David French (nonfiction, St. Martin’s Press)

The country is divided, and the polarity will only continue if left unchecked, says French, who presents a vision for how the country can come together again and embrace national unity.

Micah Nemerever (fiction, Harper)

Two college students meet on a college campus in early 1970s Pittsburgh and a close friendship forms. Julian is charismatic but cruel, and Paul will stop at nothing to prove himself worthy of their friendship. But the intimacy turns dark, all-consuming and violent.

Walter Mosley (fiction, Grove Press)

A collection of 17 nuanced short stories from the acclaimed author, each featuring a black male protagonist.

Asha Lemmie (fiction, Dutton)

Nori is the daughter of a Japanese aristocrat and a black American GI. She is taken in by her Japanese grandparents, who then keep her hidden from a society that makes no room for her. She finds an unlikely ally in her older half-brother Akira, heir to the family fortune.

Ken Follett (fiction, Viking)

A prequel to “The Pillars of the Earth,” set in 997 CE, as the Middle Ages begins. In turbulent times, three characters — a boatbuilder, a Norman noblewoman and a monk — find their lives intertwined.

Chuck Palahniuk (fiction, Grand Central Publishing)

Gates Foster lost his daughter Lucy 17 years ago — but he’s never given up searching for her. Now he gets his first major clue in a long time and he’s determined to find her — even if doing so means upending the Hollywood status quo.