Critics’ Fiction Picks 2023: NPR Journalists Share Their Favorites

NPR journalists often unwind at the end of their hectic days with captivating fiction. Here, they share their standout books from the year.

Soho Crime: A Bad, Bad Place by Frances Crawford

The story starts with a bang. Twelve-year-old Janey finds herself entangled in a murder mystery with her nana and Sid Vicious, a rescue dog. Set in 1979 Glasgow, she must confront what she did and didn’t disclose to the police.

Knopf: A Perfect Hand by Ayelet Waldman

Lady’s maid Alice Lockey plots a romantic union between her employer, Lady Alderwick, and her love interest’s employer, Lord Wynstowe. The story transitions from classic romance to Alice’s contemplation of the evolving women’s rights movement.

William Morrow: Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell

Cherry stands out as a fierce, proud protagonist navigating fame and societal expectations. Her husband’s comic success and subsequent move to Hollywood set off a chain reaction that Cherry handles with irresistible spirit.

Harper Perennial: Cry Havoc by Rebecca Wait

This novel diverges from typical British boarding school tales. Set in a struggling girls’ school, it delivers dark humor and a memorable school play scene amid a bizarre epidemic affecting the students.

Doubleday: Dear Monica Lewinsky by Julia Langbein

Langbein’s novel is a comic exploration of desire and scandal during a study abroad program in 1998. Decades later, a teacher’s retirement prompts the protagonist to reach out to her metaphorical savior, Monica Lewinsky.

Random House: Discipline by Larissa Pham

This debut novel examines the fallout of an artist’s revenge-plot book inspired by her past with a professor. The confrontation explores themes of justice and truth.

Avon: Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai

An unlikely crime-solving pair, Krish and Sejal, team up after Krish’s brother disappears. High-speed chases and romance unfold on their road trip, offering an adventurous reading experience.

William Morrow: The Fourth Princess by Janie Chang

Two women, Caroline and Lisan, navigate lies and secrets in gothic Old Shanghai. Their orphan backgrounds, identity struggles, and intertwining fates make for an intriguing tale.

Scribner: Ghost Town by Tom Perrotta

Set in New Jersey, this memory piece revisits a transformative summer in 1974. Strip mall suburbs reveal banal, tragic, and graceful moments through the eyes of a once-serious writer.

Ballantine Books: Into the Blue by Emma Brodie

AJ and Noah’s decade-spanning love story is filled with romance, longing, and challenges. It contrasts light-hearted rom-com elements with deeper emotional struggles.

Berkley: The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang

Jo Ness explores her pull toward a mysterious island with a glowing jellyfish. Her grief from loss adds depth to the pursuit of scientific discovery.

Grove Press: John of John by Douglas Stuart

Cal returns to the Scottish Hebrides, keeping his gay identity secret while unraveling family mysteries. The novel highlights duty, faith, and isolation.

St. Martin’s Press: Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

This novel offers a richly defined portrait of a familiar Cinderella character. Lady Tremaine’s story explores privilege and dignity in patriarchal societies.

Flatiron Books: Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez

Set in 2007 Brooklyn, Alicia becomes entangled in her glamorous neighbor’s life. Warm prose explores personal relationships amid changing surroundings.

Grand Central Publishing: The Missed Connection by Tia Williams

Sasha begins a search for the man she connected with on a plane, leading to humor, freedom, and adventure alongside a helpful detective.

Little, Brown and Company: New Skin by Sarah Wang

Linli Feng navigates challenges at home in Los Angeles, including her mother’s reality show participation and intergenerational struggles.

Astra House: Offseason by Avigayl Sharp

A woman takes on a teaching gig in a girls’ school, as her personal life crumbles. The novel offers humor and serious reflection.

New Directions: On the Calculation of Volume (Book IV) by Solvej Balle

Stuck repeating the same day, Tara explores daily details in her fourth translated installment, offering insights into the flow of time.

Berkley: The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn

In Paris for a wedding, Layla Bailey meets Griffin, a perceptive best man who breaks through her defenses. Their relationship evolves through mature conversations.

Bloomsbury Publishing: Railsong by Rahul Bhattacharya

Set in India, Charu defies convention with her unique surname, navigating life from West Bengal to Mumbai amid political and personal upheaval.

Grove Press: Rebel English Academy by Mohammed Hanif

This saturated narrative covers diverse characters, including a woman coping with rape and a gay man teaching revolution. It explores Pakistan’s headlines and human layers.

Pamela Dorman Books: The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson

A writer infiltrates an established group of friends, leading to domestic drama. The quick, satisfying read delves into relationships and secrets.

Poisoned Pen Press: She Waits Where Shadows Gather by Michelle Tang

Avery and Carlos move to the Philippines, facing familial pressures, secrets, and Filipino folklore in Tang’s cozy gothic horror debut.

W. W. Norton & Company: Son of Nobody by Yann Martel

Realism drives this dark academia noir as Harlow Donne’s personal and academic lives unravel during a fellowship in the UK.

Kensington: This House Will Feed by Maria Tureaud

Set during Ireland’s potato famine, Maggie poses as a deceased aristocrat’s daughter, discovering haunting secrets and facing historical tragedy.

Tor Books: This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews

Maggie lands in her favorite book series’ world, using her fan knowledge to navigate challenges without becoming a main character herself.

Pine & Cedar: This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum

Benny becomes a suspect after his podcast co-host goes missing, leading to an investigation that blends thriller elements and a focus on friendship.

Random House: Vigil by George Saunders

Ghosts visit a dying CEO, urging repentance for his lies amidst climate change themes. The narrative explores existential questions and regret.

Doubleday: Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer

An American abroad reflects on humorous and genuine stories, exploring the relationship between miles traveled and processing life’s confusion and despair.

G.P. Putnam’s Sons: We Will See You Bleed by Ron Currie

A Maine thriller, unfolding in 1984, depicts a mill-town revolt, labor struggles, and the rise of Babs’ crime syndicate amidst globalization’s impact.

Knopf: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

A popular influencer suddenly finds herself living in 1855, navigating societal expectations in a thriller exploring power, motherhood, and cultural demands.