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These five books will suck you into strange worlds, but leave you full of questions about our own. These page turners have pleasingly complicated political and social subtexts, morphing space battles into philosophical debates and zombie hordes into political satire.

From the longest-distance skyjacking in American history to a Little Prince who has had his heart broken by a rose, these books are guaranteed to put your head in the clouds.

In fiction, Colm Toibin imagines Mary's life after Jesus' crucifixion, Anthony Marra chronicles a child's fate in war-torn Chechnya and Jamaica Kincaid meditates on the unraveling of a marriage.

For the middle phase of life, a new canon is often required, one that is equal parts funny, insightful and comforting. Actress and author Annabelle Gurwitch recommends three books up to the task.

In softcover nonfiction, Michael Hainey searches for clues about his father's death, anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon examines the heated response to his research and catcher Mike Piazza recounts his unlikely rise to the big leagues. In softcover fiction, D.A. Mishani tells of a detective who confronts an unexpectedly difficult case.

The author of Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux shares her summer book recommendations for young readers ages 8-13.

In paperback this week, Mary Beth Keane writes with the voice of Mary Mallon, Christopher Clark looks the years leading up to the Great War and Tracy Thompson explores what it means to be Southern.

Brian Kimberling introduces a down-and-out nature researcher, Denise Kiernan looks at the making of America's World War II bombs and Sarah Dunant draws inspiration from the notorious Borgias family.

In softcover fiction, Tracy Chevalier follows an English Quaker across the Atlantic, Herman Koch serves a meal with a hefty helping of unease and Peter Sis brings an ancient flock of birds into the 21st century. In nonfiction, Jared Diamond mines lessons from traditional societies.

Juan Vidal recommends three Latin American masterpieces that were translated this year: a boundary-pushing novella, a noir tale of an assassination plot and a complex exploration of identity and history. There are no noble heroes in these pages — instead, they feature hapless, struggling souls in search of meaning.