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1. Midnight in Moscow: A Memoir from the Front Lines of Russia鈥檚 War Against the West

John Sullivan

鈥淲e need to stop digging the hole we are in.鈥� 

Former US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan often used this phrase to describe the state of US-Russia relations in the critical months leading up to Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In his new book, , Sullivan recounts his tenure as Ambassador from 2020 to 2022. At the time of Sullivan鈥檚 appointment, the bipartisan trust he commanded was second to none. However, that trust鈥攁nd America's commitment to its core values鈥攚ould be relentlessly tested throughout the duration of his diplomatic mission, by forces foreign and domestic.

The extraordinary circumstances of Sullivan鈥檚 tenure in Moscow are undeniable. His writing details historic deviations from diplomatic norms, including his relocation from the traditional Ambassador鈥檚 residence, Spaso House, to a more secure townhouse near the US Embassy. Sullivan describes the constant pressure of safeguarding his team against Russian intelligence tactics, 鈥嬧�媏spionage, harassment, and assault. By Sullivan鈥檚 account, Russian leadership is both calculated and erratic. He provides a rare glimpse into President Vladimir Putin, the Russian ruling class, and the Kremlin鈥檚 tactics to maintain power. Surmounting usurpations against Ukraine and by extent, challenges to U.S. leadership, indicate a broader looming conflict鈥� the fight to control resources and strategic positioning on the world stage. 

Midnight in Moscow is both a personal memoir and a vital historical record. Sullivan鈥檚 reflections on the failures of diplomacy, along with his candid assessments of both the Trump and Biden administrations, make this book a must-read for those seeking to understand the driving factors which led to the Ukraine invasion. Sullivan鈥檚 insights offer a stark warning of the Arctic鈥檚 expanding geopolitical significance, where the US must confront Russia鈥檚 escalating ambitions鈥攁n issue that will shape not just regional stability but global security in the years to come.

2. Stolen

Ann-Hel茅n Laestadius

Elsa never expected to witness a murder. At just nine years old, she stumbles upon a man killing one of her family鈥檚 reindeer calves. He goes so far as to even slice off its ear鈥攎arked with her family鈥檚 identification. When the killer spots Elsa, he shushes her and runs his hand across his throat, threatening her life if she speaks out.  

This chilling opening scene sets the tone for Ann-Hel茅n Laestadius鈥� novel Stolen. The story follows Elsa, from childhood into adult life, as she seeks justice for the ongoing illegal slaughter of her family鈥檚 reindeer while navigating the difficulties that come with being a S谩mi woman in Sweden.  

Throughout the novel, Elsa鈥檚 attempts to stop the killings are suppressed by lackadaisical authorities and council leadership fearful of retaliation. After years of injustice, Elsa decides she can no longer stay silent, and she takes matters into her own hands. 

Stolen stands out in the fiction coming-of-age genre by tackling the real-word issues impacting S谩mi people. The S谩mi are Indigenous to the S谩pmi鈥搇and in the northern regions of Sweden, Norway, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula. In Stolen, S谩mi reindeer husbandry, land rights, and cultural preservation are explored through Elsa鈥檚 vantage point as a young woman trying to make sense of a rapidly changing society, and her role within it. 

By featuring S谩mi language and cultural references throughout the story, Laestadius makes dense subject matter accessible to a broader audience. Stolen not only highlights the ongoing challenges facing Arctic Indigenous peoples but also emphasizes the power of individuals to affect positive change.