“The Son” by Philipp Meyer. A heroic western unafraid to peel back the curtain on America’s violent past . . .”The Son” is adeptly written, rife with conflict, and richly built on scads of historical detail.

“A Bend in the Road” by Nicholas Sparks. A small-town love story about a widower sheriff and a divorced schoolteacher searching for second chances-only to be threatened by long-held secrets of the past.

“American Indian Stories” by Zitkala-Sa. In these essays, stories, and reflections, trailblazing Yankton Dakota writer and artist Zitkala-Sa honors Sioux oral tradition.

“The Nightingale” by Kristen Hannah. With courage, grace and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of World War II and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen; the women’s war.