Gabino Iglesias

In her new novel, Leigh Bardugo drags readers into a world of servitude, magic, power struggles, and intrigue — one where there isn't a single character that doesn't have a secret agenda.

Eric Rickstad's novel is full of sadness and rage; it forces readers to look at one of the ugliest parts of U.S. culture, a too-common occurrence that is extremely rare in other countries.

Gina Chung's collection is a fantastic medley of short stories that dance between literary fiction, fable, Korean folklore, and science fiction — and one that's full of emotional intelligence.

Short-story writer Kelly Link's first novel delves into the complications of love and friendship, family drama, grief, resilience, and the power of adaptability, while delivering a supernatural tale.

The Secret History of Bigfoot is a smart, hilarious, and wonderfully immersive journey into the history of Bigfoot, the culture around it, the people who obsess about it, and the psychology behind it.

Engaging and wildly entertaining, Kaveh Akbar's debut novel will undoubtedly be considered one of the best of the year because it focuses on very specific stories while discussing universal feelings.

Rebecca Renner's Gator Country is an impeccably researched love letter to Florida's flora and fauna. She argues that alligators deserve the same respect and protection as any other animal in danger.

Tananarive Due's haunting, unflinching novel delves deep into the realities of the Jim Crow South and the very real horrors that took place at Florida reformatory schools in the 1950s.

Jesmyn Ward's narrative forces readers to look at our country's ugly past and face the lingering effects of history — but it also tells a story of perseverance and the power of the spiritual world.

Jonathan Lethem's narrative is a nonlinear mosaic; an amalgamation of vignettes coming together to create a beautiful, gritty, impeccably researched portrait of Brooklyn, its history, and its people.