I am not sure what distinguishes “Literature” from just good ‘ol generic “Fiction”. But I am going with Literature for today’s list. Because I’m fancy like that. (Ok, not really. Proof: The blog where I talk about how unfancy I am).

So join me, fellow sophisticates, in pursuing this collection of literature. All books best enjoyed with a spot of tea and a raised pinky.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – This World War II story won the Pulitzer Prize, so I think it can be safely called Literature. I actually read “All the Light” long before it won the award. As much as I would like to say that I am a (fancy) taste-maker, my real motivation was that Doerr grew up in my little Ohio town. It is always fun to see a local boy blow up.

Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike, #3) by Robert Galbraith – Great character development. Twisty, turny mystery plot. A captivating page turner. I hope someday this author hits it big. (Psst… If you did not get that sarcasm, you need to click the link)

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins – The Gone Girl of the summer. Did anyone not read this? And when will we stop comparing every suspense/chick-lit book to Gone Girl?

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline – This was a suggestion from my colleague Shawn Wallace. I cannot stop thinking about this techie-apocalyptic-thriller that is saturated in 80’s culture. Thanks to RPO, I am waffling on my desire for Oculus Rift.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel – Another apocalypse book, but one that will restore your faith in humanity. A different vein than RPO, but just as good.

How does this worker-bee/soccer-mom/rickety-runner find time to read 50 books a year? This is my secret.