13 New Books for March

In Grande’s new novel, which unfolds in the throes of the Mexican-American War, Ximena Salomé, a healer enraged by the murder of her husband at the hands of Texas Rangers, meets John Riley, an Irish immigrant who has deserted the Yankee army to fight for Mexico. They fall into a deep and passionate love—but will their love survive the war? Atria Books, March 15

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Set in Zimbabwe and inspired by the fall of Robert G. Mugabe, Glory is reminiscent of George Orwell’s Animal Farm in portraying political upheaval through the lens of the animal characters. The protagonist, a goat named Destiny, represents the perspective of the average citizen, highlighting the role of women amid regime change. Bulawayo’s writing resonates with wit, mythology, and metaphor that extends far beyond Zimbabwe. Viking, March 8

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Convinced that his research can save Earth from climate change, a biologist says yes to an unusual offer: he moves to a space station settled by billionaires and run by Sensus, a tech company. Meanwhile, Earth has become a technological dystopia in which cell phones are ear-embedded and an algorithm designed to predict human behavior may cause Sensus to unravel at the seams. Viking, March 29

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When the Dodgers won the World Series in 2020, they were playing a different game than the one they had played during their last championship run, 32 years before. In this analysis, Moura covers everything from the rise of pitcher Clayton Kershaw to the role of Billy Beane’s Moneyball-style of team management to baseball’s dwindling viewership in a ratings-driven entertainment economy. PublicAffairs, March 29

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The first woman to study architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Julia Morgan launched a brilliant career as California’s pioneering female architect. Her many astonishing achievements include Hearst Castle at San Simeon. Yet despite her worldwide recognition, Morgan’s personal life has long remained a mystery. Kastner now offers a closer look at the woman who helped build the American West. Chronicle Books, March 1

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Coke’s powerful book-length poem pays homage to all that California is and was by piecing together moments from the state’s past—both the beautiful and the evil—along with meditations on what we stand to lose in the face of a continually changing climate. It is a beautiful work of resistance. Coffee House Press, March 29

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In her ninth novel, Straight paints the Southland through a variety of perspectives, including that of Johnny Frías, a highway patrolman haunted by the memory of a man he killed during his first year on the job. As Straight traces the lives of her characters, she crafts an epic-in-scope narrative of the American West and what it means to be a Californian. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, March 15

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Bone-melting diseases, a planet-gobbling void, and artificial men are among the threats that menace the characters in Folk’s debut collection, which takes place in something like a parallel universe to our own. The world here is filled with despair yet offers bits of redemption at the same time. For Folk’s characters, the absurd, frightening, and spectacular are simply realities that must be navigated with grim resolve. Random House, March 29

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The 1872 debut novel by the famed Brazilian writer Machado de Assis is translated here into English for the first time. Resurrection explores two characters, Félix and Lívia, who must reckon with passion and jealousy as they navigate the social landscape of 19th-century Brazil. Dalkey Archive Press, March 29

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Bhanoo’s story collection follows an array of South Indian characters as they face the inevitable complications of leaving home. In one story, a mother deals with the aftermath of a school shooting, while in another, a woman inheriting a home must ask questions about power and feminism. This is a book that speaks profoundly about what is gained and lost in the immigrant experience. Catapult, March 8

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Blending conversations about labor, #MeToo, and social media, Pellegrino’s novel follows four assistants in the entertainment industry as they use the promise of making it big someday to justify the toxicity of their workplaces. When conditions escalate, the women vent their frustrations on a blog, attracting hundreds of testimonials. Caught between internet fame and anonymity, each character must decide whether to go public or continue on the gritty paths to their dream jobs. Park Row, March 8

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Smith’s novel revolves around indie musician Greta James, who, heartbroken by the sudden death of her mother, suffers a meltdown onstage just before the release of her second album. With her career in jeopardy, she accepts an invitation from her distant father to join him on a cruise to Alaska. Onboard, Greta meets an attractive historian named Ben, turning a trip that was meant to heal family wounds into a potentially life-altering voyage. Ballantine Books, March 1

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Does zinfandel pair well with savory or spicy foods? What about a bottle of merlot? Here, Rubin demystifies the wine-pairing process, revealing the secrets behind flavor profiles and offering explanations for why some meals bring out the best in wine. Flowing with recipes and written in a fun and casual tone, this guide is perfect for both sommeliers and wine newbies alike. Chronicle Books, March 1

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