Lists like this are always tricky. And by some twist of fate, I'm the first to post mine. I'll be eagerly awaiting my fellow bloggers' lists here and dutifully updating my TBR lists accordingly. Am I the only one who feels like they're never reading enough, never reading all the "right" things, never reading quite right? Maybe that's my imposter syndrome talking, which has much more claim to my "writer persona." As for my reading side, here are a few books that stuck out this year...
Trisha Saklecha
This book was described to me as Succession meets Knives Out, and you'd be hard pressed to find two pieces of contemporary media I love more. (It also has echoes of And Then There Were None, and that makes three.) I was captivated by this family even before the threads of the mystery began to show themselves in all their unraveling glory. The drama rolled out deliciously, and I stayed up far too late reading toward its satisfying conclusion.
Adam Kay
After his compelling nonfiction ventures, Adam Kay really blew me away with his first foray into crime fiction. His prose is soaked with witticisms and cutting observations of human behavior, and the crime story he spins within the walls of this hospital is as gripping as it is confounding. Bonus points for a queer love story and an honest depiction of neurodivergence in its truly unique protagonist.
Riley Sager
Another mashup of cultural references I thoroughly enjoy, this book was a perfect escapist summer read. The quick pacing and keen sense of place and time kept me turning the pages, and the sharply drawn characters had me feeling like a casting director imagining the inevitable film adaptation that's sure to grace our screens soon. (For the record: Margot Robbie, Josh O'Connor, and Christoph Walz are my picks.)
Jo Piazza
Some might say that biting social satire with a primarily female cast is my genre of choice. (I would say that. No one else is paying such close attention to what I read.) And my unhealthy fascination with "trad wife" culture naturally led me to this book, which lampoons its foibles, explores its roots, and mines its inherent intrigue for a juicy mystery. What a delight!
Sue Hincenbergs
I avoided this book for a bit, worried its premise was a bit far-fetched, fearing its story might be too contrived. But the compelling characters and fiercely humanist prose made this world come alive. In the end, I was carried away by a plot that would have been rendered unbelievable in the hands of a lesser storyteller. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read, a book that helped renew my flagging faith in humanity.
Jason Rekulak
This is my "genre cheat" selection, a book that would probably be more properly placed on the horror shelf. But it has at its core a compelling mystery that makes me feel justified in mentioning it here. Complete with illustrations ranging from crude to uncanny, this book tells the story of a boy possessed by a spirit hell-bent on telling the story of its own violent murder. It's not hardcore horror, for the more squeamish readers out there, but it was a great choice for spooky season this year!
Lev A. C. Rosen
And one rec that's the latest in an ongoing series. It's no secret that the Evander Mills books are among my favorites of recent years (I've even written about them here), and this latest installment is no exception. Rosen proves over and over again that historical crime fiction reveals more about our present day than it does about yesteryear and makes me proud to count myself as part of the queer community. And on top of all that, he writes a hell of a mystery!
Tough choices all around, and I'm sure I'm leaving off some favorites. But recommendations are fleeting fancies, like most things in life. I'm looking forward, most of all, to checking out the recs from those smarter and more well-read than I. In the meantime, though, I hope some of you enjoy a few of these titles. I know I did!
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