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All in Recommendations
When I heard that speculative-short-story-GOAT Kelly Link had written a doorstopper of a debut novel, I was ALL IN. This won’t be for everyone, but this was extremely my thing.
All vibes/no plot in outer space. Harvey has given us a breathtaking meditation on what makes us human, what connects us, and our beloved planet Earth.
I loved this book!! I don’t think it will be exactly everyone’s cup of tea, but it was definitely mine, and I think everyone will still find something to love in here regardless.
I will be talking the ear off of anyone willing to listen about this book, and it’s going to make my favorites of the year for sure. Read it!!
I can’t quite say that I ENJOYED this book — it’s tense and uncomfortable and heavy — but it’s also unputdownable, and there’s no denying that Eleanor Catton is an incredible talent.
There’s something just so cozy — and yet satisfyingly literary — about an Ann Patchett novel. And the cherry on top (no pun intended)? Meryl Streep reads the audiobook. I loved it.
The Unmaking of June Farrow is part sweeping time-travel, part love story, part murder mystery, and fully unputdownable. It’s the perfect book if you’re looking for a fast, immersive read that you’ll want to gobble up in one day.
See, now this is what I want every literary historical fiction novel to be for the rest of time. More books like this please!!
I had such a good time with this book! I liked it even better than Legends & Lattes, which was cute but a little too cozy to fall into the “love” category for me. If you liked that one, even if it wasn’t a favorite, I think you’ll like this one too.
Study for Obedience is an unsettling and challenging read that also feels like witnessing literary witchcraft. It won’t be for everyone, but I enjoyed it even more than I expected to.
Holler, Child was exactly the kind of short story collection I’m always hoping every single one will be: emotional, hard-hitting, with excellent characters you root for despite their flaws.
Sensory and immersive, brutal and beautiful, Let Us Descend is another masterpiece from our queen Jesmyn Ward.
It baffles me that SJM can write so many series with terrible first books that turn into my favorite series of all time. Believe the hype (and stick with it until it gets good, because it gets SO GOOD).
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau is a smart, atmospheric, anticolonial / feminist reimagining of an HG Wells classic. It’s not the fastest paced, but it is very good.
Starling House is another top-notch novel from Alix E. Harrow. It was perfect for fall, exactly the plunge into plot that I needed, with lovable characters to boot.
Layered, ambitious, and gripping, The Bee Sting is 500 pages of family saga followed by 150 pages of literary thriller that we absolutely need. I hope it wins the Booker!
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store is absolutely going to be one of my favorite reads of the year. Somehow, It’s both heavy and feels like a big literary hug at the same time. McBride, I’m coming for your backlist!
Godkiller is a well-written, well-built start of a new fantasy series with characters you’ll love and worldbuilding you’ll swoon over. I definitely recommend it!
Shy is a tiny book that packs a gigantic punch like only Max Porter can. Dark but emotionally poignant, this book will break your heart in the best way. I loved it.
Spear is a gender-bent, queer, Arthurian/Percival retelling that’s rich, stunning, and timely. It’s especially good on audio. I’m so glad I read it!
