An American Marriage by Tayari Jones - observant and insightful; a stunning depth to the characters and their interconnected relationships 

The Man Who Loved Birds by Fenton Johnson - beautiful and compelling (and not just because it was inspired by an event that took place in my former home town) 

Amy Falls Down by Jincy Willett - clever, laugh-out-loud funny, smart

The Party by Elizabeth Day - dark, fascinating, entertaining (it's a party, after all)

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman - endearing, hopeful, and compassionate

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman - heartwarming, I couldn't help but adore the main character and wish he lived nextdoor

The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas - though intended for a young adult audience, this seems like an important book for all of us to read; a powerful story of loss, racism, and police brutality

 Happy reading!