the editors of BookPage

Do you feel it? There’s a nip in the air when you step out the door in the morning. Sometimes there’s frost caught in the spiderwebs in the bushes. Fall will be here before we know it, and with it comes a crop of tantalizing new books. The staff of BookPage share what they’re especially looking forward to curling up with once the days turn crisp and golden.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Bloomsbury | September 15 | Literary fiction

It’s been 20 years since Susanna Clarke became an international sensation for her fantasy masterwork, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, and her literary return is triumphant in its own right, made all the more exciting by Piranesi’s wonderfully opaque premise. The titular character (whose name references this 18th-century Italian printmaker who etched massive, fictitious prisons) exists in a many-roomed, partially flooded House that is also the World, where the only other person is called the Other. Clarke’s depiction of a young man who makes his home within a restricted situation—much like a person seeking refuge in the labyrinth of their mind, or perhaps a person confined at home during a pandemic—may once again rupture the worlds of fantasy and literary fiction.

—Cat, Deputy Editor

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Margaret K. McElderry | September 15 | Young adult fantasy

Oh, how I love being swept up into an enormous fantasy novel, turning the pages almost unconsciously as the real world around me falls away. Tracy Deonn’s Legendborn, the story of a girl who discovers a secret society of people who claim to be descendants of King Arthur and his court, does this better than any other YA fantasy being published this fall. It displays such a deep understanding of the power of magic and myth that you’ll be astonished to learn that it’s the author’s debut. If you loved Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments books, Maggie Stiefvater’s Raven Cycle or Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, prepare to be obsessed.

—Stephanie, Associate Editor

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
Del Rey | September 29 | Fantasy

One of the best and worst things about working at BookPage is being inundated with great authors and books you haven’t read yet, constantly being forced to add to a never-ending, constantly growing TBR list. Naomi Novik is one of those authors for me. For years I’ve seen people in raptures over her work, a frenzy that only increased when Uprooted and Spinning Silver were released. So I’ve been looking forward to finally joining the fray with A Deadly Education. Novik’s latest follows El, a powerful and destructive sorceress trying to survive and thrive in a hilariously dangerous magical school. Sidebar: Between this and Tamsyn Muir’s Locked Tomb trilogy, are we on the cusp of a golden age of gothic SFF? Please let it be so.

—Savanna, Associate Editor

Girls Against God by Jenny Hval
Verso | October 6 | Horror

It’s time for the musician-author to make a comeback. Nick Cave, Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits: all artists who not only knew the power of words but also knew when those words needed to be sung and when they needed to be read. Jenny Hval’s music has always been strange, a mix of floaty pop melodies and horror soundtracks that she’s been making and growing for almost 20 years. This book promises deeper explorations of themes she’s frequently returned to, exploring the outer reaches of feminism and sexuality. Marketed as a “horror novel/feminist manifesto,” this novel is sure to be a blur of magic and emotion, as Hval has always delivered with her music and writing. Wherever Hval is concerned, expect your ears, mind, and heart to come out twisted.

—Eric, Editorial Intern

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
Ecco | October 6 | Thriller

There are a handful of notable catastrophic and apocalyptic novels coming soon (Don DeLillo’s and Jonathan Lethem’s are two big ones for fall), and I’m sure the number will only increase in the coming months, but this is my pick. If you’ve read Rumaan Alam’s previous works of fiction, which center on family relationships and female friendships, you know that his prose has always been a little bit dipped in arsenic. His wickedly smart voice may have found its perfect story, as two couples—white and Black, home-renters and homeowners—shelter together on Long Island during an unknown disaster. The TV and internet are dead, but something is very, very wrong. I’m ready for a book that meets my fears where they’re at, that tells a story where there are few answers and help may not be coming.

—Cat, Deputy Editor

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
Avon | October 6 | Romance

I absolutely adored Olivia Dade’s Teach Me, to the point that I am ready and willing to read anything she writes from here on out. Imagine my joy upon realizing that Spoiler Alert will explore the world of fan fiction and internet fandom, via a fictional TV show that seems verrrrrrrrry similar to a certain enormous fantasy series that crashed and burned in its final seasons. Our hero is Marcus Caster-Rupp, an actor on said TV show and secret super fan of the books on which the show is based. Marcus spends his downtime writing fan fiction and talking to his internet best friend, April Whittier. April, of course, has no idea that the nice, funny guy she’s been swapping edits and jokes with is the lead actor on her problematic fave of a TV show. Flirting via fan fiction and dragging “Game of Thrones”? Words cannot express my delight.

—Savanna, Associate Editor

The Man Who Ate Too Much by John Birdsall
Norton | October 6 | Biography

Ever since I encountered James Beard as a character in Julia Child’s My Life in France, I’ve been fascinated by this larger-than-life baron of American cuisine. John Birdsall’s new biography of Beard, the first one in 25 years, goes deeper than facts and foie gras to explore Beard’s conflicted personal life as a closeted gay man in the early 20th century and his outsized influence on how we talk about, write about and eat food today. Written with stylish prose and an eye toward Beard’s undervalued status as a queer icon, The Man Who Ate Too Much is equal parts timely, touching and tasty.

—Christy, Associate Editor

The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
Sourcebooks Landmark | October 6 | Historical thriller

A weird little quirk about me is that if anything is set on a ship, I will like it about 15% more. Maybe this quirk is left over from spending my early adolescence obsessing over Pirates of the Caribbean. (It absolutely is.) Add in a dash of Sherlock Holmes-esque deduction, and you have a book seemingly tailor-made for yours truly. Stuart Turton gleefully piles complication upon complication in this maritime murder mystery. There’s a detective on board, but he’s in chains, so his manservant has to look for clues in his stead. The lieutenant-governor of the territory from which the ship set sail is also on board—along with his wife, his child and his mistress. Oh, and the ship itself might be cursed.

—Savanna, Associate Editor

A Measure of Belonging, edited by Cinelle Barnes
Hub City | October 6 | Essays

Growing up in Alabama, I chafed against the national narrative of the South as homogeneously ignorant, deep-fried and white. Jackson, Mississippi; Birmingham, Alabama; Memphis, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia: These cities are responsible for some of the most exceptional art in America, and the majority of their creators aren’t white. In truth, the South is intellectually, culturally and racially diverse, and literature from this region is evolving to reflect the South’s range. So I couldn’t wait to get my hands on A Measure of Belonging, a collection of essays by writers of color living south of the Mason-Dixon line about who the South belongs to and who belongs in the South. Kiese Laymon, Soniah Kamal, Tiana Clark, M. Evelina Galang, Natalia Sylvester . . . with so many brilliant voices in this collection, we can’t afford not to listen.

—Christy, Associate Editor

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
Redhook | October 13 | Historical fiction

Alix E. Harrow’s utterly magical 2019 debut, The Ten Thousand Doors of January, is the sort of book that had me Googling the date of the author’s next release the minute I finished it. Learning that Harrow’s follow-up was about witches advocating for suffrage (but make it intersectional) was the icing on the cake. Bring on October.

—Trisha, Publisher

All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat
Candlewick | October 13 | Middle grade nonfiction

File Christina Soontornvat’s All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team under “books I never expected to make me ugly-cry—multiple times.” Soontornvat, a Thai American children’s author, has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in science education, and All Thirteen reads like a book that only she could write. She juggles an enormous cast of characters and dives deep into culture, science and technology with ease, allowing you to understand why the rescue was so extraordinary. But what’s most impressive is that she takes a story that made headlines around the world—a story you already know the ending to—and makes it feel as uncertain, risky and miraculous as it really was.

—Stephanie, Associate Editor

She Come by It Natural by Sarah Smarsh
Scribner | October 13 | Essays

Whether or not you’re familiar with the breadth of Dolly Parton’s achievements, it’s hard to ignore her celebrity. Even though I grew up in her home state (Tennessee), my own awareness of Parton was admittedly more surface-level than substance: I knew her from local billboards advertising her theme park, Dollywood, rather than from her iconic body of work. However, that changed as I got older and became more interested in Parton as a musician, activist and icon. In She Come by It Natural, National Book Award finalist Sarah Smarsh provides a necessary and engaging cultural study of Parton that both illuminates her rags-to-riches career and explores the societal impact she’s made on generations of women. Originally published in 2017 as a series of essays in the music magazine No Depression, this slim book packs a powerful punch, rather like Parton herself.

—Katherine, Subscriptions & Customer Relations

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Saga | October 13 | Fantasy

Known for her post-apocalyptic tales of a Navajo monster hunter, Rebecca Roanhorse turns to full-on epic fantasy in Black Sun. Inspired by pre-Columbian America, Black Sun places the sly, down-to-earth humor and superb character work of Roanhorse’s earlier books within a sprawling new fantasy world. The first few chapters of this book had me laughing and gasping in equal measure, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

—Savanna, Associate Editor

Memorial by Bryan Washington
Riverhead | October 27 | Literary fiction

When I saw this book on Jia Tolentino’s bedside table (via Instagram), I knew something great was coming. After his Obama-acclaimed story collection, Lot, Bryan Washington’s debut novel has me anticipating what else he can do with his Gwendolyn Brooks-esque powers. Washington’s writing, his artistry and poignancy, makes me think we are witnessing the birth of a master. I recently interviewed him for BookPage’s upcoming November issue, and afterward I realized that he is among the few who are so finely attuned to the state of this nation that everything they write has the potential to shift the tide. His words speak to you, and everything they say hits home.

—Eric, Editorial Intern

The Little Mermaid by Jerry Pinkney
Little, Brown | November 3 | Picture book

You’d be hard-pressed to find another picture book creator as acclaimed—or as deserving of acclaim—as Jerry Pinkney. My expectations for a new Pinkney book, particularly one he’s written as well as illustrated, are always high. The Little Mermaid might be my new favorite. His watercolor illustrations retain their signature delicacy and seem especially well suited for a tale that partially takes place underwater. Every generation reimagines fairy tales anew and re-creates them in their image. I’m almost envious of the young readers who’ll get to grow up with this Little Mermaid as their Little Mermaid.

—Stephanie, Associate Editor

We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper
Grand Central | November 10 | True crime

The more popular true crime becomes, the higher we set the bar. The crime should be titillating but never sensationalized, the investigation should never be exploitative, and the writer must be conscious of both their own role and the story’s larger ramifications. Bonus points if there’s a behemoth institution possibly pulling the strings of a cover-up. Enter Becky Cooper, whose book delves into the 1969 murder of a Harvard graduate student, who—legend has it—was bludgeoned to death by an archaeology professor who was her former lover. We Keep the Dead Close promises to reveal the sexism and misogyny of the male-dominated archaeology field, the wide-reaching power of Harvard University (whose school color is crimson red, after all) and the tenuousness of the investigative process itself.

—Cat, Deputy Editor

The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
Riverhead | November 10 | Short stories

It’s been an entire decade since Danielle Evans published her first story collection, Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self. That time has only further whetted my appetite for her second book, a collection of short stories and a novella that promises more of Evans’ wisdom and finely honed ability to tell distinct, compelling tales that also say something about larger issues.

—Trisha, Publisher

A Cat’s Tale by Baba the Cat as dictated to Paul Koudounaris
Holt | November 10 | History

When I saw the cover of this book back in the spring, I said, “Wow, what is this book about? Actually, I don’t think that matters! I already know I’m going to love it.” Dictated by Baba the Cat and recorded by his faithful owner, Paul Koudounaris, A Cat’s Tale chronicles the powerful and ancient influence of cats throughout (and upon) history. This is already a standout premise—but what elevates this book into the stratosphere of literary greatness are the dozens of portraits of Baba in elaborate historic regalia: Baba as a Catholic cardinal, Baba as French artillery commander, Baba as a mustachioed count. It will take me months to decide on a favorite image, and even longer to convince my own cats to let me dress them in anything half as dandy.

—Christy, Associate Editor

I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are by Rachel Bloom
Grand Central | November 17 | Humor

Celebrity memoirs are not usually my bag, but I’m making an exception for Rachel Bloom’s memoir-in-essays. Bloom, creator of the critically acclaimed TV show “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” is insightful, brilliant and flat-out hilarious, and seeing the world through her eyes should be a treat in any format.

—Trisha, Publisher

From groundbreaking perspectives on original subjects to pitch-perfect treatments of more familiar stories, these 20 outstanding nonfiction books have truly risen to the top in 2020.

20. The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson

One of narrative nonfiction’s most adept practitioners, Larson can make even a subject as well worn as Winston Churchill come alive.

19. Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong

In biting essays that cover topics as broad as intergenerational trauma, art, colonization and stand-up comedy, Hong dismantles reductionist stereotypes and showcases the textured complexities of Asian American identity.

18. Wilmington’s Lie by David Zucchino

In this brilliant and astonishing history, Zucchino details what happened in 1898, in Wilmington, North Carolina, when white supremacists tried to overturn Black political and social power and eliminate Black citizens by any means.

17. Once I Was You by Maria Hinojosa

Thirty years of award-winning journalism culminate in Hinojosa’s beautiful and passionate memoir, which combines her personal story with the history of U.S. immigration policy and its damning effects on the lives of real people.

16. Just Us by Claudia Rankine

Rankine’s essays are as wide-ranging and well researched as they are conversational and personal. By mixing poetry, cultural criticism, memoir and images, Rankine urges us to engage others in difficult conversations about the systems and prejudices that divide us.

15. Wow, No Thank You. by Samantha Irby

"Samantha Irby is one of the funniest writers working today, but her frankness about things like chronic illness and depression make her so much more than just the Midwest’s patron saint of poop jokes." —Christy, Associate Editor

14. Inferno by Catherine Cho

Inferno is uniquely, breathtakingly beautiful. As Cho recounts her experience of postpartum psychosis, she moves maternal mental illness out of the shadows and offers a vision of motherhood that is honest, complicated and refreshing.

13. To Start a War by Robert Draper

This revelatory account of the Bush administration’s momentous decision to invade Iraq in 2003 breaks new ground and makes big waves.

12. Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald

Macdonald’s bite-size essays about the intersection of the human and animal worlds are by turns heavenly, mystical and unsettling. The whole collection vibrates with dark, forested strangeness.

11. Nobody Will Tell You This but Me by Bess Kalb

"Family memoirs are usually about dysfunction, so it’s refreshing to read one that’s inspired by a soul-deep bond. The special kinship between Kalb and her grandmother, Bobby, is at the heart of this carefully crafted story. I laughed, I cried, I passed my copy on to someone I loved." —Trisha, Publisher

10. World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Fireflies, wrens and ribbon eels are strung together like glittering jewels in this collection. In essays that explore the love for nature that has sustained her throughout her life, poet Nezhukumatathil finds a sense of connection to the world and a way to soften its sharp edges.

9. Children of the Land by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo

"Whatever ideas you hold about families who cross the border without documentation, this memoir will complicate them. Castillo seems to crack open his own chest to reveal the human cost and personal injury of immigrating to the U.S." —Christy, Associate Editor

8. Conditional Citizens by Laila Lalami

Lalami’s first work of nonfiction considers who has access to the rights and freedoms America is known for and whose citizenship is restricted. It’s a gigantic question that, in the hands of this gifted storyteller, becomes deeply personal.

7. Is Rape a Crime? by Michelle Bowdler

Among the horde of books about assault in America, Is Rape A Crime? stands apart. Bowdler’s candid recounting of her own mishandled legal case swells into a stinging indictment of the criminal justice system’s failure to treat sexual violence as a crime.

6. Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker

Through writing about the Galvin family, which had six sons with schizophrenia, Kolker has painted an arresting, stunningly reported portrait of how far we’ve come in treating mental illness—and how far we still have to go.

5. The Dead Are Arising by Les Payne and Tamara Payne

Malcolm X is as potent a figure today as he was during the civil rights movement, and his revolutionary words are still able to detect and diagnose our social ills. This new biography, 30 years in the making, is essential reading.

4. Memorial Drive by Natasha Trethewey

"Trethewey’s ability to translate the bone-crushing tragedy of her mother’s murder into art borders on alchemy." —Christy, Associate Editor

3. Fathoms by Rebecca Giggs

Fathoms is a stunner of a book. The breadth and depth of Giggs’ research on whales is remarkable, but it’s her poetic and insightful analysis that elevates this book into something unforgettable.

2. Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

Wilkerson is unmatched in her ability to take colossal, weighty concepts like race, class and caste and distill them into smooth, accessible prose. These 496 pages fly by, even as you savor each paradigm-shifting idea.

1. Notes on a Silencing by Lacy Crawford

Crawford’s story of sexual assault and institutional cover-up is harrowing, but her elegant writing and propulsive narrative structure keep readers from ever sinking into despair. It’s a rare and brilliant achievement, and readers will be both gripped and challenged by this remarkable book.

Whether they were exploring love in the digital age or how to survive the tundra with your workplace crush, the best romance novels of 2020 weren't afraid to get complicated. 

10. The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham

The life of Enlightenment-era feminist Mary Wollstonecraft serves as inspiration for this angsty and righteously angry historical romance from rising star Peckham.
 

9. Whiteout by Adriana Anders

This Antarctica-set romantic suspense balances character development with high-stakes action in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
 

8. If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

McFarlane uses the workplace romance as a foundation for an emotional exploration of how past traumas affect romantic relationships.
 

7. Ties That Tether by Jane Igharo

Igharo’s impressive debut tackles interracial relationships, ambition and family with even-handed clarity and just a hint of melancholy. (And some very hot love scenes.)
 

6. Season of the Wolf by Maria Vale

The Legend of All Wolves is one of the most ambitious paranormal series out there, and it just keeps topping itself with each fascinating installment.
 

5. Headliners by Lucy Parker

In what may be her best romance yet, Parker transitions her absolutely wonderful London Celebrities series from the theater to the high-stakes world of prime-time TV.
 

4. Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

"This was the body-positive romance I didn’t know I always wanted. Dade absolutely nails the world of media fandom."—Stephanie, Associate Editor 
 

3. Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

Hall’s charming rom-com explores respectability politics in the gay community while giving us Four Weddings and a Funeral vibes.
 

2. Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

"You’ll never look at your own handwriting the same way again after reading this luminous contemporary romance."—Savanna, Associate Editor
 

1. Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

Hibbert’s latest triumph questions the wisdom of living your life according to the conventions of romance novels—and is also, itself, an incredible romance novel.

ALSO IN BOOKPAGE: Discover all of BookPage’s Best Books of 2020.

This year didn’t turn out how we expected, but its books were even better than we’d hoped.
The BookPage editors are pleased to present our most highly recommended books of 2020.

BEST FICTION

BEST NONFICTION

BEST MEMOIRS

BEST MYSTERY & SUSPENSE

BEST ROMANCE

BEST SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

BEST YOUNG ADULT

BEST MIDDLE GRADE

BEST PICTURE BOOKS

The originator of the adage that life doesn't come with an instruction manual must never have picked up a picture book. When we're young, everything about life is new, uncertain, challenging and seemingly incomprehensible, without rhyme or reason—rather like 2020 has turned out to be. That's why we're so fortunate to have picture books like these. They offer us wisdom, laughter, comfort and wonder for every age, in any age.

10. Prairie Days by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Micha Archer

"Archer’s extraordinary illustrations deliver a new thrill with every turn of the page. This is the most beautiful book of the year."—Allison, Children's Books
 

9. The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee, illustrated by Pascal Campion

"The power of imagination to enliven any task is on full display in this gently told tale of a child who accompanies his parents to their job as night janitors."—Trisha, Publisher
 

8. I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith

Drawn from Scott’s personal experience with stuttering, I Talk Like a River is compassionate without resorting to sentimentality and dazzlingly brought to life by illustrator Smith.
 

7. The Little Mermaid by Jerry Pinkney

Pinkney breathes new life into Hans Christian Andersen’s familiar tale. This is an impressive addition to the already excellent body of work of one of the most acclaimed children’s book creators of all time.
 

6. Sugar in Milk by Thrity Umrigar, illustrated by Khoa Le

"This story about the sweetness that comes when we invite new people into our hearts is beautifully crafted."—Stephanie, Associate Editor
 

5. In a Jar by Deborah Marcero

The story of a little bunny who collects tangible reminders of special moments, In a Jar captivates, entertains and leaves you with a sense of magic still shimmering around the edges.
 

4. Me & Mama by Cozbi A. Cabrera

"Cabrera perfectly captures the adoration a young girl feels toward her mother, and her acrylic illustrations take my breath away."—Stephanie, Associate Editor
 

3. 13 Stories About Harris by Amy Schwartz

Schwartz proves herself a master of understated humor in this baker’s dozen of irresistibly charming tales.
 

2. Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, illustrated by David Litchfield

Litchfield’s color-saturated illustrations are stunning, and Prasadam-Halls’ spare benediction of gentle comfort will settle quietly into your heart.
 

1. The Old Truck by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey

This debut by two talented brothers is an extraordinary and universally appealing new classic.

ALSO IN BOOKPAGE: Discover all of BookPage’s Best Books of 2020.

When the BookPage editors finished creating our lists of the Best Books of 2020, we found we just couldn't stop! Here we've rounded up amazing 2020 books we love for very specific reasons. They're all Most Likely to Succeed in providing you with even more great reading experiences.

Most gasp-worthy prose

Luster
By Raven Leilani

Raven Leilani offered the most jaw-droppingly slick prose of the year in her debut novel, the story of a young Black woman who begins a relationship with a white married man and, after running into financial trouble, moves in with his family. Leilani looks right into the hearts of her complicated characters, and her writing can be cutting, cool and kind from one moment to the next, never giving the reader a chance to get too comfortable. This is a master prose artist at work.

Best book about books

Eight Perfect Murders
By Peter Swanson

Everyone loves a book about books, but maintaining the perfect balance can be surprisingly tricky. You want to pay proper homage to the classics you love, but you also don’t want their enormous shadows to dwarf the story you’re trying to tell. Peter Swanson gets it precision-point right in Eight Perfect Murders, in which bookseller Mal Kershaw’s blog post on the eight best murders of crime fiction appears to be inspiring an equally literarily inclined killer.

Most stereotypes busted

A Measure of Belonging
Edited by Cinelle Barnes

The South’s violent, regressive history looms large in America’s popular imagination. But in truth, there’s much more to this humid, deep-fried region than controversies over Confederate memorials and buttermilk biscuits. A Measure of Belonging breaks through stereotypes established by white Southerners by showcasing the perspectives, stories and voices of 21 writers of color from across the South. What emerges is a picture of Southern life that is vibrant, joyful, challenging and much closer to the truth.

Best sentient inanimate object

Bess the Barn Stands Strong
By Elizabeth Gilbert Bedia
Illustrated by Katie Hickey

Children's literature has a long tradition of books that give human qualities to ordinary objects, from forms of transportation and construction equipment to to art supplies and items of clothing. Bess the Barn Stand Strong is a luminous addition to this very specific canon. When we're young, the idea that the world existed before we were born and will continue to exist after we're gone can be a big and sometimes frightening concept to grasp. This simple tale of a beloved barn that falls into disrepair but still provides shelter is a beautiful reminder that although our journeys through life will be full of many changes, love can help us weather every storm.

Best breakup book

The Regrets
By Amy Bonnaffons

Everyone’s got their own post-breakup remedy, but reading about a woman shaking herself free of a toxic relationship is a particularly great way to feel validated and seen. All the better that Amy Bonnaffons' debut novel has ghost sex, and that the protagonist is literally haunted by her ex. This is a completely different kind of love story, one in which fighting for yourself leads to the best kind of happily ever after.

Most creatively creepy villain

Emerald Blaze
By Ilona Andrews
 

One of the many joys of Andrews’ paranormal romance series is its breathtaking creativity when it comes to the uses of magic. You’ve got elemental mages and telekinetics, of course, but also weapons mages and summoners, i.e., people who can bring creatures from other realities into our world. When a terrifying arcane hive mind is summoned and takes over an (also terrifying) automaton, it is truly the worst of both worlds. Think Annihilation but welded to magical technology controlled by a consciousness increasingly obsessed with our heroine, Catalina Baylor. Such is the stuff of nightmares.

Best book for millennials

Can't Even
By Anne Helen Petersen

Anne Helen Petersen’s 2019 Buzzfeed article about millennial burnout sent a shudder through a generation trying to get their careers off the ground and hitting obstacle after obstacle. From the 2008 financial crisis to the rise of the gig economy to the ever-present messaging that our jobs should give our lives meaning, millennials’ relationships with work have always been complicated. Petersen’s book reveals that this strained relationship isn’t a passing trend, however. It’s the foundation on which their professional lives are all built, and the implications are damning. Well researched and totally engrossing, Can’t Even will make every millennial (not to mention generations X and Z) reexamine their exhaustion in the struggle to get ahead.

Best graphic novel for young readers

Twins
By Varian Johnson
Illustrated by Shannon Wright

It's wonderful to see young readers devouring graphic novels with enthusiasm. To satisfy their seemingly insatiable hunger, pick up Coretta Scott King Honor author Varian Johnson and talented illustrator Shannon Wright's first foray into graphic storytelling. Twins is a fresh but classical-feeling story about the growing pains of sisterhood, set against the backdrop of the first year of middle school. It'll be irresistible to readers who love the relatable and authentic graphic novels of Raina Telgemeier, Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham, and Newbery Medalist Jerry Craft. Be sure not to miss the fantastic childhood photo of Johnson and his twin brother, Brad, complete with matching baseball uniforms, on the author's acknowledgements page.

Best social media novel

Little Eyes
By Samanta Schweblin

Imagine a Furby on wheels that’s being controlled by an unknown person somewhere else in the world. That’s the fabulously “Black Mirror”-esque premise of Samanta Schweblin’s latest novel. People can participate in this new trend in two different ways: You can buy a “kentuki” and let it live in your house, or you can sign up to control a random person’s kentuki. There’s a power imbalance to exploit from either side, and Schweblin reveals several different kentuki connections—and just how dark they can get. By the end, you’ll feel especially grateful for that tiny piece of tape on your laptop’s camera . . .

Deepest read

Thin Places
By Jordan Kisner

Jordan Kisner thinks deeply about the world, and her debut collection of essays reflects an experience of life that is beautiful, stimulating and complex. If you’re looking for an exploration of faith, love, loss, science, psychology, religion, mental health and spiritual transformation—one that allows these things to be as difficult and complicated as they truly are instead of polishing their surfaces until they shine—look no further than Thin Places.

Dopest read

This Is Major
By Shayla Lawson

This book's subtitle says it all: "Notes on Diana Ross, Dark Girls, and Being Dope." Shayla Lawson’s innovative style and sharp mind for cultural criticism complement each other perfectly in This Is Major, making for one of the freshest essay collections of the year. She drills down into popular tropes like “Black girl magic” and the “strong Black woman,” rejecting ideas of Black womanhood that are rooted in an inherently supernatural or superhuman disposition and celebrating the more nuanced, grounded reality of being Black and femme.

Best series finale

The Burning God
By R.F. Kuang

R.F. Kuang’s ambitious Poppy War trilogy came to a magnificent and fiery end in The Burning God. The author never shied away from the more devastating aspects of her war-torn world (inspired by 20th-century China) while creating characters that inspired love, hate and fascination.

Best novel with a time constraint

Today Tonight Tomorrow
By Rachel Lynn Solomon

In a letter to Fanny Brawne, the poet John Keats once wished "we were butterflies and liv'd but three summer days—three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain." Rachel Lynn Solomon's third novel, Today Tonight Tomorrow, one-ups Keats as it packs a love story for the ages into just 24 hours on the last day of high school. In addition to depicting the best enemies-to-lovers romance of the year, it's also a master class in characterization and pacing.