Undermajor–domo Minor
by Patrick deWitt
DeWitt, author of the amazing revisionist Western “The Sisters Brothers,” returns with a strange and compelling comedic tale of a man hired to work in a bizarre village for an even more bizarre man. Lucy Minor, an unpopular young man in his home village, goes to work in Castle Von Aux. Lucy sees this as his chance at a fresh start, but what he finds there is a place full of secrets and danger. This is flat-out wonderfully weird and laugh-out-loud funny.
Did You Ever Have a Family
by Bill Clegg
A heartbreaking debut novel, alternately narrated by the lone survivor of a horrible disaster that claimed all those she loved, the people of the town where it happened, and people she meets on a journey that follows. After the disaster, June flees town, where rumors swirl about its cause. Left behind is a community overrun with gossip. June’s boyfriend was an ex-con who was only half her age, which automatically makes him the perpetrator in the town’s eyes. Clegg has written a beautiful drama full of mysteries that he masterfully teases out until the end. This book is on this year’s Man Booker prize longlist.
Fates and Furies
by Lauren Groff
Sure to be one of the biggest success stories of the year, written by one of the most talented writers working today, “Fates and Furies” is a big, decadent novel of marriage and art. Lotto and Mathilde are a talented young couple madly in love. But, as the story progresses, you see the complicated layers of their marriage building, cushioning secrets and betrayals. It’s an ambitious, riveting book that succeeds in becoming a masterpiece.
Dumplin’
by Julie Murphy
A splendid young-adult novel that has lessons for people of all ages. Willowdean “Dumplin’” Dickson has always been comfortable with the size of her body. If other people have a problem with her size, too bad. She’s always had healthy self-esteem — until she falls in love. Dumplin’ begins experiencing the negative thoughts and emotions about her body that society has expected her to feel all along. Instead of finding happiness in her relationship, she finds self-doubt. So she enters the Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant to get her confidence back. “Dumplin’” is a wonderful story about claiming the skin you’re in, and an important look at self-esteem and shaming.
Under the Udala Trees
by Chinelo Okparanta
Another amazing 2015 debut by a Nigerian author (along with “The Fishermen” by Chigozie Obiama), “Under the Udala Trees” is a powerful story of forbidden love in a time of civil unrest. Ijeoma is 11 when civil war breaks out in Nigeria. When she is sent to safety, she meets another girl and falls in love, which is taboo. As her country is torn apart by war, Ijeoma is torn by her love and having to keep part of her life a secret. This is a wonderful, heart-wrenching story that ultimately offers its young character hope and love.