RECOMMENDED BY AARON

Hage's new novel is a dizzying ride through the chaotic streets of a nameless town, as Fly picks up fare after fare. From the dregs and despair of the lowest of society, to the most wealthy and weary, he wanders in his cab, sails his "boat," all night. He sees and seems to understand everything, and when he's not "flying" through the streets, he retreats to his apartment spilling over with the most amazing collection of books anyone can imagine. He mixes episodes alternately humorous or disturbing, with reminiscences of his childhood, his mother on the flying trapeze, his father on a magic carpet, then a sort of adoption by the bearded lady from the same circus. I was hooked from the first few pages. I would be surprised if Hage weren't nominated for at least one award for this one. Absolutely amazing writing!

RECOMMENDED BY PHIL

I thoroughly enjoyed Meyer’s new novel. It takes place in Texas covering three generations of the McCullough family that has risen to great wealth and power by the mid-20th century. As you read The Son, you sometimes have the feeling that you have been here before. But of course, you haven’t: the novel is unique but seems to incorporate tones of Lonesome Dove, Little Big Man and Cormac McCarthy’s Border Trilogy. This is a great story, well told by Meyer. Like his previous novel, American Rust, you can’t help but be enthralled from the first page in the characters and the events surrounding them. This is a good read that I highly recommend. The times, the place, and the people are often harsh but somehow you overcome all of that to enjoy and understand and empathize with each generation of the McCullough family.