Benjamin Lee recommends:
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The near-future. Firefighters that burn illegal books. A protagonist who finally questions his profession and the world around him.
Classified as dystopian science fiction. With how everything is going right now, it could possibly pass as non-fiction. I’m sure that most of you have read this, and hopefully love it as much as I do.
The very first sentence had such a profound impact on me. “It was a pleasure to burn.” Six little words that have stuck with me ever since. And what a powerful commentary this book has: humankind’s urge to destroy what it doesn’t understand. Sounds pretty familiar. This book, along with it’s author, are the very reasons why I started writing. Why I want to tell my stories to the world, and in return, hope to inspire someone else in this growing dark, dark world of ours.
Erin Taylor recommends:
ABLE TO/ALWAYS W ILL by Catch Business
It’s her second poetry collection, published through Civil Coping Mechanisms. Catch has a way of writing that sounds like you’re having a really necessary conversation, it’s tender yet blunt. ABLE TO/ALWAYS WILL helped me better understand my own heartache. Being lucky enough to see the book through various drafts, the final product is truly so brilliant, warm-hearted, and honest. I really hope y’all enjoy it as much as I continue to.
Jesse Bradley recommends:
Superman On The Roof by Lex Williford
Things about the book: Novella-in-flash is the latest form to evolve in flash fiction and Superman On The Roof is a stunning addition to the form. This chapbook was the winner of Rose Metal Press’s Tenth Annual Short Short Chapbook Contest. The chapbook itself, like all of the other previous winners, is beautifully designed. Get this while there are still copies let.
Claire Hopple recommends:
Threats by Amelia Gray
Her writing is always the perfect blend of bizarre and relatable. This novel in particular adds some mystery to that blend, which only makes it more compelling.
Max Heidelberger recommends:
On Beauty by Zadie Smith
On Beauty is a fantastic primer for Smith’s newest novel, Swing Time, as both books share a focus on biracial families and culture war politics. On Beauty is also offers a fantastically Dickensian critique of Northeastern liberalism, one that is more relevant than ever in post-election 2016. On Beauty was worth reading in ’05, and its themes are even more urgent now.
Mallory Smart recommends:
A Highly Unlikely Scenario, or a Neetsa Pizza Employee’s Guide to Saving the World by Rachel Cantor
I’m not going to lie, after this dreadful year I needed to recommend something light. A Highly Unlike Scenario is Rachel Cantor’s first novel through Melville House. It’s an eccentric blend of sci-fi and literary fiction about fast food corporations that run the world. It’s waggish, tender, and at times downright provocative. Check this out if you’re looking for a fun breather.
Bulent Mourad recommends:
Go to Work and Do Your Job. Care for Your Children. Pay Your Bills. Obey the Law. Buy Products. by Noah Cicero
As you may be able to tell from the title, this is a thought-provoking modern novel that explores the notions of what it is to exist in the world today. If you have ever sat thinking to yourself, “what’s the point?” “who am I working for?” “why is everything the way it is?”, then give this short novel by Noah an hour of your time.