THE STRUGGLE TO FIT IN as a Vietnamese immigrant in a small Pennsylvania town takes a boy from the great books to punk rock to movies and television. Brilliant observations in crisp, polished prose. A MINUS

SIGH, GONE
Flatiron Books
2020

A MYSTERIOUS SCIENTIFIC PRODIGY and her childhood friend face an array of otherworldly forces in a battle for the world’s future. Thrilling fantasy with lots of nuance. A MINUS

BENEATH THE RISING
Solaris
2020

A GORGEOUS, SPOOKY REBOOT of the gothic horror tradition, set in mid-twentieth-century Mexico. Truly frightening story told in lush, polished prose. A MINUS

MEXICAN GOTHIC
Del Rey
2020

AN ENGLISH PIRATE’S DARING raid on a royal Mughal treasure fleet illuminates a turning point in world history. Fascinating story that reads like a thriller! A MINUS

ENEMY OF ALL MANKIND
Riverhead Books
2020

AFTER A MYSTERIOUS PANDEMIC decimates a near-future South Africa, a group of Cape Town misfits are drawn together in an unusual quest. Mesmerizing writing, incredibly timely world-building. A MINUS

THE DOWN DAYS
Skybound Books
2020

A VISIONARY PAINTER’S DEATH, and the mysterious journal she left behind, draw her nephew and his son into a grim, tangled web of magic. Beautiful, chilling horror tale from one of the greats. A MINUS

THE WISE FRIEND
Flame Tree Press
2020

MAGIC VS. NAZIS: a secret Resistance with the power to command demons battles Hitler and his supernatural allies. Sharp, action-packed fantasy. A MINUS

CREATURES OF CHARM AND HUNGER (THE DIABOLIST’S LIBRARY #3)
Mariner Books
2020

TELEPORTATION IS NOW AN EVERYDAY thing, but it hasn’t brought about utopia at all. A group of angry teens risk everything to uncover a megacorp’s terrible secrets. Great characters, great thriller, don’t miss it! A MINUS

POINT B (A TELEPORTATION LOVE STORY)
Drew Magary
2020

HUMANS AND SWIMMING: A LOVE AFFAIR thousands of years old, beautifully explored in a captivating, solidly reported book. A MINUS

WHY WE SWIM
Algonquin Books
2020

THE EXTRAORDINARY INSIGHTS OF DARRYL PINCKNEY—on history, art, race, sexuality, class, and national identity—captured in a marvelously readable collection of essays. A MINUS

BUSTED IN NEW YORK AND OTHER ESSAYS
Farrar
2019