Staff Fiction Favorites

Enchanting and tender, this slim novel manages to hide a deeply political cautionary tale in a hopeful, reflective fable that never feels too heavy-handed or moralizing. Reading this book was like wrapping myself in a warm blanket; I was absolutely entranced by it until the very last page. - Ksenia

Butler’s protagonist resolves to follow through with exercise regimes she finds in women's lifestyle magazines, clean her room regularly, and purchase the "right" clothing online. But she can’t seem to shower before work. In addition to a great character study, this is a critique of late-stage capitalism and the culture of self-improvement (think inspirational Instagrams). - Katrina

In a future where security is run by sophisticated AIs, one robot just wants to be left alone to watch soap operas. Murderbot (a name they gave their self) has to work very hard to keep humans unaware of their own agency to avoid being wiped back to factory settings. Also, someone is trying to kill the people in their charge. I loved this fresh take on the future of AI. - Ivy

People who've been traumatized by a crime are victims, too. Finding ways to comfort them is also part of my job. I adored this gentle, intricately plotted novel! Told in vignettes, this unusual whodunnit follows Detective Kaga as he solves small domestic mysteries with kindness and grace, while gaining more insight into the life of the murder victim and those around her. - Ksenia

It's hard to talk about this book without drawing comparisons to Daniel Wallace's Big Fish, and that's a great thing! The story travels back and forth through time in telling the multigenerational story of a family and their land in Alabama. This history is being passed from one generation to the next in this hodgepodge storytelling that captivates as much as it obfuscates. - Clara

Friday Black is the best book of short stories I've read this year. At times I felt like I was reading horror, while other times I was laughing out loud. Adjei-Brenyah's stories are crazy, radical and not recommended for the faint of heart. It's a book that will stick with me for years to come. - Ashley

When two young sisters disappear, the entire Kamchatka Peninsula goes on high alert. But as the months drag on and no leads materialize, hope wears thin. Told from the perspective of a variety of characters, this is a story about family, identity, grief, and the ways those themes connect us. Phillips’ debut is a stunning portrait of an isolated, rarely discussed corner of the world. - Jade

A remarkably touching magical-realist young-adult novel about a boy and a girl (who are, refreshingly, not a couple but best friends!) that explores social issues such as race, sexuality, and class with humor, heart, a touch of magic, and a sprinkle of apocalypse. - Ksenia

Dunnett’s historical fiction reads like epic fantasy in its breadth of memorable characters, complex political intrigues, and extremely detailed world building. If you thought Game of Thrones was too dense, skip this one. If you want to hear a villainous rogue speaking in Shakesperean riddles while engaged in madcap adventures, this is your new favorite series! - Clara

When the narrator’s friend, another writer, dies suddenly, she inherits his Great Dane. Among many problems, she lives in a tiny New York apartment—that doesn’t allow pets. What follows is a brilliant and moving meditation on friendship, love (both Platonic and romantic), art and grief. I found this a profound and beautiful reading experience. - Rico