SATIRE? FABLE? SCIENCE FICTION? Yes, all of these. A thirtieth-century world where advertising rules all is the setting for this delightful, surreal Gogol/Heinlein hybrid. B PLUS

BUY OR DIE: THERE COMETH A TIME OF RUTHLESS ADVERTISING.
Theodor Ventskevich
2019

THE TRAGICALLY SHORT LIFE of playwright Lorraine Hansberry, opened up beyond the merely iconic. Thoughtful writing with an emphasis on Hansberry’s politics. B PLUS

LOOKING FOR LORRAINE (HARDCOVER)
Beacon Press
2018

A COLD CASE GOES SUPERNOVA in the newest Edinburgh mystery starring old warhorse John Rebus and the tireless Siobhan Clarke. Deeply entertaining procedural. B PLUS

IN A HOUSE OF LIES
Little Brown and Company
2018

SENIOR LIVING IN SPACE, with an imperious AI ship who also has a soft spot for young wanderers. Charming, fun SF. B PLUS

INDEPENDENT LIVING
Foner Books
2019

AN IRREVERENT KALEIDOSCOPE OF MEMOIR from punk pioneer Viv Albertine spares neither scrutiny nor whole-hearted love. B PLUS

TO THROW AWAY UNOPENED (HARDCOVER)
Faber & Faber Social
2018

THE GIRLS OF A BANGALORE SLUM find friendship, loyalty, courage, and creativity in their harsh surroundings. Lovely novel, sweet but never syrupy. A MINUS

A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF HEAVEN (HARDCOVER)
Algonquin Books
2019

A WILD THRILLER EXPLODES with cryptocurrency, international gangsters, chase scenes, and lots of sex. Delightful if implausible. SOLID B

THE VOSS COIN: A NOVEL
A.B. Alexander
2019

A SKEPTICAL REPORTER UNCOVERS a hidden world of magic and ancient legends in New York. Fast-moving, exciting fantasy thriller! B PLUS

GHOSTS OF GOTHAM (PAPERBACK)
47north
2019

IN A RAMPANTLY RACIST NEAR-FUTURE US, medical “whitening” divides a family and a city. Bold, complex satire dazzles. A MINUS

WE CAST A SHADOW (HARDCOVER)
One World
2019

A MOMMY BLOGGER’S SECRET unraveled by a young cop with a complicated family situation. Clever premise, lots of action. SOLID B

TAINTED LOVE (AN ALEX MERCER THRILLER BOOK 6)
Stacy Claflin
2019