1. Ray of the Star by Laird Hunt: Loved everything about this book! The writing is dynamic, the setting is exotic, and the plotline is filled with beauty and tragedy. [review]

2. The Invisible Mountain by Carolina De Robertis: This book is currently making the rounds with the ladies of my family. It is a moving family history from the woman's view set in political times. The writing is fabulous. [review]

3. Nowhere-Land by A.W. Hill : This mystery-thriller is gritty, high-tech, political, and religious. An intense read. [review]

4. Model Life: The Journey of a Pint-Size Fashion Warrior by Isobella Jade: This graphic novel is inspiring and the illustrations are so fantastic, that I have picked it up just to page through and look at the art. It makes all 5'2″ of me feel glamorous. [review]

5. What French Women Know by Debra Ollivier: What a great conversation starter! Love it or hate it, I couldn't stop referencing it for weeks after reading it. [review]

6. Un-Coded Woman by Anne-Marie Oomen: Earthy and elemental, this book is filled with rich imagery and poems that will stick in your mind. [review]

7. German for Travelers by Norah Labiner: While I didn't review this for Minnesota Reads, I did talk about it on Minnesota Public Radio. It's an imaginative and quirky story.

8. Total Oblivion, More or Less by Alan Deniro: Apocalypse novels are something I tend to shy away from, but this novel made me re-think that urge. It is one of the strangest and most entertaining novels I've read. [review]

9. Moonlight in Odessa by Janet Skeslien Charles: Beauty and corruption blend seamlessly in this fictional account of mail-order brides. I only wish I could change the ending so the main character marries the romantic and handsome mafia boss. [review]

10. The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews: Neurotic and heart-felt, this book is a potent journey through sadness with a colorful cast of characters. [review]