Fall always brings a wave of brilliant literature, and this year’s award-winning picks are no exception. 'The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida' by Shehan Karunatilaka won the Booker Prize, and it’s a wild ride—a ghost story set in Sri Lanka’s civil war, blending dark humor with political commentary. The way Karunatilaka plays with narrative perspective is genius. Then there’s 'Trust' by Hernan Diaz, which won the Pulitzer. It’s a puzzle of a novel about wealth and deception, told through multiple conflicting accounts. The structure alone is worth the read.
For those who love poetic storytelling, '
demon copperhead' by Barbara Kingsolver, a retelling of '
David Copperfield' set in Appalachia, won the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Kingsolver’s voice is so raw and real, it’s impossible not to feel deeply for the protagonist. Another standout is '
nightcrawling' by Leila Mottley, a breathtaking debut about a young Black woman in Oakland that was an Oprah’s Book Club pick and a Booker nominee. The emotional depth and social commentary here are unmatched.
If you’re into speculative fiction, '
the candy house' by Jennifer Egan was a Pulitzer finalist. It’s a sequel of sorts to 'A Visit from the Goon Squad,' exploring memory and technology in Egan’s signature inventive style. These books aren’t just award darlings—they’re the kind of reads that stay with you long after the last page.