This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Are You Happy?

   Stories

   

   A collection of nine short stories set in Minnesota, New Mexico, and California that follows people who have left their places of origin and wrestle with desire, identity, family obligations, and the pressure to make others happy. The stories are character-focused and spare in tone, exploring intimate forms of loss and violence as individuals try—and sometimes fail—to reconcile their pasts with their present lives.

   The 12897th Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. After The Parade

   

   The novel follows Aaron Englund, a man in his forties who leaves his long-term partner and life in New Mexico to start anew in San Francisco. As he navigates his new surroundings, Aaron reflects on his tumultuous past, including his troubled childhood in a small Midwestern town and the complex relationships with his family and friends. Through a series of poignant flashbacks and encounters with a diverse cast of characters, Aaron seeks to reconcile his past with his present, ultimately embarking on a journey of self-discovery and healing. The story explores themes of identity, belonging, and the enduring impact of personal history.