Putting together this list of standout fiction published so far this year wasn’t an easy task, mostly because it could just as easily have been twice as long. It’s been a very good year for fiction, whether your tastes head more towards classical storytelling, or narrative innovation, or incisive societal observations. What follows is a list of some of the books published in the first half of 2016 that have impressed us the most.
Morning Bites: Garth Greenwell, American Essays, Katherine Dunn Remembered, Fairy Tales and Literature, and More
In our morning reading: an interview with Garth Greenwell, new writing from Eric Boyd and Kristine Ong Muslim, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Louise Erdrich Interviewed, Hilton Als, Jac Jemc Nonfiction, Garth Greenwell, and More
In our afternoon reading: an interview with Louise Erdrich, new nonfiction from Hilton Als and Garth Greenwell, and more.
Weekend Bites: Victor LaValle Interviewed, Jenny Zhang Nonfiction, Adrian Van Young, and More
In our weekend reading: interviews with Victor LaValle and Adrian Van Young, new writing from Jenny Zhang, and more.
Morning Bites: Lynn Steger Strong, Garth Greenwell Interviewed, Dolan Morgan Fiction, Myriam Gurba, and More
In our morning reading: new readings on The Catapult, an interview with Garth Greenwell, notable book covers, and more.
Morning Bites: Elisa Gabbert Interviewed, Kent Russell, Nick Offerman on Wendell Berry, and More
In our morning reading: Garth Greenwell on his writing process; interviews with Elisa Gabbert, Nick Offerman, and Colm Toibin; and more.
Morning Bites: Garth Greenwell, Jazz Fiction, Elizabeth Kadetsky Interviewed, Game Theory Revisited, and More
In our morning reading: interviews with Garth Greenwell and Elizabeth Kadetsky, thoughts on jazz-inspired fiction, and more.
Morning Bites: Garth Greenwell on Music, Emily Schultz, Kevin Young Poetry, Brian Evenson Interviewed, and More
In our morning reading: musical recommendations from Garth Greenwell, interviews with John D’Agata and Brian Evenson, poetry from Kevin Young, and much more.