Released in 2014:
The Underground Girls of Kabul by Jenny Nordberg – A stunning narrative non-fiction about girls who live as boys in Afghanistan and what that means for them in their adult lives.
The Orphans of Race Point by Patry Francis – A wonderful literary fiction about friendship and the ties that bind.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin – A book club favorite, this follows a lost bookstore owners and his path to redemption.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng – Amazon’s pick of the year, this is a portrait of a family struggling to cope with the aftermath of a family tragedy.
Released before 2014:
Happyland by J. Robert Lennon – Inspired by the life of the American Girl doll founder, this gem has a long backstory and is a surefire hit for anyone who loves Shirley Jackson.
Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink – Chronicling the alleged euthanasia at Memorial Hospital during Hurricane Katrina, this one explores the ethical decisions made during an emergency and its aftermath.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving – This book is so fantastic I still, months after finishing it, can’t review it. Even so, Owen Meany is still in my heart.
American Gods by Neil Gaiman – An awesome book that pits today’s cultural icons against those of the past in the form of real people. It’s so much more than that, but I don’t want to spoil it.