UNP staff members are always reading new books, both within our list and outside of what we publish. Here are some of the titles where our noses have been buried.

“I’ve just started Emily Henry’s Happy Place, which follows Harriet and Wyn, a couple who broke up months ago, as they pretend to still be in a relationship for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends. I also have R.F. Kuang’s newest book, Yellowface, on my list to read this month. I’ve enjoyed both of the author’s previous works so I’m very excited to read these two new releases!” -Sarah Kee

“I just finished The Friend by Sigrid Nunez. The narrator grapples with the death of her close friend early in the story and finds herself in the position of caring for his Great Dane, Apollo. The unlikely pair spend their time navigating their individual sense of loss, but Apollo’s presence offers comfort in having a piece of her friend’s life suddenly become such a large part of her own. This novel is slow-paced, reflective, and transformative. Interestingly, the only character that’s given a name in this story is Apollo.” -Lacey Losh

“I am reading the third book in the Silo trilogy, Dust by Hugh Howey. And at home we just started the Apple TV series, so I’m excited to see how the series and books reflect one another (or not!). If you are a sci-fi fan who likes post-apocalyptic narratives and the complicated nature of the human race… this one is for you.” -Rosemary Sekora

“For my final selection, I’m recommending very talented authors in our own back yard. Union Square by Adrian Koesters, Dear Isaac Newton, You’re Ruining My Life by Rachel Hruza, You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories about Racism by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar, and Bloodwater Parish by Arden Eli Hill.” -Heather Stauffer

“I’m currently reading The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin. Genly Ai is an envoy for an interplanetary trade coalition appealing to the nations of the planet Gethen, though his mission is hindered by his lack of knowledge about the cultural and political differences caused by the unique ambisexuality of its residents. The Left Hand is one of the first books of a genre now called feminist science fiction and is one of the most famous examinations of androgyny in sci-fi!” -Taylor Martin

“First, I didn’t know A Career in Books by Kate Gavino was a graphic novel when I borrowed it from the growing publishing library in the office. It was great since I’m a fan of that format, but what I also didn’t expect was how long it would take to read due to how densely it is packed with details. The author expresses her informed view of cultural heritage through characters of diverse Asian backgrounds with a shared bond in publishing, but also through a love of food, referenced in the subtitle and in nearly every spread of the book. With patience and resilience there is an ‘occasional duck bun’ reward that may be found despite the many difficulties in this frustratingly imbalanced industry.” -Nathan Putens