I really just enjoyed reading Larry’s Party. It was cleverly written with a lovable main character and seems like it was very relevant for its time.

Fleishman Is in Trouble is a digestible, easy-to-read novel that takes a hard look at privilege, relationships, and the expectations we put on ourselves and others. I enjoyed it!

Night Boat to Tangier blew me away. It’s very literary, but the writing is nothing less than outstanding.

Godshot has it all: beautiful writing, tons of emotions, a cult, and big round characters. I highly recommend.

The Roxy Letters was just what I needed right now, as coronavirus upends the world: a funny, joyful, lighthearted book about a character you can’t help but love.

Fugitive Pieces is a gorgeously written story about the lingering trauma of the Holocaust. It’s a book you read not necessarily for its plot, but for its poetic style and the emotions it brings forth.

House of Earth and Blood was just SO good. It features a well-plotted mystery, characters to die for, heartbreaking revelations, and a fantastic ending.

A Spell of Winter is an eerie gothic novel set in the lead-up to WWI. It has a pretty good plot line but absolutely excellent prose.

Under the Rainbow is about a task force of queer people who get sent to live in Kansas, in “the most homophobic town in America.” It’s part pain, part hope, and very, very good.

Children of Virtue and Vengeance is a great sequel. I was impressed by how Tomi Adeyemi built such a tangled, complex political conflict with no clear winners or losers — hate destroys everyone.

Ordinary People is poetic yet scathing, showing us the messy sides of love, parenthood, partnership, and self.

Frankissstein — a modern-day retelling of Frankenstein mixed with some historical ficion — is absolutely fantastic. Jeanette Winterson is a literary legend for a reason.

I appreciated Milkman more than I enjoyed it (it’s dense), but its impressiveness as a work of literary fiction can’t be denied.

Abhorsen is the conclusion of the epic story started in Sabriel. It was one of the best endings I’ve read in a while, resonating with all the things people love about with classic fantasy.

Real Life is an aching, bruising story about a young Black gay man struggling to wade through his circumstances that will leave you gutted. And the way Brandon Taylor uses words is incredible.

Amnesty is an in-depth look at the world from an illegal immigrant’s perspective that leaves a ringing, lasting impression.