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J. Ryan Stradal edits the fiction section of The Nervous Breakdown with Gina Frangello. His writing has appeared in The Rumpus, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and McSweeneys: The Goods, among other places. Born and raised in Minnesota, he now lives in Los Angeles and has worked as a TV producer, notably for the History Channels Ice Road Truckers and Discovery Channels Deadliest Catch.
He likes books, wine, sports, root beer, and peas.
He likes books, wine, sports, root beer, and peas.
Genres: Literary Fiction
New Books
Novels
Kitchens of the Great Midwest (2015)
The Lager Queen of Minnesota (2019)
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club (2023)
The Lager Queen of Minnesota (2019)
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club (2023)
J Ryan Stradal recommends
The Hearts of Men (2017)
Nickolas Butler
"Like a great campfire story, The Hearts of Men is epic and hushed in the right places, simultaneously local and universal, and brilliantly, beautifully unspooled."
The Wanderers (2017)
Meg Howrey
"Howrey's exquisite novel demonstrates that the final frontier may not be space after all."
The Simplicity of Cider (2017)
Amy E Reichert
"Reichert captures the food, relationships, and unique settings of the Midwest at their best. I was absolutely charmed by The Simplicity of Cider."
Catalina (2017)
Liska Jacobs
"In her propulsive debut, Liska Jacobs tells the story of a beautiful young woman's dissolute downward spiral with precision and insight. Catalina deftly explores the desperate social frontiers where the morals of the privileged class dissolve. You won't be able to look away."
Little Disasters (2018)
Randall Klein
"Randall Klein's smart, ferocious, propulsive debut is the kind of book I've been waiting for—it's a thoughtful literary love story, both emotionally resonant and highly entertaining."
The Bookshop of Yesterdays (2018)
Amy Meyerson
"This delightful, propulsive debut is part cozy literary mystery, part family drama, and 100% heart. [A] page-turner in the best sense."
Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners (2018)
Gretchen Anthony
"Gretchen Anthony deftly captures all of the passive-aggression, generosity, humblebragging, kindness, emotional restraint, and humor typical to a Minnesota family. A propulsive and endearing debut."
Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins (2020)
Katarina Bivald
"Hopeful, heartening, and humane, this is the novel I needed to read right now."
The Big Finish (2020)
Brooke Fossey
"Warm, funny, and tender, The Big Finish is a journey of discovery and second chances you won't want to end."
The Second Home (2020)
Christina Clancy
"A sure-footed ode to the strength of family, the depth of loss, and the power of forgiveness."
Raft of Stars (2021)
Andrew J Graff
"Graff has crafted not only an adventure story with a warm heart at its center, but a whole town of characters for readers to fall in love with."
The Music of Bees (2021)
Eileen Garvin
"You'll love cheering for the likeable loners in this kind-hearted, hopeful, and beautifully detailed story. I adored The Music of Bees."
The Stars We Share (2021)
Rafe Posey
"The Stars We Share is an absolutely captivating debut that's equally suspenseful, sweet, lush, and propulsive. It's the best book I've read in quite a while."
Love & Saffron (2022)
Kim Fay
"Part historical fiction, part friendship saga, and part carnival for the senses, Love & Saffron isn't just for food lovers - it's an ode to risk-takers, trailblazers, and the chefs in all of us. With lush descriptions of food and a resonant historical setting, Love & Saffron is a sweet, savory, and emotional pleasure. It's like a dinner with friends you won't want to end."
The Old Place (2022)
Bobby Finger
"With a wise and kind heart, Finger has written a novel as full of memorable characters, secrets, and epic family drama as any small town. Book clubs are going to love this vibrant debut."
Paper Names (2023)
Susie Luo
"Empathetic, propulsive, and timely, Luo's confident plotting shines in this story of three Americans attempting to redefine themselves in a changing country as their pasts and futures collide. A magnificent debut."
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