We interrupt your somewhat regularly scheduled cooking programming with a post about things you should read.

This year I read a lot of really good books. Some I rated 5 stars, some I rated 4. Since the star rating really just represents a hot take after I finish the book, it doesn’t necessarily reflect books that stuck with me. So that brings us to this list.

First of all, the best book I read this year was The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill. It’s so good and the slow burn of creepiness was perfection. If you are a mystery fan you should absolutely pick this up.

Light From Uncommon Stars, by Ryka Aoki: The description for this will make you wonder how it could possibly work, but it does and it’s so lovely.

Vespertine, by Margaret Rogerson: If you’re pretty sure you’d like The Locked Tomb series if you had any idea WTF was going on, you’ll probably like this and you’ll definitely be able to follow it.

The Rose Code, Kate Quinn: A WWII novel about female codebreakers. Full of wonderful storytelling and characters.

Shit Cassandra Saw, Gwen E. Kirby: A playful and hilarious collection of stories. My favorite was Midwestern Girl Is Tired Of Appearing In Your Short Stories, but A Few Normal Things That Happen A Lot was a close second.

A History of Wild Places, Shea Earnshaw: This caught my attention and kept it. Some may think the twist is obvious, but I figured it out shortly before the characters did which made for a very satisfying reading experience.

Matrix, Lauren Groff: You may think you don’t want to read about a 12th century nun, but you’re wrong.

Great Circle, by Maggie Shipstead: This is long but very worth it. My book club really enjoyed this.

Sea of Tranquility, Emily St. John Mandel: This book is a whole mood.

The Paradox Hotel, Rob Hart: People vacation via time travel and have to stay at a giant hotel the night before. What could possibly go wrong?

Strange Practice, Vivian Shaw: Vampires need health care, too. As do mummies and assorted other supernatural beings.

The Women Could Fly, Megan Giddings: What if the witch trials happened today? (shudders)

If for some reason you want to see everything I read this year, here you go.