"About this list. We always say this, but some people don't listen: First of all, because it doesn't include several great books we missed or overlooked, probably including your favorite of the year, most likely, sorry. Also, this list, by and large, doesn't include books marketed as "genre," as much as we love them, and most of the books are published in English, mostly in the United States. What is "best" anyway? What this list represents is some of the most interesting, compelling, surprising, accomplished or just promising works of fiction that we discovered in 2019. How did we hear about them? Friends, colleagues, family members. A stranger in Texas at a bar. Over a free lunch in the faculty dining room at UCLA. Really, all over the place. And let's not forget this summer's Rooster reading extravaganza, aka Camp ToB, where Lost Children Archive reigned supreme. The point is, we hope you enjoy the list. We hope, among the group, you find some bread."
