Joan Didion's New Essay Collection & 10 Other Books To Read This Week

Books Including the first book in a brand new, #OwnVoices YA series. DusanManic/E+/Getty Images By K.W. Colyard Jan. 25, 2021

Giphy This week's reads are perfect for essay collection readers and speculative fiction fans. We only include products that have been independently selected by Bustle's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article. Giphy

'Let Me Tell You What I Mean' by Joan Didion Amazon Slouching Towards Bethlehem author Joan Didion returns this week with a new collection of essays. The 12 pieces in Let Me Tell You What I Mean , all published in the last half of the 20th century, include "Why I Write" and "On Being Unchosen by the College of One's Choice." $23 See On Amazon

'Ida B. the Queen: The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Ida B. Wells' by Michelle Duster Harriett's Bookshop Written by Ida B. Wells' great-granddaughter, this new biography brings the life of the 2020 Pulitzer winner into focus, exploring Wells' childhood in bondage, her campaigns for equality, and what her work still has to teach us in the 21st century. $27 See On Harriett's Bookshop

'Wings of Ebony' by J. Elle Underground Books Rue's father forced her to leave her sister behind when he took her to Ghizon, but the young demigod doesn't fit in on the island. Returning home to Houston on the anniversary of her mother's death, Rue finds a vast evil working to destroy her whole community, in Wings of Ebony . $19.99 See On Underground Books

'The Hare' by Melanie Finn Amazon Rosie lives in an isolated cabin, leading a survivalist lifestyle to support her newborn daughter, Miranda. But when Miranda's normally absent father, Bennett, returns home to linger, Rosie must make a series of tough, and even dangerous , choices to protect what's important. $16.99 See On Amazon

'Faye, Faraway' by Helen Fisher Amazon Faye's mother died 30 years ago, leaving her 7-year-old daughter to navigate the world without her guidance. But when she slips 31 years backward in time, Faye has the chance to meet her mother as a peer, but must hide her true identity from her dearest friend. $27 See On Amazon

'Shadow City' by Francesca Flores Amazon Francesca Flores' Diamond City sequel finds Aina in control of her old boss' criminal enterprise. Kohl desperately wants to take it back from her, but when a threat arises that could destroy both of them, he and Aina must team up to save their home, in Shadow City . $19.99 See On Amazon

'A Vow So Bold and Deadly' by Brigid Kemmerer Amazon Brigid Kemmerer's Cursebreaker series ends this week with A Vow So Bold and Deadly . Two princes — one promising stability, the other a symbol of change — are set to vie for the throne of Emberfall. But as the clock ticks down, the court intrigue ratchets up. $18.99 See On Amazon

'Everybody (Else) Is Perfect: How I Survived Hypocrisy, Beauty, Clicks, and Likes' by Gabrielle Korn Amazon Heading up Netflix's LGBTQ+ social channel, The Most , is a tough job, but Gabrielle Korn is no stranger to taxing work. Korn recounts her days as editor-in-chief at NYLON (Bustle's sister site) in her debut memoir: Everybody (Else) Is Perfect . $17 See On Amazon

'Bride of the Sea' by Eman Quotah Amazon When he divorces his wife and returns to Saudi Arabia, Muneer doesn't think it will be the last time he'll see his newborn daughter. Years after her mother abducted her, Muneer's daughter, Hanadi, and their extended family must reckon with lasting trauma, in Bride of the Sea . $16.95 See On Amazon

'The Mask Falling' by Samantha Shannon Amazon The fourth book in Samantha Shannon's Bone Season series follows clairvoyant Paige and her guardian, Arcturus. Paige has made London safer for clairvoyants, but Arcturus' kin would prefer to see her kind in chains. Lines will be drawn and alliances tested in The Mask Falling . $28 See On Amazon

'The Girls I've Been' by Tess Sharpe Amazon Nora learned everything she knows from her con-artist mother, but now they aren't together anymore. She's been living a different life, but getting caught up in the middle of a bank heist forces her to fall back on her old tricks, in The Girls I've Been . $18.99 See On Amazon

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