The 19th century is one of the most intriguing eras portrayed in today’s historical fiction. Close enough to feel relatable but all the more transportative for being out of reach, well-documented enough to be thoroughly researched but with sufficient unknowns to be open to interpretation, it includes significant events whose effects still linger, and complex social atmospheres that exist outside of our own experience. Below is a list that showcases a variety of excellent 19th-century historical novels published in recent years. A couple feature early Chinese American narratives. Some both adhe ..read more

There are many websites that claim to pay people to read, and there are many that do.  However it's important to understand what you're trying to accomplish when starting your journey to becoming a paid book reviewer or reader. Are you trying to become a better writer? Do you want to be able to read books for free? Do you care which books they are?  Do you want to write shorter, blurb-style book reviews, or longer form criticism?   Depending on what your goals are, there are four different strategies you can consider pursuing that fall under the umbrella of "getting p ..read more

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage month, when we recognize the cultural presence and contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians. Below is a list of some exciting recent hardcover releases, along with recent and upcoming paperback releases, by writers of these identities. AAPI month gives us a chance to both celebrate authors under this umbrella and to reflect on obstacles and limitations that still exist. While overall AAPI literary representation has risen over past decades, the full spectrum of that acronym (which sometimes is understood to include Middle E ..read more

This spring, as you step out to your local weekend farmers market, closest beach or favorite hiking trail, you may want to take a moment to reflect on the living world around you. At BookBrowse, our Nature and the Environment category of Beyond the Book articles covers the ways humans are intimately tied to and dependent upon the plants and animals we share the planet with, the responsibility we have towards them in turn, and additional topics involving environmental politics, biodiversity, natural wonders and much more. Below is a small sampling of freely available articles for you to enjoy ..read more

The Pulitzer Prize (pronounced PULL-it-sir) is awarded annually for outstanding public service and achievement in American journalism, literature, and music. Presented each year since 1917, it’s considered the country’s most prestigious award in these fields. [More ..read more

What were the most popular book club books in 2023? The results are in! Read on to see the titles our subscribers enjoyed discussing most with their book groups over the past year. The Most Popular Book Club Books of 2023 (with Pub Year)   Book % of Respondents 1 Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (2022) 18.6% 2 Horse by Geraldine Brooks (2022) 12.9% 3 Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (2022) 11.2% 4 Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (2022) 8.6% 5 The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese (2023) 7.8% 6 West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge (2021) 5.5% 7 The Heaven & ..read more

What debut authors will you discover in 2024? You may be excited about the latest work from writers you already adore, but this could very well be the year you find a new slew of first-time favorites. The march of excellent debut books has already begun, and there are many soon-to-be-established literary stars worth watching, both those who have been published recently and those with releases in the coming months. Keep an eye on who’s emerging and who’s waiting in the wings with our list of some of the most promising, intriguing, provocative debut authors working today. [More ..read more

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus has been a big hit. This 2022 debut, following chemist Elizabeth Zott in the 1960s as she finds herself hosting a TV cooking show, has sold more than six million copies worldwide and has been translated into 42 languages. Praised for its wry, infectious humor and feminist voice, the novel is the recipient of a Goodreads Choice Award, was voted a BookBrowse Best Book of the Year by our subscribers and remains a popular book club pick beloved by readers. It's even been adapted into a TV series starring Brie Larson. But if you've already read it and loved it ..read more

Kelly and Zach Weinersmith's A City on Mars discusses what a space colony on that planet might look like. Science fiction authors, though, have been imagining life on the Red Planet for well over a century (some coming closer to reality than others). The concept of intelligent life on Mars was likely sparked in the late 19th century. Improved telescopes allowed scientists to notice long, straight lines on its surface (first described by Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli in 1877). Some speculated that these channels or canals were engineered by some sort of native creature. Although this ..read more

ul.jackets li img {float: left; width: 106px; height: 160px; border: 0; margin: 0 15px 10px 0;} What better way to kick off the holiday season than by announcing our subscribers' best-loved books of 2023? The BookBrowse Top 20 are determined by a significant number of votes — maxing out at over 9,000 in recent years — and have become a treasured tradition through which we celebrate some of the most memorable books of one year before moving into the next. Scroll down to explore the finalists below. We compile the Top 20 with the intention of reflecting authentic reader opinion, opening votes on ..read more