A DRAGON, A BARD, A VILLAGE (or town?), and an unlikely band of adventurers add up to a witty, entertaining riff on classic high fantasy. Fun for Pratchett fans! B PLUS

THE PART ABOUT THE DRAGON WAS (MOSTLY) TRUE
The Parliament House
2020

A NO-FRILLS LIFE IN NORTHERN IRELAND and a young woman whose no-nonsense approach to her job (chip shop), her mother (an Irish Blanche DuBois), and her community (still devastated by The Troubles) gets her through. Funny, raunchy, real. B PLUS

BIG GIRL, SMALL TOWN
Algonquin Books
2020

ACCIDENTAL TIME TRAVEL from the 2040s to 1999 gives a woman a new perspective on her past and future. Smart SF with a touch of romance and a Christmas theme! B PLUS

TALKING TO HERSELF: A CHRISTMAS TIME TRAVEL TALE
Melissa Powell Gay LLC
2020

THE DIFFICULTY OF TRUE COMPASSION, and of connecting deeply with others, occupies a writer’s thoughts until a longtime friend makes an extraordinary request. Meditative, nuanced, melancholy. B PLUS

WHAT ARE YOU GOING THROUGH
Riverhead Books
2020

ALIENS BOUGHT THE EARTH, and only an unlikely trio from England can help get it back. Clever, timely space adventure with more than a hint of Douglas Adams is a lot of fun. B PLUS

HOW TO BUY A PLANET: FRESH AND FAST-PACED SCI-FI COMEDY SATIRE – 'TOTALLY MESMERISING' (OXFORD DAILY INFO REVIEW)
Squirrel &amp
2020

A MISSING WOMAN REAPPEARS after five years’ absence, but an FBI agent has a feeling that all’s not as it seems. Tense thriller with some surprising twists. B PLUS

NOT DEAD YET (EVA RAE THOMAS MYSTERY BOOK 7)
BUOY MEDIA
2020

A FREELANCE HENCHWOMAN, COLLATERAL damage from a superhero attack on her temporary villain boss, vows a data-driven revenge. Both a witty riff on superhero conventions and a genuinely engrossing thriller. B PLUS

HENCH
William Morrow
2020

INGENIOUS, WITTY FANTASY set in a vividly captured world of magic, bandits, and a secret war has memorable characters. If you’ve ever wanted a marvelous wuxia tale with subtle Malaysian touches, this is for you! B PLUS

THE ORDER OF THE PURE MOON REFLECTED IN WATER
Tordotcom
2020

AN UNEXPECTED OPERA CAREER launches in midlife for a Michigan car salesman. Sharp, funny, yet warm-hearted novel about a talented, unsophisticated man finding his way in the European music world. B PLUS

OPERALAND
BookBaby
2020

AN ALIEN/HUMAN CONTACT turns into an unexpected bond against a stream of dangers. Thoughtful science fiction thriller with high-energy action. B PLUS

AXIOM'S END
St. Martin's Press
2020