Since I can’t recommend every book I’ve read in the past twelvemonth (because I don’t think you all have that kind of time), here are the best ones:
- The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, by Gabrielle Zevin: This is a sweet and moving story of a bookstore owner who suddenly becomes a father. If you’re a reader, this book is for you.
- The Book Thief, by Marcus Zusak: Words are powerful, even when the world is falling apart. This book is captivating and beautiful.
- Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline: I adored this modern epic. It’s a great ride.
- The Word Exchange, by Alena Graedon: When words are commercialized, the effects are terrifying.
- Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow: Even though this book was written during the height of Patriot Act paranoia, it’s still chillingly relevant. Plus, it’s good, geeky fun.
- Longbourn, by Jo Baker: Writing anything new about Pride and Prejudice is next to impossible, but Jo Baker has created something amazing in her tale of the Bennett family’s servants.
- Strange Bodies, by Marcel Theroux: This is a delightfully bizarre story of resurrection and writing.
- In Paradise, by Peter Matthiessen: Holocaust literature will always be unsettling and vexed and unmoving, but this is one of the few that can offer catharsis.
- Night Film, by Marisha Pessl: I love ambiguous mysteries; you get more than one story for your money.
- The Bloody Chamber, by Angela Carter: These are the best fairy tale retellings I’ve ever found.