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.
An absolute triumph, and every bit as dazzling as Orange's debut There There-- in fact, Wandering Stars works as both a prequel and a follow-up to that novel. Our histories--including those of our ancestors-- really do inform who we are and the actions we take, and Orange tackles generational trauma with an activist's heart and a poet's pen. Smart, tender storytelling that truly resonates-- this is why we read fiction. ~Todd
Much of our value as citizens of the 21st Century seems to be measured by our data, our online presences, and our spending habits, all of which are at the mercy of mathematical formulas-- how exciting! (Dripping sarcasm intended.) Chayka argues that not only has culture homogenized as a result, but curiously our freedom of choice has suffered as well; thankfully, he also offers tools for empowerment against the cold relentlessness of algorithms. A vital, thought-provoking read. ~Todd
Easily one of the best debut novels I have ever read. No, seriously. Few books tackle the whole life-can-be-hard-and-baffling-
but-often-joyous-and-beautiful theme with as much heart and wit and gobsmacking sense of innovation, and Akbar spins wordplay like some kind of alchemist god. Playful, incandescent, and profound. ~Todd
A rollicking journey-- often hilarious, frequently rather moving, and always pure and poetic. The legendary bluesman Robert Johnson-- on the run from the devil-- leaves his enchanted guitar in the care of Spokane Indian Thomas Builds-the-Fire, who immediately forms a band on the reservation. The resulting musical career of Coyote Springs is fraught with chaos and drama, and Alexie captures their struggles in grim surroundings with sensitivity, insight, and plenty of humor. ~Todd
Fascinating reading! It probably won't come as a shock that misogyny, racism, colonialism, and bigotry sit at the rotten core behind accusations of witchcraft, but Gibson gives us a thorough rundown of just how often humankind has chosen this route to demonize and persecute a marginalized group of people (hint: it's A LOT). Fear can be weaponized in truly terrifying ways, as this book attests. ~Todd
Such a beguiling little marvel, with eyes fixed upwards and outwards to the infinite possibilities of the largely unknown universe. An inscrutable communication from Mars, a cross-country road trip, and a ragtag gaggle of deeply obsessed grad students-- these are the key elements in Chatagnier's mysterious, captivating tale. If you loved Contact (Carl Sagan), Bewilderment (Richard Powers), or the works of Emily St. John Mandel, this should grab you. ~Todd
An arresting tale of a Mi’kmaq family from Nova Scotia whose four-year-old daughter suddenly disappears while they're in Maine doing seasonal farmwork. Peters is a formidable new voice in indigenous literature, and her depictions of racism and generational trauma are razor-sharp but so marvelously written. ~Todd
Nope, this definitely isn't the New York of Friends or Sex and the City-- Lethem's ode to the working-class Brooklyn neighborhood of his 1970's childhood is gritty and raw, like a Lou Reed song or a Spike Lee joint. Told through a series of vignettes, this panorama of bodegas and stickball, small-time con artists and indifferent cops, is enthralling human drama. A truly unique approach to the novel form, and it totally works! ~Todd
There are so few nonfiction works out there celebrating male friendships, which makes this memoir of a seemingly-unlikely decades-deep bond between two extremely different guys such a treat. Warm, charming, and frequently quite funny, this is a shining testament to the power of empathy and forgiveness; give a copy to a friend you love. ~Todd
A poetic, persuasively-argued case for the planet's intrinsic need for dark skies, offered up through fascinating ecology lessons from a Swedish conservationist and bat scientist. This feels both intimate and all-embracing at the same time, which is a rather remarkable achievement-- there is so much passion and wonder in these pages. ~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, only with more crime in the mix. --Todd
Yoon is one of my favorite short-story writers, and his tales of diaspora, alienation, and cross-cultural misunderstandings-- delivered in striking, elemental prose-- always leave indelible marks after I have finished them. This extraordinary collection of seven portraits-in-miniature is no exception. These are stories to be read slowly and savored for their forceful economy of language. ~Todd
An engrossing, tender tale about the comfort and solace we can find in nature, centered around a vulnerable 12-year-old girl and a sensitive young artist-- both loners-- who form an unlikely friendship through their care of an injured bird. If you enjoyed All the Light We Cannot See, Atonement, or H is For Hawk, this should be on your list. ~Todd
Such a delicious, fascinating travelogue! Von Bremzen is a marvelous storyteller, and her adventures in decoding culinary myth-making are a joy to read. I especially loved her take on ramen and the surprising role that convenience stores have played in modern-day Japanese cuisine. ~Todd
Fans of Jonathan Franzen and Gary Shteyngart, take note: you will devour this. Ridker's brilliant, perceptive chronicle of a wealthy suburban family in freefall is whip-smart satire with a huge heart; this is astonishingly good. ~Todd
All hail the Master of the Short Story! Carver's sparse, concise, direct prose is a true marvel; he communicates so much within just a few pages. Find a quiet spot, turn to "A Small, Good Thing", and steel yourself for a storytelling revelation. ~Todd
A gritty, blistering tale of revenge, family loyalty, and the power of hatred to destroy from within, set during the tumultuous heatwave of the summer of 1974 in Boston. It's such a nuanced study of race, class, and power in America, bolstered by unforgettable three-dimensional characters and raw, believable dialogue. ~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
Historical fiction at its finest-- if you liked Matrix (Lauren Groff) or Hamnet (Maggie O'Farrell), then look no further. During an infernally hot summer in 1518, a mysterious dancing-plague suddenly afflicts hundreds of women in Strasbourg, France...but why? Inspired by real events, this is quite a spellbinding work, chronicling religious fanaticism and prejudice with an unblinking eye staring right into the chaos. ~Todd
A smart, sensitive depiction of family life interrupted by a horrible tragedy, and the lengths to which people will go to pretend that everything is OK when it really isn't. It's a fascinating portrait of adult siblings trying to come to terms with their troubled past, and the dialogue is razor-sharp and very engaging. ~Todd
A narcissistic, exploitative mother's betrayal of her child model/film star daughter has long-lasting repercussions in this suspenseful tale set in 1970s New York City and present-day Vermont. It's also a potent examination of how some of us find their true family outside of blood relations. ~Todd
What an absolute pleasure to read-- this is a beautifully-written memoir from a former museum guard, offering so much heart, humor, and insight. I haven't been to the Met in years, but losing myself in these pages made me want to build an entire vacation around doing so. Trust me: this is a real treat. ~Todd
Superb! Kit Crockett-- a sharp, sensitive young Cherokee girl who is forced to attend a Christian boarding school-- is a truly unforgettable narrator, and her tale of scandal, racism, and injustice in 1950s Arkansas grabbed me from the start. At times it reminded me of To Kill A Mockingbird and Colson Whitehead's The NIckel Boys, as well as fiction by Carson McCullers and Jesmyn Ward. A stunning, moving work. ~Todd
A modern classic in nonfiction-- Treuer's comprehensive, deeply-heartfelt portrait of indigenous America fuses crucial history lessons with journalistic reportage and personal memoir to tremendous effect. It's a massive achievement, and a passionate call for genuine soul-searching about this country's past. ~Todd
Such an engrossing, deeply touching memoir-- Al Jazerah (a Kuwaiti-born Palestinian gay man living in Jordan) is a born storyteller, and his journey from exile to human-rights activism is full of heart and humor. It's a courageous, endlessly fascinating read, illuminating both the plight of the Palestinian people and the risks that unfortunately come with being out in the Arab world. ~Todd
Oh, how easy it would be to devour this wilderness suspense story in one sitting! A group of strangers is plonked into the middle of nowhere for a survivalist reality TV show...and then, the production crew suddenly just disappears without a word. By turns satirical, nervy, and surprisingly tender, it's a nail-biter of a tale made more potent by crystal-clear characterization and sharp pacing. ~Todd
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
Not available
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
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
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 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
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
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 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