Reviews+

The National Book Awards winners are announced: Percival Everett’s James in fiction, Yáng Shuāng-zi’s Taiwan Travelogue in translated literature, Lena Khalaf Tuffaha’s Something About Living in poetry, and Jason De León’s Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling in nonfiction. Washington Post publishes its lists of the best books of 2024. Plus, new title bestsellers and interviews with Sergio de la Pava, Glory Edim, and Ruben Reyes Jr.

Upcoming DVD and Blu-ray releases feature 15th-century Italian sage Leonardo da Vinci, young Oscar winner Tatum O'Neal, and composer Sakamoto's final curated performance. 

Now or Never by Janet Evanovich is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.

Readers can look forward to new suspense from Lisa Jewell, psychological thrillers from Matthew Blake and Liv Constantine, and a Godfather-inspired Southern crime epic from S.A. Cosby this month.

Bestselling Laura Lippman returns with a book featuring middle-aged widow Muriel Blossom from her Tess Monaghan books, Nilima Rao writes a second Sergeant Akal Singh historical mystery, and Sally Smith debuts with a cozy gaslight series set in 1901 London.

Two books that explore the lives of women as parents and business leaders. 

Can’t-miss foreign and indie films for your queue feature a one-night stand gone wrong, the indictment of an Iranian autocratic regime, and a unique friendship between a dog and a robot.

Beautifully designed books turn reading into a trip to the museum.

This month’s must-see documentaries include an emotional look at the second Women’s World Cup, an intense portrait of contemporary artist Anselm Kiefer, and a refreshingly hopeful take on the future of humanity.