PositiveBooklistBeneath a budding romance and roadside banter, the story of the humanitarian crisis of the Uyghurs in China is masterfully presented ... Frazier’s debut proves to be an enthralling ride, perfect for those who love an American road trip with a twist.
Lisa Ko
PositiveBooklistThe novel serves as an archive of our past and a vision for what’s to come, hauntingly beautiful in a way that’s both nostalgic and dystopian. In essence, Memory Piece is about the power of remembering, especially when it’s painful.
Jeanette Winterson
PositiveBooklistHaunting ... A bewitching collection for readers of horror and mystery, with just the right twists.
Kelsey Norris
PositiveBooklistWith its moments of dark humor, this genre-defying debut is perfect for readers of Margaret Atwood and Carmen Maria Machado.
Yan Ge
PositiveBooklistChinese author Yan has written 13 books, but this is her English-language debut—and it proves clever and delicate, finely woven with a sharp wit. This subtle but brilliant collection will draw readers in and keep them enchanted until the very last word.
Erin Slaughter
PositiveBooklistStunningly fierce ... Slaughter intentionally blurs the line between real and unreal and ghosts and people, creating a spellbinding tilt across stories and worlds. This dark but whimsical collection is perfect for fans of magical realism and strong female characters.
Fatimah Asghar
PositiveBooklistAsghar brings that same lyricism from her poetry collection ... crafting vignettes with dark but tender prose that form a striking picture of the sisters’ daily lives. With minimal dialogue, these brief windows are told through the first-person observations of the youngest, Kausar, with occasional interludes from their uncle or father. A debut in fiction perfect for poetry readers, this poignant coming-of-age tale examines a girlhood torn apart by loss.
Ling Ma
RaveBooklistMa again proves her biting sense of humor and gift for subtlety in a collection of eight short stories, all surreal and jarring in the most sensational way ... Ma masterfully takes on heavy topics such as abuse and loneliness with sprawling, spinning plotlines. All the while, she interweaves the experience of Chinese American women, touching on visibility, assimilation, and the expectations of immigrant mothers. A fantastical collection that grows more and more captivating with each page.
Celia Laskey
PositiveBooklistLaskey’s second novel is a force of dark humor, captivating in its boldness and its portrayal of a friendship torn apart by tradition. For readers of satire and thrillers with an added dose of dystopia.
Katie Runde
PositiveBooklistA comforting debut on family and finding resilience in the face of sorrow.
Sarah Manguso
RaveBooklistGritty ... Manguso paints a haunting portrait of innocence lost, with snippets of prose that gradually evolve from brief paragraphs to pages. These first-person windows into Ruthie’s upbringing, though initially jarring and seemingly mundane, masterfully unveil the tragic and disturbing fates of girls in Waitsfield ... A gripping debut novel on the vulnerability of girlhood for readers who enjoy steady but intense storytelling.