Dear readers, The author Karen Tei Yamashita is a mainstay among our Saturday newsletter recommendations. I first learned about her from my colleague’s irresistible write-up of Yamashita’s novel “I Hotel,” then I in turn recommended her surreal book “Tropic of Orange” in a subsequent piece. She’s playful and idiosyncratic. Yamashita published a new novel last month, her first in 16 years, and we profiled her for the occasion. The book, “Questions 27 & 28,” draws on Japanese American history — her parents were interned in Utah, and the title comes from a loyalty questionnaire given to men in internment camps — but fantastical details are sprinkled in, including a chapter narrated by a trombone. It’s fitting, really. Is anything more mind-bending than history? Below, a few recommendations of other recent books that offer a fresh perspective. We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. Friendly reminder: Check your local library for books! Many libraries allow you to reserve copies online. Like this email? Sign-up here or forward it to your friends. Have a suggestion or two on how we can improve it? Let us know at books@nytimes.com. Plunge further into books at The New York Times or our reading recommendations.
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