A GROUP OF MYSTERIOUS CHILDREN descend on a provincial city in Argentina, and everything about life there becomes unmoored. Haunting parable with a deep, sad love at its heart. B PLUS

A LUMINOUS REPUBLIC
Mariner Books
2020

TWO SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN ARTISTS navigate friendship, social media, and the quest for fame. Wickedly sharp portrayal of the Toronto arts scene, heartbreaking evocation of missed human connections. B PLUS

THE SUBTWEET
ECW Press
2020

WITH THE AFTERLIFE IN PERIL, a ragtag team of immortals try to mend the walls of Chaos. Clever, fun fantasy adventure. B PLUS

THE LEAGUE OF UNUSUAL DENIZENS (CIRCLES IN HELL BOOK 7)
Mark Cain
2020

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

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

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