Discover the essential literary treasures in our “Wednesday Wisdom” Uncover a world of captivating stories, profound insights, and timeless wisdom as we unveil a curated collection of must-read books that will inspire, enlighten, and leave an indelible mark on your mind.

‘Everything’s Fine,’ by Cecilia Rabess

Rabess’s debut novel is a timely story where Jess and Josh, who clashed over their views in college, find themselves on the same team at Goldman Sachs. Jess, a Black woman in banking, confronts obstacles that Josh, a White man, may not understand. However, both of them feel an undeniable attraction towards each other. As the 2016 election approaches, a volatile cultural and political environment compels Jess and Josh to confront their differences in their relationship. They discover that the closer they become, the more difficult it becomes to vilify each other.

‘Between Two Moons,’ by Aisha Abdel Gawad

Twin sisters Amira and Lina are making the most of the summer after high school graduation. Fun-loving Lina just wants to meet up with her boyfriend and jump-start a modeling career, while shy Amira spends her hours working at an Arab-American community center in Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge. When their brother is released early from prison, the family dynamic shifts and the girls resort to sneaking around their parents’ restrictions just as their neighborhood experiences violence following a raid on a local business. Gawad honestly portrays the excitement and uncertainty of adolescence, set against a backdrop of racial tension that exploded in 9/11’s aftermath.

‘The Whispers,’ by Ashley Audrain

Four women’s lives entangle after tragedy strikes their neighborhood. A boy battles for his life, having fallen from a second-story window. Memories resurface of a past party, where the boy’s mother was overheard screaming at him. Judgments fly, as theories emerge on the hows and whys of the incident. It becomes clear how women hinder each other, chastising themselves and others for their decisions. Audrain (“The Push”) delves into the minds of women at midlife, forcing them to confront their choices and complicity in shaming those who prioritize differently.

‘The Quiet Tenant,’ by Clémence Michallon

In Michallon’s gripping psychological suspense novel, Aidan Thomas takes center stage. He’s a family man, respected in his Upstate New York community. However, beneath his façade lies a dark secret: he kidnaps and ultimately murders women. The sole person aware of this horrific truth is his ninth victim, Rachel. Who remains alive in a shed in his backyard. Aidan and his 13-year-old daughter, Cecilia, are forced to relocate, and Aidan takes a risk. Assuming Rachel’s five years of captivity have left her too manipulated to escape. He introduces Rachel to Cecilia as a “family friend,” but Rachel quietly spots a potential lifeline just as Aidan closes in on his next target. Michallon’s riveting tale unravels the killer’s story through the eyes of the women in his life. And the relationships they form, relationships that might offer them protection.

‘Holding Pattern,’ by Jenny Xie

With warmth and humor, Xie’s debut novel upends the expected immigrant-parent- and-first-generation-daughter narrative. Formed by different cultural experiences, Kathleen has always had a strained relationship with her mother, Marissa. A divorcee who had always yearned to move back to China. Licking her wounds after a sudden breakup, Kathleen retreats to her childhood home to find her mother a changed woman fully adapted to American culture — bubbly, fit and excited for her upcoming marriage. When Kathleen is unexpectedly designated to be her mother’s maid of honor, traditional roles are upended as mother and daughter must learn how to navigate a successful adult relationship by seeing each other in a new light.

‘The Only One Left,’ by Riley Sager

In Sager’s bestseller “Home Before Dark,” a hair-raising gothic thriller, a haunted house dominates the scene. Kit McDeere takes on the role of a caretaker at the decaying mansion of Hope’s End, perched on a cliffside. Lenora Hope, the infamous woman accused of brutally killing her family in 1929, resides there. Lenora, now in her 70s, suffers from paralysis and muteness due to a stroke. Communicating solely through a typewriter, she offers to disclose the entire story to Kit. As secrets unravel, Kit becomes suspicious of the apparent truth. With a series of unexpected turns and the presence of a charming handyman. This tale guarantees a thrilling experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

‘Ink Blood Sister Scribe,’ by Emma Törzs

In this thrilling adventure novel and “Good Morning America” Book Club pick for June. The Kalotay sisters guard a library of magical books, hiding it from those who seek its evil powers. One night, Esther leaves home without warning, leaving Joanna to safeguard the extraordinary collection. Over the next decade, she protects the mystical volumes, but when their father mysteriously dies while reading a strange book, Joanna demands answers. The once-distant sisters must unite, unravel supernatural schemes, and uncover the hidden truths of their family’s secrets.