This week, we're looking back at our book club discussion of Alex George's The Paris Hours, a delightful and immersive piece of historical fiction unfolding over a single day in the 1920s that has recently been released in paperback.

Our latest Editor's Choice covers The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris, a thrilling debut novel with elements of horror, humor and suspense that explores racism in modern-day corporate America. The accompanying "beyond the book" article examines the significance of Black hair in the United States.

Looking for more fresh and exciting work from emerging authors to read with your book group? Check out our list of debut fiction for book clubs.

Very best,

Davina

Last year, BookBrowse's book club discussed The Paris Hours by Alex George. It received many positive comments, so we're revisiting it now that the book is released in paperback.

Told over the course of a single day in 1927, The Paris Hours takes four ordinary people whose stories, told together, are as extraordinary as the glorious city they inhabit.

"I think it was beautifully written, engaging and will recommend it to my reading friends. It was the kind of book to be savored, I didn't feel the need to rush through it to find out what happens as much as to read leisurely and enjoy all that was happening and being wonderfully described." - PinkLady

"I loved reading this book. I enjoyed the inter-connectedness of the characters. What I most appreciated about the story line was the fact that all problems were not neatly resolved by the final page...A true slice of life, as it really is." - shirleyl

"The writing was beautiful and I marked several passages I want to remember. The characters' stories were compelling and I became attached to them and grieved with them. The mysteries that were intertwined were cleverly done. I became immersed in the story and read it quickly and when I was done I just sat for awhile to absorb all I learned and all the emotions I felt." - gerrieb

The discussion of The Paris Hours took place last spring, so the forum is closed for new posts at this time, but you can read the almost 200 comments on 20 topics, or explore more about the book, via the links below.

About the Book / See Discussion

The just-published issue of The BookBrowse Review is packed with new reviews and articles; plus author interviews, recommendations for book clubs and previews of notable books publishing over the next three weeks.

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The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris is a workplace horror novel that sets issues of identity, performative diversity and racism against the backdrop of contemporary corporate America. Through the central character of Nella Rogers, a 26-year-old editorial assistant at an elite publishing house, the book explores what it means to be young, Black and ambitious.

The novel begins with Wagner Books' hiring of Hazel, the "other Black girl" with whom Nella hopes to form a bond based on their being the only Black female employees in the office.

What plays out is a thrilling but horrifying reveal of a conspiracy borne of experiences of racism and disenchantment...

In her debut thriller, The Other Black Girl, Zakiya Dalila Harris includes but does not explain certain concepts linked to Black life. This may be an intentional choice to move past the expectation that racialized and other marginalized authors should clarify concepts and issues that aren't commonplace in mainstream white society for those outside of a group. An example of one such subject that Harris does not address is 4C hair. Black hair turns out to be an important theme in the novel, and also a plot device through which Harris spins her fascinating horror story.

Hair is an integral part of Black culture and history...

Review and article by Tasneem Pocketwala

See more articles about Places, Cultures and Identities

While happening upon a brilliant debut work of fiction is an exhilarating experience, it can be difficult to track down the best new books by emerging authors. It can also be challenging to decide which titles will be good choices for your book club without prior knowledge of the writers.

So, here is a list of five spectacular debuts that have either recently been released in paperback or will be soon, and that we recommend for book club discussion...

Discussions are open to all, so please join us! If you would like to receive a message when a particular discussion opens, sign up for a one-time notification. You can also find inspiration for your group among our more than 150 past discussions.