Book List

Best Debut Fiction of 2015

  • FICTION

    SINGLE, CAREFREE, MELLOW

    FEB. 3, 2015

FICTION

SINGLE, CAREFREE, MELLOW

by Katherine Heiny

These young women are sympathetic and slyly seductive, sometimes selfish and maddeningly un–self-aware, but they are... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    MINNOW

    MAY 1, 2015

FICTION

MINNOW

by James E. McTeer II

An evocative novel that brings to life an intensely realized portrait of the South Carolina Lowcountry and sends its... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    DID YOU EVER HAVE A FAMILY

    SEPT. 8, 2015

FICTION

DID YOU EVER HAVE A FAMILY

by Bill Clegg

An attempt to map how the unbearable is borne, elegantly written and bravely imagined. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    DIETLAND

    MAY 26, 2015

FICTION

DIETLAND

by Sarai Walker

Part Fight Club, part feminist manifesto, an offbeat and genre-bending novel that aims high—and delivers. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    THE LIBRARY AT MOUNT CHAR

    JUNE 16, 2015

SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

THE LIBRARY AT MOUNT CHAR

by Scott Hawkins

A wholly original, engrossing, disturbing, and beautiful book. You’ve never read anything quite like this, and you won’t... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    IN THE COUNTRY

    JUNE 16, 2015

FICTION

IN THE COUNTRY

by Mia Alvar

A triumphant, singular collection deserving of every accolade it will likely receive. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    LIGHTLESS

    SEPT. 22, 2015

SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

LIGHTLESS

by C.A. Higgins

A suspenseful, emotional story that asks plenty of big questions about identity and freedom, this is a debut not to be... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    MRS. ENGELS

    OCT. 13, 2015

FICTION

MRS. ENGELS

by Gavin McCrea

Who knew reading about communists could be so much fun? Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    RECIPES FOR LOVE AND MURDER

    NOV. 3, 2015

FICTION

RECIPES FOR LOVE AND MURDER

by Sally Andrew

A delightful debut, tender and funny. The mystery takes on the worldwide problem of abused women while revealing both the... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    THE SYMPATHIZER

    APRIL 7, 2015

FICTION

THE SYMPATHIZER

by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Both chilling and funny, and a worthy addition to the library of first-rate novels about the Vietnam War. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    THE GIVEN WORLD

    APRIL 14, 2015

  • FICTION

    THE SCAMP

    AUG. 10, 2015

THRILLER & SUSPENSE

THE SCAMP

by Jennifer Pashley

An intense, riveting saga of the multiplying casualties of one family’s secrets and a girl’s determination to take control... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    THE WATCHMAKER OF FILIGREE STREET

    JULY 14, 2015

SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

THE WATCHMAKER OF FILIGREE STREET

by Natasha Pulley

Clever and engaging, this impressive first novel will reward both casual readers looking for a fun period adventure and... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    BAREFOOT DOGS

    MARCH 10, 2015

FICTION

BAREFOOT DOGS

by Antonio Ruiz-Camacho

A nimble debut that demonstrates not a singular narrative voice but a realistic chorus of them. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    THE DO-RIGHT

    OCT. 13, 2015

MYSTERY & DETECTIVE

THE DO-RIGHT

by Lisa Sandlin

Despite plot pieces that fit together a little too snugly, Sandlin blends pathos, humor, and poetic prose in a strong debut. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    CITY ON FIRE

    OCT. 13, 2015

  • FICTION

    MY SUNSHINE AWAY

    FEB. 10, 2015

FICTION

MY SUNSHINE AWAY

by M.O. Walsh

Celebrate, fiction lovers: The gods of Southern gothic storytelling have inducted a junior member. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

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