I have book recommendations for some of the folks on your gift-giving list this year. Here we go:
Books for the Reader of Feel-Good Books:
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt. The book got lots of buzz for its bright gossipy giant Pacific octopus (and he is the first character we meet), but the human characters are great too—quirky, real, all too human. The happy endings are relative and earned—for everyone (even the octopus).
The Last Mechanical Monster.Brian Fies’s latest graphic novel will show up here in a couple of places. This is a funny and touching story about heroes, villains, and the nature of connection. I thought hard about putting it here, because there is quite a bit of sadness near the end… but it’s a story that ends with optimism, caring and hope instead of cynicism and isolation.
And the artwork is amazing.
For the Good of the Realm. Nancy Jane Moore’s light-hearted swordplay fantasy adventure gender-swaps the characters from Dumas’s The Three Musketeers, in a world almost like ours but … not quite. Plenty of sword fights, intrigue, romance and wit!
Books for Urban Fantasy Readers:
N.K. Jemisin’s newest release is The World We Make, but it’s the second book in a duology. I think you have to read The City We Became first. Both books are great. Jemisin’s command of language, especially as she whirls through the different point of view characters, is brilliant and flawless. And the concept of self-aware cities is just awesome. If you are wealthy (or extravagant) give your reader both! Otherwise, order The City We Became.
K.D. Edwards has completed the third book in his series THE TAROT SEQUENCE, about Atlanteans living on Nantucket island after an Atlantean war destroyed their original home. Book Three is The Hourglass Throne, which came out this year, but again, you really should start with The Last Sun. These books feature excellent world-building and a comprehensive magical system that seems to draw from gaming traditions, plenty of action and lots of banter. Great books for the urban fantasy fan, especially one who might be looking for books with men loving men.
Books for Mystery Readers:
The Unkindness of Ravens, by M.E. Hilliard, introduces a new first-person sleuth in upstate New York, with an interesting setup and outstanding setting. Greer Hogan has an interesting backstory and like many detective characters, a personal mystery to solve. This book sets up the town and the quirky local characters, but the mystery gets full attention.
Comeuppance Served Cold, by me. Yes, as a published writer I am obligated to list my own book. It’s not exactly a mystery—it’s closer to a heist, but lovers of con artists, the Jazz Era and magic will like it.
Books for Science Fiction Readers:
Again, I’m recommending a duology, but both books are available in paperback. Arkady Martine’s A Memory Called Empire and A Desolation Called Peace are both wonderful. A Desolation Called Peace is probably more clearly SF since it’s a first contact story, while A Memory Called Empire reads like a political thriller, but here again, you have to have read the first one.
Living Memory, by David Walton. Walton writes some of the best Big Question, What-If science fiction around these days, and his latest, standalone Living Memory has one of my favorite characters ever—spoiler alert, he’s a dinosaur. Walton creates a non-human culture that is plausible, and gives them a serious problem to solve—while also following two human scientists whose discovery has massive implications for humanity. Almost everyone will find something to like here.
The Annual Migration of Clouds is a short novella by Premee Mohamad, about a sustainable community in a world devastated by the effects of global warming. Our main character has a chance to go away to school–but that leaves a hole in her tightly-knit community, plus, she must contend with the fungus that has colonized her and will ultimately control her nerve system. Short, fast-paced and powerful, in spite of that set-up, this is a hopeful story.
Readers of Gothic Horror:
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a perfectly period, perfectly creepy gothic horror story, now available in paperback. Anything by Moreno-Garcia is good; this one will tickle all the senses of your gothic horror fan.
Little Eve by Catriona Ward. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I recommend it for the horror readers on your list. We talk a lot about atmosphere with gothics—this book provides a master-class on it, whether it’s the disturbing ruin of a castle inhabited by the odd “family” of which the Eve character is a member, or the more pastoral village nearby. The book is filled with allusions, mirages, clues, and a nasty depiction of how a charismatic leader can manipulate the people in their power.
Readers of Graphic Novels:
Again, The Last Mechanical Monster.
Readers of Nonfiction:
Going back to one from a few years back; Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake. Fungus and lichen, and how they connect the world. Brilliant.
My suggestions. Let me know yours! List them in comments.