Off-the-Beaten-Path Books

Because I read so much, I am always on the lookout for something different – a new way of telling a story, a distinctive format, or anything else that will set the book apart from other standard stories. This week, I am highlighting five such books. 

Here are some great titles that will provide a unique and engaging reading experience: 

Dissolution by Nicholas Binge (science fiction) - A woman dives into her husband's memories to uncover a decades-old feud threatening reality itself. There are several fun sci-fi concepts in this one, and I definitely had to pay close attention as I read, but it is well worth it. And the ending is one of the best I have encountered in a long while – it has stayed with me. This is a compelling and timely novel that took me on a page-turning trek through memory and time. It is best to go in blind. For fans of science fiction and strong storytelling. 

The Lantern of Lost Memories by Sanaka Hiiragi  (magical realism)- Mr. Hirasaka operates a magical photo studio that people visit when they die to select the montage of photos they will experience as they pass on to the next world. The story follows three vastly different visitors to the studio: a 92-year-old woman who lived a wonderful life, a middle-aged man burdened by his troubled past, and a young child who lived a short but grim life. This book demonstrates that every decision, no matter how small, ripples outward to affect others in ways that may never be fully understood by those involved. For those who like contemplative reads. 

I’m Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin (fiction) - Lyft driver Abbott nervously accepts $200,000 cash to transport a woman across the country with a large black box. She has a list of rules he must follow: he cannot look inside the box, ask questions about the box, or tell anyone what he is doing, and they must leave immediately. As the internet community speculates about the box and sparks rumors that this duo is preparing to launch a terror attack, the tension mounts. The impact of technology and social media on our world is at the heart of this quirky tale. For those who enjoy a wild ride. 

Splinter Effect by Andrew Ludington (mystery/thriller) - In this action-packed debut and start to a new series, time traveling archaeologist Rabbit Ward maneuvers through the past to recover a long-lost, precious menorah hiding out in ancient Rome. This engaging novel grabbed my attention from page one. The main character visits 6th-century Constantinople, and the author does an absolutely incredible job of bringing the time period, the city and its surroundings to life without it feeling like a history lesson. I still think about this one regularly, and Book 2 in the series will be out in the spring. For those who love time travel and fun mysteries. 

When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi (science fiction) - One day, suddenly and without explanation, the moon is replaced with an orb of cheese with the exact same mass. Through the length of an entire lunar cycle, from new moon to a spectacular and possibly final solar eclipse, the book follows multiple characters as they confront the strange new world they live in, and the absurd, impossible moon that now hangs above all their lives. This one reads like a collection of short stories, and like Scalzi’s last two books, it is funny, creative, and had me thinking about our future. For fans of humorous and thought-provoking stories. 

For more book recommendations and bookish thoughts, see Cindy’s monthly Buzz Reads column, her award-winning Thoughts from a Page Podcast or follow @ThoughtsFromaPage on Instagram.