The Czech-born writer ‘fell in love’ with England—and with the endless possibilities of its language.

A musician who writes with all the compulsive energy of his performances.

With data from NPD BookScan

A multifaceted portrait of the worlds that encircle Russia’s vastness.

Plus Sergei Lebedev’s ‘Untraceable’ and Yaniv Iczkovits’s ‘The Slaughterman’s Daughter.’

Revisiting a vivid memoir of a girl’s Azerbaijani youth.

Selected by Selina Hastings, the author, most recently, of ‘Sybille Bedford: A Life.’

Plus ‘Sato the Rabbit’ and ‘Seeking an Aurora.’

In ancient Athens, where drama was a competition, one writer knew how to please the crowd.

Plus ‘The Power Couple’ and ‘Speculative Los Angeles.’

A refugee from Nazi Germany, Kurt Wolff made it a mission to introduce the world’s voices to American readers.

The stylish bootlegger helped merge rival gangs into a syndicate—and became known for doing his own hit jobs himself.

Even the subdued language of business casual—oxford shirt, khakis, loafers, fleece vest—speaks volumes via the codes of fashion.

Inventing words was once thought pretentious. Now it is considered an achievement, though it may still induce ‘coiner’s remorse.’

Washington was a savvy packager of his own personal virtues. He knew that if you don’t engage in a bit of self-aggrandizement, you lose.

The Battle of Fredericksburg was a terrible blow to the Union, and a turning point for many who were there.

The one thing Bette Howland had in common with her fellow patients was a sense that she didn’t belong.

As migration rates increase, Ayaan Hirsi Ali takes European governments to task for failing to protect women.

With data from NPD BookScan