Expectation: A high concept buddy dramedy exploring the human and animal connection.
Reality: Marcellus and Tova are the strongest parts of the story, so whenever it shifted to someone else the narrative lost steam. Still, I was charmed overall.
Black Cake – Charmaine Wilkerson
Expectation: A big-hearted family drama with historical fiction elements and the experiences of Caribbean Americans.
Reality: It delivers on the drama and Caribbean experience, but there’s too much plot and too many people making it feel overstuffed and undercooked.
I’m Not Hungry But I Could Eat – Christopher Gonzalez
Expectation: A food-themed story collection.
Reality: Only a few stories missed the mark in this solid collection, introducing Christopher Gonzalez as a writer to watch.
Hello, Molly! – Molly Shannon with Sean Wilsey
There’s no celebrity gossip or score settling, but we do get an interesting behind-the-scenes view of her time on “Saturday Night Live,” and how she created iconic characters like Mary Catherine Gallagher, Sally O’Malley, Circe Nightshade and Miss Colleen. It was a great nostalgia trip.
Upgrade – Blake Crouch
Expectation: A science fiction bro-fest with predictable and outlandish plots.
Reality: More political and emotional than anticipated, it reminded me of a 1980s action film — over-the-top and ridiculous but a ton of fun.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow – Gabrielle Zevin
Expectation: A romance novel rooted in the world of tech and gaming.
Reality: Nuanced and gorgeous writing, paired with a genre-melding plot made this one of the most immersive and surprising stories I’ve read all year.
The Swimmers – Julie Otsuka
Expectation: A dramedy about wanting to hold on to your younger days in the twilight years.
Reality: A unique style of storytelling somewhat masks the affecting exploration of mortality, memory and caring for aging parents.
If You See Me, Don’t Say Hi – Neel Patel
Expectation: A darkly comedic take on acknowledging your own shortcomings.
Reality: Recursive and mediocre. None of the characters are particularly likeable, which made reading this feel like a chore.
Sharks in the Time of Saviors – Kawai Strong Washburn
Expectation: A quasi-scifi family drama about carrying the weight of your family’s hopes and dreams.
Reality: A strong first half was ruined by a mid-point plot twist that rendered the rest of the novel far less interesting.
Bel Canto – Ann Patchett
Expectation: A layered, nuanced and tense story of life and death.
Reality: Bogged down by too many characters and writing flourishes, it still packs an emotional punch in the end, but some readers (like my husband) will have given up by then.
The Five Wounds – Kirstin Valdez Quade
Expectation: A big-hearted family drama.
Reality: More depressing than hopeful, you want to root for the Padilla family, but sometimes they make it difficult.
Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love 1850s-1950s – Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell
Arranged by theme or poses (i.e. military, beach, picnic, kissing, etc.), Nini and Treadwell show us that for as much as times have changed, very little has in the ways we show affection – subtle touches, warm embraces, lazy days snuggled together or candid captures of two people at their most vulnerable and pure.
A Million Quiet Revolutions – Robin Gow
Expectation: I expected a light story about celebrating the future while acknowledging the past.
Reality: A moving portrayal of the transgender experience, but the book-in-verse format didn’t translate well as an audiobook.
Here’s to Us – Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Expectation: An unnecessary sequel to a book I enjoyed but didn’t really remember.
Reality: Unnecessary and predictable, sure, but it’s filled with humor and heart that makes it 100 percent escapist fun.
We Contain Multitudes – Sarah Henstra
Expectation: A breezy graphic novel full of the typical young adult trappings.
Reality: Not a graphic novel and not breezy. The epistolary structure makes it a quick read, but there are multiple chaotic and disturbing plots (see trigger warnings).
The 2000s Made Me Gay: Essays on Pop Culture – Grace Perry
While Perry provides commentary on the benefits and detriments of the subjects in the context of shaping public perception of LGBTQIA+ people during the aughts - and her own queerness - most of the essays felt like a Vulture-esque recap of plots and characters.
Deaf Utopia: A Memoir - And a Love Letter to a Way of Life – Nyle DiMarco with Robert Siebert
DiMarco’s Hollywood experiences are secondary to the true intent of the book – the “love letter to a way of life” – which provide a fascinating entry point into learning about the intersectionality of Deafness and queerness, historical and ongoing biases and the resiliency and pride of this community.
Don’t Cry For Me – Daniel Black
Expectation: A story of regret, but ultimately, absolution.
Reality: A profoundly moving and utterly devastating reflection on life and your missteps.
Young Mungo – Douglas Stuart
Expectation: Given the setting, time period and queer themes, an unofficial sequel to Douglas Stuart’s debut “Shuggie Bain.”
Reality: Better paced than “Shuggie Bain,” a truly shocking plot twist about halfway through made this somewhat of a thriller, and Stuart allowed his characters to find a little happiness – a nice change of pace.
Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States – Samantha Allen
Some of the beliefs and opinions shared in “Real Queer America,” may be difficult for blue state or big city gays to fully understand. However, if you’ve been to the only queer space in a town where everyone congregates because there are no niche options, then you’ve experienced the queer community building Allen celebrates here.