Astra House values original works that ask new questions, present counter-narratives and innovative thinking, challenge assumptions, and broaden and deepen understanding of the world. So it comes as no surprise that the dynamic imprint is starting 2022 off strong with the release of three new nonfiction books, all of which are expected to hit shelves in January.
The three works highlighted below are wildly different in subject matter, but the authors of each have experienced their subject deeply and personally and represent multifaceted expressions of intellectual thought. Together, if you allow, these nonfiction titles can transform your perspectives and introduce you to new cultures and ideas.
Always Remember Your Name: A True Story of Family and Survival in Auschwitz by Tatiana Bucci and Andra Bucci, translated by Ann Goldstein – Ideal for readers who are interested in deeply personal narratives of survival and hope and enjoyed novels like The Librarian of Auschwitz, The Book Thief, and The Tattooist of Auschwitz, this haunting WWII memoir from two sisters who survived Auschwitz picks up where Anne Frank’s Diary left off. Giving a voice to the children we lost, Always Remember Your Name is a timely reminder that separating families is an inexcusable evil. Debuting January 18, 2022.
The Artisans: A Vanishing Chinese Village by Shen Fuyu, translated by Jeremy Tiang – Born in Shen Village in Southeast China, Shen Fuyu grew up in a family of farmers. Years later, Shen, now a writer, returned to his hometown to capture the village’s rich history in the face of industrialization. A reflection on the vicissitudes of small-town life during the epic shift from agricultural to industrial civilization, The Artisans vividly details the hardships, friendships and communal mythmaking of a disappearing community. Debuting January 4, 2022.
Takedown: Art and Power in the Digital Age by Farah Nayeri – From the author of the viral New York Times article “Is It Time Gauguin Got Cancelled?” comes Takedown, an in-depth exploration of its themes surrounding contemporary art history. By asking and answering questions such as: Who gets to make art and who owns it? How do we correct the inequities of the past? What does authenticity, exploitation, and appropriation mean in art?, Takedown provides the necessary tools to navigate the art world. Debuting January 25, 2022.