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.
The Top of the World (2026) Ethan Joella "Wise, kind-hearted, and propulsive, this elegiac novel is exactly what I want in a book right now. The Top of the World is Ethan Joella at the top of his game."
Like Family (2025) Erin O White "White's tender, wise debut portrays the modern American family as inclusive, imperfect, and ever-expanding, and demonstrates that we're at our best when we're at our most open-hearted. This is a book to escape into, and a boundless family to relate to."
Food Person (2025) Adam Roberts "At turns hilarious, harrowing, and heartwarming, this wonderful debut will be beloved by food people everywhere - and if you are not a food person already, it may make one out of you."
The Family Recipe (2025) Carolyn Huynh "The Family Recipe is a page-turning delight. Filled with multi-generational family drama, memorable characters, and delicious food, Huynh's latest is a timely, globe-trotting literary feast you won't want to end."
Supersonic (2025) Thomas Kohnstamm "Evocative of Richard Powers and Maria Semple in its scope, empathy, and humor, Kohnstamm's gift for distinct and unerring characterizations make Supersonic a truly epic novel of its place and time."
The Snowbirds (2025) Christina Clancy "The Snowbirds is Clancy's best novel yet, and absolutely impossible to put down - a gripping, immersive story about the importance of community and the unexpressed depths of love within a family."
Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame (2024) Olivia Ford "Soul-enriching... From its enticing setting to its perfect ending, Mrs. Quinn's Rise To Fame is absolutely marvelous. Like a great dessert, you'll wish you could come back for more."
Those People Behind Us (2023) Mary Camarillo "Camarillo has crafted another winner! Those People Behind Us is a beautiful, propulsive masterwork of empathy."
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."
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."
The Book Haters' Book Club (2022) Gretchen Anthony "This is the feel-good book of the year. Once again, Anthony has created a cast of lovable characters and set them loose in a propulsive, humorous, and heartwarming story. This is her best novel yet."
Love & Saffron (2022) (Love & Saffron, book 1) 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 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."
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."
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 Imperfects (2020) Amy Meyerson "Even better than her enchanting debut, Meyerson's sophomore novel is an exquisitely researched, propulsive tale about the resilience of a splintered family and the power of secrets through a century of lies, betrayals, and life-changing fortune. A wonderfully structured multigenerational family drama woven with international intrigue, The Imperfects is a truly beautiful and truly American story full of unspoken history, loss, and hope. Absolutely winning."
The Roxy Letters (2020) Mary Pauline Lowry "Roxy's life, from its wildly risqué escapades to its numerous crises du jour, is a total blast. Lowry's debut is the racy, funny page-turner we could use in these times."
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."
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."
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."
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."
The Wanderers (2017) Meg Howrey "Howrey's exquisite novel demonstrates that the final frontier may not be space after all."
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."
