking narrative.

A Man in Full

released in: 1998
A Man in Full
"A Man in Full" by Tom Wolfe is a satirical novel that explores themes of race, class, and societal expectations in contemporary Atlanta. The narrative weaves together the stories of various characters, including a real estate developer, a young attorney, and an ex-football star. Wolfe's novel offers a panoramic view of the cultural and economic dynamics of the time.

The Bonfire of the Vanities

released in: 1987
The Bonfire of the Vanities
"The Bonfire of the Vanities" by Tom Wolfe is a satirical novel that explores the excesses and social dynamics of 1980s New York City. The story follows a wealthy bond trader, Sherman McCoy, whose life unravels after a car accident in the Bronx. Wolfe's sharp wit and keen observations provide a scathing critique of societal values and class divisions.

The Rector of Justin

The Rector of Justin
In this biting social satire, Louis Auchincloss tells the story of Reverend Peter Justin, a young Episcopal priest who is appointed rector of the wealthy and prestigious parish of St. Justin's in New York City. Justin is quickly caught up in the politics and intrigue of the parish, and his idealistic views are put to the test. The Rector of Justin is a witty and insightful novel about power, religion, and human nature.

The Last Adam

The Last Adam
The novel tells the story of Adam More, a young man from a wealthy family who is trying to find his place in the world. More is a disillusioned idealist who is critical of the shallowness and hypocrisy of the upper class.

Gentlemen's Agreement

Gentlemen's Agreement
"Gentlemen's Agreement" by Laura Z. Hobson is a novel that addresses issues of anti-Semitism in post-World War II America. The story follows a journalist, Phil Green, who decides to experience anti-Semitism firsthand by posing as Jewish. Hobson's novel explores prejudice, tolerance, and the challenges of confronting social injustice.

Kingsblood Royal

Kingsblood Royal
The novel tells the story of Neil Kingsblood, a young banker in the American Midwest who discovers that he is of black ancestry. Kingsblood begins to experience racism and prejudice from his white friends and colleagues, and he must decide whether to "pass" as white or to embrace his African heritage.

B.F.'s Daughter

B.F.'s Daughter
"B.F.'s Daughter" is a novel by John P. Marquand that examines the life of a wealthy young woman, Polly Fulton. The story explores Polly's journey of self-discovery, the societal expectations placed upon her, and the challenges of navigating her privileged world. Marquand's novel delves into themes of identity, societal norms, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.

Strange Fruit

Strange Fruit
"Strange Fruit" by Lillian Smith is a Southern Gothic novel that addresses racial injustice and forbidden love in the American South. The story explores the consequences of societal norms and bigotry. The title is a reference to the anti-lynching song of the same name by Abel Meeropol.

Earth and High Heaven

Earth and High Heaven
During the summer of 1942, at a time when the world was already embroiled in the Second World War, twenty-eight-year-old Erica Drake meets Marc Reiser at a garden party. Though the two develop an interest in one another from the start, a seemingly insurmountable rift exists between them—Erica is a Gentile, while Marc is Jewish. However, as their attachment to one another deepens, they soon choose to face the disapproving arguments of their parents as well as their own prejudices.

Sincerely, Willis Wayde

Sincerely, Willis Wayde
The unforgettable journey of an American businessman—from his humble origins to his extraordinary successes—and the compromises he made along the way When Willis Wayde first lays eyes on the Harcourt mansion near Clyde, Massachusetts, he is fifteen years old. His father is an engineer at Harcourt Mill, and Willis is awestruck by the family's wealth and power. Seeking guidance from Henry Harcourt, Willis meets Bess, the old man's granddaughter. Their friendship eventually blossoms into love as the elder Harcourt takes the young man under his wing, recognizing in Willis a kindred spirit whose instinct for making money matches his own. Pleased with his good fortune, Willis is nevertheless acutely aware of the great social gulf that separates the Waydes from the Harcourts. Determined to make his own way, he sets out on a path that will take him far beyond New England and the insular, old-money world of Henry and Bess. Then the Depression hits, wiping out the Harcourt family fortune. When he comes back into their life, Willis has the power to rescue the last vestige of the family's prestige: the mill. Torn between his nostalgia for a simpler, more sentimental time and his sharply honed business acumen, Willis must make a fateful decision.

Native Son

Native Son
Bigger Thomas has grown up in Chicago’s slums, reckless, angry and adrift. A respectable job with the affluent Dalton family provides hope but sets him on course for a catastrophic collision between his world and theirs. Hunted by citizen and police alike, and baited by prejudiced officials, Bigger finds himself the cause célèbre in an ever-narrowing endgame. First published in 1940, Native Son shocked readers with its candid depiction of violence and confrontation of racial stereotypes. It went on to make Richard Wright the first bestselling black writer in America. ‘In addition to being a masterpiece, a Great American Novel'' Guardian ''The most important and celebrated novel of Negro life to have appeared in America'' James Baldwin WITH AN AFTERWORD BY GARY YOUNGE

You Can't Go Home Again

You Can't Go Home Again
The novel tells the story of George Webber, a young writer who leaves his small hometown to make his way in the world. Webber finds success in New York City, but he is haunted by his past and the people he left behind.

The Grapes of Wrath

The Grapes of Wrath
Set during the Great Depression, the novel follows the Joad family's journey as they face economic hardship, injustice, and societal changes. It's a powerful exploration of the human spirit and social inequality.

The Prodigal Parents

The Citadel

The Citadel
The novel follows the life and career of a young Scottish doctor, exploring his journey through medical school, professional challenges, and ethical dilemmas. It delves into the complexities of the medical profession and social issues.

Wickford Point

Wickford Point
The novel tells the story of Roger Sherman, a young man from a wealthy family who is trying to find his place in the world. Sherman is a disillusioned idealist who is critical of the shallowness and hypocrisy of the upper class.

Moment in Peking

Moment in Peking
Family life among the upper middle class of China from the Boxer Rebellion in 1899 to the Japanese invasion of the 1930's.

Ann Vickers

Ann Vickers
"Ann Vickers" by Sinclair Lewis is a novel that explores the life of the title character, Ann Vickers, as she navigates societal expectations and challenges related to women's roles, activism, and social reform. Lewis' novel provides a critical commentary on contemporary issues, including gender dynamics and political corruption. The narrative reflects Lewis' satirical and incisive style.

Rain in the Doorway

A New York Tempest

A New York Tempest
A love story set against the backdrop of the New York City riots of 1857.

Work of Art

Work of Art
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “The book is a visual feast, full of drafts, sketches, and scribbled notebook pages. Every page shows how an idea becomes a finished design.” —Ari Shapiro, All Things Considered From former editor of New York magazine Adam Moss, a collection of illuminating conversations examining the very personal, rigorous, complex, and elusive work of making art What is the work of art? In this guided tour inside the artist’s head, Adam Moss traces the evolution of transcendent novels, paintings, jokes, movies, songs, and more. Weaving conversations with some of the most accomplished artists of our time together with the journal entries, napkin doodles, and sketches that were their tools, Moss breaks down the work—the tortuous paths and artistic decisions—that led to great art. From first glimmers to second thoughts, roads not taken, crises, breakthroughs, on to one triumphant finish after another. Featuring: Kara Walker, Tony Kushner, Roz Chast, Michael Cunningham, Moses Sumney, Sofia Coppola, Stephen Sondheim, Susan Meiselas, Louise Glück, Maria de Los Angeles, Nico Muhly, Thomas Bartlett, Twyla Tharp, John Derian, Barbara Kruger, David Mandel, Gregory Crewdson, Marie Howe, Gay Talese, Cheryl Pope, Samin Nosrat, Joanna Quinn & Les Mills, Wesley Morris, Amy Sillman, Andrew Jarecki, Rostam, Ira Glass, Simphiwe Ndzube, Dean Baquet & Tom Bodkin, Max Porter, Elizabeth Diller, Ian Adelman / Calvin Seibert, Tyler Hobbs, Marc Jacobs, Grady West (Dina Martina), Will Shortz, Sheila Heti, Gerald Lovell, Jody Williams & Rita Sodi, Taylor Mac & Machine Dazzle, David Simon, George Saunders, Suzan-Lori Parks
27 results found


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