"The Great Believers" by Rebecca Makkai is a powerful novel that tells the story of two interconnected groups of people: a group of gay men in 1980s Chicago during the height of the AIDS epidemic, and a woman in 2015 who is searching for her estranged daughter in Paris. The novel explores themes of love, loss, friendship, and the devastating impact of the AIDS crisis. Makkai's writing is both heartbreaking and hopeful, and she skillfully weaves together the two timelines to create a poignant and unforgettable story.

The novel is a profound contemplation of life as seen through the eyes of two female protagonists: a 54-year-old concierge and a precocious 12-year-old girl, both living in the same upscale Parisian apartment building. The concierge, who conceals her intelligence and passion for literature and philosophy from the wealthy tenants, and the girl, who plans to commit suicide on her 13th birthday due to her disillusionment with the world, form an unlikely friendship. Their lives are forever changed when a wealthy Japanese man moves into the building.

The book is a poignant novella set in Paris in the 1960s, telling the story of a blossoming friendship between a young Jewish boy and an elderly Muslim shopkeeper. The boy, neglected by his family and living in a poor neighborhood, forms an unlikely bond with the wise and kind shopkeeper, who becomes a mentor and father figure to him. Through their interactions, the boy learns valuable life lessons about love, happiness, and religious tolerance, with the shopkeeper imparting wisdom from the Koran. Their relationship transforms both their lives, illustrating the power of human connection and the beauty of cross-cultural understanding.

The novel revolves around the tumultuous love story of Gloria and Eric, two individuals from vastly different social backgrounds who reconnect after a passionate but turbulent teenage romance. Gloria, now in her thirties and struggling with the mundanity of her life and a history of mental health issues, finds her world turned upside down when Eric, who has since become a famous television personality, re-enters her life. Their intense and destructive relationship is rekindled, challenging the societal norms and expectations that have shaped their lives. Set against a backdrop of punk rock and disenchantment with the conventional, the narrative delves into themes of love, class conflict, and the search for identity in a world that often demands conformity.

"Varieties of Exile" is a collection of short stories that delve into the lives of characters who find themselves in various forms of exile, whether geographical, emotional, or cultural. The narratives explore the complexities of displacement and the search for identity, often focusing on European émigrés in the mid-20th century. The stories are marked by sharp observation, wit, and the subtle interplay between memory and reality, as the characters navigate the challenges of adapting to new environments while grappling with the lingering ties to their pasts. Through a series of poignant and finely crafted vignettes, the book offers a nuanced examination of the human condition and the universal experience of feeling out of place.

"Last Night" is a collection of ten short stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships, love, and mortality. The narratives are marked by their elegant prose and keen psychological insights, as they explore the intimate moments and pivotal events that shape the lives of the characters. From the story of a couple facing the wife's terminal illness to the tale of an adulterous love affair with unforeseen consequences, the book captures the poignant and often painful moments that define our fleeting existence. The stories are a testament to the author's mastery of the short story form, showcasing his ability to convey the depth of human emotion with subtlety and grace.

The novel follows a failing writer about to turn 50, who receives an invitation to his ex-boyfriend's wedding. In order to avoid the event, he decides to accept every literary invitation he's been given and embarks on an around-the-world journey. As he travels from Paris to India, Berlin to Japan, he finds himself facing the big questions about love, aging, and how to live a life that matters.

"The PowerBook" is a unique blend of reality and virtual reality, exploring the themes of love, identity, and storytelling. The narrative follows an e-writer who writes stories for people on demand, and one of her clients, a woman who wants to escape her relationship and start anew. The book is filled with stories within stories, all of them interconnected, taking readers on a journey through Paris, Capri, and the Internet, while challenging the traditional notions of time, gender roles, and the boundaries between the real and the imagined.

The novel follows the story of a woman recently released from prison who takes a job as a nanny for her childhood friend. Her life takes a tumultuous turn when she becomes romantically involved with her friend's husband and subsequently flees to Paris with their child. Throughout the story, the protagonist's flawed yet compelling character is explored as she grapples with her desires, the consequences of her impulsive actions, and her search for redemption and meaning in a life marred by poor decisions and a challenging past. Her journey is one of self-discovery, recklessness, and the complex nature of human relationships.