Author: Kristen Arnett
Kristen Arnett’s Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One is a darkly funny and surprisingly emotional journey of self-reinvention. The story follows Cherry Hendricks, a down-on-her-luck clown in Orlando who’s struggling to make ends meet. She’s a mess, caught between self-sabotage and a desperate need for change. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Margot the Magnificent, a magician offering her a new opportunit...
Author: Elif Batuman
The Idiot by Elif Batuman is a wonderfully offbeat and darkly comic coming-of-age novel. It follows Selin, a Turkish-American student starting her first year at Harvard in the 1990s. As she navigates the awkwardness of college life, Batuman takes us inside her mind, where humor and confusion blend together seamlessly. The novel’s charm lies in its dry, intellectual humor and the quirky lens through which Selin view...
Author: Paul Beatty
The Sellout by Paul Beatty is a biting, darkly comedic satire that dives deep into issues of race, identity, and social justice in America. The novel centers on Me, the protagonist, who is taken to court for attempting to reinstate segregation in his hometown. This absurd premise sets the stage for Beatty's sharp and fearless commentary on racial inequality, political correctness, and the contradictions in contemporar...
Author: Margaret Atwood
I liked "The Handmaid's Tale" because it really made me think about the dangers of a society where power and control are in the hands of a few. The way Margaret Atwood built this dystopian world was both fascinating and terrifying. I liked how the protagonist, Offred, was relatable and complex, even in such an oppressive environment. The writing was sharp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish. It's a boo...
Author: Katherena Vermette
A raw and emotionally powerful novel, The Strangers by Katherena Vermette is a poignant exploration of generational trauma, identity, and survival. Told from multiple perspectives, the novel follows three generations of Métis women: Phoenix, a teenager in prison; her sister Cedar-Sage, who is in foster care; their mother Elsie, struggling with addiction; and their grandmother Margaret, who carries the weight of he...
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Beautifully written and deeply moving, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is a novel about love, ambition, and the power of creativity. The story spans three decades, following the lives of Sam and Sadie—two childhood friends who reunite in college and create a groundbreaking video game. Alongside their friend and producer, Marx, they build an empire, but success comes with challenges. Their f...
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Only Taylor Jenkins Reid could make me care about tennis. Carrie Soto Is Back is an electrifying sports drama about ambition, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. Carrie Soto is the greatest tennis player the world has ever seen—or at least, she used to be. Now retired, she watches from the sidelines as her record is threatened by a rising star. Unwilling to let go of her legacy, Carrie decides to ...