Staff Suggestions
Enjoy "browsing" our popular staff recommendations and feel as if you’re in the store talking to one of our knowledgable booksellers. Have fun, they’re addictive!
Wow! Once again, Colson Whitehead writes with brilliance! Based on the true story of a Florida reform school, he takes us inside the stories of the boys sent to live there in a fictionalized tale. At once devastating and thought provoking, The Nickel Boys kept me reading at a fast and furious pace. It takes talent, which Mr. Whitehead has, to expose horrors but not in a horrific way.
— Lori
A fascinating book like nothing I’ve read before. Lisa Taddeo “followed” 3 women for almost a decade. She tells their stories of desire, passion, and sex, and reveals the roles each of those things played in their lives. Although it’s not surprising, getting a raw view of the emotional effect made a lasting impression. This is an important book for sure!
— Lori
I have never stayed up all night reading a book until this one. The building anxiety of this masterpiece of suspense…just woah. Is this mother of two young children crazy? Is she suffering post-partum symptoms? OR is there legit an INTRUDER in her house, threatening the lives of her and her children, while her husband is away? This is a totally thrilling read, and yet, a commentary on the unrelenting anxiety that comes with motherhood. Read The Need now, thank me later.
— Liz
This ingenious and elegantly simple cake book will prove itself useful to you again and again. With a number of delicious and reliable components (and a chart to help you find the best combinations!), you'll have something incredible on the table in no time!
— Kelly
Evvie Drake is a young widow done grieving the death of her husband because, frankly, he wasn’t a nice guy. Dean Tenney, a famous “has been” pro baseball pitcher, has a serous case of the yips (yes, this is a real condition!). When Dean rents the apartment in Evvie’s house they become fast friends and experience several curve balls life throws at them.
NPR’s Linda Holmes has written an intelligent, heartfelt novel about loss, love and starting over. A truly refreshing read!
— Sue
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill will have you laughing out loud from start to finish. Nina Hill is one of the most hysterical, yet undeniably human, characters I have come across in fiction novels. Despite her multiple quirks, anxieties, and often guarded demeanor, Nina learns how to be simultaneously afraid and brave. She overcomes adversity through her self-deprecating humor and, of course, through her love for books. A fun and uplifting read!
— Nicole
Historical fiction with a liberal dash of sexy and snarky. Intrepid young Lulu Randolph is sent to the Bahamas, circa 1941, to write a gossip column, and who does she get involved with? The Duke and Duchess (Wallis Simpson) of Windsor. Stir in British agents, glamour and drama, and the arrival of WWII with a backstory set in 1900 Switzerland. It's all here....grab your beach chair and settle in for an engaging read.
— Barb
And they’re back! In the hilarious sequel to the bestselling Hope Never Dies, Obama and Biden, America’s newest crime-fighting duo, take to Obama’s home turf: the streets of Chicago. While Biden mills over a run for the presidency, Obama’s Blackberry is stolen. When the thief turns up dead, the two realize there’s more to this than meets the eye!
— Marilyn
The Toll is chock full of flawed, even unlikable characters.... in the best possible way. It's a ghost story, and a mystery, and the tale of a swamp and the thing that lives in it. A page-turner with an uncertain ending that I loved.
— Lindsey
With Atkinson's signature style, and characters with wry, sometimes self-deprecating, humor, this one had me from beginning to end. Though part of a series, this can and should be read alone; but be prepared to want to read more adventures of Jackson Brodie once you've finished this one. From one of my most favorite authors with mesmerizing style, this is a great read for anyone!
— Terri
Imagine receiving a phone call from someone who tells you they’ve kidnapped your child and in order to get him/her back you must kidnap another person’s child ... and once you've done that then your own will be released. If you don’t complete this task in 24 hours “The Chain” will be broken and your child will be murdered. One morning, Rachel O’Neill receives such a call and is forced to do the unthinkable to secure her daughter’s release and continue The Chain.
A nail-biting, page-turning thriller!
— Sue
I like apocalyptic books to show the downfall of society and not just the aftermath; and boy does Chuck Wendig deliver on that. Tackling intelligent AI, disease, climate change, survival, humanity, and faith, Wanderers follows a collection of characters as the world falls apart around them despite everything they do to try and stop it. At times hard to read, Wanderers is a terrifying and epic story that often feels like something that could take place tomorrow. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, I felt hope, despair, all the emotions, while reading this book. A ride I won't soon forget.
— Lindsey
Wanted: young, broke, single men/women to apartment sit in one of Manhattan’s oldest, most exclusive luxury buildings, complete with gargoyles. Pay: $4k a month. Rules: strictly enforced. Atmosphere: gothic and sinister. What could go wrong? Told in present time and flashbacks, this is a tense and creepy thriller, reminiscent of Rosemary’s Baby. If you love edge-of-your-seat suspense, this book is for you!
— Marilyn
Audrey, a young woman from Dallas with a passion for flying, finds herself on the island of Hawaii training pilots when the Pearl Harbor attack shocks the world. As a young woman, I am always looking for characters to admire and Audrey is definitely one of them. A determined, smart and independent woman who knows what she wants, she certainly was ahead of her time. The Flight Girls is filled with friendship and love during a troubling time in history and should be the next book you pick up!
— Bella
This will be your new favorite historical fiction! For fans of Pillars of the Earth, this takes us the 16th century France and the strife between the Catholics and the Huguenots. Finely crafted with a little bit of everything- war, intrigue, revenge, love, and betrayal- I couldn't stop reading! This new series will have you impatient for the next one!
— Terri
A wonderfully detailed familial tale spanning wartime Calabria, Italy, to current day Hartford, CT. I honestly thought this was non-fiction the whole time I was reading it. Grames has carved her characters in such fine detail, I wouldn't be surprised if I bumped into one on the street. A fantastic debut!
— Terri
After a long absence, FBI agent Nell Flynn returns home to Long Island when her father, a retired Homicide Detective, dies in a motorcycle accident. Upon arriving she is asked to help with an investigation into the gruesome murder of two young women; and, as her research in the case progresses, she uncovers a corrupt police force and the stunning revelation that her father may have been involved in some way...but how? A suspenseful read that will keep you guessing until the last page!
— Sue
“We were a perfectly normal family” begins this gripping Swedish noir thriller. Adam, a pastor, and Ulrika, a criminal defense attorney, find their world turned upside down when their 18-year-old daughter Stella is accused of murdering a man 15 years older. Cleverly told from the three perspectives of father, mother and daughter, this is both a murder mystery and legal thriller. One that asks - how far would you go to protect the ones you love?
— Marilyn
The Krakauer of anthropology, Kulick shares an intensely honest and personal account of his years spent in an isolated rainforest village. Told without romanticizing, this is ultimately a respectful view of a disappearing way of life.
— Laura
What a delightful and insightful memoir by the sartorially talented Tan France! I assumed Tan always had his act together, but his youth was of a bit of a messy search to find his passion. Understanding his struggles and hurdles makes me even more of a fan. If you haven’t watched the life affirming Queer Eye you need to read this book and catch up on all episodes!
— Julie
Avery and Sadie have been best friends in their small beach town for years, highly unusual in a place where locals, like Avery, rarely become friends with the wealthy summer residents. When Sadie is found dead, a suspected suicide, the divide between the “haves” and “have nots” widens. When everyone has secrets, who can you trust? A compelling mystery that will keep you guessing!
— Marilyn
Time acts like water in this tale of the Mediterranean, shifting shape, filling in gaps, pulling up what was forgotten, dragging down what is expected, bringing new life and meaning as past and present stories mingle. Fans of Marc Haddon will be pleased and yet completely surprised by his marvelous, deft storytelling.
— Laura
This coming-of-age story follows the four Levin siblings as they navigate the turbulent summer of ‘69, each with their own secrets. The Vietnam War rages on, man walks on the moon, a car crashes into the water off Chappaquiddick, and demonstrators take to the streets across the country. You’ll be transported back in time as song titles from the year open each chapter. A great summer read!
— Marilyn
In 1939, Montauk, Long Island is the ideal summer destination for Manhattan’s elite. Beatrice Bordeaux hopes that her summer will be a relaxing departure from her extravagant city lifestyle, but instead, she encounters long-held secrets and a certain individual who will change the course of her life forever. Harrison’s debut novel makes you feel like you’re in Montauk yourself, enjoying the glamor of its lavish Manor and serene beaches, while thrown into the midst of all of the underlying scandal. Montauk is the perfect summer beach read!
— Nicole
From the creator of BoJack Horseman, this exceptionally unique and witty collection of love stories oozes Bob-Waksberg's sense of bleak whimsy. Perfectly suited for anyone who hides their romantic side with cynicism, these stories will have you laughing through painfully relatable moments and crying in the midst of hilariously absurd situations. Brilliant!
— Kelly
Two very different stories of life from young girls in Escobar’s Bogotá Columbia. Miiddle-class girl Chula, is trying to figure out why the army kills innocent people and claims they are guerillas, while Petrona, the live-in maid, wonders why there are no choices for her family other than drug running or death. The brilliant first-person narrative is a conversation that you are completely invested in and question long after the book ends.
— Carlene
What starts off as a kidnapping mystery turns into a stunning novel told through interconnecting short stories. Julia Phillips’ debut novel is remarkable in its detail and nuance. Stunning! – Sharon
In West Mills had me hooked as soon as I read the first page. The main character, Knot, has an unapologetic and self-assertive approach to life, which makes her reminiscent of the main protagonists in classic novels such as Kate Chopin's The Awakening and Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes were Watching God. Knot is a force to be reckoned with in her mid-20th century rural North Carolina society, and she deliberately rejects any and all predetermined expectations of a woman. In West Mills explores the intersectionality of race and gender, while also redefining the meaning of the word "family." Winslow's debut novel is a must-read.
— Nicole
When Ed Malinowski and his wife, Laura, moved to Boulder, Montana, for Ed's job at a mental institution, neither of them knew what to expect. Laura did not expect the loneliness that soon pervades her life as her husband continues to prioritize his job. Likewise, Ed certainly did not expect the palpable connection that he forms with one of his patients, Penelope, a witty teenager suffering from epilepsy. The Behavior of Love explores the tribulations of marriage and unpredictable romances in unpredictable places.
— Nicole
This is the perfect novel to pick up for a summer read. Forty-year-old May, living with her dad and working as a gardener, is realizing the isolation that surrounds her. Receiving unexpected time off from work- she makes a big decision to visit the four closest friends she has had in life, searching for meaning, self reflection, and friendship. In a world of superficial internet relationships, May connects us all to the importance of in person connections and to the fullness in nature’s silence.
— Tonya
When choosing who to spend your life with, you may not always know the back story of what made them who they are. But, what if you did know and chose to be with them regardless? I found Ask Again, Yes thought provoking, engrossing, and quite moving. Two families, neighbors with crisscrossed lives in a multitude of ways, endure an unthinkable tragedy. The characters, each impacted in their own way, stayed with me long after I closed the book.
— Lori
Magical heists? Yes, please! An Illusion of Thieves is an incredibly fun fantasy about Romy, the ex-mistress of the Shadow Lord, and her brother Neri, an impulsive young man who gets them both into a dangerous situation. In order to fight for their survival, and possibly saved thousands of other lives, Romy and Neri enlist the help of two other magically inclined friends to help them with a dangerous heist. I loved the character development and world building! The heist is fun as well, and although this book is a complete story there is definitely and indication that more adventure is on its way. Can’t wait to see where this group of characters end up next!
— Lindsey
This has quickly become my "go to" cookbook. Fresh flavors, new techniques, and helpful extras, including a fabulous salad dressing grid, have all refreshed my dinner options. Yum!
— Laura
This captivating novel is based on the true story of Blanche and Claude Auzello, who ran the Ritz Paris during the Nazi occupation of WWII. A tale of love and loyalty, courage and survival, and the cost of long-held secrets set during a period of history that was glamorous as well as terrifying.
— Barb
Magical and heartbreaking, this enchanting coming-of-age story takes place off the coast of British Columbia. How do certain scents evoke specific memories? Emmeline's unique talents will be challenged when her sheltered world falls apart and she must face the real world.
— Barb
Julie Orringer is one of our finest young writers, and her latest book is further evidence of her talent. Her research of Varian Fry, a real life American who traveled to Marseille and managed to escort renowned writers and artists out of Nazi occupied France, is meticulous. She mixes facts of Fry's life with fiction to create a riveting historical novel encompassing espionage, love affairs, mystery, and incredible bravery.
— Roxanne
Barely into the first chapter, I set aside everything else I was reading or listening to so I could read this all the way through. Smith’s well thought out plan to change or world for the better by changing how we grow and eat is so simple, it’s genius. Even before I finished it (and OMG it includes the recipes!), I was ready to start my own farm. I’m ordering several copies and will be giving them to everyone I know!
— Terri
While these exquisite short stories are all grounded in the real world, they take the reader beyond the expected, into imaginatively off-kilter circumstances. Russell is a master of weaving together imagery and language into a remarkable tapestry, while delicately maintaining the fundamental relatability of her stories. A truly impressive and transfixing collection that pushes the boundaries of fiction in the most satisfying ways.
— Kelly
Ali Smith's Seasonal Quartet continues with another singular, timely installment. Masterfully intersecting seemingly disparate storylines, Smith comments on the current political landscape in Britain (and the world!) through the circumstances of her uniquely human characters. Humorous, heartfelt, full of biting commentary, and wonderfully written, there are no books better at thoughtfully capturing the times we live in today than Smith's.
— Kelly
Heartthrob First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz and the dashing Henry, Prince of Wales, are sworn enemies. Forced to pretend they are best buddies after an embarrassing incident involving an 8-tier cake at a royal wedding makes tabloid headlines, they bond, and they fall in love. This book is clever, sexy, and funny, yet so full of hope that I wanted to stand up and cheer!
— Marilyn
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