THE UNLIKELIEST SURVIVORS of a sudden apocalypse are a tender-hearted, massively obese recluse and his beloved dog. Fascinating worldbuilding, memorable protagonist. B PLUS

BEFORE AND AFTER
Andrew Shanahan
2020

THE EXTRAORDINARY INSIGHTS OF DARRYL PINCKNEY—on history, art, race, sexuality, class, and national identity—captured in a marvelously readable collection of essays. A MINUS

BUSTED IN NEW YORK AND OTHER ESSAYS
Farrar
2019

AN ICELANDIC WOMAN’S BOLD adventures to Greenland, then to Vinland. Beautiful recreation of the world of a character from the ancient sagas, told in lush, vivid prose. B PLUS

THE SEA ROAD
Canongate Books
2020

RASPUTIN THE VAMPIRE? Sharp alt-history thriller ties the Dracula mythology into the legendary life of Rasputin. Lots of action, energy, taut prose. A MINUS

THE NOSFERATU CONSPIRACY BOOK ONE: THE SLEEPWALKER
Brian James Gage
2020

THE BIRTH OF SUPERHEAVY ELEMENTS: a charming, chatty, deeply researched tour of scientists’ dangerous adventures at the far end of the periodic table. B PLUS

SUPERHEAVY
Bloomsbury Sigma
2019

GRUMPY, HILARIOUS, CYNICAL: Samantha Irby’s new book comes just when we need big laughs (and a couple of paeans to the joys of staying home). B PLUS

WOW, NO THANK YOU.
Vintage
2020

A TELEPATHIC SPACE COP on the trail of women gone missing finds her own traumatic past resurfacing during the investigation. Smart SF thriller. B PLUS

SHADOW BEHIND THE STARS (SHADOWED SPACE BOOK 1): A CADICLE SPACE OPERA ADVENTURE
Dawnrunner Press
2020

A CELEBRATED CHEF’S LIFE, framed as an interview with a former employee who idolized her. Intriguing, quintessentially French novel touches on friendship, devotion, and the fierce asceticism of genius. B PLUS

THE CHEFFE
Knopf
2019

ON A PROFOUNDLY ALIEN PLANET, a mission from Earth disrupts centuries of cooperation among the human colonists and the other sentient species. Fascinating world-building, lots of action. B PLUS

INTERFERENCE
Tor Books
2019

VAMPIRES IN A NURSING HOME? An unlikely pair of investigators go hot on the trail of disappearing veterans and a sketchy evangelist. Comic, high-energy cocktail of paranormal mystery and Florida Weird. B PLUS

ORAL ROBBERS (FREAKY FLORIDA MYSTERY ADVENTURES BOOK 3)
Zazzy Ideas, Inc.
2020