Lover of literary fiction and creative nonfiction. Hiker, backpacker, and travel bug-bitten daydreamer. Fearless photographer and daredevil grub-maker in the kitchen. An intrepid experimentalist in the art of making up nonsense songs. The guy who will cross the busiest intersection in town just to pet a cute dog. A great big dork, pretty much.
Philosophical suspense of the highest order--Reid expertly turns the "unreliable narrator" trope on its head by luring us into the (possibly) clouded mind of Penny, an aging artist whose life suddenly becomes upended by her relocation to a mysterious eldercare home. It's a hypnotic and occasionally chilling work, but also profound and quite beautiful; I love how he tackles big subjects like mortality and finding purpose with such sensitivity. ~Todd
Theroux has long been a master of creating memorable characters, and that gift is on abundant display in this hyper-tense psychological drama. The Belanger brothers-- decades-deep into a sibling rivalry that borders on the pathological-- descend into a spiral of revenge that teeters on the edge of Shakespearean tragedy, and witnessing it all unfold is absolutely riveting. ~Todd
A series of interconnected short stories, all set in a high-rise, low-income apartment building in Harlem whose occupants struggle with scraping by while the specter of gentrification looms over their heads. Gritty, quick-witted, and hugely captivating, this is a tremendous work by an important new voice. ~Todd
Garcia is an extraordinary journalist who focuses on everyday people who would otherwise never have their voice heard outside their own immediate circle, if it weren't for his empathetic, courageous reportage. Documenting his conversations with shopkeepers, translators, and a truly singular woman who runs a recovery center for addicts, he is a truly gifted storyteller, sharing points of view we hear far too infrequently. ~Todd
A hard-hitting, haunting novel presented over the course of a dozen interconnected stories-- Talty's snapshots of indigenous life in rural Maine address racial and generational trauma with compassion and searing wit. Quite the riveting read! ~Todd
Ooh, holy wow and whoa-- like a Hieronymous Bosch canvas in novel form, this tale of power struggles and tragedy in a medieval fiefdom paints a vividly odd otherworld of muck, depravity, and superstition. It's a bit of a fever dream, yes, but such a fascinating one. ~Todd
This soulful, occasionally satirical novel tackles a number of big issues (anti-Asian racism, the capacity for war to destroy and divide families, our broken healthcare system) while giving us complex characters to root for, laugh with, and truly see. An ambitious, lyrical, moving work. ~Todd
An astonishing brain-tickler of a sci-fi epic, spanning seven generations and two planets-- Swan tackles such heady topics as mental health and climate change with heart and soul and unfettered creativity. It's quite an impressive feat, writing speculative fiction that is so universal and relatable. ~Todd
How absolutely lovely-- Shattuck has crafted a quiet, thoughtful (and often quite funny) meditation on Thoreau by literally following in his footsteps throughout New England. The accompanying sketches from his journeys are just wonderful, as are his anecdotes of the strangers he befriends along the way. ~Todd
Pretty tough for me to not go full fanboy-mode here-- the celebrity chef/Netflix foodie host par excellence writes with such purity, candor, and conviction that I was smitten from the outset. This is a beautifully raw, frequently hilarious memoir, addressing issues surrounding mental health and the double-edged sword of success with fire and grace. ~Todd
A short but brilliant work, blending art and poetry with personal essays and family history to highlight the emotional stress experienced by Black Americans today. This is beautifully immersive prose that packs quite a powerful punch, and a stirring testament to the abilities of the arts for healing and reflection. --Todd
You've never read a vampire tale quite like this-- Kohda works some sly magic with the genre by delivering a coming-of-age story of a young woman coming to terms with her hunger (in more meanings than just one). Sure, Lydia happens to be half-human/half-vampire, but her struggles and desires are quite universal...and I found her journey to be thoroughly engaging. --Todd
So mesmerizing and haunting and heartbreakingly real-- O'Nan has crafted a gripping "whydunit" (rather than the usual whodunit of the mystery genre) about a brutal murder in a working-class coastal Rhode Island town, and his chronicle of a tragic teen love-triangle bristles with tension. I was spellbound from start to finish. --Todd
A lively, persuasive, and hugely engaging take on the medieval era, in which the authors argue that the Dark Ages-- while plagued with a great deal of barbarism and ignorance-- were also a time of innovation and progress. Gabriele and Perry are wonderful storytellers, and both highlight aspects of this time period which paved the way for the more-enlightened Renaissance era. --Todd
Completely mesmerizing-- Yun tackles the old adage, "you can't go home again", with a full heart and an open mind while addressing issues surrounding class, race, and gender. Timely, vivid, vital...this is an extraordinary depiction of resentments and menace in rural America. --Todd
Such a soulful and singular read, and so very unexpected-- a man who must read to people in their homes as a form of community service ends up finding a sense of purpose as a result. It's a loving testimonial to the power of art and literature for human connection, and I can say with total honesty that the ending was a genuine surprise. --Todd
Oh, this book! Part true-crime narrative, part travelogue, part spiritual quest, this tale of an American social-media star who never returned from his journey towards enlightenment in India is undeniably captivating and so richly vivid in detail. It's an expertly-crafted, haunting portrait-- think Eat Pray Love crossed with Into the Wild. --Todd
An astonishing work which should be required reading-- Smith pinpoints where we are as a country regarding white supremacy with eloquence and grace and the pen of a poet. Trust me, you need this book. America needs this book. The world is a better place now that it has been written. --Todd
Well, how about that-- a novel can be philosophical AND totally gripping at the same time! A wild, heady mix of existential thriller and speculative science fiction, but with a sharp pop-culture sensibility and generous servings of dark humor and surprising amounts of sweetness...Black Mirror fans, take note. I've never read anything quite like this. --Todd
Such a fresh, savvy literary debut-- Orange's cleverly-overlapping tales of self-described "urban Indians" absolutely crackle and spark with vitality and attitude. Lyrical, playful, and brilliantly-constructed, it offers an unforgettable view into contemporary Native American experience. I'm in awe of this novel. --Todd
A profoundly affecting coming-of-age story and a potent takedown of toxic masculinity-- Corey Goltz is a kid to truly root for, in his determination to take care of his ALS-stricken mother while doing everything in his power to avoid his cruel, estranged father. Visceral, gripping, deeply empathetic...this is a real triumph. --Todd
A provocative and hugely engaging account of the author's unintentional role in the gentrification of a Detroit neighborhood when she is given a (not-so) free house by an organization so that she can concentrate on her writing. Told with much humor and frankness, it's a great exploration into themes of home and belongingness and what it means "to be part of the community." --Todd
This is one of the most haunting novels I have read in quite some time-- Hall has meticulously crafted an immersive study of love and lust and artistic motivation amidst societal trauma. It's a passionate, incandescent work about mortality and the need for human connection; I keep thinking about this one, honestly. --Todd
Banville's latest installment in the Dr. Quirke mystery series drops the ornery, hard-drinking Irish forensic pathologist uncomfortably on holiday in sunny Spain; there, he thinks he spots a supposedly-dead friend of his daughter. The Pandora's box opened by this possible discovery is loaded with unforeseen complications, all of which are meted out in elegant detail and thick, brooding atmosphere. --Todd
An engrossing history of the 25 mostly-Jewish prisoners of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp who sewed for the Nazis-- Adlington (a clothes historian) describes how their tailoring and fashion skills saved their lives. It's a fascinating document of a little-known aspect of the Holocaust, and the heaviness of the subject matter is offset by tales of camaraderie and resistance by the prisoners. An important work of nonfiction. --Todd
An enchanting, strangely provocative imagining of the life of Marie de France, a 12th-Century French abbess in England -- Groff's gorgeous prose captures both the nearly-magic beauty and dark, deathly grit of medieval life with impressive dexterity. This was easily one of the finest works of historical fiction I have read in a long time; fans of Maggie O'Farrell's "Hamnet" will love this. --Todd
Richard Powers astonishes us once again, this time with a haunting tale of a visionary scientist and grieving father whose ferocious devotion to his unique son leads to some controversial decisions. Few books have fused science with humanity in such sublime, heart-rending ways. --Todd
Delicately-plotted, quietly-insightful little wonders in miniature-- ah, how I loved this collection of stories! Every single one is a triumph, but for me it's "A Map of the Simplified World"-- a tale of immigrant children navigating the many social challenges of the American school system-- which stopped me in my tracks. This is so good. --Todd
Such a vital, electrifying, passionate story collection, and quite a feat, being able to tackle generational trauma with this much wit and youthful vigor. So's portrayals of Cambodian immigrants and their first-generation Californian kids are wildly varied and impeccably crafted-- there's a huge heart at the core of these sometimes melancholy, sometimes laugh-out-loud tales. --Todd
Oh, wow wow wow-- this was quite a hoot. A writer whose creative gas tank has run empty suddenly gains access to an unbeatable, sure-to-be-a-hit storyline and passes it off as his own...with, let's just say, "mixed results." It's a gripping, sometimes quite hilarious, literary thriller which held me hostage (in the best possible way) for a few sittings; I had to use a ton of restraint not to read it all in one go. So much fun! --Todd
I can honestly say I've never read anything quite like this, a cautionary sci-fi eco-horror tale weaving three interconnected storylines across several millennia while also framing the history of Johnny Appleseed as a fairytale. It's a daring, hugely thought-provoking epic, flush with ideas and inventive language...highly recommended if you're looking for a truly singular reading experience. --Todd
Exquisite and poetic in spite of the often-harrowing subject matter, this thoughtful rendering of Vietnam's turbulent history--told as a family saga-- is deeply impactful fiction. There is considerable hardship in these pages, but also triumph and so much beauty. I was wowed. --Todd
Gold-standard graphic journalism, based on the author's many visits to the West Bank and Gaza Strip during the early 90s-- yes, several decades ago, but the issues more or less remain the same now as they were at the time of writing. Sacco is a gifted illustrator who has created a deeply human, genuinely moving, and often shocking depiction of day-to-day life in a very troubled part of the world. --Todd
This is easily one of the most captivating works about intersectionality I have read-- the authors do an incredible job not only with telling the history of various social movements of the late-Twentieth Century, but also with explaining how they very often worked together towards shared goals. If you enjoyed Howard Zinn ("A People's History of the United States"), then this tremendous labor of love should definitely grab you. --Todd
A gorgeous, intricate multi-generational epic, set amongst towering hardwoods and old-growth forests, with family drama and intrigue layered much like the concentric tree rings of the book's cover. It's a quiet little masterpiece, taking on the daunting subject of environmental collapse with so much heart and soul. --Todd
I'm a total fool for tales about obsessions, and this portrait of naturalists and tree-climbing thrill-seekers in their quest for the world's tallest redwoods kept me riveted. Nature writing at its most entertaining! --Todd
Yes, this is a book about hawks-- and MacDonald wields a poet's pen in celebrating the majestic creatures-- but ultimately it is just as much a memoir of grief and of finding a reason to get up in the morning. It's also a love letter to her father, and I found her coming to terms with loss to be genuinely moving. --Todd
Fans of Octavia Butler, or Margaret Atwood's dystopian novels, should seek out this unsettling, atmospheric tale of medical experimentation on Black bodies-- think Tuskegee Study, but in current times. A disturbing commentary on classism, racism, and exploitation, this is quite a bold, inventive literary debut; I ended up reading the whole thing in an afternoon. --Todd
I find oral histories to be such a compellingly direct, intimate literary format; this collection of testimonies from women survivors of Stalin's gulags is a shining example of the form's power. These tales of resilience and the ability to find beauty and solace in the bleakest of circumstances are unforgettable and deeply engrossing. --Todd
Brimming with wit, wisdom, and wide-eyed wanderlust, this travel memoir is a pure delight-- Knighton explores every single one of our national parks, and the year-long journey makes for an energizing, very educational read. I particularly enjoyed how the author arranges the travelogue thematically, rather than chronologically-- very effective and quite illuminating! --Todd
Such an honest and essential book, focusing on the dreams and struggles of undocumented immigrants in the United States. The way the author weaves her own personal and family history into sharp, incisive, sensitive reporting is an absolute triumph. Upfront, unflinching, and so necessary. --Todd
A journey I wish had gone on forever-- Theroux picks some of the toughest routes and modes of transport for his African odyssey, and the reader is made all the richer for his choices. It's a captivating tribute to a continent fraught with troubles yet full of resilience-- his prose shifts readily and beautifully between joy and sadness, hope and melancholy. A true travel memoir classic. --Todd
A must-have for any Bowie fan: in a series of miniature essays, O'Connell discusses each of the 100 books the musician credited as having the biggest influence on his life and career. It's a fascinating, informative game of connect-the-dots, offering plenty of context to the wildly varied, often surprising literary lineup. --Todd
A vital voice for these frightening times-- Williams channels grief and rage and, remarkably, finds solace and hope in the wreckage. Few writers merge the personal with the political to such electric, rallying effect. --Todd
A philosophical, erudite examination of some truly remote, stone-silent little spots in the middle of nowhere, often peppered with generous measures of self-deprecating wit. This is a marvelous antidote to our ever-demanding digital world. --Todd
Part memoir, part travel narrative, part chef profile...and a whole lot of fun. Sure, it's a true foodie's delight, but it's just as much about reinvention and risk and the burning urge to break out of one's comfort zone. I inhaled this book. --Todd
Technically, this novel gets classified as science fiction, but Butler's tale of a modern black woman transported back in time to a slave plantation in the South is social realism and criticism at its finest. This is a shattering, thought-provoking work of psychological horror, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. --Todd
A master of metaphysical brain-scrambling storytelling trickery, Murakami takes some ingenious liberties with the Oedipal myth and serves up quite a crazy ride in the process. Few authors address the transition from adolescence to adulthood with such sense of wonder and emotional acuity. --Todd
This is quite a singular read, weaving family memories and fiction with old snapshots to create a haunting meditation on homesickness and loss. Devastatingly beautiful. --Todd
Rarely has the adjective, Kafkaesque, been more fitting: Seghers's tense, nervy WWII-era literary thriller captures the predicaments and plight of the exiled with a thick air of confusion and existential dread. It's a brilliantly-rendered survey of the human collateral damage of war and conflict, and remains as relevant now as ever. --Todd