Young Adult

Curtis Sittenfeld is an American novelist and short-story writer born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1975. She studied English at Stanford University and later attended the creative writing program at the University of Iowa. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a journalist and editor. Sittenfeld made her literary debut with Prep (2005), a coming-of-age novel about a middle-class teenager navigating the social hierarchies of an elite American boarding school. The book became a bestseller and established her reputation for perceptive portrayals of class, identity, ambition, and the complexities of adolescence. Her subsequent novels include American Wife (2008), a fictionalized account inspired by former First Lady Laura Bush; Sisterland (2013); Eligible (2016), a contemporary retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice; and Rodham (2020), an alternative-history novel imagining a different life for Hillary Rodham Clinton. Sittenfeld has also published the short-story collections You Think It, I’ll Say It (2018) and Help Yourself (2025). Her fiction often examines social expectations, relationships, privilege, and the private thoughts people conceal behind their public identities. Her work has appeared in publications including The New Yorker and The Atlantic.

Facing the Sun follows Shani, a teenage girl growing up in the Bahamas, whose life changes after she becomes pregnant. As she navigates the physical and emotional realities of impending motherhood, she must confront the expectations of her family and community, along with her own fears about the future. Her story unfolds alongside those of other young people whose lives are shaped by questions of identity, responsibility, and belonging. Set against the beauty of the Bahamian landscape, the novel explores the challenges facing young women in a society where cultural traditions and social expectations can strongly influence personal choices. Through Shani’s experiences, Mather examines teenage pregnancy, family relationships, friendship, and the difficult transition from adolescence to adulthood. The novel offers a nuanced portrayal of young people navigating uncertainty while trying to imagine different possibilities for their lives. It explores how confronting difficult circumstances can become an opportunity for self-discovery, resilience, and growth.

Set in the Korean kingdom of Joseon in 1758, The Red Palace follows Hyeon, an eighteen-year-old woman who has worked hard to become a palace nurse despite the social disadvantages of her birth. Hoping to earn her estranged father’s approval, she is determined to remain unnoticed and perform her duties well. Her plans collapse when four women are murdered in a single night and her beloved mentor becomes the prime suspect. Refusing to accept the accusation, Hyeon begins investigating the killings herself. She joins forces with Eojin, a young police inspector, and their search leads them into the dangerous world of royal politics, where powerful figures may be hiding the truth. As evidence begins to implicate the Crown Prince, Hyeon must decide how much she is willing to risk for justice. Hur combines historical mystery with an exploration of gender inequality, political power, and a young woman’s determination to make her own choices in a restrictive society.