The Stranger Beside Me details Ted Bundy's life and focuses on the murders he committed in the 1970s. Ann Rule has a unique perspective in that she befriended Ted before it was known he was a serial killer and was in fact writing about and researching the crimes Ted was committing. After finding out about the true Ted, she decided to write this book detailing her experience.

Bill Browder details his time in Russia as a hedge fund manager and how he came to the attention of Vladimir Putin after uncovering corruption within the Russian government. After hiring Sergei Magnitsky to investigate the Russian government's allegations that Browder evaded paying taxes, Magnitsky found far reaching corruption between Russian oligarchs and the government. This prompted the Russians to blacklist Browder and try and convict him in absentia for trumped up charges. Magnitsky was subsequently imprisoned, tortured and killed and this sparked Bill Browder's campaign to pursue justice for his friend and spread awareness of fraud throughout Putin's Russia.

Unknown Pleasures is the story of the short-lived and mysterious band Joy Division. Peter Hook, the bassist, recounts the formation, rise and abrupt end of the band with Ian Curtis' (lead singer) untimely death. Hook is straightforward, honest and a bit saucy in his recollection of his former band and band mates.

A group of talking animals, including a raccoon, a dog, and a spider, leave a cult led by an egomaniac named Richard and struggle to survive in the big city. Michael DeForge deftly mixes wry humor with heartfelt anguish to pry open the complexities of living in the modern world.

In this dark comedy, Stalin's inner circle scrambles to fill the power vacuum after his death and hilarity ensues. Though taking some Hollywood liberties, this is a rather accurate satire of how the most powerful people in the Soviet Union squabbled and fought over how the country should move forward after their 'beloved' leader has died.

This collection of letters provides an intimate glimpse at the correspondences of some of the most noteworthy and notorious figures in history. Whether it's Queen Elizabeth II providing President Eisenhower with her scones recipe or Mohandas Gandhi pleading with Hitler to choose peace instead of war a month before he invaded Poland, there is bound to be a letter that speaks to you.

This heart wrenching drama will have you on the edge of your seat, grabbing the tissues and sobbing with grief and relief. Adam discovers that the boy that the school counselor has asked him to track down is Julian -- the foster brother he hasn't seen in five years. At first, Julian seems like the boy he once knew. But as they spend more time together, Adam realizes that Julian is keeping secrets. Adam is determined to help him, but his involvement could cost both boys their lives.

Another very funny, albeit often earthy and raw, book by Samantha Irby. I enjoy her witty observances, very real descriptions of how she feels about life, and her ability to cut to the chase. Again and again I found myself laughing out loud!

You may know Barbara Ehrenreich from her book, “Nickel and Dimed,” but she has authored many essays, books, reviews and articles and has received numerous awards for her writings. This book of essays is a great collection of writing on all kinds of social, political, and psychological issues and often give the reader a new way to look at these matters. Some of the essays are very current, and some were written as long ago as 1988. Even though they span decades, you can still find relevance to things going on today.

The only thing Amara wants for her 12th birthday is to visit her Dad's family in Harlem, to see where he grew up and spend time with the family she hardly knows. But something happened 12 years ago between Amara's Dad and Grandpa and she doesn't know if it can be fixed. While she tries, she also finds herself on a journey of self-discovery--finding out about her place in her family and in the world.