In our most diverse reading year yet, what books stood out? What books fell flat? And what book ruled them all?

We return to a world created by Rachel Gillig, and it once again did not disappoint. "The Knight and the Moth" tells another dark fairytale where girls drown and gargoyles make jokes. The unique magic system is worth a read for any level of fantasy enjoyer. 

Hamnet is a reimagining of the life of William Shakespeare's wife and children. It's an interesting historical fiction thought exercise, and its new movie adaption is drawing in new readers like crazy. Or maybe it's that Paul Mescal is playing the lead...

Video: https://youtu.be/GD60VApKgno

One of the best "hear me out..." books may be Matt Dinniman's "Dungeon Crawler Carl". It's a LitRPG that reads like a video game but is somehow still funny and fast-paced. But is the world built for every kind of reader?

Video: https://youtu.be/B1Bnp9sOlFs

The third book in the Red Rising trilogy, "Morning Star" is quite the explosive finish. And it might include some of the best character development we've seen in ages.

Video: https://youtu.be/AyivAKuDemE

You know how the song goes. Lyla Sage writes western romances, and TikTok girlies love a good themed romance. "Done and Dusted" will either make you want to move to Wyoming, or never go there at all.

Plenty of fan fictions have been traditionally published lately, but none took quite the rewrite "Alchemised" did. This one tops over 1,000 pages and had to be purged of its previous world. So is it worth the read? (Major trigger warnings)

Video: https://youtu.be/Br05Z1WiuI8

Another Ali Hazelwood. Another book Casey refuses to read. Somehow the weirdest one yet?

Video: https://youtu.be/ch5iys_dEjE

What is a "Good Woman"? What is power? Olivie Blake takes on these questions and more in "Girl Dinner". It includes some hard to digest themes. Pun intended. Bon appétit.

Video: https://youtu.be/QzWivjs4F0w

Miscommunication - but make it serial killers. Brynne Weaver is back with yet another serial killer romance. How does this still work? Somehow, it does. 

Video: https://youtu.be/6P-u9ehnYLo