The Waiting Years by Fumiko Enchi is a profound Japanese novel exploring the life of Tomo, who manages her husband's mistresses in early 20th-century Japan, delving into themes of love, duty, and female resilience against societal constraints with emotional depth and literary elegance.

Shadow of the Ivory Tree by Ras is a gripping novel about a historian's quest to uncover the secrets of an ancient ivory tree, blending themes of colonialism, identity, and redemption in a richly imagined African setting that captivates from start to finish.