Black Sun is the start of what promises to be an excellent high fantasy series, with expert world-building and fiercely lovable characters. I think the majority of the series’ action is yet to come.

Leave the World Behind is a masterfully paced, unsettling novel about how everyday people might react when the world starts to end.

Gideon the Ninth is as fun as “Lesbian necromancers in space” makes it sound! It’s definitely not perfect but I think it’s worth reading, and I’ll be reading book two for sure.

Other Words for Home is a middle grade novel written in verse, told from the perspective of a young Syrian girl who comes to live in the US. And yes, it’s as beautiful and moving as it sounds.

Chosen Ones was an exciting, fun, genre-bending read with a great premise. Not perfect but worth reading for sure!

The Lives of Saints is an indulgent, fairytale-esque companion to Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse that is especially excellent as an audiobook.

Dear Emmie Blue is a delightful, well-paced little hug of a novel with characters that will capture your heart.

The Existence of Amy is an empathetic, inside look into the way severe mental health disorders can affect a person’s life. It taught me a lot.

Crosshairs isn’t perfect, but it’s worth reading. Catherine Hernandez shows a terrifyingly realistic dystopia — and a solution begging to come to life.

Shuggie Bain is a gutting but beautiful and impressive novel about poverty, addiction, love, and hope.

Nights When Nothing Happened is a slow burn novel pulled taught, great for fans of short stories and striking prose.

White Ivy is a sharp, almost dark, and surprising book about a woman who will go to any lengths to get what she wants. Dramatic yet honest, it also has an ending that will drop your jaw.

The Bone Shard Daughter is the start of what promises to be a fantastic adventure. The characters are lovable and the magic system is fascinating. I can’t wait for book 2!

The Shadow King is a difficult read that has gorgeous sentences. It refuses to look away from the violent truths of a period of history that’s little known by the rest of the world.

Home Fire is a quick but hard-hitting read about xenophobia. It’s a raw, emotional, expertly crafted novel that asks readers to examine their own morality.

I found Actress to be beautiful on a sentence level, but it felt just okay to me overall. I didn’t dislike it, but I didn’t feel as connected to it as I’d hoped.

Brutal, raw, and incredibly told, The Glorious Heresies will grab your heart when you’re not looking and then crack it wide open. I can see why it won so many prizes.