A groundbreaking exploration of chaos theory that reveals how small changes in complex systems can produce wildly unpredictable results. James Gleick masterfully chronicles the scientific revolution that transformed our understanding of everything from weather patterns to heart rhythms, introducing readers to the brilliant minds who discovered order within apparent randomness. This landmark work makes cutting-edge mathematics and physics accessible while demonstrating how chaos theory has reshaped fields from economics to ecology.

Chaos

A darkly comic collection of short stories that explores the absurdities of modern life through surreal and imaginative scenarios. Simon Rich blends sharp wit with touching humanity as he examines everything from childhood anxieties to adult disappointments, transforming mundane moments into hilarious and poignant tales. Each story offers a fresh, unconventional perspective that ranges from the fantastical to the painfully relatable.

New Teeth

A stunning memoir that chronicles Jeannette Walls's unconventional and often harrowing childhood with brilliant but deeply dysfunctional parents who dragged their four children through a nomadic life of poverty and chaos. Despite growing up with an alcoholic father and an eccentric artist mother who frequently left them hungry and homeless, Walls recounts her resilience and eventual escape to New York City with remarkable honesty and without self-pity. This compelling true story explores the complex bonds of family, the impact of poverty, and the indomitable strength of the human spirit.

The Glass Castle

A small crew of astronauts explores distant exoplanets, undergoing biological modifications to survive alien environments while documenting their discoveries for a home they may never see again. As they journey deeper into space and time dilation separates them from Earth, they must grapple with their purpose and whether humanity still cares about their mission. This intimate, philosophical novella explores the wonder of scientific discovery and what it means to pursue knowledge for its own sake.

To Be Taught, If Fortunate

An illuminating collection of in-depth interviews with some of the most influential comedy writers of our time, offering rare insights into their creative processes, career trajectories, and the art of making people laugh. Mike Sacks pulls back the curtain on the comedy writing world, revealing the techniques, struggles, and triumphs of the masterminds behind television's most beloved shows, magazines, and films. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in comedy, writing, or the entertainment industry.

Poking a Dead Frog: Conversations with Today's Top Comedy Writers

A stunning collection of short stories that explores the lives of desperate, hopeful people struggling to stay afloat in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. From small-time criminals to disillusioned dreamers, Jess Walter captures the raw humanity of characters navigating addiction, poverty, broken relationships, and the search for redemption. These interconnected tales reveal the beauty and tragedy of ordinary lives lived on society's margins.

We Live in Water

A mesmerizing memoir from a world-class sleight-of-hand artist who spent years working as a card cheat in underground poker games before transforming his skills into art. Derek DelGaudio takes readers on a profound journey through deception, identity, and truth, revealing how the art of illusion became a path to understanding what is real. Part confessional, part philosophical meditation, this is an unforgettable story about finding authenticity in a life built on misdirection.

AMORALMAN

A masterful collection of science fiction and fantasy stories that blend Eastern and Western traditions, exploring themes of technology, identity, and what it means to be human. Ken Liu weaves tales ranging from ancient China to far-future space stations, examining how cultures collide and transform across time. Each story showcases Liu's signature style of combining rigorous scientific speculation with deeply emotional storytelling and philosophical depth.

The Hidden Girl and Other Stories

A stunning collection of thought-provoking short stories that blend cutting-edge science with profound philosophical questions about consciousness, language, and what it means to be human. Ted Chiang's masterful narratives explore alien contact, time travel, and alternate realities with mathematical precision and deep emotional resonance. This award-winning collection includes 'Story of Your Life,' the basis for the acclaimed film Arrival.

2021