Family Politics

Learn to read like a writer from books both new and older.

- BY AMY JONES

Frontlist

Bitter Honey by Lọlá Ákínmádé

(William Morrow, general fiction, November 2025)

SYNOPSIS: In 1978, Nancy travels from Gambia to Stockholm on a scholarship to study politics and international relations. Her goal: to become the first female president of Gambia. Over a few years, Nancy's professor Lars tries to charm his way into her life as more than just a mentor. When Nancy's personal situation changes suddenly, she finally gives in to the feelings that had been simmering under the surface.

More than two decades later, in 2006, Nancy is not the president of Gambia, but her daughter Tina is on the verge of pop stardom with a chance to represent her country, Sweden, at Eurovision. But when a message from the father she'd been told was long dead appears at her dressing room door, it throws all her preparation out the window, and she fails to make it to the next round, drawing intense criticism from members of an anti-immigrant right-wing Swedish nationalist party.

Flipping back and forth in time between mother and daughter, the truth about Nancy’s relationship with Lars and why she told their children he died in Gambia is slowly revealed.

Backlist

The Nix by Nathan Hill

(Vintage books, literary fiction, 2016)