Books

Set in the claustrophobic world of academia, Mark Prins' debut novel is saturated with references to Classical mythology and, like the best thrillers, is ingenious in its sinister simplicity.

Tabitha Lasley's memoir Sea State is a peculiar and entrancing blend of memoir and reportage.

The Tony Award-winning actor previously wrote about his childhood in Scotland and his abusive father. Cumming's new memoir centers on love, sexuality, career and mental health.

Tate's whirlwind writing, which appeared in The Village Voice and Rolling Stone, often referenced pop culture, literary theory and the latest slang. He died Dec. 7. Originally broadcast in 1992.

Rice, who died Dec. 11, grew up in New Orleans and hit it big in 1976 with her first novel, Interview with the Vampire. She followed up with more than a dozen novels. Originally broadcast in 1990.

Moehringer grew up with an absent dad and found a home, of sorts, in the bar where his uncle worked. His memoir has been adapted into a film directed by George Clooney. Originally broadcast in 2012.

Cho's new memoir, “Tastes Like War", is about her experiences growing up with an American father and Korean mother, and about her mother’s struggles with mental illness.

This was a spectacular year for literary fiction, so my "Best Books" list is exclusively composed of novels and short story collections — and I wish I could triple its length, but I'll keep it to 10.