Fiction Recommendations

Enchanting and tender, this slim novel manages to hide a deeply political cautionary tale in a hopeful, reflective fable that never feels too heavy-handed or moralizing. Reading this book was like wrapping myself in a warm blanket; I was absolutely entranced by it until the very last page. - Ksenia

Butler’s protagonist resolves to follow through with exercise regimes she finds in women's lifestyle magazines, clean her room regularly, and purchase the "right" clothing online. But she can’t seem to shower before work. In addition to a great character study, this is a critique of late-stage capitalism and the culture of self-improvement (think inspirational Instagrams). - Katrina

It's hard to talk about this book without drawing comparisons to Daniel Wallace's Big Fish, and that's a great thing! The story travels back and forth through time in telling the multigenerational story of a family and their land in Alabama. This history is being passed from one generation to the next in this hodgepodge storytelling that captivates as much as it obfuscates. - Clara

Friday Black is the best book of short stories I've read this year. At times I felt like I was reading horror, while other times I was laughing out loud. Adjei-Brenyah's stories are crazy, radical and not recommended for the faint of heart. It's a book that will stick with me for years to come. - Ashley

When two young sisters disappear, the entire Kamchatka Peninsula goes on high alert. But as the months drag on and no leads materialize, hope wears thin. Told from the perspective of a variety of characters, this is a story about family, identity, grief, and the ways those themes connect us. Phillips’ debut is a stunning portrait of an isolated, rarely discussed corner of the world. - Jade

Dunnett’s historical fiction reads like epic fantasy in its breadth of memorable characters, complex political intrigues, and extremely detailed world building. If you thought Game of Thrones was too dense, skip this one. If you want to hear a villainous rogue speaking in Shakesperean riddles while engaged in madcap adventures, this is your new favorite series! - Clara

When the narrator’s friend, another writer, dies suddenly, she inherits his Great Dane. Among many problems, she lives in a tiny New York apartment—that doesn’t allow pets. What follows is a brilliant and moving meditation on friendship, love (both Platonic and romantic), art and grief. I found this a profound and beautiful reading experience. - Rico

The book is daring, brash and nearly out of control. But the result is a classic American masterpiece. If you persevere through the sometimes challenging first 100 pages, your reward is an epic character-driven story set in the rain-soaked forests of the Pacific Northwest. An evocation of a time, a place, and a people, this is one of my favorite books of all time. - Trey