New Arrivals: The Best Recent Book Releases

A New Yorker executive editor and leading voice on Asian American issues presents a detailed account of Chinese migration to America, beginning in the 19th century with dreams of prosperity in "Gold Mountain." Initially welcomed, they soon faced racial violence, mass expulsions, and exclusionary laws—the first group barred based on race. This sweeping history traces their struggles, resilience, and lasting impact on America.

Drawing from decades of insider experience, veteran Hollywood producer and former talent agent Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas debuts with a fast-paced novel about three ambitious women trying to survive—and thrive—at a powerful talent agency in 1980s Los Angeles. With humor, betrayal, and a lot of shoulder pads, Climbing in Heels captures the glitter and grit of chasing power in a city built on dreams.​

Award-winning journalist Dan Bischoff offers the first comprehensive look at James Gandolfini’s life and career, from his early days as a stage actor to his transformation into a cultural icon. Publishers Weekly calls it “an intimate, engrossing portrait of a reluctant icon.” Perfect for fans of The Sopranos and anyone fascinated by the golden age of television drama.

In the second volume of the landmark American Revolution trilogy by the Pulitzer Prize-winning and bestselling author of The British Are Coming, George Washington's army fights on the knife edge between victory and defeat. "For readers of American history, this is a must-have volume to complete an already vast library covering the fight for democracy some 250 years in the past," praised Booklist.

The beloved author of Rabbit Cake and Unlikely Animals returns with the story of a lottery winner whose cross-country mission to reunite with an old crush becomes a chaotic, life-affirming journey. ""A beautiful reminder that the world is full of tragedy, but life-changing joy and connection might be just around the corner," raved Kirkus Reviews.

The author of The Twelve Lives of Alfred Hitchcock takes a fresh look at the life and afterlife of Diana, Princess of Wales—one of the most enduring cultural icons of the modern era. Blending biography with cultural analysis, this fascinating account explores how Diana became a symbol of everything from populism to feminist empowerment, uncovering the myths, obsessions, and lasting impact of "the People's Princess."

The Mexican author of Still Born returns with an "electrifying" story collection introducing eight characters each adrift and struggling to connect. "In crisp and striking prose, Nettel mines the complexities of relationships, in which secrets and betrayals have the power to change everything," praised Publishers Weekly in a starred review. "Readers will be wowed."

The Atlantic culture critic Sophie Gilbert explores how film, music, and media narratives fostered internalized misogyny and competition among women. "Gilbert deserves a medal--not only for her observations and conclusions, but for navigating the sludge she had to wade through to get there," raved Kirkus. "Essential cultural criticism."

From celebrated author Sarah Manguso and New Yorker cartoonist Liana Finck comes a moving and hilarious tribute to childhood curiosity. After Manguso posted a simple question online—asking for the most memorable thing a child had ever asked—she received hundreds of funny, profound, and philosophical responses. Collected here and brought to life by Finck’s whimsical illustrations, these questions capture the wonder, absurdity, and sharp wisdom of young minds, from “Do dogs have chins?” to “Where does the dark go when the light comes on?”

In the latest novel from the author of People We Meet on Vacation, two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a few plot twists up her sleeve. As they navigate a one-month trial on a secluded island, secrets unfold and tensions rise, leaving their own story hanging in the balance.