#137. "The Intuitionist" by Colson Whitehead

When it comes to allegories, there have been few in contemporary literature that match the weight of Colson Whitehead's "The Intuitionist." The debut novel from the acclaimed author finds an odd premise that may not make sense at first, but will slowly come to be a provocative text full of rich imagery and social allegory. By focusing on the struggles of elevator repairmen, he helps to build an economy of ideas that are constantly clashing with each other. What emerges is a power struggle between those who have the skills and those who have the wherewithal to get operations moving. It's a striking little novel and one that is consistently entertaining. Few works could hope to be as surrealistic in painting the mundanity of life as hiding these greater truths about what it means to be alive and working for someone. It's a great start to an even greater career. Colson establishes himself as a voice to watch and it's hard to deny that he more than earns a place at that table. 

#136. "Cat Kid Comics Club: Collaborations" by Dav Pilkey

Over the course of four books now, Dav Pilkey has achieved the thankless task of making the arts fun for children. While many have taken to more droll approaches to lesson plans, Pilkey understands that the easiest way to a young creative's mind is to make something that is in itself flourishes with visual wonderment. In the case of his latest entry of Cat Kid Comics Club, he takes on the subject of "Collaborations" and moves the student onto the next stage of the process. While it's difficult to come up with ideas by oneself, having to bring that to a group environment is even more difficult. What this book explores is the difficulties and benefits of trying this approach out. Who knows. It might even produce some of your best work.

#135. "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte

In the realm of Gothic romance novels, there are few with as cold of a reputation as "Wuthering Heights." For those expecting a straightforward story of a man betrothing a woman, it proves to be a much more complicated set of affairs than that. If anything, it delves into the unpleasant side effects of a relationship gone horribly wrong. Emily Bronte may have only produced one novel, but it's the type of story that has lingered in the public's consciousness, reflecting the efforts of abusive men and the way that they will ultimately try to seek power through a legacy that may not be fully earned. It's calculated work and one that hides behind unpleasantness, but the results are definitely a thrilling read for those willing to see a reality not often afforded to older literature. Not every man who played the hero is deserving of his status, and Bronte turned him into a tragic icon anyway, the butt of critics for centuries to come. 

#134. "Collected Stories" by William Faulkner

Over the course of an impressive career, William Faulkner achieved some of the most playful and dexterous writing of the early 20th century. With a fascination on the south, he detailed centuries of families overcoming a changing America while creating some of the most labyrinthian tales imaginable. A few sentences could convey hours of thought and nowhere is that seen better than in his gargantuan collection "Collected Stories." While it may seem like an overstuffed tribute to a writing legend, it actually works at conveying the themes that most interested him. Over the course of 42 short stories, he manages to reflect the way that humanity relates to itself, detailing the efforts for history to keep its traditions alive, and presenting them with humor and insight in such a way that each page has its own riveting accomplishments. While it's true that some of the tales have aged better than others, having these handpicked by the author himself allows for a peek inside a mind that was clearly never short on ideas. It's the study of a country as well as the study of a man. You just have to know how to look at it.

#133. "Her Autobiography - An Account of Her Last Years and Her Ethnobotanic Contributions" by Delfina Cuero

When understanding the history of America, indigenous perspectives are often overlooked. On top of a rich history that goes far beyond what is taught in schools, their stories have been in contrast to more socially accepted development. Among the interesting stories that should be discussed more is Deflina Cuero, whose autobiography exists less as a reason to celebrate her but to explain struggles she has faces as Southern California and Mexico have changed over the years. Following a visit to Baja California, she finds herself trapped due to visa issues, causing conversations over whether indigenous tribes should be forced to follow the laws of more contemporary cultures. After all, Baja was a place Cuero visited not so much for travel but for survival. In such a short space, she manages to convey a political matter worthy of more discussion, especially as it relates to border laws. 

#132. "Heartstopper: Vol. 1" by Alice Oseman

There are few plots as reliable as the coming-of-age stories. Few experiences are as universal and yet so diverse in how things could play out. They're moments that are formative and will define us for the rest of our lives. Even with such conventions being done to an exhausting degree, there's still room to subvert expectations and find ground for new approaches. Alice Oseman has found just that with her queer love story "Heartstopper," which explores the relationship of gay teenagers in the middle of other high school drama. It's one of those awkward love stories that many face in their youth, but Oseman's gift for finding the tenderness and nonjudgmental perspective for her characters brings out what has made this into a franchise, including a Netflix series adaptation. On the surface, there's not a lot that makes "Heartstopper" and its leads exceptional. However, give it enough time, and it will work to warm your heart and appreciate the simple joys of love all over again.

#131. "Attempting Normal" by Marc Maron

 

There have been few voices who have benefited as much from the podcast boom as much as Marc Maron. As the story goes, he was a struggling comic who decided to start a show less because it was profitable and more because he needed an outlet. Nobody would've expected his bi-weekly program recorded in his garage would amount to much, and yet it's become one of the most essential listens of the past decade. With top-tier guests, he continues to find ways to expand the potential of the confessional medium. It only makes sense that he would be tapped to write his own memoir full of his signature comedy and frustration with the world. While many of the stories feel familiar to loyal listeners of WTF, it's still thrilling to see that his voice works as well on the page as it does into a microphone.

#130. "The Antelope Woman" by Louise Erdrich

Throughout Louise Erdrich's "Antelope Woman," there is an exploration of what it means to have vindication and justice. From the perspective of a small community, magical realism spans decades and explores the different ways that humanity has interacted with nature. The results are ethereal, finding Erdrich at points taking the perspective of nature through comedic animal characters. Even then, their story is just as harrowing and full of mystery as their human counterparts. The results paint a complicated picture of what it means to be alive but also the role that the titular woman plays. Who does she protect and is she ultimately a virtuous figure. It can be argued that the answers aren't that simple and it makes for a compelling read.