North Woods, a novel by Pulitzer Prize finalist Daniel Mason, is a sweeping tale that unfolds within the walls of a single house in the woods of New England. The narrative spans across centuries, weaving together the lives of its inhabitants—both human and nonhuman—in a genre-blurring display of storytelling magic.

The story begins with two young lovers who flee from a Puritan colony, unaware that their simple cabin in the woods is destined to become a nexus of remarkable lives. From an English soldier who forsakes the battlefields to cultivate apples, to spinster twins who navigate the trials of war and famine, the house witnesses an extraordinary array of characters. These include a crime reporter who stumbles upon an ancient mass grave, a lovelorn painter, a sinister con man, a mysterious stalking panther, and even a lusty beetle.

As these inhabitants encounter the wonder and mystery of their surroundings, they come to understand that the vibrant past is not as distant as it seems. North Woods is not only a mesmerizing novel about secrets and destinies but also presents a unique perspective on the world. It poses the eternal question: How do we continue to exist, even after we are gone? With its deep exploration of history, nature, and the connections between us, North Woods is a work that truly captures the magical ways in which we are intertwined with our environment and each other.

Wifedom: Mrs. Orwell's Invisible Life by Anna Funder is a story that delves into the marriage behind some of the most renowned literary works of the 20th century and is a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be a wife and a writer in today's world.

Anna Funder was at a crossroads in her life in the summer of 2017, overwhelmed by family obligations and household responsibilities that were distancing her from her writing. In search of help, she turned to the works of George Orwell, whose humor and keen insights into the dynamics of power deeply resonated with her. Upon re-reading his works and biographies, Funder discovered the overlooked figure of Orwell's wife, Eileen O'Shaughnessy, a writer whose intellectual prowess profoundly influenced Orwell's work and whose pragmatism was vital to his survival.

Funder's journey through the Orwells' marriage, from the Spanish Civil War to the Second World War in London, is not just a historical recount but also a personal quest to understand the sacrifices and contributions of a writer's spouse. Wifedom is an intimate portrayal of one of the most significant literary partnerships of the twentieth century and resonates with the present as much as it sheds light on the past. This genre-bending biography is a tribute to the unacknowledged efforts of women everywhere.

How to Stay Married is a shockingly candid, hilarious, voyeuristic, and inspiring account of one man's personal journey through hell and back when his wife's infidelity threatens their marriage. Written by Harrison Scott Key, winner of the 2016 Thurber Prize for American Humor, this memoir dives into the complexities of love and the challenges of maintaining a marriage.