This month, we’re all looking forward to the release of Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson, author of hit novel, Black Cake (recently adapted into a TV series by Hulu/Disney+). Her stories are brimming with family secrets and richly woven narratives and if you want more of that, these 10 books are perfect for you! Whether you love untangling the threads of forbidden love, uncovering hidden histories, or simply getting lost in the epic sagas of unforgettable characters, this roundup has something for every book lover who appreciates a little depth with their drama.
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
If you haven’t already, be sure to pick up Charmaine’s latest novel, Good Dirt, releasing January 28, 2025. The story follows Ebby, who after a childhood tragedy, just tries to stay out of the public eye. But after a high profile breakup, her family’s past puts a spotlight back on her and she flees to France. However, your history is a hard thing to shake and suddenly, she finds herself unravelling the mystery of a family heirloom in a multi-generational exploration that unlocks the present by examining the past.
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The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
New York Times bestseller and Reese’s Book Club Pick, The House of Eve is set in 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Following two young women whose lives intersect in unexpected ways as they navigate forbidden love, societal expectations, and the desire for belonging. Ruby Pearsall dreams of becoming the first in her family to attend college, while Eleanor Quarles hopes a baby will secure her place in an elite family. This heartfelt novel examines ambition, motherhood, and the sacrifices women make for a better future.
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Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Spanning four generations, Pachinko follows a Korean family living in Japan as they endure discrimination, poverty, and shifting identities. Sunja’s fateful decision to reject a wealthy lover in favor of an honorable marriage sets off a chain of events that shape her descendants. This epic family saga is a powerful exploration of perseverance and cultural survival, echoing Wilkerson’s themes of intergenerational resilience.
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The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, The Island of Missing Trees is a beautifully evocative novel. Following two lovers from opposing sides of Cyprus’s division who unexpectedly find solace beneath a fig tree that bears witness to their secret meetings and the unfolding of war. Years later, in London, their daughter must confront the silences and cultural fractures that have shaped her identity. The Island of Missing Trees is a poetic meditation on memory, migration, and the enduring scars of conflict.
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Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Heralded as a must read by many readers and recipient of the PEN/Hemingway Award, Homegoing is a sweeping narrative spanning three centuries tracing the diverging fates of two half-sisters in Ghana. One sister is sold into slavery and the other married to a British colonizer. Through generations, Gyasi intricately maps the enduring legacy of colonization and the transatlantic slave trade, crafting an unforgettable portrait of survival, resilience, and reclamation. A must-read for those who appreciate layered, interwoven narratives.
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Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshananthan
Set against the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s civil war, Brotherless Night follows Sashi, an aspiring doctor whose world is upended by the violence engulfing her home. As her brothers are drawn into the conflict, Sashi is forced to confront hard truths and navigate dangerous moral terrain. This harrowing yet hopeful novel speaks to the cost of war, loyalty, and the courage it takes to bear witness to injustice.
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The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
The Marriage Portrait transports readers to Renaissance Italy, where young Lucrezia de’ Medici must navigate the treacherous waters of political marriage. As she seeks agency in a world that views her as a pawn, Lucrezia’s story unfurls with rich historical detail and emotional intensity. O’Farrell’s exploration of power, art, and survival makes this a gripping and atmospheric read.
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Real Americans by Rachel Khong
Real Americans is an intergenerational tale spanning between 1999 and 2021, exploring the lives of Lily Chen and her son, Nick, as they grapple with identity, family secrets, and belonging. From New York to an isolated island in Washington, Real Americans offers a nuanced examination of race, class, and the reverberations of the past. It’s a poignant narrative that mirrors Good Dirt’s exploration of heritage and the ties that bind families together.
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Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung
Set in 1948 during China’s civil war, Daughters of Shandong tells the story of Hai and her sisters, who are left behind by their wealthy family to face the brutality of land seizures. As they journey across China in search of safety and belonging, readers will be enraptured by the unbreakable bonds between women and the courage required to reclaim their narratives. Chung’s sweeping historical novel highlights survival against all odds.
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Attic Child by Lola Jaye
In this haunting yet hopeful dual-timeline narrative, Attic Child introduces Celestine and Lowra. Celestine is a boy taken from Africa to serve in early 1900s Britain, and Lowra is an orphan living in the same attic decades later. Their stories intertwine as hidden secrets come to light. It’s an emotional exploration of untold history, memory, and the invisible threads that connect us across time.
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The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
This Oprah book club pick is lush, sweeping, and deeply immersive. The Covenant of Water takes you to Kerala, India, following three generations of a family grappling with love, loss, and a mysterious drowning curse. Verghese’s lyrical prose paints a vivid picture of the landscape and its people, making this an unforgettable multi-generational epic about how history—both personal and political—shapes our lives.
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