Winner of the National Book Award, Fortune Smiles is a collection of short stories from master storyteller Adam Johnson. Though possessed of a devastating and often pitch-dark vision of the world, Johnson’s stories are also strangely hilarious, moving, and full of unexpected grace. Each one creates a complete world that you won’t be able to rip yourself away from.

Find it here.

Bonus: Be sure to check out Adam Johnson's somber holiday reading recommendations here on BuzzFeed Books.