New Staff Suggestions
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Whether a “great circle” is a path that circumnavigates the globe from pole to pole, or a collection of arcs that describe intersecting lives, Maggie Shipstead has given us a story that resonates across eras and elements, challenges beliefs about bravery and cowardice, and reminds the reader of the ways we are connected across time and circumstance. Clear your weekend - this was a book I had to read straight through!
— Laura
Films of Endearment is at once a heartwarming portrait of a mother-son relationship and an insightful deep-dive into the gender politics of '80s cinema. Michael Koresky will leave you reminiscing not just about the films you've loved, but the people you've shared them with. Overall, this is a deeply nostalgic memoir sure to kick off many a movie marathon of favorites both new and old.
— Abigail
I greatly enjoyed this story of a young teacher enthusiastically making a life in a small Michigan town, only to be buffeted by the vagaries of love, friends, family, and fate over the next two decades. I fell in love with, as surprised and satisfied as the protagonist, as the last pages pulled everything together, for her and for me.
— Laura
Another “don’t start in the evening or you will stay up too late reading” book! Two women and a young girl go missing from the same neighborhood just days apart. Are they connected? Eleven years later, a young woman escapes captivity and returns to her family. We get the details of events from three points of view and several characters become suspects. This mystery is fast paced and intense!
— Laura B.
A Christina Lauren romance + a dating site based on DNA = a match! Like with all Christina Lauren books, I devoured The Soulmate Equation in a day. This book combines some of my favorite rom-com elements with the unique basis of finding a soulmate through science. Not only was the romance fantastic, but I also loved the other familial relationships –– especially between Jess and her daughter. If you’re looking for a fun, heartfelt read to lose yourself in, this is your next read!
— Bridey
Poppy and Alex shared a car ride home freshman year of college never expecting the decade of friendship and tradition of summer trips it would inspire. But it's been two years since their disastrous Croatia trip and Poppy wants nothing more than to go on vacation with her best friend once again. This book is emotional, heartwarming, and hilarious. I love Poppy and Alex's messy, but still enviable friendship. The flashbacks to their years of travel make me wish I could take a vacation and experience all the adventure for myself. Author Emily Henry is now my go-to for fun summer reads. If, like me, you fell in love with Beach Read last year, you will devour this book!
— Becky
This is the “feel good” book for this summer! Set in the 1970s, a young girl struggles to find her voice while caught between two households of very different lifestyles. Your heart will soar as Mary Jane discovers a wider world outside her straight-laced home while nannying for a psychiatrist whose only client for the summer is a world famous rock star and his equally famous wife. From weekly planned menus to whatever unspoiled food you find, a spotless household to dust and clutter everywhere, Mary Jane finds a way to balance both and even blend the two, managing to grow and shine while not compromising her own self. Funny and addictive, you’ll be recommending this one to all your friends!
— Terri
Eve, Susie, Justin, and Ed have been best friends since they were teens. Now in their mid-thirties, their lives are suddenly changed forever and they need to find a way to move forward. While I was looking for a light, casual read, and I would call this a “romantic comedy,” there were some gut wrenching moments that had me reaching for tissues. The importance of friendships, forgiveness, and the idea that “you can never make new ‘old friends’” really struck me. I am definitely a new fan of Mhairi McFarlane.
— Laura B.
A remarkable snapshot of contemporary emerging adulthood, An Ordinary Age is essential reading not just for young adults themselves, but anyone trying to gain a better understanding of today's younger generations. Rainesford Stauffer has gifted us a powerfully empathetic and extensively researched work of nonfiction and I look forward to reading whatever she writes next.
— Abigail
This fun romance novel ,with both current issues and likable characters, is perfect for fans of the movie “Love Actually.” There are five separate storylines linked by their relationships to In Love in New York, a wedding planning business run by husband and wife team, Liv and Eliot. When Eliot dies from a heart attack while out of town, it’s his young mistress, Savannah, who informs Liv! The fact that he’d recently changed his will so that Savannah was now Liv’s new business partner just adds insult to injury. A quick read with something for everyone.
— Laura B.
This is a deceptively simple story. Two men, approaching middle age, still living at their homes with their parents - good friends, working part-time at seemingly meaningless jobs. They are happy, as content as it is possible to be, but we root for them when they venture out, try something unknown, uncomfortable. Whether it is a contest from a local business organization, or a try at a relationship, they are kind, considerate, and we want them to succeed - to have their normalcy rewarded. It is such a simple story but universal - it was a place of what can I do in this sea of give it to me.
— Nancy
The year is 1662 and Mary Deerfield finds herself being abused at the hand of her husband and questioning the true nature of her soul. Brilliantly split in two parts, The Book of the Wife and The Book of the Witch, Chris Bohjalian has created suspense and terror to the point where I didn't want to turn the page, but couldn't stop myself. From petitioning for a divorce to being accused of witchcraft, Mary faces all of this with the determination of a woman possessed. But then again, that seems to be the problem. This is a fast paced page turner with riveting characters, a fabulous storyline, and an ending that seems fitting. Thank you Chris Bohjalian for entertaining me on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
— Karen
What a wonderful tribute to why we need bookstores and how they bring us together and take us away from our everyday world, a reminder that words can save our lives by showing us different points of view and pushing us to think. This novel has a bit of everything. I adore Grace; her kindness, her compassion are beyond measure. I fully experienced London during the blitz. And there’s even a bit of romance.
— Susan
How well do you know your spouse and what would you do to protect the people you love? These are the questions facing Hannah Hall when her husband, Owen, disappears without a trace, leaving her only a two-word note “protect her.” Hannah knows he means Bailey, her surly sixteen year old stepdaughter and she is learning that nothing in their life is what it seemed. What follows is an engaging and suspenseful search for the truth. A quick read that I could not put down.
— Laura B.
Ariadne is an exquisite retelling of the story of Ariadne, princess of Crete and sister of the Minotaur. Taking action by helping Theseus sets in motion her exile and creation of a different life in spite of the cruelties and mercies of the gods. Giving voice to women in classical mythology makes it all the more entrancing.
— Julie
Young Ruby is abandoned in a tourist cave by her father, his disappearance creating a disturbing unsolved mystery. Years later, she and her (sketchy?) new husband are starting a new life and the production of Rebecca she is acting in brings forward the past in terrifying ways. A spellbinding psychological thriller, you will be turning pages until the final unexpected twist!
— Julie
This is a heartwarming story of three broken people coming together at just the right time in just the right way to rescue each other. Alice is grieving, Jake is struggling with life in a wheelchair, and Harry is an insecure, homeless felon. Their lives intersect on Alice’s farm where they bond over bees and help each other become the people they never believed they could be. This is a “feel good” book.
— Laura B.
Wow! I really enjoyed this collection of poems. They are very accessible and relatable while also being brave, unique, and powerful! Kingsolver is a masterful storyteller, even in her poetry. For all who read this collection, it will leave an impression; I can now say I’m a fan of both her prose and verse!
— Tonya
Under a White Sky is an essential and very current read on climate change. It manages to be realistic, hopeful, and terrifying all at the same time. Cutting back is not enough and active scientific solutions seem to be the answer.
— Andrew
I will be reading and re-reading this book for years to come. It is an amazing history of African Americans, co-written by 90 of America's top scholars. Each writer takes a five year span of history. Uniquely written and uniquely affecting.
— Andrew
Niksen is different from meditation or scrolling through Instagram. It’s more like stopping to fully embrace a warm cup of coffee and the process it takes to make it. This book is a run down of how best to do nothing and what that entails, coupled with a study of how our culture molds us into thinking that we must be productive 100% of the time. When I started this, it made me feel like the Netherlands was a cult, but turns out it’s more like our concept of taking care of people is broken. Introducing Niksen to our society could be a way of regaining a small amount of balance and shifting away from the 24-hour workday.
— Rhi
This book is striking in a way I wasn’t expecting. The dual stories of the author Lulu trying to find meaning in life, feeling depressed and unfulfilled, and the intermittent bio on David Starr Jordan was really well balanced. I was not familiar with DSJ’s work prior to this book, so overall this was really informative. This book makes you consider all of the things you’re taught throughout your life and where large schools of thought come from. But in the end, fish don’t really exist.
— Rhi
Dennis McCarthy spent 15 years researching the origins of Shakespeare’s plays. Using plagiarism software and his investigative skills, he theorizes that Sir Thomas North, translator of Plutarch’s “Parallel Lives,” provided source material which Shakespeare adapted, writing his plays at the request of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, who was courting Queen Elizabeth I. McCarthy’s theory is a new, albeit controversial, look at Shakespearean scholarship.
— Marilyn
I picked up an historical fiction novel and found myself wrapped up in a mystery with a gripping story that alternates between 1939 and 2019. American journalist, Maddie, travels to London to interview a distant relation, 99 year old Precious, about fashion and modeling in war-torn England. What she uncovers is a story of friendship, romance, fear, and loss while also learning to take chances in her own life. Highly recommended!
— Laura B.
Privilege, power, and revenge are the key elements of Joshilyn Jackson’s suspense-filled follow-up to Never Have I Ever. Bree Cabbat’s dream life becomes a nightmare when her baby son is kidnapped. What follows is a domestic thriller that pits mother against mother, full of twists and turns as shocking past deeds are revealed. This is a page-turner from start to finish!
— Marilyn
Hang on to your hardcover because this newest "twist" on "Sleeping Beauty" is a wild emotional roller coaster. Walter effortlessly runs us through every feeling possible as the "Dark Grace" Alyce, nicknamed "Malyce" by her jealous and disdainful "Light" Grace sisters, is part hero who can save the queendom and part villian (Vila) that could poison all. Your heart will break as she struggles with who she is versus who everyone thinks she is. The stunning conclusion to this story has me hoping for a continuation - fingers crossed!
— Terri
Sally Thorne has only solidified her position as my favorite rom-com author with Second First Impressions. Like all her books, this cute hate-to-love romance is heartfelt, hilarious, and a quick, fun read. If you’re looking for a book that will make you smile, check this one out!
— Bridey
I must stop opening new books in the evening, I’m exhausted because I couldn’t put this one down! Fern and Rose are fraternal twins and they couldn’t be more different. Rose is headstrong and brave but Fern has sensory issues and is cautious. However, Rose has always been Fern’s champion to help her along during their difficult childhood and into adulthood. Or has she? I really enjoyed Sally Hepworth’s character descriptions and her use of humor to lighten the mood of this family drama.
— Laura B.
This is just the book I needed to read right now. Kristin van Ogtrop writes about life as a 50-something woman and, although our lives are very different in many ways, I feel like she is talking about me. Her stories are funny, sad, and accurate. I, too, wonder “where is my top lip going?” The last chapter, “Things,” is now my life bible.
— Laura B.
For any fan of Norse Mythology!
Angrboda, as the "Mother of Wolves," is brought out of the sidelines into the heart of all our favorite Norse tales. Loved by Loki, and a threat to Odin's rule, we learn that real power comes from witches, not Gods. A true tale of the love and the sacrifices a mother will make to keep and protect her children, even as the world is ended in one final prophesied war. This one will be added to my classics to be read and re-read again and again.
— Terri
A stunning story of determination and grit, Kareem tells us the struggles of one of Philadelphia's darkest neighborhoods and the choices it takes to "get out and stay out." When his brothers accidentally find a local "Work to Ride" program hidden in a park nearby their neighborhood, they never thought they would have the chance to play Polo, a sport for privileged white people that they had never heard of, or compete with their all-Black team. A triumph for all times, this one will have you cheering from the sidelines!
— Terri
Georgina Lawton was born mixed-race to white parents who never acknowledged her heritage. Raised in a warm and loving home in the suburbs of London, the story told to all was that her skin color was the result of a “throwback gene,” and not her mother’s secret one-night affair with a Nigerian man. This book tells of her journey to find the missing pieces of her racial identity, and it is an extraordinary story.
— Marilyn
In 18th century London there exists a secret apothecary shop catering only to women who have been wronged by the men in their lives. The owner dispenses poisons to free the women with the rule that they must never be used to harm another woman. More than 200 years later, a young woman, alone in London after receiving the shocking news of her husband’s infidelity, finds a glass vial linked to the shop while mudlarking on the banks of the River Thames. A remarkable debut novel of historical fiction that switches between timelines as the women tell their stories, and brings past and present London to life.
— Marilyn
![The New York Times Cooking No-Recipe Recipes: [A Cookbook] Cover Image](https://images.booksense.com/images/books/474/858/FC9781984858474.JPG)
Have you ever wanted to be able to toss a few things together and not just eat, but eat well? Sam Sifton has you covered! A handful of ingredients, a few sentences of instructions, and . . . that's it! This book is perfectly put together with a tempting photo for each "no-recipe."
— Laura
The Five Wounds of the title represent Jesus’s suffering. Down on his luck Amadeo hopes for redemption by playing Jesus in a local event. Meanwhile his pregnant daughter arrives on his (and his long-suffering mother's) doorstep. Through a series of events, we bear witness to family conflicts, tragedy, humor, and yes, some redemption. This is a stunning depiction of an American community with characters I will never forget.
— Julie
Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Ishiguro is back with a remarkable novel about the complex nature of personhood. Klara makes for a unique narrator, navigating a world that equally intrigues and perplexes her- a world that Ishiguro has perfectly set in a potentially recognizable but slightly distant future. A thought-provoking, affecting work, filled with moments of great heart.
— Kelly
In Brandon Hobsons, The Removed, the Echota family are coping with the tragic loss of their 15 year old son, Ray Ray. Hobson tenderly weaves their present day loss with the grief their Cherokee ancestors have endured throughout history. I found myself entranced in the dream-like state of the spirit world, while simultaneously feeling the bone heavy emotions of the Echota family. This timely story looks at deep prejudices, questions forgiveness and connects us to the hope found in facing grief; healing our open wounds while recognizing the scars of our ancestors.
— Tonya
I’ll read any book set in the fascinating and insular world of boarding schools, but All Girls is special. Author Emily Layden melds the already fraught territory of adolescent girlhood with a contemporary #MeToo thread that unfolds suspensefully across a number of students’ POVs. (Not to mention the novel is set in our own Connecticut, the opening paragraphs sprinkled with places you yourself might live or drive through every day!) From start to finish, this story feels as real as something you might have read about in the morning paper; I totally lost myself in the lives of these vividly drawn characters.
— Abigail
I was worried that a deep dive into Windsor Horne Lockwood III would diminish this enigmatic character, but my fears were allayed as I was drawn into this tale of old family secrets and tragedies that twist and twine with art theft, domestic terrorism and present day murder.
— Laura
Did you ever take a class just because the lecturer was known to be able and entertaining? Here’s another chance! Saunders’ (Lincoln in the Bardo; Pastoralia) MFA class in book form offers insight into writing, reading and the short stories of the Russian masters.
— Laura
This is an emotional family story! The opening line hooked me and I never lost interest throughout.Talia is the youngest sibling in a family split between two countries: the U.S. and Columbia. Although born in the U.S., she has grown up in Columbia with her father. Along her VERY interesting journey, we get all kinds of family stories, folklore, and more. Fabulous!!
— Lori
I read this book FAST! It’s an easy read, but interesting and entertaining! A coming-of-age story in San Francisco-mid 1980s…the music is fun, the fashion is quirky, and the scenery is easy to imagine. Four girls are navigating school, boys, and popularity. When an incident occurs (or does it?), one of them is ousted which sets the stage for more shenanigans!
— Lori
Thirteen-year-old Duchess Day Radley is a self-proclaimed outlaw! But, in reality, she’s a protector—of her little brother AND her mother. Life is far from perfect and years of sadness in her mother’s life are beginning to catch up to them all.
Evocative, Emotional, Captivating!
I rooted for the “good guys” and the “not-so-good” guys but never for the “bad guys” in this one.
Do things really ‘begin at the end’?
— Lori
This story, as told by three different people, has it all including lies, love, hate, revenge, adultery, bigamy and so much more! You’ll think you know what’s happening but then you’ll be fooled and you won’t even mind. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
— Laura B.
When a young Russian pianist is found dead in one of the bedrooms at Windsor Castle after an evening of celebration, foul play is suspected and the police are called in. Unhappy with their detective work, Queen Elizabeth II, now nearly 90 years old, decides to launch her own private investigation with the help of her Assistant Private Secretary Rozie Oshodi, while continuing to carry out her royal duties. This first book in a clever crime series featuring the Queen as a secret detective is full of witty dialogue and great behind-the-scenes descriptions of royal life.
— Marilyn
The immersive experience of being Extremely Online these days can be hard to explain to those who aren't. This novel captures with accuracy and absurdity the ways the constant churn of social media can become the lens through which we see the world around us. Lockwood's writing is sharply hilarious as her narrator grapples with the stark differences between real life and Twitter as a family emergency escalates. An unforgettably special and unique work.
— Kelly
If you are looking for a fun, feel good read, this is the book for you. Celia Fairchild, AKA popular advice columnist “Dear Calpurnia” has a habit of not following her own advice. After a painful divorce and the loss of her job, she feels she has no hope of ever having the family she desperately wants. Then she inherits the family home in Charleston when her estranged Aunt Calpurnia dies and Celia is the only living relative. With the help of her New York BFF and a cast of mostly lovable characters, Celia puts together a new life and learns that it’s the people you surround yourself with that make your family.
— Laura B
No one knows the mystery of who the author is of a wildly popular “novel” about a murder committed by a teen girl. Her publisher sends her an assistant (who happens to be an aspiring writer) and swears her to secrecy. A harrowing accident during a research trip in Morocco presents itself for an identity grab. Of course, we know that never goes well! With its outstanding pacing and twists and turns I really count not put this down!
— Julie
DS Harbinder Kaur returns after The Stranger Diaries to solve Griffith's take on a "cozy" murder mystery, but she can't keep a unlikely trio of amateur sleuths from pursuing clues left in mystery novels old and new. The twists and turns are as fair as they are surprising -- I did not spot the murderer before the reveal, but Kaur spotted the clues.
— Laura
An exploration of the morality and humanity of clones and their makers, wrapped in a slow burn, page turning, gothic-like horror…with a modern spin. Twists and turns a plenty, I never quite knew what was going to happen next, right up to the last few pages! Highly recommend for fans of Frankenstein.
— Lindsey
Grit and perseverance are two words that describe Kristin Hannah’s masterful new novel. It is the story of Elsa, who in 1934 leaves behind the dust storms and drought that blighted the Texas family farm to bring her two children to California in search of a better life, only to find a more hardscrabble time as a migrant worker. But there is also beauty in her story, along with resilience, love, and what it means to be a family. An unforgettable book.
— Marilyn
I didn’t think Sarah J. Maas could surprise me anymore, but I still ended up with my jaw on the floor, drooling over the last page of A Court of Silver Flames. This book is intense, emotional, and simmering with a steamy romance. Maas explores new, richly crafted parts of the A Court of Thorns and Roses world, now through Nesta’s eyes and allows her power, anger, and determination to bleed through every word. I love that this is a story of survivors and of a woman who has been treated horribly by the world, and is finally ready to make it pay. If you enjoyed the world of The Witcher combined with the sizzling romance of Bridgerton, this series needs to be your next read!
— Bridey
Follow the struggles of four British women during WWII in the height of the Blitz. Drawn together as competitors, each one is desperate to win as the best cook in a BBC radio program contest and are required to use only rationed food (recipes included!) The dire straits of each woman are revealed with each chapter and you will find yourself rooting for each one. Despite tragedy and travails you will smile as you get to know each character. Looking for an escape, comfort, and a charming story? Here's your book!
— Barb
After a celebratory Vegas trip ends in a drunken marriage to a woman she’s never met, Grace Porter is left to question her so carefully plotted life plan.This is a book I loved from the very beginning – from the hazy opening through the emotional, funny, and comforting middle. It’s a not-so-subtle reminder of how we all often feel alone and adrift and how necessary those times of uncertainty are to figuring out where to go next.
— Becky
Why are large cities abandoned? Is it gradual? Sudden? Is the grass greener a few miles away? Is there a massive, sudden earthquake or flood or is it the creeping water level of the river next to it? Here is a journey to four places that have their own reason for being lost. They are different, but in ways the same - and the author goes to each place, from central Turkey in 6000BC to central North America in the 8th to 10th century, and watches the archaeology reveal the history, and asks questions. The answers have relevance for us as we ask questions of our own cities. An unusual and intriguing read.
— Nancy
Welcome back, Easy Rawlins! The turbulent times of 1969 serves this noir-style detective novel well. Corruption, racial issues, and the Vietnam war color and complicate what begins as a simple missing person case. Not too gritty and not too slick, Walter Mosely gave me a great reason to stay indoors and immerse myself in the sordid untangling of this mystery.
— Jamie
This masterful biography - 30 years of research-takes us well beyond the myth even single dimension view many of us might have of Malcolm X. Here we are provided not only the details of his childhood but how his background and family molded his future as a revolutionary, an activist and agent of civil rights progress. Payne also contextualizes Malcolm X’s positions relative to Martin Luther King, Nation of Islam, and the NAACP in a way that entirely broadens our understanding of his life and death. I was riveted by every piece of the story and grateful for the degree to which it has enhanced my understanding of this time in our history and this brilliant complicated radical.
— Roxanne
If you are in the mood for a fast paced, smart story of lives intentionally and unintentionally shaped and unended—with characters you care about and become attached to—this is the book. Clegg is a clever insightful observer of human behavoir and we are the beneficiaries. Loved every minute of it!
— Roxanne
Mystery writer Finlay Donovan has writer’s block, her ex-husband wants custody of their two kids, and she’s broke. Overheard discussing the plot of her yet to be written crime novel, Finlay is mistaken for a hit woman and offered $50,000 to dispose of a troublesome husband. Who says crime doesn’t pay? A very funny, clever novel, this is the first in a planned series. I am looking forward to more!
— Marilyn
Forty year old Martha Friel is beautiful, clever, and painfully awkward. She is also dealing with mental illness that has been misdiagnosed for years. The story begins as Martha’s devoted husband, Patrick, is leaving her just after her birthday party, which he planned and threw. We then flash back to when she was 17 and her already unusual life took a dramatic turn. Meg Masons writing ranges smoothly from funny to heartbreaking as it deals with family issues, mental health, love, and life’s ups and downs. A very enjoyable read.
— Laura B
C.J. Tudor’s latest is a gothic thriller tinged with horror. When Reverend Jack Brooks and teenaged daughter Flo move to a tiny village in Sussex, England, they are aware that the village has a dark past as a place where accused heretics were burned in the 16th century, but not how much this haunts the present. Set aside time for this one, you won’t be able to put it down!
— Marilyn
Christopher (Kit) Marlowe, poet and playwright, is a student in 1585 when he is approached by Queen Elizabeth’s spymaster with the offer of a well-paying job as a spy in the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, who is under house arrest. Witty, irreverent and broke, the charming Kit proves to be as adept at code breaking as he is at lying. Allison Epstein’s debut historical fiction novel brilliantly imagines life in Elizabethan London as seen through the eyes of one of its most infamous and important characters.
— Marilyn
Based on the true story of the American Library in Paris during the German occupation, Odile reveals to her young friend Lily the power of books. “Books and ideas are like blood; they need to circulate, and they keep us alive.” Odile teaches Lily not only French but life lessons about moving on from mistakes, romance, sacrifice, betrayal, friendship and how to treat people with dignity and compassion. Anyone who enjoyed All the Light We Cannot See or The Nightingale will enjoy this novel.
— Andie
What happens to the Chosen Ones after they save the world? Veronica Roth makes a spectacular adult debut where relationships and expectations are tested as the now-adult chosen ones try to insert themselves into normal life––a life they never had as kids. In this deeply emotional story, the chosen ones attempt to separate past and present as they realize the world may not be as peaceful as it seems…
— Bridey
This novel is dark and disturbing, displaying the worst of humanity and I couldn’t put it down! Set in the near future, global warming seems to play a part in the horrible events of summer 2027 in a desirable Garden City, NY neighborhood. It’s the kind of neighborhood where everyone strives to “fit in”, there’s a self-designated “leader” and families that don’t fit the mold are not welcome. A perfect lesson on how you never really know what goes on in other people’s homes and the danger of mob mentality, secrets, and lies that grow with each retelling. Not my usual fluffy, happy choice but definitely a “Must Read”!
— Laura B
This book was so much fun! In order to keep their jobs, two enemy co-workers are roped into hosting a radio show together all about relationships. The catch? They have to pretend to be exes if they want the show to succeed. Between their banter on and off the air and their willingness to open up to each other about their insecurities and ambitions, Shay and Dom have a great dynamic. I loved seeing their relationship grow as their show gets bigger and their lies become even more tangled with each episode!
— Bridey
Fans of Seth Meyer’s outstanding writer, Amber Ruffin, will quickly recognize her wit and honesty when it comes to dealing with racism. At times I laughed so hard I had to stop reading, and other times I was heartbroken. But nothing so clearly defines that subtle racism than simply retelling the events. The perfect primer on racism today.
— Jamie
Once there was a young girl who found and became friends with a mysterious seed. After the seed was taken away by the politicians, she slowly began to glow green... and became known as the adopted daughter of death. An AfricanFuturism fairy tale or myth, Remote Control is a coming-of-age story of death, grief, humanity, technology, and something not quite human. Beautifully written, it's a story to make you slow down and think.
— Lindsey
There is something for everyone in this collection of poems; whether you are a poet, a fan or just looking for writing that inspires. Margaret Atwood draws you into her world through her verse, ranging from earthy nature musings, to exploring the lives of werewolves and aliens! This collection is pure Atwoodian. Who knows, perhaps reading a poem a day will inspire our lives in a new way!
— Tonya
The Violence Inside Us evokes difficult conversations regarding gun violence. Only six years following his senate win, Chris Murphy was with the families grieving - right by their side - shortly after the attacks at Sandy Hook. Murphy has always been public about his views on gun violence and does an incredible job shining light on this issue that continues to grow in America. As a student who has practiced for years to hide in a corner once an alarm sounds, I hope that everyone reads this book. It truly is the best way to comprehend the epidemic—as Murphy describes it—that has become an issue out of hand.
— Jack
This thriller is written alternately from the points of view of popular social media influencer Emmy Jackson, her stressed out husband Dan, and the crazy follower who is plotting to kill her. It is dramatic and suspenseful with a touch of humor to lighten the tension. I’ll never look at social media the same way again.
— Laura B.
Barack Obama’s book, A Promised Land, is arguably one of the most anticipated and important books released in 2020—and even so, surpassed any expectation I had prior to reading. This book follows an extraordinary leader as he introduces opportunities for change while reflecting on his eight years in the oval office. More than ever, I believe it is crucial that everyone reads this book.
— Jack
A historical fiction set in England and involving a garden seemed an obvious choice for me. Well, it was all that and more and I loved it! Julia Kelly has woven the stories of strong women during three different times in the history of a garden created for an English country manor house in 1907. Venetia, Beth, Stella and Emma are just a few of the characters who live through the very real life issues of their times in history. The garden description is detailed and vivid and I can easily imagine myself walking through it. So beautifully written I never wanted it to end. Now to plan my garden...
— Laura B.
The saying “life imitates art” is a fitting description of the eleven days in December 1926, when promising young writer Agatha Christie disappeared, only to emerge with a claim of amnesia - a story as mysterious as one of her novels. Author Marie Benedict takes a deep dive into the lives of Agatha and her husband Archie with her compelling take on a mystery that has never been solved.
— Marilyn
This modern reimagining of Jane Eyre tells the story of Jane, a young woman with a secretive past living under an assumed name who works as a dog walker in a luxurious subdivision of Birmingham, Alabama, and has a penchant for stealing from her wealthy employers. When she meets the charming, rich, and recently widowed Eddie Rochester, who has his own dark secrets, they begin a whirlwind romance. But what really happened to Eddie’s first wife, the glamorous self-made millionaire Bea? Told from multiple points of view, this twisty, suspenseful take on a classic novel is perfect for fans of domestic thrillers.
— Marilyn
You know right from the start “who did it.” Lila Ridgefield killed her horrible high school math teacher husband; but, before his “apparent suicide” can be discovered, his body disappears. Now everyone wants to know where hometown hero Aaron has gone, his wife included. A quick read with back stories, suspects, and suspense aplenty.
— Laura B.
From the outside, Winnie, Nigel, and Samuel Crouch have the perfect family in the perfect home. Nobody would guess that they have a deep, dark secret. When Juno, a retired therapist, moves into their home, she doesn’t like the things she hears. Just when you think you know where this psychological thriller is going, it takes a sharp turn and leaves you on edge until the very end. Also, you probably won’t be able to ignore those strange house noises ever again!
— Laura B.
Oh, the atmosphere in this book! I love it. Spotswood has captured the flavor of a 1940s detective movie perfectly. The sharp, witty dialogue. The layout of the clues and how we find our way to whodunnit. And yet…how wonderful to have a diverse cast that reflects our contemporary world. I adore Willowjean “Will” Parker. Well done, Stephen Spotswood!
— Susan
Memorial explores the variety of forms human relationships can take with moments that wowed me. Bryan Washington brings the neighborhoods of Houston and the streets of Osaka, Japan alive in turn, populated with characters and emotions in which you’ll find beauty, conflict, and honesty. A stunning, memorable novel.
— Kelly
I have been a Beatles fan for over 50 years, and yet there are stories in Craig Brown’s witty and very entertaining biography of The Beatles that were new to me. From the legendary day in 1957 when Paul met John, to the band’s break-up in 1970, it’s all here, and then some. Beatles fans of all ages will love this book!
— Marilyn
Like its subject, this biography is expansive and entertaining, and rests on a solid body of research and experience. It offers a front row seat to the competitive world of food writing, the development of an American Cookery champion who incorporated his love of regional French cooking, as well as an insightful history of a gay man who struggled to live an authentic life even as the rules of secrecy and acceptance kept changing.
— Laura
There has never been a more perfect book for whipping up a simple but flavorful cake whenever craving hits. Each of the (many!) recipes I've made so far has been a hit, and the variations included for each fruity, toasty, or chocolatey cake mean that I have many more delicious taste tests in my future! Perfect for both aspiring and experienced bakers!
— Kelly
One of my favorite writers doing one of my favorite things: writing short stories. This is the first anthology of short stories from one of America’s most prolific, diverse, and entertaining writers. Mosley is so much more than a mystery writer.
— Andrew
Anthony Horowitz mysteries are beyond brilliant, so you must pay attention! A now dead mystery author has buried clues in his book (within this book) that lead to an unrelated, old murder case still to be solved. Twists and turns abound throughout, right up to the fantastic ending. I rank Mr. Horowitz on par with Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle - maybe better! Such diabolical talent!
— Julie
Poetry, photography, drawings, journalism, statistics, prose, and even stage directions point us toward the book's subtitle, An American Conversation. For Rankine, only an open, honest conversation on race can heal the wounds of our divided nation.
— Andrew
A fun and heartwarming read! I couldn’t wait to read each character’s choices for why they would go back in time, knowing that they couldn’t change the present, and how each of their visits changed them. I can’t stop telling everyone about this book!
— Terri
The protagonist in White Ivy, Ivy Lin, is unforgettable! She’s unlike any female anti-heroine I’ve read in a long time. Raised in a strict, low- income, Chinese immigrant family, Ivy strives to fit in with her well-to-do peers and even dabbles in deceit and thievery along the way to help her cause. A chance encounter with a former (wealthy) middle-school crush will change Ivy’s life forever - but not in the way she imagines. A fast-paced, entertaining read with an ending that will shock you!
— Sue
This enchanting novel tells the story of Beatrice, an 18-year-old girl with powerful magical abilities who longs to become a sorceress. But in her world, young women are part of a bargaining process of arranged marriages to increase family wealth. Once married, they are forced to wear a collar that cancels all of their powers while they are of child-bearing age. But Beatrice is determined to live by her own rules in this patriarchal society. Then, she falls in love. A magical story with a feminist message.
— Marilyn
Beatrice is a feisty, strong-willed young woman who wants nothing more than to become a mage, something forbidden of women in her society. At marriage, women are literally collared and strangled of their magic, something Beatrice is strongly against. I absolutely loved watching as she fights the patriarchy, while also falling in love with the rich and handsome Ianthe Lavan and befriending his sister Ysbeta, who joins Beatrice in a scheme to learn forbidden magic. Delightful, romantic, magical, hopeful, feminist - historical fantasy with a Regency theme. C. L. Polk is becoming of one of my favorite fantasy authors and this book just makes me love her more.
— Lindsey
What reads like an autobiography is part fact and part story, but it’s all real when you are trying to find your place that you can call home. An immigrant father and his American born son, both searching for a way to belong in the country of their choice, brings to light the many ways in which our country still needs to mend and heal ourselves post 9/11.
— Terri
It’s hard to imagine that a book about becoming a young widow could be hilarious but it is that, plus poignant, sad, and wonderful. Leslie’s warmth informs this memoir. We are with her as she shares her love story, her loss, and her grief. You finish this book thrilled to have “met” her and wishing her a future of love and well-being— what a woman!
— Roxanne
Salter has written many books with the late Senator McCain but in this one, it’s the real insider’s view. Kirkus described it one of best fly-on the wall political memoirs of recent memory—I would agree.
Reviewing the book, Jon Meacham said Franklin Roosevelt had Louis Howe and Harry Hopkins; JFK had Ted Sorenson and Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.; and John McCain had Mark Salter. Not bad! Salter takes that position as a confidant, advisor, and chief of staff to share the story of a life and a time that anyone interested in history, politics, and global affairs will be thrilled to read and receive as a gift. The last two chapters remind us of what we are capable of as leaders, as citizens, and as a country. A perspective we desperately need!
— Roxanne
This is definitely not Harry Potter! Wizarding school isn’t an honor (or a choice for that matter), and every day, just getting to class is a risk to your life. Oh, and don’t forget your dorm room opens onto a black hole (yes, you read that right – a real black hole!), so buckle your boots and get ready for another Naomi Novik wild ride!
— Terri
The Thursday Murder Club is a delightful British mystery, and the club in the title is a group of seniors in a retirement community who like to review cold cases. But then, of course, a murder occurs in their midst and they are on the case! There are plenty of skeletons coming out the closet along with that touch of British humor that we all love.
— Julie
A different sort of tell-all - David Chang describes his struggles with mental health in parallel with his journey as chef, restaurateur, friend, and family man. Consider the Libro.fm version told to you by the chef himself! Also, read or listen in conjunction with Chang's Netflix series, Ugly Delicious.
— Laura
When P. L. Travers, the author of Mary Poppins, asks you to write a story – you do! Maguire takes on another fairytale and sets it on end in this lovely tale of lost and finding. A lonely young girl being raised by her grandparents, a 1950’s Christmas season, and a mythical swan-boy are beautifully crafted into a tale that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.
— Terri
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