When Shelby Van Pelt isn’t feeding her flash-fiction addiction, she’s juggling cats while wrangling children. Her debut novel, REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES, was published by HarperCollins in May 2022. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she’s currently missing the mountains in the suburbs of Chicago. Find her at www.shelbyvanpelt.com, on Twitter @shelbyvanpelt, and Instagram @shelbyvanpeltwrites.
Wait for Me (2026) Amy Jo Burns "Wait for Me left me speechless with its frankness and beauty. Amy Jo Burns's enthralling prose is not unlike protagonist Elle Harlow's Appalachia: lyrical and transcendent, but homegrown and honest. An absolutely gorgeous exploration of friendship, authenticity, and the power that a few strings and a well-written lyric can wield."
The Road to Tender Hearts (2025) Annie Hartnett "Annie Hartnett writes like no one else. Her knack for spinning a tale both hilarious and gritty, fantastical yet incisive, is on full display in The Road to Tender Hearts. I loved every page of this wild, weird, bighearted book."
Woodworking (2025) Emily St James "I flew through Woodworking, cheering for Abigail and Erica and their against-the-odds friendship all the way. Only Emily St. James could write a book so big-hearted and hilarious, an ode to authenticity and a must-read in our current times."
The Paris Express (2025) Emma Donoghue "Captivating! Emma Donoghue writes in rich, luxuriant detail, yet the story moves at an exhilarating clip. THE PARIS EXPRESS brings big questions about human interconnectedness into an edge-of-your-seat historical thriller that I couldn't put down."
Jane and Dan at the End of the World (2025) Colleen Oakley "What a ride! Jane and Dan at the End of the World bounces effortlessly from incisive commentary on marriage and parenthood to hilarious, twisty heist. I think Colleen Oakley has written my favorite book of the year."
Tartufo (2025) Kira Jane Buxton "An unforgettable cast of small-town oddballs steals the show in this deliciously absurd tale of blessings and curses. Kira Jane Buxton's knack for making delightfully weird situations seem real has never been better. I savored every page of this book!"
Let's Call Her Barbie (2025) Renée Rosen "What a fresh and fun take on Barbie lore! Let's Call Her Barbie pulls off a feat: while digging deep into the history behind America's favorite doll, it's also a clever and satisfying exploration of creativity, feminism, and what it truly means to make art. And although the movie and the book are unrelated in this case, and the movie was fantastic... you know what they always say about the book being better."
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern (2024) Lynda Cohen Loigman "Mix equal parts humor, heart, and hope and you'll get The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, a sparkling ode to second chances. I adored Augusta on both of the book's timelines, delighting in both her razor-sharp wit as a present-day Floridian retiree and her unrelenting curiosity as a grieving motherless child, in Brooklyn, whose life is upended by an aunt who appears to have spiritual healing powers. Lynda Cohen Loigman's latest is a must-read that will leave you believing in the power of believing."
Until Next Summer (2024) Ali Brady "Until Next Summer is a heartfelt and hilarious frolic through a nostalgic landscape of color wars, first kisses, and toilet-paper porch decor - with a cocktail in hand. Whether you're a 'camp person' or not, I defy you to read Ali Brady's latest without glowing from the inside at this tender and hopeful exploration of friendship, romance, and the magic that only a very special place in the woods can hold."
Three Keys (2024) Laura Pritchett "Newly-widowed Ammalie's road-trip hijinks are a reader's delight, but underneath them is a journey toward self-discovery as genuine and imperfect as the protagonist herself. Laura Pritchett brings grief and hope together in this hilarious, heartfelt story of one woman's solo journey through her past, present, and future."
Welcome to Glorious Tuga (2024) (Tuga Trilogy, book 1) Francesca Segal "Welcome to Glorious Tuga will draw you in and demand - with a warm smile - that you embrace island life and stay a while. Francesca Segal's latest asks hard questions about what it means to belong, while charming with an irresistible cast of characters who are deliciously intertwined. A delight from start to finish!"
A Short Walk Through a Wide World (2024) Douglas Westerbeke "A gorgeous ode to wanderlust... Douglas Westerbeke's dazzling debut takes readers on a thought-provoking journey through cultures and timelines...and also, through a mysterious cave-bound library. I savored every page of this book!"
Crow Talk (2024) Eileen Garvin "Eileen Garvin deftly explores our human connections - with each other, with nature, and with ourselves. Crow Talk will leave you in awe at how the smallest, most tender moments can hold the power to transform. A beautiful, unforgettable book."
True North (2024) Andrew J Graff "If you've ever loved a special place in the woods, True North will flood you with all the feels. Andrew Graff's clear-eyed, sensitive examination of marriage, family, and community weaves through a delightful story of whitewater adventure and small-town tension that's impossible to put down. I loved it!"
Eli Harpo's Adventure to the Afterlife (2024) Eric Schlich "Hilarious and big-hearted, Eli Harpo's Adventure to the Afterlife is both a delicious romp through a fictional theme park and a nuanced exploration of why we cling to our own lore, and what it takes to let it go. I actually did both laugh and cry. Eric Schlich's satire of evangelism is pitch-perfect, coaxing out absurdities while maintaining the integrity of his well-drawn, complex characters. An ideal selection for book clubs!"
Again and Again (2023) Jonathan Evison "Jonathan Evison's latest is one of those rare, captivating books that you can't help but be drawn into. This outstanding tale of tales had me turning pages long after dark and kept me delightfully off-kilter all the way to the end. A gorgeous story about love, loss, and eternal hope."
What Wild Women Do (2023) Karma Brown "A story of self-discovery in a gorgeously-drawn setting, What Wild Women Do isn't afraid to confront the bold choices women must make sometimes, and its dual-timeline heroines are both perfectly suited for the job. Karma Brown's latest is a heartfelt exploration into the importance of honesty, legacy, and being true to one's self."
Underjungle (2023) James Sturz "Gorgeously weird and weirdly gorgeous. Underjungle is a mesmerizing dissection of the best and worst of us, set in an undersea world untouched by humanity, so vividly and masterfully drawn that it feels both foreign and familiar. I have never read anything quite like it. Cleverly poetic, sometimes uncomfortable, and occasionally hilarious, but ultimately an ode to the wonders of depths unexplored."
California Golden (2023) Melanie Benjamin "California Golden left me breathless. Against the shimmering backdrop of California's burgeoning surf culture, Melanie Benjamin explores the bonds of sisterhood and motherhood in an era where society, and its expectations of women, are ever changing. The Donnelly women, perfect in their imperfections, will stay with you long after the last page."
The Celebrants (2023) Steven Rowley "The Celebrants made me laugh and cry...and make some overdue phone calls to old friends. A timely examination of why connections matter and a powerful ode to friendship. We should all have such a pact."
Small World (2023) Laura Zigman "I absolutely loved Small World -- a wise, warm, and often hilarious exploration of sisterhood and community, set against a nuanced portrait of one family's tragic past."
Hold My Girl (2023) Charlene Carr "Hold My Girl is a beautiful, unflinching examination of what it means to be a mother."
