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"Man v. Nature," by Diane Cook: One of my favorite short story collections that explores human nature in extremes. "The Not-Needed Forest," the final story in the collection, is dark and gorgeous.

"The Golem and the Jinni," by Helene Wecker: A work of literary fantasy, stunningly calibrated and endlessly entertaining.

"The Changeling," by Victor LaValle: I don't want to say too much and spoil it for you, but it begins in a seemingly normal world and evolves into a journey through a fantastic tableau of settings. One of my favorite books published this year.

"Kintu," by Jennifer Makumbi: An epic family saga that is at turns hilarious, sly and moving.

"Fen," by Daisy Johnson: I just finished this one and it's fresh on my mind, haunting me in the best way. A mix of dark, surrealist fairy tales and bone-chilling realism.