G.W. Pabst: Art in Totalitarian Shadows

Authored by Daniel Kehlmann and translated by Ross Benjamin, this biographical novel delves into the life of Austrian filmmaker G.W. Pabst. Set against the backdrop of rising Nazism, the narrative explores his struggle between artistic integrity and survival.

As Pabst navigates his fame from silent films like “Pandora’s Box” to an oppressive regime, readers witness his encounters with figures like Goebbels, examining the toll taken on creativity under totalitarianism.

Publisher: Summit Books, Release Date: May 6

A Forgotten Zionist Legacy

Rachel Cockerell‘s innovative family history reveals her great-grandfather’s lesser-known role as an early Zionist. With efforts to guide thousands of Jews from Russia to Galveston instead of Palestine in the early 1900s, the book is crafted from personal letters and historical documents, illuminating this often-overlooked chapter of Jewish history.

Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Release Date: May 6

Navigating Parenthood in the Digital Age

Culture critic Amanda Hess addresses the complexities of modern parenthood in her 2020 examination of the intertwining realities shaped by digital culture. Through her lens, Hess captures themes of conspiracy, the baby industry, and how these cultural shifts affect family life.

Publisher: Doubleday, Release Date: May 6

Confronting Childhood Memories

In her debut novel, Honor Jones introduces a recently divorced mother reflecting on her childhood traumas amidst the contemporary discourse of the #MeToo movement. Her role as a magazine editor leads her to confront painful memories as she engages with personal essays from other women.

Publisher: Riverhead, Release Date: May 13

Unlikely Caretakers

Ocean Vuong‘s second novel presents the story of a Vietnamese American teenager who forms an unexpected bond with an elderly woman suffering from dementia. The narrative challenges conventional themes of growth, posing profound questions about life’s worth amid personal struggles.

Publisher: Penguin Press, Release Date: May 13

Unusual Beginnings

Garrett Carr sets his debut adult novel in 1973 Ireland, where a barrel containing a baby washes ashore, disrupting the lives of a struggling couple and their community. This poignant tale examines the ripple effects of unexpected arrivals.

Publisher: Knopf, Release Date: May 13

Mark Twain Unveiled

Biographer Ron Chernow offers an extensive look at the multifaceted life of Samuel Clemens, known as Mark Twain. Chernow dives into Twain’s complexities, from his financial struggles to evolving perspectives on race, all illuminated by Twain’s trademark humor.

Publisher: Penguin Press, Release Date: May 13

Capitalism’s Critics

John Cassidy analyzes capitalism’s history through its less heralded detractors in a context of global economic upheaval. By highlighting stories from figures like labor activist Flora Tristan, Cassidy paints a vivid picture of capitalism’s cyclical crises.

Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Release Date: May 13

Apple’s Complicated Relationship with China

Patrick McGee presents a critical examination of Apple’s strategy in China. Utilizing internal communications, he challenges the narrative that Apple solely profits from low-wage labor, arguing that the company has inadvertently increased Western vulnerabilities.

Publisher: Scribner, Release Date: May 13

Paul Gauguin’s Real Legacy

Sue Prideaux‘s biography of Paul Gauguin sheds light on the artist’s life and work, advocating for a re-evaluation of myths surrounding his character while exploring his contributions and the advocacy for Tahitian rights.

Publisher: Norton, Release Date: May 13

Family Secrets Unveiled

In her debut, Sara Hamdan follows the journey of Mia, a contemporary Palestinian American balancing her comedy aspirations with familial expectations. This narrative intertwines her life with excerpts from her grandmother’s diary set in 1940s Palestine.

Publisher: Holt, Release Date: May 20

Exiled Histories

Madeleine Thien‘s novel tells the story of a father and daughter navigating exile in a fantastical realm. As they encounter historical figures across different eras, the narrative vividly explores themes of memory and identity.

Publisher: Norton, Release Date: May 20

Romance Rekindled

Alexis Daria wraps up her Primas of Power series with a touching love story that follows Ava as she navigates life post-divorce and unexpected romantic entanglements, illustrating the complexities of love and healing.

Publisher: Avon, Release Date: May 27