6 Fiction Titles from 2017 to Keep Your Idle Mind Busy Over Winter Break

By Kait Spong

Ahhhh, Winter break. Yes, it’s a refreshing type of freedom, but also an overwhelming one as you hear the metaphorical clock ticking away your time off from hectic class schedules, stressful assignments, and possible all-nighters.

But now that the worry of finals and papers and professors have finally melted away—at least for now—There. Is. So. Much. To. Catch. Up. On. All the Netflix Original show releases you missed (are you really the only one of your friends not to finish Stranger Things 2 yet?), the Christmas movies you need to watch to meet your yearly quota, and the friends you must see for the rare moment you’re actually in your hometown…not to mention miscellaneous family functions, maybe thinking up some great NYE plans, and the promise you made to your Dad to set up his brand-new Apple TV 4K.

But in the midst of all that, what about all those books you set aside to read once the semester was finito? Put down that TV remote, step away from the iPhone, and break the bad news to Dad because it’s time to expand your literary mind on your own terms, and we’re here to help! Here’s uCribs’ list of must-read fiction titles of 2017.

(Pssst, there really is something for everyone on this list so check it out!)

For the Sci Fi Lover:

Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich

We all seem to be quite obsessed with dystopian societies lately: Margaret Atwood’s bestselling novel came to life on the small screen with Hulu’s rendition of A Handmaid’s Tale, The New Yorker claimed it is now the “Golden Age” of dystopian literature, and Donald Trump became President of the United States. Now, add another thought-provoking dystopian tale to the list of books you’ll devour over holiday break.

New York Times bestselling author and recipient of the National Book Award, Louise Erdrich, tells the story of twenty-six-year-old Cedar Hawk Songmaker. Like many of Erdrich’s protagonists, Cedar is caught between Anglo and Native worlds as an adopted Ojibwe daughter of two white Minnesotan liberals. Beyond the struggles associated with her roots, Cedar is also four months pregnant and estranged from the baby’s father. Along with her circumstances that are less than ideal, pregnancy is no longer viewed with any sort of positivity in this futuristic vision of American society. Instead, on the rapidly devolving planet of Earth, breeding has become a point of contention. In fact, all living organisms have the propensity to breed “strangely, or not at all.” Against this tense backdrop, Cedar becomes a target of a new policy to detain every childbearing woman inside the country’s borders.

Despite the tense political climate, Cedar tries to locate her birth mother, solidify her roots, and protect her unborn child from a very uncertain future. This is the perfect novel to keep your mind sharp with the solid analytic skills you learned in your literature class last semester.

For the Magical Realism Enthusiast:

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

Speaking of Margaret Atwood, she wrote a rave review via Twitter about Jesmyn Ward’s latest book: “This wrenching new novel by Jesmyn Ward digs deep into the not-buried heart of the American nightmare. A must.” We totally agree, and if you haven’t read anything by Ward, Sing, Unburied, Sing is a great place to start.

Ward’s novel focuses on thirteen-year-old Jojo and his mother Leonie, who is in constant battle with herself as a black woman with children born by a white man. Faced with this harsh reality, Leonie is caught in a liminal space; although she wants to be a better mother to her children, she cannot overcome her drug use. But once the children’s father is released from prison, Leonie packs her kids into the car and drives north to Parchman Farm, the State Penitentiary. Then readers are hit with an unexpected, magical element of the story: at Parchman, Jojo becomes acquainted with another boy, but he is the ghost of a dead inmate who carries with him all the ugly history of the South.

Packed with plenty of historical references told through the lens of the ever-popular genre of magical realism, Ward’s new novel will help maintain all those hours of American history lectures while most likely teaching you a thing or two about the history of the U.S. South.

For the Techie Slash Foodie:

Sour Dough by Robin Sloan

Just like Fabio felt honored by his recognition as an actor slash model (and not the other way around) in Zoolander (2001), the techie slash foodie in your life will adore the contemporary fairy tale à la Silicon Valley in Robin Sloan’s Sour Dough. Like his debut novel, Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, Sour Dough focuses on the tech culture that alive and well in modern day San Francisco by introducing readers to its everywoman, Lois.

Lois, a burned-out software engineer, works at a company that manufactures industrial-use robotic arms. In this career choice, she has become rather robotic herself—coding all day before collapsing into bed each night. Rather unexpectedly, Louis inherits a magical sour dough starter from a pair of brother forced to abandon a San Francisco sandwich shop. This unexpected gift transforms her into a bread baking extraordinaire and takes her on the journey of a lifetime. But her talent cannot be attributed to her newly acquired skills—instead, Lois has inherited a sourdough starter that is livelier than your average loaf, complete with singing voice and disco lights. Soon, she is encouraged to open a spot at a local Farmers Market, and once her talent is recognized, she is invited to a more underground, experimental market that focuses on the fusion of food and technology.

Are you trying to keep your recently acquired culinary or coding skills on lock? Then this fun spin on the traditional genre of magical realism may be your meal ticket!

For the Short Story Addict:

Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks’ acting career is based around appealing to people’s empathy. Tom Hank’s writing career doesn’t seem to be much different. With seventeen new and original short stories, Hanks attempts to appeal to the sweeter side of humanity—one far from dystopic or post-apocalyptic futures. And again, isn’t this just what we love about Hanks so dang much? Some critics may describe it as a bit bland, but there’s no denying that these short stories will appeal to anyone caught in the realm of holiday sentimentality.

Hanks delves into the mind of a World War II veteran dealing with his emotional and physical scars, a small-town newspaper columnist with old-fashioned views of a modern world, and a man who becomes a bowling phenomenon and questions if his celebrity has ruined the very thing he loved. Like any short story collection, these narrative bursts are tied together by a common, recurrent theme: typewriters, an apparent obsession of Hanks, who is a collector and wrote this very book on one.

If you’re looking for a little “brain candy” over the holiday season–but want to keep a healthy distance from social media and Netflix binges—this collection may be up your alley. And hey, it may provide a little inspiration for your fiction writing workshop during the Spring semester.

For the Neil Gaiman Obsessed:

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

It’s a year that ends in a number, which means yes, another Neil Gaiman book was released. Aren’t we just so lucky that his pen is filled with the fury of a thousand suns? Whether it’s a novel, a children’s book, or a graphic masterpiece, Gaiman never keeps his avid fans waiting long on his next release. Sigh, if only all writers could be that way…I’m looking at you George R.R. Martin!

In Norse Mythology, Gaiman tackles his career-long inspiration by tackling ancient mythology head on. He presents multiple renditions of great northern tales and ties them into one glorious narrative arc, exploding with dwarves, giants, and deities galore. However, his primary focus centers around the unforgettable characters of Odin, his son Thor, and the trickster and master manipulator, Loki. Critics have raved that Gaiman does a masterful job honoring the original source material while breathing new life into these age-old legends—fresh and unfamiliar material to some.

Concerned about losing all the knowledge you retained during the Fall semester on global mythologies? Norse Mythology might be the perfect book to explore over your Winter break then!

For Those Who Adore a Good Mystery:

Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

Anthony Horowitz is best known as the screenwriter of the British drama series, Foyle’s War and Midsomer Murders as well for his Alex Rider young adult series, which focuses on the adventures of a 14-year-old spy. Magpie Murders is Horowitz’s first attempt at a murder mystery novel, paying homage to great British mystery writers such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers. In an interview with The New York Times, Horowitz said, “I’ve always loved the genre, and I’ve written dozens of murder mysteries on TV but have resisted writing one as a book until now.”

And we gotta say that we are glad he didn’t resist any longer! In fact, Horowitz claims that he has already completed his next adult murder mystery novel. Seems like yet another writer that may be on the same level of Neil Gaiman in terms of his production…seriously, George, what’s wrong with you, buddy? We’re not trying to be rude, just asking for a friend…or several…

Magpie Murders is a mystery within a mystery that follows Susan Ryeland, an editor for Cloverleaf Books. When she receives the latest manuscript from the star mystery author, Alan Conway, entitled Magpie Murders—woah, name drop! —she assumes she knows what to expect of Conway’s predictable writing formula, but what she does not expect is a few missing chapters of the book including the murder’s reveal. This circumstance lands Susan smack dab in the middle of her own mystery—not only are the final chapters missing, but she soon hears Alan Conway is dead after allegedly committing suicide. Susan needs the remainder of the book to ensure the survival of Cloverleaf Books, but will she find them in time?

Sure, there’s a lot to catch-up on over the holiday break, but nothing is more revitalizing than a cup of hot cocoa with toasted marshmallows, a little seasonal music on low volume, a fireside to warm yourself besides, and a good book to enjoy along with all the above.

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