Fiction: Staff Picks

"An American Marriage tells the story of a couple ripped apart when the husband is accused of a crime his wife is sure he didn't commit. It's a story of moving forward while trying to come to terms with the past." - Amy, Research & Instruction

"Americanah is a fascinating slice of life in America as told from the point of view of Nigerian immigrants who contrast their lives in Nigeria with becoming 'black' in the US and the struggles they face negotiating the black and white American culture. It's also a beautiful coming of age story and a timeless romance -- 'a remarkable novel of race, love, and identity by [an] award-winning writer.'" - Brent, Reference

"Collection of stories that are very pertinent to where we are today in America." - Jill, Collection Development

"Raymond Carver’s third collection of stories, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, the title story, Cathedral, develops an ironic situation in which a blind man teaches a sighted man to 'see' for the first time." - Sherry, Digital Initiatives

"I recommend The Crying of Lot 49 as it's approachable." - Art, Reference

"Farewell Navigator by PSU faculty, Leni Zumas, is one of my favorite collections of short stories." - Beth, Research & Instruction

"Social scientists in the distant future predict the inevitable collapse of galactic civilization, which will lead to a 10,000 year period of anarchy and suffering. To shorten the dark ages that follow, scientists collect all human knowledge and establish a research foundation at the edge of the galaxy. The trilogy, which is frequently regarded as the best science fiction series of the 20th century, provides a history of the Foundation as its members slowly begin rebuilding civilization." - Rick, Research & Instruction

"This graphic novel set in the Central American town of Palomar. It's full of magical realism and explores human relationships in love and lust in vignettes. A must read for anyone exploring experimental graphic novels." - Emily, Research & Instruction

"Homegoing is a powerful intergenerational story, following two lines of a family tree. It begins in 18th century Ghana, going to present day, with each chapter serving as a short story about the next person in the lineage. I couldn't put it down and when I read it on the bus, many people told me how much they too loved this book." - Amy, Research & Instruction

"A fictional autobiography of the real Roman Emperor Claudius (10 BCE - 54 CE) who reigned between the insane emperors Caligula and Nero, the book explores Claudius' unexpected rise to ultimate power. Born with physical disabilities and a severe speech impediment, Claudius - both the fictionalized character and actual historical figure - would defy expectations to become one of the most power emperors, his rule culminating in the successful Roman conquest of Britain. Robert Graves, who was a famous English author and a Cambridge-trained classicist/historian, uses the very few remaining primary sources about Claudius' life to create a work of historical fiction that is regarded as one of the best novels of the 20th century." - Rick, Research & Instruction

"Two (translated) novellas in one volume. Barbara Honigmann explores what it means to be 'from' a place, but not really 'from' it. What is home? And what does it mean to be a woman who is from but not from a place, and to have and recreate your identity? Honigmann's writing is emotional and deliberate through her sparse use of language." - Emily, Research & Instruction

"The Parable of the Sower is the first in a 2-book series about Lauren Oya Olamina and Earthseed, the religion and community she develops to give purpose to humanity in a near-future dystopian America. Be aware there is significant violence, but the imagination, hope, and foresightedness of Butler makes for an excellent and thoughtful read." - Ed, Library Technologies

"The 2020 Oregon Everybody Reads selection that got overlooked by the pandemic." - Jill, Collection Development

"A fantastic novel that imagines the undergroud railroad as a literal railroad that enslaved people take to escape from slavery in the American south to the north. Fast-paced and thought-provoking." - Joan, Research & Instruction

Through the story of a year spent under the influence of a truly mad combination of drugs designed to heal our heroine from her alienation from this world, Moshfegh shows us how reasonable, even necessary, alienation can be. Both tender and blackly funny, merciless and compassionate, it is a showcase for the gifts of one of our major writers working at the height of her powers.