The goal of the Lariat Adult Fiction Reading List is to highlight outstanding fiction that is “simply a pleasure to read.” To that end, a committee of librarians from the Texas Library Association (TLA) annually selects twenty-five outstanding fiction titles.

Lariat Adult Fiction Reading List 

1. Betty by Tiffany McDaniel)
2. Blacktop Wasteland: A Novel by S.A. Cosby
3. The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate 
4. The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Hammel 
5. Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel
6. Deacon King Kong by James McBride
7. The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
8. Eight Perfect Murders: A Novel by Peter Swanson
9. Ghosts of Harvard: A Novel by Francesca Serritella
10.  The God Game: A Novel by Danny Tobey 
11.  The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune
12.  The Imperfects: A Novel by Amy Meyerson
13.  The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner 
14.  Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
15.  Miss Benson’s Beetle: A Novel by Rachel Joyce
16.  My Dark Vanessa: A Novel by Kate Elizabeth Russell 
17.  The Roxy Letters: A Novel by Mary Pauline Lowry
18.  The Stone Girl: A Novel by Dirk Wittenborn 
19.  Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
20.  Valentine: A Novel by Elizabeth Wetmore 
21.  We Are All the Same in the Dark: A Novel by Julia Heaberlin 
22.  Weather: A Novel by Jenny Offill 
23.  Where We Come From: A Novel by Oscar Cásares
24.  A Witch in Time by Constance Sayers
25.  You Had Me at Hola: A Novel by Alexis Daria

Librarians serving on the Texas Library Association Children’s Round Table 2X2 Committee read through hundreds of books before narrowing down the list to these selected twenty. These beautifully illustrated, often witty and instructive volumes are the best of recent books meant for children aged two to grade two. The 2X2 books on the list can be read to small children, as well as read by young readers. The list was developed to give parents, caregivers, and teachers a curated list of quality books. They are excellent books for story time at the library or school, bedtime with a parent or grandparent, or fun reading at any time.

2X2 Reading List

1. Boxitects by Kim Smith
2. Every Night is Pizza Night by J. Kenji López-Alt, illustrated by Gianna Ruggiero
3. Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex
4. Federico and the Wolf by Rebecca Gomez, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri
5. First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John, illustrated by Liz Climo
6. Hike by Pete Oswald
7. I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
8. Louis by Tom Lichtenheld, illustrated by Julie Rowan-Zoch
9. Packs – Strength in Numbers by Hannah Salyer
10.   A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett, art by Shawn Harris
11.  See the Cat – Three Stories About a Dog by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
12.  Shapes by Shelley Rotner and Anne Woodhull, photographs by Shelley Rotner
13.  Speak Up by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Ebony Glenn
14.  The Three Billy Goats Buenos by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez
15.  Underground – Subway Systems Around the World by Uijung Kim.
16.  Up on Bob by Mary Sullivan
17.  What About Worms!? by Ryan T. Higgins and Mo Willems
18.  What Do You Do If You Work at the Zoo? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, illustrated by Steve Jenkins
19.  The Yawns Are Coming! by Christopher Eliopoulos
20.   You Matter by Christian Robinson