"All the King's Men" is a political drama that revolves around the rise and fall of a Southern governor, loosely based on Louisiana's Huey Long. The story is narrated by a journalist who becomes the governor's right-hand man, offering an inside perspective on the political machinations, corruption, and personal tragedies that accompany the governor's climb to power. The novel explores themes of power, corruption, and the moral consequences of political ambition.

This renowned novel provides a harsh critique of American slavery through the story of Uncle Tom, a long-suffering black slave. The narrative follows Tom as he is sold and transported to the harsh South, encountering a variety of characters, both kind and cruel. The novel powerfully explores themes of faith, the immorality of slavery, and the concept of humanity, ultimately contributing to the abolitionist cause and leaving a significant impact on the American perception of slavery.

Set in the pre-Civil Rights South, the novel explores the story of a young black man wrongfully accused and sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit. A local schoolteacher, at the request of the man's godmother, attempts to help the condemned man gain a sense of dignity and self-worth in the final days of his life. The story grapples with issues of racial inequality, justice, humanity, and moral obligation.

"Silk" is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of a 19th-century French silkworm merchant who travels to Japan for business. During his travels, he becomes enamored with a mysterious woman. His unrequited love for her haunts him for the rest of his life, even as he returns to France and continues his life there. The novel explores themes of love, longing, and the profound impact that brief encounters can have on one's life.

"Cause for Alarm" is a thrilling novel set in the backdrop of pre-World War II Europe. The protagonist, a British engineer, gets entangled in a dangerous world of espionage and international politics when he is sent to Italy for work. He unknowingly becomes a pawn in the deadly game between British and Italian intelligence agencies, leading to a series of thrilling and suspenseful events. The book is a gripping exploration of the world of spies, secret agents, and the looming war.

This novel presents a poignant and humorous tapestry of a dysfunctional Southern family through a series of vignettes told from multiple perspectives. The narrative unfolds the complex dynamics of the family, exploring themes of alcoholism, abuse, and the search for love and acceptance. As each character reveals their innermost thoughts and secrets, the story delves into the impact of their shared history on their individual lives, painting a rich and emotional portrait of a family struggling to find healing and redemption amidst their personal and collective challenges.

This novel follows the harrowing journey of a thirteen-year-old boy who is kidnapped from his New Orleans home and forced to serve on a slave ship. As the ship sails from Africa to America, he is tasked with playing his fife to "dance" the slaves, keeping them fit and thus more marketable. Throughout the voyage, he witnesses the brutal realities of the slave trade, confronting the inhumanity inflicted upon the African captives and grappling with his own complicity in their suffering. The story is a poignant exploration of guilt, moral awakening, and the horrific impact of slavery, both on those enslaved and those who find themselves part of the system.

"Indigo" is a historical romance novel that takes place in the 19th century and centers around Hester Wyatt, a former slave who has found freedom in Michigan and is now a dedicated member of the Underground Railroad. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she shelters a wounded fugitive named Galen Vachon, a notorious Black Daniel who is also a conductor on the Railroad. As Hester nurses him back to health, a deep bond forms between them, blossoming into a passionate romance. Despite the dangers that surround them, including the threat of capture and the challenges posed by a racially divided society, Hester and Galen's love for each other and their commitment to the cause of freedom endure, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to overcome adversity.

"Property" by Valerie Martin is a thought-provoking novel set in the 19th century American South, where the institution of slavery is deeply ingrained. The story follows the complex relationship between Manon, a white plantation mistress, and Sarah, her mulatto slave. Through their contrasting perspectives, the book explores themes of power, race, and identity, shedding light on the harsh realities of slavery and the inherent cruelty of human ownership.

"The Grandissimes: A Story of Creole Life" is a historical novel set in early 19th-century New Orleans, exploring the complex social and racial stratifications of the time. The narrative delves into the lives of the Grandissime family, a prominent Creole clan, revealing the intertwined fates of the racially mixed society including French Creoles, Americans, free people of color, and enslaved individuals. Through a tale of forbidden love, family secrets, and cultural conflict, the novel examines themes of injustice, discrimination, and the struggle for identity and unity in a divided society.

The novel follows the journey of Lillie Ravenel, a young Southern woman who moves from the secessionist South to the Union North during the American Civil War. As she experiences the realities of war and comes into contact with various characters, including Northern soldiers and other supporters of the Union, her initial Confederate sympathies are challenged and transformed. The narrative intertwines her personal evolution with a romantic subplot and broader themes of loyalty, cultural conflict, and the moral complexities of the war, ultimately portraying her conversion to support the Union cause.

Set in the early 20th century in the vibrant and gritty streets of New Orleans, this mystery novel follows a Creole detective as he navigates the city's underbelly of jazz clubs, brothels, and corrupt power structures. Tasked with solving a series of violent crimes that threaten to disrupt the delicate social balance, the detective must use his wits and insider knowledge of the community to track down the perpetrator. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he encounters a colorful cast of characters, each with their own secrets, and confronts the racial tensions and moral ambiguities of a city at the crossroads of tradition and modernity.

"The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett is a novel that tells the story of twin sisters, Desiree and Stella, who grow up in a small, southern black community in the 1950s and 60s. After running away from home at the age of 16, Stella decides to pass as white and marries a wealthy white man, while Desiree returns to their hometown with her dark-skinned daughter. The novel explores themes of identity, race, family, and the consequences of choices made in the past. As the sisters' lives diverge, their daughters' paths cross, and secrets are revealed, ultimately leading to a powerful and emotional conclusion.

"The Freedom Maze" by Delia Sherman is a time-travel adventure story about a thirteen-year-old girl named Sophie who is sent back in time to the year 1860. Sophie, who is half African-American and half white, finds herself living on a Louisiana plantation where she is mistaken for a slave. As she struggles to survive in her new environment, she learns about the harsh realities of slavery and the importance of fighting for freedom. With the help of some unexpected allies, Sophie embarks on a dangerous journey to find her way back to her own time while also confronting the injustices of the past.

"Twelve Bar Blues" is a multi-generational tale that spans across time and continents, intertwining the lives of characters from New Orleans to London and Africa. The narrative explores the roots and evolution of jazz music through the life of a legendary cornet player, his granddaughter who is in search of her roots, and an Englishman obsessed with the history of jazz. The book delves deep into the themes of love, identity, race, and music, presenting a vibrant portrayal of the jazz age and its cultural impact.