The Bandit Queens is clever and well-paced, with all kinds of unexpected elements. If you like funny, feisty heroines and stories of strong female friendships, give this book a try. 

While it makes a strong statement about colonialism, religious divisions, and the cruelty of the artificial barriers society creates, at its heart this is a story about love—the steadfast, unselfish kind of love that can withstand time and separation. This is a spellbinding book to savor.

Profound and prophetic, this is a story about the human effects of climate change that stays with you long after you finish reading. 

With its rich descriptions of western Virginia, characters you will grow to love or hate, and a propulsive plot, Demon Copperhead is one of the best books I’ve read this year.