5 books not to miss: Susan Page’s Nancy Pelosi bio, Eric Jerome Dickey's final novel and more

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In search of something good to read? USA TODAY's Barbara VanDenburgh scopes out the shelves for this week’s hottest new book releases. All books are on sale April 20.

1. “Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power,” by Susan Page (Twelve, nonfiction)

What it’s about: USA TODAY's Washington Bureau chief writes the definitive biography of the House speaker, drawing from 10 interviews with Pelosi and interviews with more than 150 friends, family members, and political allies and adversaries.

The buzz: In an excerpt shared with USA TODAY, Page writes of election night 2016, “The shock and pain she felt that night when she realized Donald Trump would win the presidency ‘was physical; it was actually physical,’ she told me. ‘Like a mule kicking you in the back over and over again.’”

“Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power,” by Susan Page.
“Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power,” by Susan Page.

2. “World Travel: An Irreverent Guide,” by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever (Ecco, nonfiction)

What it’s about: A celebration of the late food and travel writer. His experiences are collected in an entertaining travel guide introducing readers to his favorite places along with essays by friends, family and colleagues.

The buzz: “This gloriously messy miscellany of off-kilter observations and lightning-in-a-bottle insights will make one want to read, eat, and experience the world the way Bourdain did. Bourdain’s fans will devour this,” says Publishers Weekly.

3. “The Son of Mr. Suleman,” by Eric Jerome Dickey (Dutton, fiction)

What it’s about: The author’s final novel after his death in January, about Black professor Pi Suleman, whose career is threatened when a white colleague threatens to claim he assaulted her.

The buzz: “This novel couldn’t be more timely as America and the world continues to grapple with the effects of racism on our society,” says a review from Black Girl Nerds.

4. “The New Breed: What Our History with Animals Reveals about Our Future with Robots,” by Kate Darling (Henry Holt and Co., nonfiction)

What it’s about: What obligations do humans have to treat robots well? An MIT Media Lab researcher and technology policy expert argues that treating robots more like we treat animals, with a bit of humanity, will serve mankind well.

The buzz: “A provocative work of ethics that may prove altogether timely given the state of the technology,” says Kirkus Reviews.

5. “Hot Stew,” by Fiona Mozley (Algonquin, fiction)

What it’s about: A fight erupts between a millionaire who wants to convert a Soho building into luxury condos and the tenants who live there in a novel that confronts questions of wealth, inheritance and power.

The buzz: “Mozley’s ambition and vision make this a worthy effort,” says Publishers Weekly.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 books not to miss: Susan Page’s Nancy Pelosi bio, Anthony Bourdain