White Dancing Elephants by Chaya Bhuvaneswar: “In sixteen remarkable stories, Chaya Bhuvaneswar spotlights diverse women of color―cunning, bold, and resolute―facing sexual harassment and racial violence, and occasionally inflicting that violence on each other.”

The Hole by Jose Revueltas: “Set in a Mexican prison in the late 1960s, The Hole follows three inmates as they plot to sneak in drugs under the noses of their ape-like guards.”

Scribe by Alyson Hagy: “Drawing on traditional folktales and the history and culture of Appalachia, Alyson Hagy has crafted a gripping, swiftly plotted novel that touches on pressing issues of our time―migration, pandemic disease, the rise of authoritarianism.”

Like a Sword Wound by Ahmet Altan: “Here is a Turkish saga reminiscent of War and Peace, written in lively, contemporary prose that traces not only the social currents of the time but also the erotic and emotional lives of its characters.”

One Part Woman by Perumal Murugan: “Set in South India during the British colonial period but with powerful resonance to the present day, One Part Woman tells the story of a couple, Kali and Ponna, who are unable to conceive, much to the concern of their families―and the crowing amusement of Kali’s male friends.”

Wild Milk by Sabrina Orah Mark: “Wild Milk is like Borscht Belt meets Leonora Carrington; it’s like Donald Barthelme meets Pony Head; it’s like the Brothers Grimm meet Beckett in his swim trunks at the beach.”

Also this month: We’ll interview Steph Auteri and Hope Ewing!