Fiction Recommendations

The time and care that poet-essayist Jeffers has given us with the detailed families of strong women in her magisterial debut can only be matched by our devotion to her stories as she unveils a Southern history that intertwines Black, Indigenous, and white lives. Her novel stretches back through centuries of violence and injustice, but also love and fortitude, and leads ahead with Ailey Pearl, a young historian determined to bridge the past with her bright future. A powerful, lyrical novel and every page a prize. — Melinda

Six days in the life of a small-town family pits sibling against sibling and husband against wife as they struggle for understanding, forgiveness, and redemption. A retelling of ancient Greek myths in the heart of East Texas, the story slowly simmers to a boil and a dramatic end. Simply a remarkable debut.  —Casey

Have you ever stopped to think about how the Oxford English Dictionary was created? The Dictionary of Lost Words is a beautiful debut novel, inspired by real people and events that shaped the creation of the first OED. Reading this thought- provoking, well-researched, and detailed story, with its rich cast of characters and relationships, you will find yourself taking pleasure in the dialogue and possibly reaching for a tissue (or two). Pip Williams breathes life into the previously undervalued contributions women made during the herculean effort to create the OED. She highlights the power of words and their ability to grow and change with the times, encouraging the reader to reexamine the words we use today and the foundations on which they were created. For lovers of words and historical fiction, this book is sure to delight.  —Kristina

In this surrealist collection of short stories, Fuentes takes us on an odyssey through multiple generations, geographies, and spiritual dimensions. Following different women who all share a common lineage, these stories grapple with themes of corporeal violence, complex identities, and the meaning of being alive in a world of ghosts. With a voice reminiscent of Gabriel García Márquez and Federico García Lorca, this is a tapestry worth unraveling, though it may unravel you in the process.  —Holly

I’m not really sure how to pitch this novel of a has-been (but still very gay) actor taking his young niece and nephew in for the summer after their mother passes away, but I can tell you that I haven’t read something this surprisingly sharp yet delightfully sweet in ages. I giggled, I gasped, I cried, and most of all I fell in love with this family that just won’t quit trying to be there for each other, despite everything.  —Jax

A stunning and touching debut novel of inescapable young love, political upheaval, immigration, and resiliency, Swimming Back to Trout River is a trans-Pacific love letter set amidst China’s Cultural Revolution. Generational narratives and stories of upheaval underscore the timeless importance of everyday moments—music drifting from a window, giving away flowers, stopping to say hello. It’s a crescendo of unexpected wonders and a reminder of human kindness that transcends culture, borders, and distance.  —Charlotte

Rainbow Milk is the kind of novel that feels transcendent—a specific story gesturing toward bigger truths. Beginning in 1959, it follows a young 21st–century Englishman navigating sex, faith, and identity as a Black and queer man. Paul Mendez’s characters are viscerally alive, traversing the darker corners of sex work, drugs, and depression, with revelations of love, connection, and self-validation against White supremacy. A mercilessly beautiful book, seeing those who should be loved, who survive and thrive in spite of abusive neglect.   —Jocelyn

Albert’s life has been the same every day for the last 18 years. He arrives at work at the post office at 6:00am, tries to avoid everyone, completes his route, and ends the night with a cuddle with his cat Gracie. Albert’s careful routine is destroyed after his job enforces mandatory retirement. Untethered, he decides to track down his lost love. You will be charmed by Albert—it can’t be helped. I rooted for him every step of his exciting adventure.  —Ivy

Fredrik Backman meets Erin Brockovich meets The Rosie Project in this funny and clever story about teenage triplets growing up in a town with tainted water, each with differing levels of lifelong effects, and each with a unique approach to standing up for their family, their community, and their future. The distinct coming-of-age voices resonate, as do the push and pull around themes of independence versus connection. A feel-good story of persistence and growth.  —Casey

In this transnational collection of thought-provoking stories, Freedman takes us across the globe to examine the depths of instability. While her stories prickle with tension, each character acts as a mirror of tumult—whether it be dealing with class, race, or insecurity—and allows us to confront the truth of human experience while giving us a glimpse into life abroad. Perfect for fans of Ursula LeGuin or Lisa Wingate.  —Caroline