Some of my favourite recently read novels

I’ve read (and reread) some incredible novels recently, novels that were so inspiring, and beautiful and brilliant and I wanted to share: 1) it’s impossible not to be dazzled, line by line by anything Heather O’Neill writes, and When We Lost Our Heads is so spectacular and insightful and beautifully written that I just reread it

2) Naben Ruthnum is brilliant, from his work as Nathan Ripley, to his non-fiction to A Hero Of Our Time (which is literary fiction)

3) Everything is Beautiful by Mira T Lee is haunting and heartbreaking and gorgeous. Watching Lucia’s journey, her spontaneity, her creativity, her individuality, and her mental health battles which were beautifully articulated, will stay with me for a long time.

4) Autonomy by Victoria Hetherington is brilliant and unlike anything like anything I’ve read. She has such a singular voice and unique approach. The less you know before reading it the better, just know that I couldn’t put it down.

5) I am a Truck by Michelle Winters is so atmospheric, with note perfect dialogue and characters you develop an intense need to keep following

6) Fake it So Real by Susan Sandford Blades has everything I love: punk music, grit, complex characters and complicated family dynamics. I hung on until the very last word.

7) Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin is delightful. I love the way the romantic relationship develops, the descriptions of Toronto and the insightful way racial tensions are addressed.

8. Elyse Friedman is one of my favourite writers of all time, and in honour of her new book coming out soon I decided to reread her first novel. I love books about dysfunctional families and potential chances to rewrite the past, and boy does this deliver. (I also love the descriptions of Winnipeg)

9) On Division by Goldie Goldbloom is fascinating and heartbreaking. The premise is a 57 year old Chassidic woman who is a great grandmother, finds out that despite the odds, she is pregnant with twins. It’s a riveting look at community, social expectations and family

10) Katherine Kressman Taylor’s Address Unknown shows the correspondence between two friends and former business partners one German, one Jewish and the destruction of their friendship during World War Two. It’s so sharp and brilliant, I have no idea why it’s not incredibly famous.

11) I’ve been a huge Michelle Berry fan ever since she came to read to my class as a Creative Writing undergrad. Everything Turns Away has such brilliant pacing and observations about relationship dynamics that I couldn’t stop reading until I realized it was 3:00am. A must read