The Source of Self-Regard is an incredible collection, but very academic. While inspiring and impressive, it won’t be for everyone.

Dominicana is an emotional, coming-of-age immigration story. I liked it a lot, especially after learning that it was based on the author’s mother’s life

A Crime in the Neighborhood is a strongly narrated and echoing novel that seems to be about a local murder, on the surface, but is really about parental abandonment.

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.

Before and After the Book Deal is a helpful, conversational, informative breakdown of all the things that go into writing and publishing a book. As a book reviewer, I found it so interesting!

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.

Successful Aging is a scientific but well-written and interesting look at current thinking about how the brain works and how you can protect it as you age.

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!

WOW. Invisible Women is an unrelenting pop-pop-pop of bruising, important truth bombs. Caroline Criado-Pérez doesn’t hold back. Everyone should read this.

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.