Amanda Lohrey’s Capture takes readers into the minds of those who claim to have been abducted by aliens. First of December is an historical novel from Booker Prize longlisted author Karen Jennings set in the momentous week leading up to the day South Africa’s slaves were emancipated. The Maidenheads is the debut novel from Benny B. Peterson all about queer yearning, indie music, and finding your way back to your first love. For middle-grade readers, Emily Gale’s The Wild Unknown is a gripping adventure set in a near-future world, and Aisha Saeed’s Hafsa’s Way features a young woman defying expectations to achieve her dreams.