Doctorow looks at today's internet, with its pitfalls many have noticed but might not quite understand, and he lays out both an analysis of the present and a telling of history that clarifies why things feel how they feel and how to make them better. ~Nathan
This novel is recipe of perfection! The author's words flow like butter being richly tempered in a roux. They're infused with herbs for comforts of the past and an ever lingering bite of garlic to keep you present. The fear of our current climate and agricultural state is only magnified by this title's dystopian society, where food is a privilege and flavor is a luxury. ~Chris
Picking up Shannon Chakraborty's newest book, I knew I was in for a fantastic swashbuckling adventure like none other. Sure, I also expected djinn, maybe a couple of magical objects- a tome perhaps? But what I did not expect to find was so much witty banter mixed into a hilariously scandalous heist filled romp! A total page-turner that will keep you up long past bedtime. ~Allie
Huzzah! A queer coconspirator romcom for the ages! Follow the irrefutable follies and triumphs of two (love?) triangles all while trying to outwit the rules and expectations of royal societal norms. We all know the next gen know what's what; give them the crown and scepter, please. ~Chris
The perfect book to read with your feet in the grass on a beautiful summer day. Follow along as a mother tells her daughters of her long-ago summer fling with a now-famous movie star as they pass the time together in early 2020 (without any too-real pandemic depictions). Endearing, warm, nostalgic, and authentic. ~Kendelyn
A real time exposure to a conversation many queer people fear to have with their parents: how deep is your love and support for your child? Relatable, unnerving, and somehow comforting in knowing you are not alone in your formative experiences. ~Chris
A nice healthy blend of Bridgerton and Murder She Wrote to heal the soul. For a first time detective, our Lady Petra Forsyth has quite a way to uncover some rather troubling news in high society including death, disappearances, and cover ups. ~Chris
I didn't know what I was getting into when I picked this one off the shelf at random. I loved its humanity - the characters are flawed and complicated, and love one another deeply. It's tragic, and funny and clever. It was a reminder that even in hard times, we're all allowed to be our full, messy, funny selves. ~Kendelyn
Cozy with a touch of bittersweet, B&B explores the value of passing connections, books, impermanent friends and lovers, and fresh baking. As a prequel to Legends & Lattes, read either first. Baldree's narration wonderfully animates his characters. A fun read or listen. Also it makes booksellers look good! ~Nathan
It's not often that a book's illustrations takes my breath away. This title provided a happily accepted twist on "Little Red Riding Hood" with a numerous amount of themes to reflect on. ~Chris
For fans of Britney or the pop culture conspiracy theorists of the Y2k Era,this title provides you the comfort in your heart that our Pop Princess is driving the road of life with her newly found freedoms, windows down and music blasting (Crossroads Style). Imagine TRL hosted and behind the scenes coverage straight from Brit herself. ~Chris
Authentic and emotional: this title has brought not only an emboldened light into my heart and mind, but a genuine hope that generations facing confusion of sex, gender identity, and personal identity will take the time to immerse themselves in the shoes of someone potentially familiar to themselves like Élodie Durand. ~Chris
I can't stop thinking about this book! It can be a lot to get through, because it is so idea-rich and because it asks you to reexamine values you took for granted about time, labor, nature… Odell gives us the history of prevalent ideas and offers alternatives drawn from diverse artists, philosophers, historians... A book to take your time with and really chew on. ~Nathan
Only R.F. Kuang could write a thriller... about publishing. June, the MC, spins a web of pretty convincing lies that, even as a reader, I got trapped in. Be prepared to ride right alongside June as she creates and fosters her own downfall. I could fill up at least 5 of these cards describing this book. It's brilliant. Pick it up for yourself and give it a read, don't just trust my review! ~Kendelyn
If "Beaches" were set in 1930s Brazil. A life-long friendship between two women of different classes and worldly experiences. From Rio de Janeiro to Hollywood's Golden Age--this is a sweeping tale of frenemies. ~Erin
Sometimes it works in your favor to judge a book by its cover. That's why I started this book. I stayed for the incredibly detailed world-building, morally gray MCs I HAD to root for, all bundled in a world that will make you question who the villains really are. I can't wait for the second book! ~Kendelyn
Come for the gothic horror romance small-town-with-a-dark-past drama... Stay for the dreaming house, its grumpy selfless warden, and the terrified brave woman fed up with everybody's bullshit. An empathetic book about a few people and their desires. Also, monsters! A 2023 favorite. ~Nathan
Is the perfect noir book possible? If it is, The Golden Gate is it. Murder, mayhem, femme fatales, San Francisco's Chinatown, and the Claremont Hotel - this book has it all. PS. It's better than L.A. Confidential! ~Erin
"Many Indigenous people believe that one should never whistle at night; it can cause evil spirits to appear..." This truly dark and beautiful anthology provides chilling tales from the minds of Indigenous authors. The cover art beautifully enticed me and the individualized writing styles held my interest as I delved into this title's sinister depths. ~Chris
A fantastic introduction to a critical topic. Disability justice is essential to building a better world, though perhaps not in the way you think. This joint primer/manifesto has insights for everybody. Engaging and accessible, Against Technoableism has my highest recommendation. ~Nathan
“There’s a time to love and be silent, There’s time to love and listen, to return, believe, and love.” This title provides an all too real biopic in the sights, carried silence, and relationships of war. Couldn’t put this book down. ~Chris
Is there always too much to do? Are productivity "hacks" failing to "get things under control?" Do you wonder if our ideas about time management and productivity might be self-defeating? Oliver Burkeman offers a refreshing change of perspective I still think about months and months after reading. ~Nathan
A haunted and haunting mashup of Mister Roger's Neighborhood and Stephen King's IT, this book asks and answers the question: What if the magic of childhood was real? And if it was, who would be in charge of it? ~Erin
A romp of a Who's-Dun-It like you have never read! Benjamin Stevenson weaves a story that engages the reader into this hilarious, dark comedy of a mystery. What family reunion is complete without a few dead bodies?? ~ Tracy
It's the last week of 5th grade; you happen upon a neighborhood library guarded by a floppy, orange cat. Taking a couple books home, you uncover a town mystery where the old town library burned down and it somehow involves ghost writer, HG Higgens?! Such a cozy and exciting read. ~Chris
A dark and terrifying horror story that proves love is real? Sign this buckaroo up! If you haven't trotted your way through Dr Chuck Tingle's fiction before, prepare yourself because he will change your life. ~Allie
A classic must-read for anyone investigating their own healing. This all-encompassing look at spirituality and energetic wellness asks and answers pivotal questions about personal power and healing. ~Erin
Any book that begins page one with a mid-life crisis is great in my eyes. “Amazing Grace Adams” is a story of flirtation, hope, heartbreak, guilt, and all feelings in between. I hope it will bring solace and humor to a coffee table near you. ~Chris
I gave this book to my mom for Mother's Day and it was a gift for the whole family - we passed it around and giggled at it all day. I think many adult children will relate to at least one poem inside. The perfect gift for a mother near you! ~Kendelyn
Did someone say gay Georgian era romance with a heist? This classic opposites attract slow burn made me blush and swoon and giggle time and time again. Cat Sebastian is a master at writing dialog and the witty banter between MCs Kit and Percy is utterly delightful. ~Allie
P. Djeli Clark has constructed a fantastical world in which both middle readers and adults alike can get lost. Abeni's Song is a timeless adventure story about finding your strength even when you are out numbered. Full of unexpected twists, a charming found family of spirit girls, and an MC with the heart of a hero who reminds us that being brave can actually be really hard. Stitched throughout are more intentionally nuanced themes that I think can provide great starting points for conversations centered around the terrors of African enslavement as well as diamond and resource mining. My favorite parts are when we get to see Abeni master her song; in this I think Clark does a really good job of relating the importance and power of oral histories. ~Allie
Everyone deserves to see themselves in stories, and Alice Oseman writes the story of self discovery, acceptance, and chosen family as messy and beautiful as it is. Her characters are whole people, never just diminished to a single identity. I love her work and this sweet book didn't disappoint! ~Kendelyn
Action packed, fiercely feminist, and brilliantly beautiful, Iron Widow is all about burning down the patriarchy. Main character Zetian is the take-no-prisoners protagonist I've been waiting for. Sure, she makes some morally grey choices, but it is impossible not to root for her! ~Allie
90s Vibe Check: Grab your Doc Martens, social activism, and conversations drenched in sarcasm because Tara MaClay is back! The LGBTQ+ icon from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" gets her stand alone story in this terrifyingly fun read surrounding romance, murder, and a touch of magic. ~Chris
There are so many reasons I absolutely love Misery Nomaki: they're snarky; they're tough as hell; they're an all powerful messiah who makes all sorts of terrible choices! Action packed, weird, with fascinating world building. Perfect for readers of the Locked Tomb series of the Starmetal Symphony series. ~Allie
True to title, this is actually about joy, expectations, self-denial, motherhood, community, secret hobbies, unabashed expression, and more… Carvan's writing is infused with humor and pleasant honesty. Fun read regardless of your background! ~Nathan
Riveting true accounts of the crime ladies of Latin America, as written by VICE journalist Deborah Bonello. Equal parts heartbreaking and thrilling. ~Erin
A compelling and delightful read, I was so sad to have it end! Post WWII, set on an island off the East Coast. This ravishing read takes you between 2 time periods, 7 years apart, weaving together a mystery full of espionage, love, post war heartache, and coming of age. You will love it! ~Tracy
"When your heart wants what it wants, you've got to saddle up and claim it." An adventurous sapphic western that gives you all the wild west fun you could want. ~Erin
Tarot and art history? Sign me up! This is a tale of overcoming adversity and trauma in a world where it seems impossible to do so. Follow the story of struggling surrealist artists from wartorn France as they find their new callings, homes, and freedom with the help of friends and Tarot card readings along the way. In a world of Seven of Cups, PICK ME! ~Chris
A trip down memory lane for this 90s TV-lover. Go behind the scenes of these beloved shows to see all it took to get them on the air. Includes interviews with writers, producers, showrunners, and more. ~Erin
What a heist! An engaging story about a notorious art theif and his fascinating attic ofstolen` treasures. Perfect for fans of Oceans 11 and The Italian Job. ~ Erin
I could not stop reading this book and the ending BLEW MY MIND! So rarely am I truly flabbergasted by a mystery but there are so many turns you will not see coming. Astounding! ~Bee
I wish I could read this book for the first time all over again! Alas - I'll make do with recommending it to everyone I know. Historical, sapphic mystery with a twist you won't see coming! ~Erin
Keeping your cards close to your chest may be the only thing saving your life. In this realm of intrigue, magic, and deception, discover a world of (as the title states) curiosities. Will the carnival survive the streets of London unscathed or will they receive an unwelcome souvenir to take with them on their next adventures? ~Chris
Sam Sylvester is getting a fresh start for their senior year of high school in Astoria, Oregon. Unfortunately, someone doesn't want their secrets to stay secret. This book has everything: murder, mystery, adventure, queer joy, and romance! All in a wonderful (though sometimes sad) coming-of-age story. ~Emily
Graham Robb loves France. He also loves to ride his bike. "France: An Adventure History" is an enjoyable collection of specific histories of places around France (often accessed by Robb on his "bicyclette"), from the Gauls and the bogs of the northwest to modern-day considerations of the Black Lives Matter movement and the Tour de France. Engaging, often funny, sometimes poignant. ~Sylla
This book is PERFECT! A sweet, fun, and affirming read that middle schoolers are sure to enjoy. Ellie must learn how to master her newly found super powers while navigating social groups, teachers, and home life. She is quirky and lovable, obsessed with comic books, and so relatable. Think queer "Pushing Daisies" for young readers. ~ Allie
Great for young fans of fantasy. Marjan is an Iranian-American girl with the ability to heal mystical creatures. Full of heart, found family and a mystery that will keep you up all night. ~ Allie
This is an audiobook that brings me right back into the story no matter how long it has been since I last listened. I have loved falling in love with these characters as they have fallen in love with each other. Jump into the sassy family dynamics, the wonder of sweet new love, and the harsh reality of an undocumented story.
Note: There are small bursts of dialogue in Spanish. I am not a spanish speaker and never felt lost. I think it adds to the authenticity of the story. Enjoy! ~ Kendelyn
Night Vision helped me reflect differently on the inevitable dark moods that happen through life. Anger, anxiety, sorrow--these can have value, and trying to squash them denies part of yourself. Alessandri brings in diverse thinkers and weighs the strengths of many philosophies. Refreshing and validating! ~Nathan
Think Coraline but as a 17 year-old! Kit Travels to a small, isolated town of Rosemont with her mom where roses are more prominent than cell reception. Mysteries appear and an ancient secret starts to unfold. Will this Starling be able to escape the entanglement she's gotten into or will the thorns of the past keep our heroine from true freedom? ~ Chris
An edge-of-your-seat thriller for fans fo Mission Impossible and The Bourne Identity. I devoured this book. ~ Erin
tapas (noun, Origin: Spanish) - a small, savory dish often served with drinks… From hearty BBQ options to light and refreshing finger foods, I am OBSESSED with this cookbook! Recommendations: pg 28 "spicy moorish kebabs," pg 76 "pinchos," and pg 129 "spanish tortillas". ~ Chris
Angeline Boulley's sophomore novel is a tense and emotional mystery/ heist story that eloquently tackles topics of sexual abuse, grooming, and the kidnapping of indigenous women all while highlighting the barriers that prevent the repatriation of ancestral remains and sacred objects. The narrative slowly sinks its teeth into you and forces you to consider how far you would go to bring home what is truly yours. ~Allie
I stayed up all night waiting for Kadou and Evemer to finally realize that, yes, they are in fact meant for each other. The perfect mix of slow burn romance, magical fantasy, and political intrigue. ~Allie
Eat the rainbow with these quick & simple meals! Varied, creative ingredient combinations are delicious as written but also make for inspiration to improve from. Perfect to feed 1-2, or double recipes for a couple more! ~Nathan
The stakes are high in Everina Maxwell's Ocean's Echo. It's not just the stability of the sector on the line but also the very consciousness (and hearts) of MCs Tennal and Surit. Incredible world building, lots of pining, a few swoony moments and a couple of stolen kisses. One of my favorites of 2022. ~Allie
For Kids: Do you love magic? How about the thought of going to a school of magic, finding and training your abilities against elemental monsters?! MUAHAHAHAHA!! Jump into this exciting series of the power of friendship and discovering your own power within (even if it makes your dad mad XD). For Parents: This is a fantastic Summer read for kids 4th to 8th grade and fans of the Harry Potter series. It has 5 books in the series that will keep your child immersed in this exciting new world of fantasy, friendship, and adventure! ~Chris
Interwoven are the stories of Ajay, Sunny and Neda, three young Indians from very different backgrounds. Surrounded by societal expectations, massive wealth, terrible poverty and violence, the choices these three make have consequences that result in lives dramatically altered and lost. Fast paced, picturesque and brutal. So far, my best read of 2023! ~Sylla
"May mercy be upon the man who finds himself the enemy of a vengeful medium." In this novel of paranormal proportions, you follow the practicing medium and skeptic, Lenna Wickes, into a journey of the unknown. Are seances real and will they lead our heroine to help solve her sister's murder? ~ Chris
Kate Morton is back with another beautifully woven historical fiction. Set in England and Australia following multiple generations, Homecoming, is full of dark family secrets that will keep you on the edge of your seat!! ~Tracy
One Last Stop is everything I want in a rom-com: queer and trans characters, delightful banter, and time travel! Fast paced, heartwarming, bittersweet, and achingly funny - this book truly has a special place in my heart.
A fast read that travels through the States, the UK, and Nigeria. The characters in this book are easy to fall in love with. One of my all-time favorites. ~Erin
Who doesn't love an enemies-to-lovers story? Rekindling long lost love? A little bit of self-denial thrown in? I could've cut the tension in these pages with a knife. Lookin' for a steamy, queer, imperfect love story? I found one for you! Bonus: you'll want to jump into this book and hug both the MCs. It won't disappoint. ~Kendelyn
When Women Were Dragons is an ordinary tale set in an extraordinary world, but once you get past its initial fantastical premise, Kelly Barnhill crafts a compelling, intimate family drama told through the lens of a young woman coming of age in an alternate 1950s America. This book is pure magic. ~Mary
This epic historical saga is un-put-down-able! You'll be transported to early 1900s Korea and Japan to follow the story of a fisherman's daughter as she makes her way in a harsh world. The rich details of setting put you in the middle of the busy, bustling streets of old Japan. ~Erin
Isa is a queen of vegan cookbooks, and her recipes deliver over and over at my dinner table. Easy! Fast! Vegan! This cookbook is my go-to, and an excellent choice for anyone looking to cook vegan. "I don't remember anything we haven't enjoyed" -- non-vegan family member (who cooks from this all the time). I can personally vouch for the tofu-mushroom stroganoff, miso-tahini soba bowl, puffy pillow pancakes, and more! Happy cooking! ~Nathan
Millenial bumbling about life in This World We Live In... Trying My Best vibes… Will make you think, "yikes, but honestly same here." ~ Nathan
Rupi Kaur's poetry has inspired me for years, so to get a peak into her process through the prompts in this book is like getting a back-stage pass. Her prompts and activities encourage reflection at your own pace. This book continues to remind me how powerful writing can be, no matter the skill. As a wanna-be, amateur poet, I approve! ~ Kendelyn
A whip-fast thriller with a heart. I gobbled this up! The back-through-time plot enables mystery to unfold in a new way. Our narrator questions what she thought she knew about her family and herself. It isn't confusing like some time travel, but has many "OMG what??" chapter endings. Perhaps not the deepest book, but quick and emotionally satisfying. ~Nathan
Maggie is having a rough time, but she's trying, and we're rooting for her. Come for the nuanced & relatable experiences with social media, modern friendship, and dating app misadventures. Stay for the mini chapters with Maggie's texts to her therapist or her search history. Fun book that also has a great audiobook version. ~ Nathan
If John Le Carré wrote a western border thriller, this would be it. Siblings raised in a remote Colorado valley have lost contact with each other as teens. Later in life, they must use their non-traditional education to handle dangerous situations and nefarious criminals, to manage a potentially life altering inheritance from their gangster grandfather. Set in the high desert of the southwest, Panther Gap evokes the dangers of the rugged topography and the edgy lives of the folks involved. ~Sylla
I want all autobiographies to be in this format, please! Maia's illustrations added a depth and beauty to eir story that might have otherwise gone unseen. A wonderful exploration of identity that leaves the pages to paint an authentic and continuous journey of self discovery. A good read for humans everywhere. ~ Kendeyln
A dark and atmospheric read peppered with acute observations on class, sisterhood, and the ways in which our preconceived notions keep us from uncovering the truth. The world building is transportive, I could feel the air heavy with dust and grime. I found the characters well written and compelling.~ Allie
Giant birds of prey, man eating manticore, and the dark and obsessive pursuit to fulfill one's life purpose: what more could a fantasy reader possibly want? The plot is perfectly paced, the characters are endearing and their relationships are complicated. A quick read with big emotions that I've been lingering in long after the last page. ~Allie
This book totally exceeded all my expectations - for the record my expectations were very high! Kelly Yang has fashioned a story that makes accessible to young readers complex issues such as immigration, the pandemic, banned books, and bullying… just to name a few. I promise you will want a box of tissues on hand because the feelings are so real. Great for middle readers of all ages and would be a perfect pick for a read-along. ~Allie
From start to finish, this book had me in a proverbial chokehold. I found myself audibly gasping with each turn and twist of the plot and at times I caught myself seething, completely beside myself with righteous indignation. I couldn't help but love the Trudeau twins, the book's central characters who are messy and make mistakes and at times feel so damn relatable. The magic system, which draws on the rich cultural histories of African diaspora, is so well imagined and like nothing I have ever read. ~Allie
This story has everything you could want in a fantasy: great adventure, brave characters you'll love, and a very hateable villian. Oh, and dragons. What more could you want? A perfect read for all ages (like 8+). ~Kendelyn
Sometimes, it's just important to do what you feel is the right thing even if you don't know all the answers. That's what this book is all about. Brave characters who stand up for what they believe in, even in 5th and 6th grade, with some fun adventure thrown in. Would recommend for any age! ~ Kendelyn
This book will turn your brain inside out and leave you asking "what did I just read?" The romance isn't very complex, but it is beautifully evoked in poetic love letters, and the plot will have you racing to learn the lovebirds' fate. A unique read, if this works for you then you may very well love it! ~ Nathan
She is a Haunting is the type of horror that will symultaneously make you sweat and chill you to the bone. Full of creepy cawlies and dripping with atmosphere. Will take you on a haunting exploration of colonialism and the festering wounds it leaves behind. ~Allie
"Beautiful World, Where Are You" is a deeply empathetic portrait of love and friendship that feels the pulse of emotion in everyday moments. I've never read a book like it. It's beautiful, melancholy, and encouraging. One of my all-time FAVORITES! ~Nathan
I am in LOVE!! I am in love with this book, with Stanley, with food, with his crazy Italian family, and with Italy. You will adore Stanley! You will laugh out loud, get really hungry, make travel plans, and even cry. ~Tracy
This is, without a doubt, the most creative world building I have ever encountered in a sci-fi novel. What does it take to build a planet? And who does it take to protect that planet? Come for the ethical exploration but stay for the flying moose, sentient trains, a bad guy you will want to drop kick off a cliff.
~ Emily
Rupi Kaur has a magical way of putting words to feelings in a beautifully succinct way. I felt seen and validated so often, and continue to reread this book at different points in my life. One thing is certain: you are not alone. I'll hold this book closely forever. ~ Kendelyn
"One Italian Summer" is a perfect escape to the South of Italy. A delightful read full of beautiful scenery, food, and love. A perfect summer read, I couldn't put it down and read it in a day! ~ Tracy
Looking for a new and original fairy tale to add to your shelf? Pick this one. You will not be disappointed! It is the sweetest tale with the cutest illustrations and left me overfilled with happiness! ~ Allie
This book is binge-worthy. Amanda Montell asks "What is a cult?" while examining the use of language and its power to influence. I'm not a huge non-fiction reader, but I loved this one so much! ~ Allie
Kiss Her Once for Me contains: adorable grandmas, solving relationship problems through communication and respecting one another's individual personhood, wonderfully supportive friends showing up when life sucks, and more I don't remember because I devoured it in one day
Post-Civil War America + zombies. It sounds like a weird combination, but trust me, it works. Jane has been a student at Miss Preston's School of Combat for Negro Girls where she has been trained to fight the zombie hordes terrorizing the country… until she uncovers a plot where the zombies at the least of her problems
How could the actions of one girl in 1453 impact the life of a girl and her family in 2080? Or a quiet son of an immigrant in the 1940s effect the lift of a man escaping a burning Earth 100 years later? Give this book a read. The answers might surprise you.
This book was the best part of my 2020. With her humor and authenticity, Glennon Doyle offers wisdom to pull sincerity out of her readers. She puts words to the weight of expectations that effect us all, and encourages us all to free ourselves of them. I'm rereading chapters all the time. It'll live on my shelves forever!
A few pages into Piranesi I could tell that I was in the hands of a masterful writer. A tantalizing, fantastical mystery. A work of empathy and beauty. A treasure.
Infused with Welsh mythology, The Drowned Woods by local author Emily Lloyd-Jones is a darkly crafted fantasy that follows the kingdoms last living water divinger, Mer. Full of romance, adventure, magic, an adorable corgi named Trefor. This escape is sure to keep you up past your bedtime.
I adore how sweet this graphic novel is - and how realistic the portrayal of queer coming-of-age is depicted. "The Girl from the Sea is bittersweet in the best way. Plus, who doesn't love mermaids?
"Blaze Me a Sun" is more than a mystery; it is a novel about flawed people, good people, bad people and the confounded decisions they make. In a small community in Sweden, a series of murders take place that a local police office is determined to solve. After many yearts of failed efforts a new set of eyes brings forth perspective that helps dig up answers, some unwanted. For fans of Henning Mankill or Steig Larsson.
~ Sylla
"Exiles" takes Aaron Falk to Australian wine country and a family gathering during the town's annual wine festival. At the prior year's event a local woman and family friend goes missing, leaving behind her infant. Aaron explores family and community dynamics that result in him solving not one, but two mysterous deaths. Harper puts you smack in the valley- you feel the humidity and lushness of the region, the tension between the characters and emotional tugs that Aaron experiences as he grows closer to the family.
~ Sylla
There is so much I love about this book! Similar to TJ Klune's The House in the Cerulean Sea, it features found family, queer joy, and an MC who goes through profound growth… which just happens to occur after he dies… enjoy.
~ Allie
The Book Eaters is a savory feast of a novel, perfect for readers of dark fantasy. Devon Fairweather comes from a long line of book eaters, a humanoid-vampire like alien race. Devon is raised on fairy tales and cautionary fables. Her story is about the dangers of believing the narratives others create for you; finding agency and owning your identity.
~ Allie
Satire. Allegory. Love Story. Hallucinatory Picaresque.
Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita is all of these and more. Come for the giant, talking, cigar-smoking cat and stary for the biting wit and shar social and religious commentary.
— Billie
This delightfully witty, Beauty & the Beast-inspired story starts when the jilted Duke of Ashbury is confroted by the seamstress who made his former fiancee's wedding dress and she's demanding payment...while wearing said wedding dress. Tessa Dare's banter is always A+ and this one may be the best.
— Emily
I (Piper) stayed up half the night finishing this book, it was so gripping and all-consuming. I loved the tension Ng created between the characters with her examination of class, race, gender and privilege. Wonderfully intense and culturally poignant.
— Piper
Need to warm up? The Dry takes place in hot, rural Australia. A grisly murder brings Aaron Falk back to the small town where he was raised. Old secrets, lies, and memories mix to create an environment where everyone is quick to point fingers. If you like atmospheric mysteries with strong characters, this is a good book for you.
— Sylla
How one can slide into illegal activity when one is down. That is the simple premise. But more than that, The Godmother is a little slice of France, and not the pretty chateaux or countryside. Gritty and nerve-wracking, you root for Patience. Soon to be a film staring Isabelle Huppert.
— Sylla
Mexico in the '20s suffused with a Mayan myth? Yep, it's as amazing as it sounds. Moreno-Garcia completely transports you into the world of the gods, Mexican cities, and the mind of protagonist Casiopea as she navigates her fate. ~Allie
A delightful rom-com about two complete opposites who agree to fake date each other for their own reasons. But, as any connoisseur of rom-coms knows, fake dating inevitably leads to not fake feelings. If you're looking for a book that will make your heart sing and make you happy cry, this is the one. ~Billie
You will probably hate Ignatius J. Reilly. Thats okay. You should hate him. He's awful. But A Confederacy of Dunces is brilliant, so you'll keep reading, compelled by the quirky cast of characters and the absolutely best depiction of the spirity of New Orleans ever put on the page. Both funny ha-ha and funny odd, Dunces is a delight.
— Billie
This is my new favorite baking book. My copy is already butter-spattered and falling open to favorite recipes. My attention was captured by Heatter's introduction ("Bake cookies!") and knew this was a keeper at Chocolate Gingerbread.
— Billie
The Bees by Laline Paull reads like a fantasy novel with its queens and courtiers and political machinations, but it's set within a bee colony and all of its characters are (naturally) bees. It's odd at first, but you soon find yourself absorbed in the world of Flora 717 and her hivemates. The Bees is sure to linger in your memory long after you've turned the final page.
— Billie
Grab yourself a box of donuts, a copy of Ryka Aoki's Light from Uncommon Stars and prepare for a warm mix of emotion to wash over you. My favorite read of 2021. ~Allie
A sweet, comforting, hug of a book about finding love and family and a place to belong in the people and location you least expect. ~Billie
Victories Greater Than Death is an action-packed YA space-opera about the power of friendship, bravery, and fighting for whats right. I really admire how inclusive the narrative is, and could not get enough of the expansive, and at times wacky, world-building. ~Allie
Reading this book is like falling in love. I can hardly recall a story that more perfectly encapsulates that soft, fluttery feeling. Oseman's art is absoloutely lovely as well, all around gorgeous. ~Bee