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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
back shelf books has commented on (23) products
One That Got Away with Murder
by
Trish Lundy
back shelf books
, April 24, 2024
The One That Got Away With Murder is a great read for fans of Holly Jackson and Karen McManus. If you’re looking for a dark and twisty high school mystery, give this book a try. It’s a well-written debut, and I predict we’ll see a lot more from this author in the future. This book has a lot of dark themes, so I recommend looking into content warnings before jumping in. Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy!
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Lies My Teacher Told Me
by
James W Loewen
back shelf books
, April 10, 2024
5/5 Stars for the intended audience (students, educators, and as supplemental history reading). Personal rating of 4/5 stars. In a classroom, library, or homeschool setting, Lies My Teacher Told Me would probably be devoured over and over. It has excellent art, thorough topics, and fascinating stories. Thanks to the publisher for an advanced review copy!
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The Main Character
by
Jaclyn Goldis
back shelf books
, April 10, 2024
The Main Character is a twisty thriller with shocking turns I didn't see coming. The final few twists were some of the most jaw-dropping ones I've ever read. If you enjoy thrillers but hate when they come with unlikeable characters, I think you'll enjoy The Main Character. While there are a couple of unlikeable side characters, I liked Rory and most of the other characters. If you enjoy atmospheric settings, you need this book on your shelf. This would be the ultimate beach read, but it would also be a great read for a rainy day or any day you want to escape to sunny Europe. Thanks to the publisher for an ARC!
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Lake of Souls The Collected Short Fiction
by
Ann Leckie
back shelf books
, April 03, 2024
If you’re at all interested in Ann Leckie’s work, you need Lake of Souls. If you like science fiction, you absolutely need to read this collection. I’m now completely obsessed with Leckie’s witty brand of writing, and I can’t wait to pick up more of her work. My favorites were "Lake of Souls," "The Justified," "Hesperia and Glory,” and “The Sad History of the Tearless Onion.” Thanks to Orbit for providing me with an advanced reading copy!
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The Black Girl Survives in This One: Horror Stories
by
Desiree S Evans, Saraciea J Fennell, Tananarive Due
back shelf books
, April 01, 2024
The Black Girl Survives in This One is such a stacked anthology. Each story is thrilling and eerie, but no two stories are alike. Because so many different writers are involved with this anthology, the horror stories come from nearly every conceivable horror subgenre. Also, the stories turn so many classic horror tropes on their head. A haunted house? It’s in the book! A cornfield? Oh, yes. A creepy theater? YEP. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy!
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Where Sleeping Girls Lie
by
Faridah Abike Iyimide
back shelf books
, March 26, 2024
This is such a powerful young adult book. There are more mysteries in Sade's boarding school than you can count, but Àbíké-Íyímídé manages to collate them nicely into an organized, concise story. There are teenagers solving crimes in this book, but these aren't the perfect young detectives you might expect. These are flawed, anxious, and imperfect heroes. Sade and her friends are so easy to love, even when they're unreliable. Where Sleeping Girls Lie tackles the patriarchy, sexual assault, and institutions that protect boys over girls. It's diverse, has incredible representation, and is full of great friendships. I loved it. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
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Draw Down the Moon
by
P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
back shelf books
, March 23, 2024
Do you love urban fantasy? Magical school settings? How about a chosen one trope? A potentially evil school leader? Draw Down the Moon has all that and more. This combination of tropes is like catnip for me. Sure, it sounds a lot like Harry Potter. And, yes, it's not exactly groundbreaking material. But Draw Down the Moon is fun and full of hijinks, friendship, and magic, and that's what I love in my young adult fantasy. Thanks to the publisher for the arc!
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Like Happiness
by
Ursula Villarreal Moura
back shelf books
, March 22, 2024
5 huge stars - Like Happiness is a fiery rebuke of fame and a thorough examination of what it’s like to be under the thumb of a cult of personality. While it’s not comfortable to think about, patriarchal men in power sometimes create disposable young women, using and abusing the women in their path. The final twist of the Like Happiness is shocking and couldn’t have been better. Thanks to the publisher for an arc!
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Cascade Failure (Ambit's Run #1)
by
L. M. Sagas
back shelf books
, March 17, 2024
5 stars - If you've ever thought the movie "Alien" would be cool even if it didn't have the face-sucking monsters, then you need to read this book. Cascade Failure, with its imperfect characters, witty dialogue, and messy relationships, hits all the right notes. I adored this book for its chaotic space missions and band-of-misfits vibes. Add in space corporatization and a mysterious programmer, and this has all the markings of being a perfect read. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
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The Last Bloodcarver (Last Bloodcarver Duology #1)
by
Vanessa Le
back shelf books
, March 08, 2024
5 stars - Holy moly, I loved this book. Nhika is such a powerful character, and the murder mystery that unravels throughout The Last Bloodcarver is incredible. The magic of the bloodcarvers is unlike anything I've ever read, and I loved that it was based on healing and a form of medicine. Nhika is also just trying to find her place in the world and see where she can belong with her gifts. Ven Kochin represents everything Nhika doesn't have; unlike Nhika, he fits in with the upper echelon of Theumas. Their rivals-to-lovers romance is so delightful, and slow-burn lovers will enjoy the journey. The Last Bloodcarver is easily one of my favorite young adult books of the year so far. Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advanced listening copy! All the above thoughts are my own.
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Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh
by
Claudia Gray
back shelf books
, March 08, 2024
Jonathan Darcy and Miss Tilney are invited to Lady Catherine's estate to help solve the mystery of who is trying to kill Lady Catherine. Jonathan Darcy and Miss Tilney arrive at the estate, along with their fathers, and begin their investigation. The mystery itself was pretty good! I enjoyed seeing some of the characters from Pride and Prejudice that I loved and loved to hate. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC!
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Heartbreak Incorporated
by
Alex de Campi
back shelf books
, March 07, 2024
Heartbreak Incorporated is sexy, thrilling, and full of surprises. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy paranormal romances and cinnamon-roll monsters. I would love more in this world – especially in comic format. This novel gets spicy so definitely be prepared for that. However, de Campi also delves into constructs like gender, sexuality, and performativity in smart and thoughtful ways. I do think it could have been tighter and more structured, but I enjoyed it overall! Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy!
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Camino Ghosts
by
John Grisham
back shelf books
, March 02, 2024
Camino Ghosts is heart-wrenching and powerful. With a remarkable story and a mystery that borders on the speculative, Camino Ghosts is one of Grisham’s finest works yet. I know Dark Isles, Nalla, and Lovely will stay with me for quite some time. Thanks to Doubleday for providing me with an advanced review copy! All the above thoughts are my own.
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Wolfpitch
by
Balazs Lorinczi
back shelf books
, February 26, 2024
Wolfpitch is a delicious and pitch-perfect YA graphic novel. With an impressive combination of diverse women, friendships, competition, music, and milkshakes, there's not more you could want. Not to mention, it completely made my day when I read it. The art is accessible for newer graphic novel readers, making Wolfpitch an excellent addition to school libraries and classrooms. It's also just a fun and cozy read that I would recommend to anyone and everyone. Thanks to the Top Shelf for providing me with an advanced review copy!
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Ghostlore Volume 1
by
Cullen Bunn
back shelf books
, February 25, 2024
Ghostlore, Vol. 1 is horror of the intense and cerebral variety. I tore through Ghostlore's family drama and Lovecraftian horror and loved every second. Ghostlore is about the ghosts we hide, the sadness lurking in small towns, and the pain only family can inflict. The serialized nature of the ghost stories works extremely well, especially in these first few issues. I'm excited to see how that format plays out throughout the series as a whole. Rating - 4.5 Stars Thanks to the BOOM! for providing me with an advanced review copy! All the above thoughts are my own.
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One of Our Kind
by
Nicola Yoon
back shelf books
, February 23, 2024
One of Our Kind is a shining example of speculative fiction. It's eerie and powerful, with a building intensity to the very end. This is the perfect book for fans of Jordan Peele's horror films and those who enjoy a genre-blending read. Though I think it could have been a bit tighter in sections, this will definitely be a buzzed-about book this year. Thanks to Knopf for providing me with an advanced review copy! All the above thoughts are my own.
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Brzrkr: Bloodlines
by
Keanu Reeves and Mattson Tomlin
back shelf books
, February 22, 2024
BRZRKR: Bloodlines, Vol. 1 collects two standalone issues: Poetry of Madness and Fallen Empire. While I've been familiar with BRZRKR for a while now, I haven't read any of the main BRZRKR comics yet. These standalone issues, and now the Bloodlines volume, are a great way to experience BRZRKR for the first time. These issues are great alone, but they work even better juxtaposed against each other in this collected volume. Pick up BRZRKR: Bloodlines, Volume 1 for a violent romp, quick read, and great fun. BRZRKR is for fans of action-adventure and intense fantasy. Thanks to BOOM! for providing me with an advanced review copy. All of the above thoughts are my own.
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Cursed Cruise
by
Victoria Fulton, Faith McClaren
back shelf books
, February 22, 2024
I accidentally jumped into Cursed Cruise without reading Horror Hotel. Luckily, this follow-up is more of a standalone than a direct sequel. There are callbacks to Horror Hotel, but they are quickly explained and not relied on for the main plot. This book was so much fun! The horror in Cursed Cruise is spot-on for a young adult novel - it's creepy with some horror moments, but it has very few jump scares and no overt gore or body horror. I loved the friendship vibes and thought the group dynamics worked well. My only complaint is that I wish it had a buffer friend in the group who wasn't paired up romantically with someone else. I would have loved a Shaggy-like character in this Scooby-Doo gang. Thanks to RHCB for providing me with an advanced review copy! All the above thoughts are my own.
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I Feel Awful Thanks
by
Lara Pickle
back shelf books
, February 21, 2024
If you're looking for a lovely book with great friendships and a focus on mental health, look no further. I Feel Awful, Thanks is incredibly wholesome with a great message. This is a perfect read for the upper-YA and post-YA crowd, but it's a great read for adults as well. Pickle does a great job at making mental health feel more normalized and less stigmatized, which is still lacking in society. I Feel Awful, Thanks also has a great side plot of romance and a heavy dose of an awful boss. What more could you want?
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Three Eight One
by
Aliya Whiteley
back shelf books
, February 20, 2024
From the beginning of Three Eight One, I couldn’t stop reading. I read it in the vet’s office, from the front seat of countless car rides, and in stolen moments before bed. I found myself constantly wanting to know what came next. Whiteley has created a speculative masterpiece. When you think you have it figured out, the next chapter completely changes the shape of the characters and alters the narrative structure. Three Eight One is easily one of the best genre-blending speculative books I have read, and I have no doubt it will be one of my favorite books of the year. Three Eight One is a story about being on the precipice of adulthood. It’s about making decisions, sometimes regretting those decisions, and learning about yourself in the process. It’s about chasing away your demons, running away from them, and learning you are better off living with them in the end. I loved this novel. I wouldn’t be surprised to find this among my top reads of the year come December. Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy. All the above thoughts are my own.
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The Warm Hands of Ghosts
by
Katherine Arden
back shelf books
, February 16, 2024
The Warm Hands of Ghosts is heart-wrenching, slow-paced, and methodical. It is crushingly character-driven. This book tucks itself nicely between Literary Fiction and Historical Fiction, only springing the speculative elements once readers have dug themselves far enough into the story to not want to leave. Like Faland, The Warm Hands of Ghosts captures the reader in a dream-like state and refuses to let go. Many people have noted content warnings for PTSD, but I'll specify that's for all PTSD, not just PTSD caused by war. I'll also add a content warning for severe mental illness in general. I was crying like a baby in the final five or so chapters because I related so deeply to the mental illness discussions. In the end, this was a healing book for me. Laura, Freddie, Winter, Jones, and Pim will stick with me forever. Thanks to Del Rey for providing me with an advanced review copy. All the above thoughts are my own.
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Case of the Missing Men Hobtown Mystery Stories Vol 01
by
Kris Bertin, Alexander Forbes
back shelf books
, February 15, 2024
The Case of the Missing Men is weird and subversive, adding an uncanny twist to a story steeped in nostalgia. Somehow Missing Men manages to be 312 pages with very few, if any, stumbles or misses. With a cover that oozes a pulpy vibe and calls on classic Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books, The Case of the Missing Men delivers on all fronts. It’s simultaneously a cozy teenage mystery and a darkly bizarre supernatural fête. The Case of the Missing Men is for everyone who grew up on Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, especially those who thought, “Hey, why are so many weird things happening to these kids?” It's also perfect for those who gobbled up shows like Riverdale, The Society, Twin Peaks, and classic Veronica Mars. If you enjoy irreverent Weird Fiction, you’ll want to join the Hobtown crew. I’ll be sitting here eagerly awaiting more in this series. Thanks to Oni Press for providing me with an advanced review copy. All the above thoughts are my own.
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A Tempest of Tea
by
Hafsah Faizal
back shelf books
, February 09, 2024
A Tempest of Tea is a multicultural powerhouse. There are characters of all colors and from all walks of life. Characters frequently discuss imperialism, colonialism, and racism. Unfortunately, A Tempest of Tea has a lot of tropes that bog down these themes. All the following tropes appear in heavy doses: a love triangle, enemies to lovers, vampires, “touch her and die,” and “she’s under my protection now.” I’m not against tropes, but they were heavily done here and never seemed to stop. When A Tempest of Tea was about a devious tea house and secret vampire bloodhouse, it so worked for me. When there were conversations about colonialism and trade and imperialism, it was incredible. When it reduced itself to pandering tropes, it lost me. This wasn’t a perfect read for me, but I enjoyed it. If you like historical fantasy, YA romantasy, or books with vampires and colonialism, A Tempest of Tea will suit you just fine. Thanks to Macmillan Audio for an advanced review copy! All thoughts are my own.
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