'Life & Death & Giants' explores human weakness and kindness

David Szalay's award-winning novel, "Flesh," follows the life of one Hungarian man from adolescence to old age. And it manages to do a lot with precious few words.

Erin Somers' new novel, "The Ten Year Affair," offers an evocative and emotionally charged look at the realities of marriage and family life, and a meditation on the roads not taken.

John Kenney's newest novel, "I See You've Called in Dead," tells the story of a middle-aged obituary writer who uses an unplanned leave of absence to explore what life is really about.

Grace Walker’s debut novel, "The Merge," opens in a world where Earth’s resources have been pushed to a breaking point. That has given rise to a controversial new procedure in which two people’s consciousness can be combined and exist in one body.

"The Correspondent" was published back in April with little fanfare. But months after its release, the Virginia Evans debut made the New York Times Bestseller list and is a breakout hit, which speaks to the power of human connection.

Aja Gabel's sophomore novel, "Lightbreakers," explores a wide range of questions ranging from environmental concerns to deep personal loss.

Catherine Newman's new novel, "Wreck," is set two years after her previous best-seller, "Sandwich." It finds main character Rocky back home in western Massachusetts and once again surrounded by family.

Anna North's newest novel, "Bog Queen," offers everything fans love about historical fiction: a fascinating look back through time with memorable characters, remarkable settings and a story that moves along at a steady clip.

In Rachel Harrison's new novel, "Play Nice," a woman must confront the demons of her past when she tries to fix up her childhood home.

Beth Macy's new nonfiction narrative, "Paper Girl," is part memoir, part reportage, part oral history, and the result is a comprehensive look at a microcosm of modern America.