Expectation: A fast-paced paranormal mystery with enough plot twists to give you whiplash.
Reality: At times too slow and too long, the story is entertaining enough but far from Simone St. James’ best work.
56 Days – Catherine Ryan Howard
Expectation: A whodunnit cashing in on COVID-19.
Reality: A surprisingly clever, sometimes shocking and utterly enjoyable mystery thriller that used COVID-19 as a logical plot point.
Homegoing – Yaa Gyasi
Expectation: An historical fiction epic focused on the experiences of two African families involved in different aspects of the slave trade.
Reality: Spanning centuries and two dozen characters, it’s a comprehensive yet intimate view of slavery and its long-term repercussions.
Heartstopper: Volumes One – Five – Alice Oseman
Overall, I’d rate this a solid effort. Each volume is good, and three are great, but it also felt like there was a lot of filler, which made the more emotional moments feel hidden. I say this fully recognizing that the length of the series – about 1,700-pages – is what allows the relationship between Charlie and Nick to unfold in a natural, unrushed way, however.
Sea of Tranquility – Emily St. John Mandel
Expectation: Highbrow science fiction.
Reality: Science fiction almost takes a backseat to this moving examination of relationships and fate.
A Place for Us – Fatima Farheen Mirza
Expectation: A family drama heavy on religious guilt and first-generation American children defying parental expectations.
Reality: An initially confusing beginning unfolds into a layered, understated and deeply moving portrayal of the danger of secrets, carrying shame and failed second chances.
A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II – Sonia Purnell
Even though Purnell’s heart was in the right place by elevating the contributions of Virginia Hall, “Woman” felt a bit tawdry. While we receive a well-rounded view of a pioneering figure in global espionage, the whole thing felt a little soulless, likely because Hall would’ve objected to its publication.
The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
Expectation: To be wowed by this modern classic.
Reality: Even at its slim length, I found it to be an exercise in repetition and tedium.
Commonwealth – Ann Patchett
Expectation: A depressing family drama.
Reality: The perfect balance of light and heavy, Ann Patchett brought to life a cast of interesting characters with her trademark observations on the nature of relationships and how they evolve over time.
Another Country – James Baldwin
Expectation: A gorgeously written astute commentary of mid-century American life.
Reality: All of the above, but incredibly depressing and a tad too long.
Notes on an Execution – Danya Kukafka
Expectation: A race against the clock of will they or won’t they sensibilities. But with death instead of love.
Reality: A slow-burn character study that takes a few strategic pivots from the usual serial killer narrative.
A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance – Hanif Abdurraqib
With “Devil,” Hanif Abdurraqib seamlessly weaves personal anecdotes with historical fact and cultural observation. It’s something that many nonfiction writers and essayists try to do, but I’ve yet to come across a writer that does it as brilliantly as Abdurraqib.
The Color Purple – Alice Walker
Expectation: A gorgeously written snapshot of life for Black people in the South during the early 1900s.
Reality: The unique format didn’t allow you to learn about all the characters equally, but it did make this a quick, engrossing read.
Parkland: Birth of a Movement – Dave Cullen
Acting as an embedded journalist, Cullen spent countless hours trailing and interviewing several of the MFOL teenagers. From the first meetings in a parents’ living room to political debates and a tour across the country, he was there for every early highlight, misstep and break down.
Comfort Me With Apples – Catherynne M. Valente
Expectation: A modern retelling of “The Stepford Wives” for the #MeToo era.
Reality: Definitely not what I expected but, in the best, most WTF ways.
In Cold Blood – Truman Capote
"In Cold Blood" is arguably one of the most well-known American books ever. Does it live up to the hype? I think if you read the book without knowing anything intimately related to the story (i.e. seen “Capote,” etc.) then, for the most part, yes.
The Paper Palace – Miranda Cowley Heller
Expectation: The romantic fiction novel du jour.
Reality: An unlikable main character, multiple trigger warnings and still wholly readable.
Still Life – Sarah Winman
Expectation: A queer romance set in Italy that isn’t “Call Me By Your Name.”
Reality: A beautifully written, often funny, story about chosen family and second chances.
Fraternity: Stories – Benjamin Nugent
Expectation: An “Animal House”-esque exploration of modern fraternity/college life.
Reality: A deft exploration of the dichotomies that exist within one of America’s oldest higher education social clubs.
To Paradise – Hanya Yanagihara
Expectation: A richly drawn character study that brings the tears.
Reality: The epitome of a character-driven story that lacks the emotional heft of Yanagihara’s “A Little Life” but is still an exceptional work of fiction.