The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

• The only other Donoghue book I've read is Room, and this book features similarly messed up characters.
• I enjoyed Catholic/non-Catholic conflict that is a constant source of tension for the main character throughout the novel.

Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente

• The best description I've read of this book is Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy meets Eurovision, and it is right on.
• Clippy is my favorite character.
• I enjoyed this novel, and think it would make an even better film.

Warlight by Michael Ondaatje

• Young children grow up in the aftermath of World War II.
• They discover their distant parents were involved with espionage during and after the war.
• Overall, this is an engaging character-driven novel.

Severance by Ling Ma

• This novel touches on the topics of new college students, cults, and religion.
• The story is told from 3 points of view.
• The plot focuses on the relationship of the main character with a young woman who joins a cult.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

• In this novel a person from real world London slips into a mysterious shadow world of London.
• There are twists and turns throughout the book.
• The characters are fantastical, yet somehow normal and flawed.

Severance by Ling Ma

• While there is a bit of action, the focus of the book is on the main character and her story.
• I enjoyed the elements of the novel that go into bookmaking as the main character is employed in this industry.
• This book reminded me of Station Eleven.  It is literary fiction that looks as the world after a breakdown in society.

The Book of Essie by Meghan Maclean Weir

• The main character of the book is a central cast member of a reality TV show, making the book feel very modern.
• This book addresses the impact that the camera has on a young girl in a very religious family.
• This is a quick read.