MacMillan

With some of the most beautiful writing I have ever read, Palm tells the story of growing up alongside the Kankakee river in Indiana. Poetically retracing her path to adulthood and escape from her hometown, her tale is countered by that of her childhood love - now serving a life sentence for murder. These two hauntingly distinct narratives serve as a reminder of the impact our geographies forever have on us.

—Magnolia

Published in 2016, this slim but powerful volume continues to hold relevance to expand your understanding of race, equality, and paths forward. Jeff Chang writes with clear and fluid prose with rigorously sourced facts to excavate and historically contextualize artifacts of our culture: political correctness to #BlackLivesMatter, Donald Trump, and Beyonce. I started this book thinking I already knew what it had to teach; I closed it humbled and much better educated. - Jocelyn

Elaborate magical heist? Brilliantly realized world inspired by historical Amsterdam, filled with complex characters coming together for the pay-off of their lives—and maybe to save the world? I devoured this novel of criminals and misfits who refuse to accept a world that won’t accept them. A follow-up to Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone series that stands on its own (and may in fact be the best place to start, if you're new to the Grishaverse).. - Jocelyn

A teenage girl, Danuis, whose mother's family is white and father's family is Ojibwe, gets pulled into an undercover FBI meth investigation. The author wanted to write a "Native Nancy Drew" and Danuis is a heroine you want to root for—her culture and connection to community is her strength. With a distinct sense of place, this taut thriller is almost impossible to put down. - Celeste

Full disclosure: I used to be a bookseller with Maryse. When she moved on my life got a little less weird. If you, too, are missing a little weird in your life, or feel like you haven't recently read enough books that feature ossophilia and radical environmental activism, then check out this wonderfully strange book. It brought my weird quotient up by seven points!

—Dave

This debut space opera makes me remember why I love the genre. Interstellar politics, murder, espionage, and the ethics of empire and technology collide in a fascinating world where memory and heritage are suspect in the face of longing for a culture and place not your own. Martine’s characters pull you into a compelling narrative that’s both philosophical and thrilling. - Jocelyn

A vibrant British seaside town is rocked with the mysterious murder. This character-driven mystery kept me turning pages for the secrets and complexities of a community of artists, do-gooders, bird watchers, spiritual seekers—and a haunted detective named Matthew Venn, whose husband may be at the center of everything. I’m ready for the next installment in this new series. - Jocelyn

Be prepared to stay up all night reading Carmen Maria Machado’s latest masterpiece. How can a book about abuse be so beautiful? Part memoir, part poem, part fever dream, In the Dream House contains so much searing honesty, such heart-crunching truth, that it will never leave you once you’ve read it. - Jess

This debut novel got a lot of hype and I’m glad to say it deserved every bit of it. The narrator is a young Black woman who, among other bad decisions, takes up with a married man. That he’s wealthy, White and much older only adds to the trouble. Just when you think you know where the story is going, it goes somewhere very different—and much more interesting. Loved it! - Rico

In this award winning afro-futurist trilogy, Binti, a young heroine of earth, must battle and befriend both humans and aliens of all forms to forage her own success at an intergalactic university. Thrilling, adventurous and imaginative, Binti is a star you will follow to the ends of the universe. Recommended for anyone who would like to begin reading sci-fi fantasy! - Juj