Hello, it’s March, and we’re in Baltimore for AWP. But just because we’re in the city that brought us Double Dagger and Lungfish doesn’t mean we’re not keeping an eye on this month’s books. And so here’s this month’s list of book recommendations, encompassing everything from historical horrors to an insider’s guide to the Midwest. Albertine Clarke, The Body Builders(Mar. 3, Bloomsbury) At what point does the idea of fitness and wellness take a shift into the surreal? This new […]
Recommended Books: February 2026
Is it still snowy outside your door? Despite slightly non-polar weather the last few days, the snowdrifts remain high and the puddles are murky. Also, we have some literary recommendations for you this month: a wide range of books, from a deep dive into a Nobel laureate’s work to an unexpected work of autofiction.
Recommended Books: December 2025 and January 2026
Hello! You might have noticed that we skipped doing one of these last month, due in part to some deadlines and in part due to a fairly sparse publishing schedule. That doesn’t mean the publishing schedule was completely bare, though — hence this serving as two months’ worth of recommendations.
Recommended Books: November 2025
This took a little longer to come together than we would have liked. Still, we hope this rundown of notable November books gives readers some ideas for a post-cold snap reading session. There’s a lot of ground covered here, from deftly reported nonfiction to essential fiction in translation. Read on for a look at what’s piqued our interest this month.
Recommended Books: October 2025
We have some October books we’d like to recommend.
Recommended Books: September 2025
Welcome to the month of September; it’s good to have you here. We have some books to suggest for you, from sprawling fiction to insightful nonfiction about how we got to this moment in history. We’ve got old favorites and new faces alike; plus, Glenn Gould is in the mix. You all like Glenn Gould, right? Here we go.
Recommended Books: August 2025
At the best of times, August is a weird month. (Ask our managing editor to tell you about his childhood experience of insomnia, which could also be described as an allergy to the month in question.) When looking at books due out this month, you’ll see an unexpected assemblage of titles: surreal fiction juxtaposed with incisive sociopolitical commentary; harrowing memoir abuting existential horror. Read on for ten books we’re looking forward to this month.
Recommended Books: July 2025
According to the weather apps, the world outside of our window feels like 108 degrees with a severe thunderstorm warning also on the horizon. If ever there was a time to find somewhere air-conditioned and crack open a book, we’re pretty sure this is it. Our recommended books for the month of July include a couple of names that will be familiar to longtime Vol. 1 Brooklyn readers, along with some intriguing forays into subjects ranging from Kafka to tradwives.