Every book (even romance) has its merits – these books are notable for their unique ways of going about things. Featuring unconventional plots and storytelling these books are out of the ordinary and highly entertaining.
1. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
A lonely wanderer finds himself inside of an ever expanding, labryinth-esque house – so large that it contains its own ocean – with no memory of a previous life or any explanation of the strange visitors that occasionally appear. Told through diary entries and excerpts from a journalist’s notebook, the titular Piranesi slowly uncovers the strange circumstances of his domain home. A highly immersive book, Piranesi is both meticulously detailed and enigmatic, creating an unreliable narrator that charms and disturbs.
2. Punkzilla by Adam Rapp
Written by playwright and screenwriter Adam Rapp, Punkzilla is a tight, gritty, and heart-wrenching road trip book. It alternates between letters written by Jamie, a homeless boy, to his dying brother, and his first person perspective as he treks across the country to make one last visit. Its protagonist is a sort of grungy, punk-rock loving Holden Caulfield, as he meets a hidden population of outcasts, creeps, and heartbreakers who dwell along the highway in motels and truckstops.
3. We Are the Ants by Simon David Hutchinson
We Are the Ants explores a classic science fiction concept: an ordinary person being contacted by aliens and is informed that they are meant for something bigger. Unlike Close Encounter of the Third Kind, destiny isn’t on Henry Denton’s mind – he’s convinced there is nothing left for him. Reeling from his boyfriend’s death and his volatile family life, Henry’s resolve to save the world (what the aliens ask of him) is nil. Whether or not Henry is actually being abducted is a mystery – but the real question at the heart of this novel is an age old one: when faced with life’s certainty that one will face pain – should you submit to nihilism?
4. The Stranger by Albert Camus
The Stranger begins with Mersault, a man apathetic to his job, his girlfriend, and his criminal neighbor, struggling to cry at his mothers’ funeral. The book is imbued with absurdist and existentialist philosophy, depicting a man whose disregard for others reaches a peak when he impulsively commits murder. An interesting read for anyone interested in psychology, as Mersault’s sanity comes into question.
5. America Redux by Ariel Aberg-Riger
An exploration of the many triumphs, hypocrisies, and legacies of American history, America Redux is nonfiction told through collage. With a mix of vintage artwork and photographs, it covers the historical origins of contemporary issues such as gun violence, racism, and immigration in a powerful and emotional way. In a time where we often find ourselves overwhelmed and disconnected from the news, America Redux is refreshing and a visual treasure trove.
6. Brooklyn Burning by Steve Brezenoff
A NYC love story where the gender of its star-crossed lovers is ambiguous. Kid, a scrappy homeless youth, lives out two summers: one spent loving Felix, an addicted poet, and one with Scout, a shy but sweet guitar player. While Kid and Scout are both written to be gender non-conforming, the non-specificity invites readers to imagine them as straight, bisexual, gay, lesbian, or even transgender.
7. Un Lun Dun by China Meiville
A surrealist, Alice in Wonderland-esque tale steeped in absurdity that questions the typical ‘Chosen One’ narrative. Taking place in UnLondon, a shadow version of the famed city where trash and obsolete technology are reborn as living creatures, this book is perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett. Two best friends, shy Zanna and the more outspoken but unpopular Deeba, are brought to UnLondon and told that Zanna is actually supposed to be the savior of the UnLondoners, facing a sinister threat…except she’s not exactly up to it?
8. Desperation/The Regulators by Stephen King
After Stephen King’s five year stint writing under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, he published two novels under both ‘authors’ – novels that mirrored the same story, albeit in parallel universes. Desperation takes place in the Nevada desert and follows a group of travelers who are brought together by an ancient evil, Tak, and must survive the gory onslaught as it awakens. The Regulators sees the same characters in a fantasy-inspired story in Wentworth, Ohio, battling against Tak.
9. The Night Country By Stuart O’Nan
On Halloween night, a group of teenagers speed through the back-country roads and three of them in a horrific car wreck that scars their New England community. On Halloween night one year later, everyone attempts to pick up the pieces; a survivor of the crash, however, plans the ultimate retribution. The Night Country is intriguing because it is narrated by the deceased; in ghost story fashion, the mischievous teenagers are bound to haunt their loved ones on the anniversary of their death.
10. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
From the perspective of autistic teenager, this book explores the experience of someone living with a cognitive disability while also navigating a messy family life. Christopher comes across his neighbor’s dead dog late one night – his subsequent investigation unearths far more than just the culprit.
