1. "The Truth According to Ember" by Danica Nava
Ember hides her Native American ancestry on a job
application, and once hired, the lies pile up from there. When she starts
secretly dating the also Native IT guy, against the rules, and they get caught
by a colleague, a blackmail scheme threatens to expose their relationship, her
background and more. Will Ember finally come clean or continue the deception to
protect her career?
2. "The Rich People Have Gone Away" by Regina Porter
Set during the early stages of the pandemic in 2020, Theo
and his wife Darla are privileged enough to leave their Park Slope neighbors
behind and flee the city for their upstate cottage. During a hike, Theo reveals
long-held secrets, a fight ensues and now Darla is missing. Theo is the prime
suspect until Darla’s best friends from the city arrive, bringing startling
consequences.
3. "Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend" by M.J. Wassmer
When Dan’s island vacation is interrupted by the sun
exploding, the resort is plunged into darkness. Fellow guests hoard supplies,
and a battle begins for survival of the fittest with Dan emerging as an unlikely
hero. Dan may be able to escape the island, but it would mean leaving his girlfriend
behind. Or should he stay and lead this microcivilization that has formed?
4. "How to Leave the House" by Nathan Newman
Follow Natwest for a day in his ordinary but full life.
Before he leaves for college, he needs to receive an embarrassing missing
package. As he searches for it amongst his small town, an eclectic cast of
characters with their own silent struggles emerge, making for a funny, touching
story about the people in the neighborhood.
5. "We Love the Nightlife" by Rachel Koller Croft
Two women meet in London 1979, bonding over their love for
disco. Flash forward to present day and two vampires grow restless of each
other, but one knows that if she tries to leave, there will be deadly consequences.
Can the promise of opening a nightclub bring them together or will it just lead
to a plan of escape?
6. "You Will Never Be Me" by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Meredith teaches Aspen her ways of being a social media
influencer, only to get ditched. Mer turns to stalking as an act of revenge,
which leads to Aspen’s curated life falling apart around her. Then Mer goes
missing and Aspen receives threats, but she’s ready to fight to keep her perfect
life together.
7. "Five-Star Stranger" by Kat Tang
In this sad but moving novel, Stranger is a stranger for
hire on an app – fiancé, wingman, mourner – whatever you need him to be. But
when a nosy interloper threatens his longterm role of pretend father to a young
girl, it causes him to examine the boundaries he’s drawn with this makeshift family
and also who he truly is.
8. "A Sorceress Comes to Call" by T. Kingfisher
Based on "The Goose Girl" by the Brothers Grimm, this fantasy tale tells the story of Cordelia, oppressed by her evil sorcerer mother’s iron
rules. Her only solace and freedom are rides on her mother’s horse, Falada.
When mother and daughter move into the manor of a kind couple, Cordelia knows
her mother has targeted them. Cordelia must decide if she should stand up to
her mother for the first time because, for the first time, she finally feels at home.