AFTER A VOLUNTARY APOCALYPSE, the few stubborn people left behind try to understand the strange devices that took most of humanity away. Mind-bending SF. A MINUS

THE AMATEURS
Vintage Canada
2019

A VICTORIAN GHOST STORY, love story, tale of the impossibility of art: all these things and an engrossing Gothic thriller as well. A MINUS

THE LOST HISTORY OF DREAMS
Atria Books
2019

A WRITER WITH SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER shares her challenges and joys in navigating a world where schizophrenia and psychosis are brutally misunderstood. A MINUS

THE COLLECTED SCHIZOPHRENIAS
Graywolf Press
2019

THE MARVEL OF PRIMATE EMOTIONS, as shown in observation and behavioral experiments, recounted by distinguished scientist and master storyteller Frans de Waal. Fascinating! A MINUS

MAMA'S LAST HUG (HARDCOVER)
W. W. Norton & Company
2019

A DISILLUSIONED SEOUL ASSASSIN tries to change his luck as the world he knows falls apart. Stunningly beautiful prose, and an equally fine thriller. A MINUS

THE PLOTTERS (HARDCOVER)
Doubleday
2019

A WILD RIDE OF A THRILLER pits national treasure Bill Walton and broadcasting partner Dan Pasch against some really bad dudes. Sharp, funny writing! A MINUS

FRIEND OF THE DEVIL
James Kirkland
2019

LOVINGLY ACERBIC COMEDY of manners follows an upper-middle-class family’s summer of self-doubt in perfectly crafted prose. A MINUS

CHEER UP, MR. WIDDICOMBE
Atria Books
2019

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

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

BLACKNESS AS AN EXTREME SPORT, and other funny, crushing, insightful thoughts on race and gender in America. Don’t miss out on this. A MINUS

WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU MAKES YOU BLACKER (HARDCOVER)
Ecco
2019