Luster is a searing, unflinching novel about art and sex and racism and womanhood that looks its characters right in the face. It was so good.

An Orchestra of Minorities is a stunningly beautiful, terribly sad novel written from the most unique narration I’ve ever read.

Stamped From the Beginning taught me so much more than any other book I’ve ever read about antiracism. It’s long, but very worth the process of working through it slowly.

On Beauty is a literary family drama that feels simultaneously like comfort food and watching a train wreck in slow motion.

Fairest is an expertly written memoir that has so much to give its readers. I definitely recommend it.

A Thousand Ships is just so good. It’s easy to read and to love, but it also packs a big punch of metaphor and meaning.

Lanny was exactly my kind of literary magical realism — visceral, full-bodied, whimsical, a little weird, and deeply resonant.

The Empire of Gold is the incredible conclusion to the Daevabad Trilogy that we’ve been waiting years for!

Bel Canto is beautiful and devastating, and as you’d expect from the title, it flows like music. This might be my favorite Ann Patchett so far.

I don’t have much to say about this beyond what’s been said before: If you are white, read it.

Here for It is an honest, hopeful, moving, funny memoir written in essays by a gay Black man. What else do you need to know?

This is a beautiful literary story about two Chinese-American siblings surviving on their own near the end of the gold rush. Like everyone else, I loved it.

The Fifth Season is not just entertaining, it’s masterful. Between that and the unflinching racial allegory, it is not to be missed.

I fell so hard for The Idea of Perfection. The plot does move pretty slowly, but that’s because you’re busy falling in love with the characters and setting (and having your heart broken).

A Burning is an emotionally ravaging and poignant story about a young girl accused of terrorism. And it absolutely earns the hype it’s gotten.

You’re Not Listening is a well-written, readable, persuasive book that underscores the importance of true, unselfish listening and will inspire you to get better at it.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is one of my new favorite books of all time. It’s an incredible story that’s so well written and will leave you as a puddle on the floor (in the best way).

Officer Clemmons is a moving, quick-reading memoir that offers so much more than another perspective on Fred Rogers.

A Wizard of Earthsea is a classic fantasy novel for a reason. It’s exciting, has great world-building, and teaches a great overarching lesson.