A GIRL’S OBSESSION WITH SCIENCE has roots in her dreams of escaping her father’s brutality. Poetic yet grim Belgian novel captures a small family tragedy with poignant clarity. B PLUS

REAL LIFE
World Editions
2020

ELEGANT, ELUSIVE, EVOCATIVE: Jeff VanderMeer’s latest novel pushes the bounds of science fiction with a dreamlike journey through times and spaces and body transformations. B PLUS

DEAD ASTRONAUTS
MCD
2019

FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION blend in this story of a forest elf navigating a perilously high-tech human city. Lots of action, intriguing setting. SOLID B

TRANSIENT
Roger Sash
2020

ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM’S IMPACT: how lead paint, industrial waste, and other toxins have disproportionately affected minority communities and neighborhoods. Deeply researched call to action. B PLUS

A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE
Little
2019