Staff Picks: Megan Tripp’s Favorites

Villain origin stories have always been my jam, but dark queer fantasy villain origin stories? Sign. Me. Up. I remember reading this manuscript very early on in the process and falling in love immediately. This was one of those work books that you have to put in a LOT of effort not to scream about from the rooftops before it’s even a real book. If you love fairy tales, if you love queer retellings, if you love dark female rage magic and shadowy beauty, this is the book for you.

Malinda Lo is one of the most underrated queer authors of our time, in my humble opinion. Her queer fantasies in the 2010s changed my life, and when she decided to take on queer historical fiction, specifically the queer bar and drag scene of decades past, I was already hooked. This book is a gorgeous meditation of family, race, class, finding a sense of belonging, and finding community where you’re almost sure there is none. Fair warning, the detailed descriptions of food in this book will leave your mouth watering for DAYS. Worth it.

I love Gothic novels, but I love modern twists on Gothic novels even more. Moreno-Garcia set her version in the 1950’s with all the glamour and fancy cars and dresses that comes with that era, and combined it with all the lush, eerie vibes of the classic Gothic novel and the result is just perfection. I’m so thrilled to have been a part of this amazing book’s life, and I am so happy to see how much readers have connected with it this year. I certainly think twice before adding mushrooms to my dinner recipes now, and I’m glad that I’m not alone in that feeling!

I’ve been obsessed with Mary Shelley since I first studied her in depth in school. She was the mother of science fiction, and a woman who was completely, unabashedly herself during a time when following your heart was literally life-threatening. Every time I reread Frankenstein, I discover a new ingenious layer to Shelley’s storytelling. I’m currently the proud owner of 7 distinctly different editions of Frankenstein (and counting), as well as numerous adaptations and re-imaginings.