20 Books You Really Should Have Read by Now

by Rufi Thorpe

Terrific characters, rich worldbuilding, deep thoughts about fiction and morality, a love story, and a happy ending. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf

by Percival Everett

One of the noblest characters in American literature gets a novel worthy of him. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf

by Hisham Matar

A subtle, graceful, intimate exploration of loss and disconnection. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf

by Yael van der Wouden

A brilliant debut, as multifaceted as a gem. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf

by Marie-Helene Bertino

A heartbreaking book that staggers with both truth and beauty. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf

by Nora Lange

A wonderfully shrewd, surreal, and comical odyssey through a crumbling American landscape. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf

by Rachel Khong

Bold, thoughtful, and delicate at once, addressing life’s biggest questions through artfully crafted scenes and characters. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf

by Tony Tulathimutte

An inventive and shameless story collection for the chronically online. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf

by Kaveh Akbar

Imperfect, yes, but intense, original, and smart. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf

by Katherine Heiny

With this irresistibly amusing, bighearted collection, Heiny again proves she is a master of the short story form. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf

by Steve Coll

Required reading for all conscientious citizens. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf

by Hanif Abdurraqib

An innovative memoir encompassing sports, mortality, belonging, and home. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf

by Adam Higginbotham

A deeply researched, fluently written study in miscommunication, hubris, and technological overreach. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf

by Tessa Hulls ; illustrated by Tessa Hulls

A work that glimmers with insight, acumen, and an unwillingness to settle for simple answers. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf

by Sarah Smarsh

This powerful reckoning with the costs of being poor should be required short-form nonfiction reading. Full review >

get a copy

bookshelf