Robin Robinson
[isbn]
Portland author Robin Robinson wrote and illustrated this fantasy graphic novel. Adventure awaits goblin sisters Pella, the thrill-seeker, and Bix, the reluctant adventurer. Stunning, fantastical illustrations take the reader on a trip though the enchanted forest, a wondrous land filled with demigods and monsters, alongside the compelling Pella and Bix. Perfect for ages eight and up.
Recommended by Kim T.
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Megan Wagner Lloyd, Michelle Mee Nutter
[isbn]
Maggie’s 10th birthday is coming up and she is super excited to get a dog (who wouldn’t be!). Sadly, she discovers she’s allergic to anything with fur or feathers, and breaks out in hives with her new pup. Maggie’s experiences are relatable, and her resilience is a good lesson for anyone who finds themselves allergic to just about anything. This semiautobiographical graphic novel is perfect for ages eight and up.
Recommended by Kim T.
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Sandra Boynton
[isbn]
Sandra Boynton is a favorite author in my household. In Woodland Dance!, she introduces a new set of forest-dwelling characters and their magical, musical woodland home. I know already that there will be many pajama dance parties in my immediate future!
Recommended by McKenzie W.
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John Koenig
[isbn]
It is only fitting that I would struggle to describe a book like The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. It's a dictionary, a work of art, a song. It wanders through ideas and images like an infinitely scrolling collage. It makes me cry at times, laugh at others, miss the things I have lost, yearn for the moments that haven't happened yet. Give this book to the readers, the artists, the dreamers in your life. I hope they love it as much as I... (read more)
Recommended by McKenzie W.
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Dorie Greenspan, Mark Weinberg
[isbn]
A Dorie Greenspan recipe is one that you can make successfully on the first try. Her recipes are simple and straightforward, easy to read and follow, and the end result is invariably incredible. In this new book, she gives us new recipes for classic items. I'll be baking my way through this book all winter long!
Recommended by McKenzie W.
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Sang Young Park, Anton Hur
[isbn]
We’re in a real renaissance of great Korean literature being translated into English. Sang Young Park has continued that trend, but opened up a window into a milieu I’ve never seen depicted before: contemporary queer life in Seoul. His book is revealing, moving, and beautiful.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Brent Spiner, Jeanne Darst
[isbn]
Brent Spiner, the actor who portrayed the beloved android Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation, pens this fictional memoir of his time on the show. It’s a delightful whodunit full of laugh-out-loud moments, twists, turns, and heart. I read the book in one sitting — it’s that entertaining. The perfect gift for the Star Trek fan in your life!
Recommended by Matt K.
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Philipp Dettmer
[isbn]
As someone living with an autoimmune disease, I've long had a love-hate relationship with my immune system, but I've rarely thought about the system as a whole. Dettmer rectified that. Immune is an engrossing illustrated primer on the wonders and horrors of the immune system that will leave you with a new appreciation for the human body.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Fukiharu Toshimitsu , Bone Eugenia
[isbn]
Mushrooms are having a moment (or maybe are always en vogue in the Pacific Northwest). These gorgeous illustrations from the 18th and 19th centuries are captivating, whether you're a fan of fungi in the culinary, scientific, or strictly aesthetic realm.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Random House
[isbn]
The 1619 Project from The New York Times, as conceived of by Nikole Hannah-Jones, is one of the most influential undertakings in journalism in recent years. And it was met, in many places, with an angry backlash; making this book-length expansion as vital and important as volumes of history get.
Recommended by Keith M.
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David Graeber, David Wengrow
[isbn]
David Graeber passed away in 2020, but before his untimely death he left us with this final gift. Expertly finished by his coauthor David Wengrow, The Dawn of Everything reimagines the human story from its earliest beginnings. Easily one of my favorite books of the year, every chapter left me with something to chew over. This is one of those books that will challenge you to reconsider everything.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Jason Reynolds, Raul the Third
[isbn]
With a vibrant visual and textual flair, Jason Reynolds and Raúl the Third have created an entrancing fusion of image and text in this story that sensitively depicts a difficult and confusing situation with just the right amount of whimsy and pathos.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Haruki Murakami, Philip Gabriel
[isbn]
I'm a sucker for a thoughtful collection, and Haruki Murakami is (despite his own preface claiming indifference) a very thoughtful collector. With photos of his T-shirts accompanied by short essays of associated memories, this is the perfect book for a slightly snoopy fan, or anyone who likes to ponder how printed clothing accumulates in your wardrobe and what it adds up to.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Rebecca Solnit
[isbn]
A contemplation on the life of one of the 20th century's greatest essayists, journalists, and truth-tellers by one of the 21st century's greatest? I'm in! I dropped everything on my TBR with plans to fly through it in a weekend, but quickly slowed down because this is an adroit, scholarly collection that deserves to be savored with deliberative reflection.
Recommended by Emily B.
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AI WEIWEI , Allan H Barr
[isbn]
A powerful and absorbing look at life in China before, during, and after the Cultural Revolution. Whether you are familiar with his work as an artist, human rights activist, and dissident or not, Weiwei will leave you with a new understanding of the importance of art, particularly in the face of repression.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Shea Serrano, Arturo Torres
[isbn]
All the books in the And Other Things series are like the best kind of road trip conversations, when everyone is at their funniest and smartest and willing to dive deep into seemingly silly pop culture debates. Hip Hop (And Other Things) is no exception. Shea is perfect, Arturo is perfect, these essays will give you new (and sometimes goofy) ways to appreciate some top-tier musical greats.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Angela Chen
[isbn]
Angela Chen shares a set of feelings and experiences — her own and others' — that are under-expressed and under-explored, and that is a tremendously valuable project. It's truly above and beyond that she does it so smartly, making this book both delightful and essential.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Joy Harjo
[isbn]
Adroitly combining poetry and prose, Harjo details her journey from leaving home as a teenager to escape abuse to becoming a celebrated poet and teacher. Compassionate, wise, and lyrical, Poet Warrior details Harjo's love of words and her deep connection with the world around her.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Questlove
[isbn]
A fascinating look at the connections between music and history, filled with lists, personal anecdotes, and a wide-ranging collection of music. Questlove chooses one song for each year and then comments on his choice. His encyclopedic knowledge of musical history makes this a fun and informative read.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Charlotte Higgins, Chris Ofili
[isbn]
Using tapestry as framework and metaphor, Higgins draws her retellings from imaginary textiles the female characters are weaving. A cunning and intriguing structure that allows for beautiful illustrations (and nods to the centrality of weaving in Greek mythology), Greek Myths is for lovers of Madeline Miller, Pat Barker, and D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Sarah Ruhl
[isbn]
Perhaps it’s because Sarah Ruhl is a genius playwright that the voice of her memoir about motherhood and illness is so wise and true and generous. This is such a beautiful and important book; I know it will be a tremendously helpful and profound reading experience for many.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Joe Pera, Joe Bennett
[isbn]
Joe Pera has written the sweetest, softest, funniest book to address everyday social anxiety. Please consider picking up this gentle book if you've ever appreciated a small room with a lock as a short-lived safe haven from social obligations or responsibilities — or if you just want to be surprised by your own chuckles while reading a very good and kind illustrated guide.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Angela Dimayuga, Ligaya Mishan, Alex Lau
[isbn]
Is Filipinx the perfect cookbook? Every recipe is mouthwatering, every page is gorgeous and informative. I feel incredibly lucky that Dimayuga has shared these tasty dishes, made them accessible (even for a so-so cook like myself), and brought so much joy to my kitchen table. Be prepared to cook through the whole book.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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David Sedaris
[isbn]
The voyeur in me loves to peek inside the daily life of a stranger, especially one who writes with such humor, sarcasm, and whimsy. With this second volume of diary entries, we embark on the daily adventures and observations of a more seasoned, more experienced David Sedaris. The hilarity of the everyday is still there — newspapers blowing across the street, overheard conversations in cafes or airplanes, HOA meetings in Paris — but there is also... (read more)
Recommended by McKenzie W.
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Mac Barnett, Carson Ellis
[isbn]
A child sets out on a journey to understand the nature of love but finds that the answer to his question looks very different from person to person. I am so delighted to see this team-up! Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis have been rocking the picture book world separately for years and this first project from them as a creative duo is a gentle, sweetly humorous, and always heartfelt joy.
Recommended by Sarah R.
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Jonathan Franzen
[isbn]
If you've never read Jonathan Franzen's fiction, you may be surprised by how insightful and moving Crossroads is. If you're a fan, you'll see a new humbleness and empathy in his writing that makes this story of a family in crisis in the early 1970s Franzen's best book yet.
Recommended by Adam P.
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Dave Grohl
[isbn]
The Storyteller recreates Dave Grohl’s journey as a child in Springfield, Virginia, learning to play the guitar at 12, and then joining the DC punk band Scream at 17 and a little three-piece band called Nirvana in 1990. Grohl’s path with the Foo Fighters, his activism in gun control and LGBTQ+ rights, and experiences raising a family while on the road are all explored in this highly anticipated collection of essays by a talented and... (read more)
Recommended by Kim T.
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DK
[isbn]
It is a truth universally acknowledged that there is nothing cooler than dinosaurs. Compiled with beautiful illustrations, fossil photography, and teeming with Triassic trivia to wow your friends, your bookshelf (and my 7-year-old self) deserve this fourth volume in the unbelievably stunning DK Anthology series.
Recommended by Sarah R.
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Louise Gluck
[isbn]
I am overjoyed to have a new collection from Nobel Laureate Louise Glück! These poems are beautiful and haunting, and I have many rereads ahead of me as I continue to engage with their language and consider their depths.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Mo Willems
[isbn]
Mo Willems proves once again that he is a true master of the picture book, this time with an invitation to explore opposites with abstract ideas, clever comparisons, and eye-popping color. The thoughtful prompts Willems provides will have readers, young and old, looking at the world with curiosity and wonder.
Recommended by Sarah R.
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Daniel Levy, Eugene Levy
[isbn]
Schitt’s Creek is basically universal: almost everyone I know reveres this show as much as I do. It was essential 2020 comfort watching (or re-watching). I’m so glad this book exists, because I feel like that needs to be celebrated.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Nick Offerman
[isbn]
Join Nick Offerman, Jeff Tweedy, and George Saunders on a journey to Glacier National Park. Offerman’s observations about conservation, history, and geology, and humorous musings about the area, will make you feel like you’re right alongside him, selecting gear from REI, sipping on coffee, and smelling the fresh air together with your pals.
Recommended by Kim T.
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Rick Riordan
[isbn]
Riordan’s first standalone delves into a more modern “myth” — 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Ana Dakkar, descendant of Captain Nemo, is a freshman at the famed Harding-Pencroft Marine Academy. When tragedy strikes, she and her friends (a diverse cast that highlights Riordan’s commitment to representation in fiction, and also an orangutan chef) may be the only ones who can save the day!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Susan Orlean
[isbn]
From tigers as household pets to show dogs, backyard chickens, and one very famous whale, Orlean is in fine form in this collection of essays detailing our various relationships to animals. As always, her prose is insightful, informative, and full of incisive metaphors.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Richard Powers
[isbn]
Powers’s author note made me cry, and its simple, astonishing empathy for children and the natural world only strengthens with each page of this beautifully wrought, difficult story about a loving father and raging son grieving for the Earth and its inhabitants.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Billy Porter
[isbn]
As satisfying as celebrity memoirs can get, Porter’s story of childhood trauma and struggle slowly evolving into a rewarding and much-decorated Broadway and TV career hits all the right notes.
Recommended by Moses M.
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Andrea Beaty, David Roberts
[isbn]
A new friend for the Questioneers! Aaron Slater dreams of telling stories but his struggles with reading and writing make him fear it’s impossible. Can some imagination and inspiration help Aaron tell a story that’s all his own? Full of joyful art, earnest encouragement, and the most fun story time rhymes around, here is another excellent addition to this wonderful series.
Recommended by Sarah R.
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Miriam Toews
[isbn]
How my bookseller heart leapt when I heard there was a new Miriam Toews novel on the horizon! This tender, funny family portrait, narrated by nine-year-old Swiv in a letter to her estranged father, had me in stitches and in tears and introduced me to a grandmother I won’t soon forget.
Recommended by Tove H.
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Hiromi Kawakami and Ted Goossen
[isbn]
People From My Neighborhood marries small-town drama with magical realism in a series of interconnected flash fiction vignettes. Every person in this neighborhood could inspire a book of their own, but the glimpses we’re afforded here, in Kawakami’s spare and agile prose, make for a beguiling (and quick!) read.
Recommended by Tove H.
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Jeff Kinney
[isbn]
I’m old enough to remember when book #1 came out; I was a bookseller at the time (I really am old!) and so it’s no surprise to me that the series is still going strong so many years later. Now that there’s a TV show, too, Greg really is a big shot (you probably shouldn’t tell him, though).
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Wanda M Morris
[isbn]
Ellice Littlejohn is a corporate attorney in Atlanta, who goes into the office for a meeting and finds her boss dead. She is offered his job, but can she trust the others in the executive circle? This debut thriller is a page-turner full of twists you won’t see coming.
Recommended by Jennifer H.
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Kate Dicamillo, Sophie Blackall
[isbn]
Anything DiCamillo writes is gold, but her newest fantasy tale, replete with gorgeous illustrations by Sophie Blackall, has a particularly brilliant shine. From the glorious opening chapter on the delightfully vicious Answelica the goat, I was hooked. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will walk away filled with the importance of sharing stories and love.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Anthony Doerr
[isbn]
I’m not sure how Anthony Doerr made this beautiful novel simultaneously epic and intimate, but he did. It’s also impressively imaginative, hopeful, and a glorious celebration of the power of books and stories. Just what I needed.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Cecily Wong and Dylan Thuras and Atlas Obscura
[isbn]
For me, this extended period of “stay-at-home" has nourished an insatiable wanderlust. The greatest pleasures in traveling — both food and knowledge — are laid on the table in the brilliantly photographed Gastro Obscura. Leaf through this tome to discover beer made from fog, the delicacies of Delaware, and a fake banana, among other wonders.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Dav Pilkey
[isbn]
I love Dave Pilkey’s newest series, which really focuses on how fostering creativity can help us in all aspects of our lives. Also, it shows just how much fun it is to make — and read — your own comics.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Joshua McFadden, Martha Holmberg
[isbn]
The chef who changed the vegetable game with Six Seasons is back with a whole book devoted to the weird whole grains that beckon in the bulk aisle only to languish in the pantry. From crunchy quinoa tempura to sweet and savory takes on barley, Grains for Every Season is inventive, beautiful, and will get your hungry butt in the kitchen faster than you can say, “kamut pilaf.”
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Amor Towles
[isbn]
Few book releases make me as happy as a new Amor Towles release because few books make me as happy as every novel he’s ever written. His latest feat, a 1950s cross-country picaresque set on a freight train, might even top the charm, inventiveness, and sheer delight of A Gentleman in Moscow, which is still my number one pick for books that’ll make you smile.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Darcie Little Badger
[isbn]
Darcie Little Badger burst onto the YA scene with 2020’s indie fave Elatsoe. In her mesmerizing sophomore novel, she again draws on her Lipan Apache identity and heritage, as Lipan girl Nina (believer of the old tales) and cottonmouth kid Oli (denizen of the land of spirits and monsters) are drawn together when their worlds collide.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen
[isbn]
When I first heard that the Boss and the former president were collaborating on a podcast, I thought they’d make an odd couple, but then I listened and it made perfect sense. I’m glad to be able to read — and to give — this expansion with photos and additional material.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Amanda Gorman
[isbn]
Like so many, I was transfixed and moved by Amanda Gorman’s performance of her poem "The Hill We Climb" at President Biden's inauguration, and now I can’t wait to read her first full collection.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Margaret Owen
[isbn]
This is my favorite read of 2021. I fell in love with Margaret Owen’s uniquely smart, emotionally resonant, surprisingly funny writing with her Merciful Crow duology. (I say “surprisingly” because I didn’t expect to do any laughing reading about a fantasy plague.) These traits are at their best in Little Thieves, a standalone fairy tale retelling that has been hijacked off the beaten path by protagonist Vanya, who would like to know the... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Marissa Meyer
[isbn]
Can there be too many retellings of Rumpelstiltskin? (Trick question, the answer is no.) An unlikely and wonderful combination of Grimm Brothers fairy tale, Persephone myth, and the curse of Cassandra, Gilded is a cancel-all-plans adventure story born of lies, love, and desperation.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Andrew Roberts
[isbn]
A royalist apologia for America’s last king, or a correction for centuries of political shade? You choose, after reading Andrew Roberts’s gloriously well-researched biography of (Mad) King George III. Neither the pompous idiot of Hamilton nor the tragicomic figure of The Madness of King George, Roberts’s King George is a talented leader beset by mental illness and the machinations of the 18th-century court. An absolutely... (read more)
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Ruth Ozeki
[isbn]
I love this heartbreaking, inventive story about teenage Benny, who hears voices from the objects around him, and his mother Annabelle, who has a hoarding problem. The eclectic group of friends that Benny makes along the way adds a richness to this story that made it a true pleasure to read.
Recommended by Jennifer H.
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Ben Detrick, Andrew Kuo
[isbn]
This is a highly opinionated and entertaining illustrated encyclopedia of all the things that make the NBA so fun to watch. It contains player profiles, historical tidbits, statistics, and colorful graphs. It is sure to be a hit with every kind of basketball fan.
Recommended by Jennifer H.
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Laurie Woolever
[isbn]
The story of Tony’s life told simply and honestly by those who knew him best. This book fills a small part of the gaping hole left by his passing, and is an engaging read for anyone his life has touched.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Alex Day, Nick Fauchald, David Kaplan
[isbn]
If you’re like me and read recipe books like novels and love to dive deeply into food nerdery, this new offering from America’s most influential cocktail bar will be right up your alley. There is loads of information on the why and how of mixing and creating cocktails, as well as more than 400 new recipes. Definitely a must-have for any cocktail enthusiast!
Recommended by Deana R.
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Louise Erdrich
[isbn]
Tookie is a remarkably unique and intriguing protagonist. After a betrayal and years of incarceration, she gets a job at Birchbark Books (a real bookstore owned by Erdrich). Ghosts pervade the story — a former customer haunts the bookstore, the ghosts of Tookie’s past haunt her memories, and the horrific history of genocide perpetrated against Native Americans haunts all the characters. Set in Minneapolis between 2019 and 2020, Tookie, her... (read more)
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Etsu Inagaki Sugimoto, Karen Tei Yamashita, Yuki Obayashi
[isbn]
As a Japanese American, this is perhaps one of the most important books in my life so far. It provides a much-needed glimpse into older, traditional Japanese life, while still maintaining a surprisingly large degree of relevance. The author works hard not just to write a good autobiography, but also a great work of art. Her story of life in Japan and America is stunning, and I urge people to jump into this book to better understand Japanese... (read more)
Recommended by Jun L.
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[isbn]
I love dragons! They are part of the very bedrock of D&D. Though dragons have made appearances in many adventures and rule books, this is the first 5th Edition book solely devoted to these enigmatic and terrifying creatures. Alon with new dragon types and dragon-related monsters, this book is packed with advice for integrating dragons into a campaign. This also may be the closest Wizards of the Coast ever comes to producing a real Dragonlance... (read more)
Recommended by Ryan V.W.
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James Cheshire, Oliver Uberti
[isbn]
When we think about data we rarely think about beauty. In their previous book, Where the Animals Go, James Cheshire and Oliver Uberti used data on animal migration and movement to craft fascinating maps and infographics that let us peer into parts of the animal world we could never see on our own. In Atlas of the Invisible, they apply these same techniques to illuminate aspects of the human world normally invisible. Using... (read more)
Recommended by Ryan V.W.
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Tj Klune
[isbn]
Wallace Price is a nasty, heartless workaholic who unexpectedly dies of a heart attack. Afterlife for him is neither heaven nor hell, but a tea shop called Charon's Crossing run by Hugo, who makes a kickass cup of tea, but also helps people to cross over. Under the Whispering Door is TJ Klune in fine form: tender, romantic, terrifying, and full of heart.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Ryka Aoki
[isbn]
Refugees from another solar system running a donut shop, a violin teacher who needs one last soul to harvest for hell, and a young trans runaway violinist are all magnificently blended together in Ryka Aoki's superb and heartwarming Light From Uncommon Stars. The descriptions of food and music are especially good, and you'll certainly be craving donuts before the book ends.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Lana Harper
[isbn]
Lana Harper's romance debut fairly shouts SPOOKY SEASON. Emmy returns to her hometown to arbitrate a magical tournament, but she is roped in by high school classmates Linden and Talia to defeat their shared enemy: cocky, clueless Gareth Blackmoore. Payback's a Witch delivers cozy, witchy, autumnal vibes on every page. It's sweet and sexy and perfect for fall reading.
Recommended by McKenzie W.
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Lesley Anne Robinson
[isbn]
Better known online as Knit Graffiti, Lesley Anne Robinson has been creating and publishing incredible knitting patterns for many years now. She has an exciting approach to color and texture, producing beautiful accessories and garments for all seasons and bodies. Anyone looking to learn brioche knitting — a gorgeous, squishy, and very fun knitting technique — will find her tips and tricks really helpful! More advanced knitters will find a... (read more)
Recommended by McKenzie W.
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Dwyane Wade
[isbn]
This is a gorgeous and inspirational memoir from beloved three-time NBA Champion and Olympic gold medalist Dwyane Wade. Full of color photos, it covers his personal journey from growing up on Chicago's South Side, to his college career at Marquette, to his very successful NBA career. He also talks about the people that have supported him along the way, his focus on family life, his thinking about the legacy he is leaving behind, and his love of... (read more)
Recommended by Jennifer H.
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Honda
[isbn]
I'm really not a fan of anime or manga, but Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-San has charmed me. It found its way through my barrier. The stories he tells from page to page strike incredibly close to home, and it's hilarious and awesome to navigate them with him. He smoothly displays the stresses of customer service in a bookseller's world while also reminding me why I love and adore my job. It's a pleasure to read what Honda-san puts on the... (read more)
Recommended by Jun L.
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NK Jemisin, Jamal Campbell
[isbn]
N. K. Jemisin is the remarkable writer of the award-winning Broken Earth trilogy. Here she creates a new Green Lantern, African American Jo Mullein. As Green Lantern, Jo has been protecting a city in the far reaches of the galaxy, a city ruled by peace and nonviolence. Until it all changes. Having seen what Jemisin brings to the world of science fiction, I can't wait to see what she brings to the renowned science fiction universe of Green... (read more)
Recommended by Doug C.
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James S A Corey
[isbn]
The great hard science fiction saga of the Expanse comes to a close with this ninth and final volume. This universe that seems so recognizable, because the politics, the motives, the people who inhabit this great story, they are all things we see every day. Now the stakes, which have been raised in each book, couldn't be higher, the danger more existential. What a wonderful and satisfying read.
Recommended by Doug C.
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Nnedi Okorafor
[isbn]
Nnedi Okorafor creates great characters, rich and real future worlds, and stories filled with high stakes and tension. Here she does it again, a fast-paced and thrilling tale with a protagonist faced with rejection from all around her, imminent danger, a questionable companion, and a race against time.
Recommended by Doug C.
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Travis Wheels Wheeler, Logan Jenkins, Lee Terrill
[isbn]
I listen to a lot of actual play podcasts (I know, I’m incredibly cool), and Very Random Encounters is the cream of the crop. They use a number of systems, but their basic premise is randomizing as much as they can, from stats to names to villains to settings. It’s always a delight, and has made me want to add some randomness to my own games (I know, I’m incredibly cool). The VRE crew’s new book facilitates... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Osamu Dazai and Donald Keene
[isbn]
This book is mentally taxing. It's beautiful, rough, and difficult. You are asked to observe the life of a man who generally struggles to empathize or connect with other people. Where you might find yourself empathizing, the protagonist, Yozo, will not. His alienation is the core of the narrative, leading him into a lifestyle of faking humanity in attempts at feeling anything. It hurts. His relationships (friends, family, romance) are tough.... (read more)
Recommended by Jun L.
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Margaret Rogerson
[isbn]
I stayed up until 2 a.m. finishing this book and I regret nothing. Rogerson’s Sorcery of Thorns was my favorite read of 2019, and I’ve been not-so-patiently waiting to see what she’d do next. This gorgeous, atmospheric series starter does not disappoint! Born with the Sight, Artemisia was trained by the Gray Sisters to subdue spirits. When her convent is attacked, she comes to its defense by taking up a revenant: an ancient, violent... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Anne Ursu
[isbn]
I want to give a copy of this masterfully woven fable to every young person in my life. Marya doesn’t fit the role demanded of her in her incredibly patriarchal society. She’s too loud, too curious, too much, and ends up at Dragomir Academy, a finishing school for “troubled” girls. Following her childhood mentor’s advice to consider “Who does this story serve?,” Marya untangles just what makes these girls “troubled,” and how they can reclaim... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Jessica Pierce, Marc Bekoff
[isbn]
We are a dog-loving people, collectively. Approximately 76,811,305 dogs are in the United States as I write this, and just how many of those dogs do you suppose could go on living happily without their loving human (or any human for that matter) by their side? It's an interesting question, and one that the authors, Jessica Pierce and Marc Bekoff, have tried to figure out. What traits would make the most sturdy specimen in the wilds, roaming free... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Annabel Abbs
[isbn]
The documented history of men walking the earth for pleasure or purpose, discovery or whim, is plentiful. The women's story is far more elusive. Whether these women were by the adventuring men's sides the entire time or roaming on their own, their stories were mostly lost or never recorded for posterity. Author Annabel Abbs is bringing to light the stories of various notable women — Georgia O'Keeffe and Daphne du Maurier to name just two. These... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Alexandra Overy
[isbn]
Set in the backdrop of a glittering winter palace, Alexandra Overy's debut novel is a stunning retelling of a Russian folktale, The Firebird. Twin sisters, ripped away from each other by fate, their lives once again collide when the Queen Mother dies under mysterious circumstances. Struggling to find the killer, both sisters begin to realize perhaps it wasn't just fate that kept them apart, but something more sinister. Stuck between... (read more)
Recommended by Taylor C.
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Nathan Harris
[isbn]
Sweetness of Water is a beautiful debut novel. Nathan Harris has created a wonderful
story with richly portrayed characters. Gorgeous writing. Stunning!
Recommended by Adrienne C.
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Junji Ito
[isbn]
In classic Junji Ito style, this horrifying commentary on the Japanese Idol industry will leave readers captivated, but, most of all, disgusted. Perfectly paired with putrid illustrations, Remina is a wonderfully revolting tragedy that is must-read for all horror and sci-fi fans alike!
Recommended by Joshua S.
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Chloe Gong
[isbn]
I cannot rave about this book enough. I cannot rave about this book enough! Set in Shanghai during the 1920s, Chloe Gong writes a story that is impossible to put down after the first sentence.
Plagued by the possibly imaginary fear that Juliet Csai doesn't belong at home after living abroad in America, the real fear of a monster destroying her city and killing the ones she loves while all she can do is watch forces her hand to work with the one... (read more)
Recommended by Taylor C.
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Ian S Port
[isbn]
A fantastic, multilayered narrative of the history surrounding the creation of the Tele, Strat, Les Paul, and other early, iconic solid body guitars. A really fun read!
Recommended by Greg L.
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Lucy Christopher, Nia Tudor
[isbn]
Most people walk by a homeless woman sitting in an abandoned lot, but the young girl in this picture book imagines her as a queen with a past of fighting dragons and adventuresome faraway journeys with her canine companion. When the girl and her mother show the Queen kindness and understanding, she tells tales of her real adventures and later warns the neighborhood of a dangerous fire. The queen becomes a heroine and the community builds a home... (read more)
Recommended by Kim T.
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Wendy Xu
[isbn]
Written and illustrated by the illustrator of Mooncakes, one of our bestselling teen graphic novels, Wendy Xu immerses us in this gorgeously illustrated fantasy middle grade graphic novel. We follow Sophie, a 12-year-old water witch who is sent to live relatives to train and audition for the Royal Magic Academy. When a spell goes wrong, she meets Lir, a water dragon in human form lost in the spell and together they work to get Lir back... (read more)
Recommended by Kim T.
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Susie Yi
[isbn]
Adventure awaits two magical cats, Squash and Ginny, as they embark on a quest for unlimited snacks. Fun illustrations, endearing characters, and short chapters make this a great first graphic novel for independent or family reading for ages six and up.
Recommended by Kim T.
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Michaela Coel
[isbn]
Michaela Coel, British actress, screenwriter, director, producer, and singer, most known for groundbreaking work in the BBC series Chewing Gum and the phenomenal HBO comedy/drama I May Destroy You writes an honest, witty, and powerful personal manifesto that encourages readers to embrace differences and change the narrative, based on her 2018 MacTaggert lecture. A powerful voice from an outstanding artist!
Recommended by Kim T.
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Daniel Clay
[isbn]
If you feel a little intimidated by woodworking, chip carving is an excellent way to dip your toes in. Using just a few simple tools, you’ll learn the basics of carving and be able to complete a number of projects. Despite the use of the words “classic” and “traditional” in the subtitle, nothing about the projects in this book feel old-fashioned. The geometric designs are very contemporary, and I can’t stop looking at them.
Recommended by Leah B.
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Olga Prinku
[isbn]
Gosh, this book is pretty. There are a lot of embroidery books out there, but this is the first one I’ve seen that incorporates dried flowers and tulle. What an ethereal and dreamy combination. If you’re an experienced embroiderer, trying these new materials is a fun way to switch things up, and if you’re a beginner, the projects are still within reach. They range from wall hangings to wearables, each more lovely than the last.
Recommended by Leah B.
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Cherie Priest
[isbn]
Hugo and Nebula Awards nominee Priest has written her first mystery novel, and I hope it is the first of many. Leda is a travel agent and inconsistent psychic. Based on a very strong feeling, she rebooks a customer’s flight and accidentally saves them from an airplane that catches fire. When that customer, detective Grady Merritt, returns to Seattle, he tracks down Leda and recruits her to help with a case he can’t crack. I look forward to... (read more)
Recommended by Jennifer H.
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Devin Connell
[isbn]
With easy-enough-for-weeknights recipes and gorgeous photography, I know this is a cookbook I will return to over and over.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Andrea Gibson
[isbn]
Gibson’s poetry of love, loss, light, and survival leaves me wordless and goose-bumped, and when I found out they had a new book of poetry coming out, I nearly broke my phone hitting the Preorder button so hard.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Danny Trejo, Donal Logue
[isbn]
Brutal. And brutally honest. Fascinating life that seems like Trejo has lived many
lives in one. So much love in his heart! Love Danny Trejo! Tremendous memoir.
Recommended by Adrienne C.
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Karen Tei Yamashita
[isbn]
Yamashita composes a magnetic tale through the intersecting narratives of seven characters over the span of seven days. Its dynamic construction and alluring characterization are sure to keep readers leaning in. Heralded as one of the best novels set in Los Angeles, Tropic of Orange is an unforgettable work for readers who enjoy multi-perspective storytelling.
Recommended by Alexis B.
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Doireann Ní Ghríofa
[isbn]
Ní Ghríofa’s A Ghost in the Throat is the most interesting and beautiful book I’ve read this year. Biography, memoir, and autofiction (an intoxicating blend for anyone with lit critical impulses), A Ghost explores Ní Ghríofa’s obsession with Eibhlín Dubh and her 18th-century lament “Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire.” Unable to find much scholarship about Dubh, Ní Ghríofa plunges headfirst into translation and archival records,... (read more)
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Colson Whitehead
[isbn]
Colson Whitehead has shown himself to be a master of multiple genres, and here he adds to that list with his take on crime fiction. Following a furniture salesman in 1960s Harlem, Whitehead shows that when historical forces meet a fast-changing city, it creates many opportunities for the crooked.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Mary Roach
[isbn]
Mary Roach always offers absorbing, entertaining science, and Fuzz, all about “when wild animals break laws intended for people,” delivers the funny and fascinating goods — full of facts, wry wit, and important commentary on the ways animals and humans (in all their goodness and not-so-goodness) can coexist.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Natasha Brown
[isbn]
This short book packs an outsized punch, as a Black British woman with a high-flying career must confront the dehumanizing treatment she experiences in every aspect of her carefully assembled life. This powerful novel is revelatory and unflinching.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Emily Itami
[isbn]
Rarely has a story of domestic discontent been this much fun. This is due entirely to the charm and clear-eyed honesty of Mizuki, a mother residing in a Tokyo high-rise who is not living the life she once imagined for herself. Fault Lines explores the social conventions of modern Japan, and the costs of violating them.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Sally Rooney
[isbn]
Beautiful World, Where Are You follows longtime friends Eileen, an editorial assistant, and Alice, a novelist, grappling with their lives, relationships, contradictions, and cynicism. Emails between the two women — written the way you and your friends hope you sound in your smartest, wittiest, and most introspective moments — give Rooney a venue to explore everything from mental health to politics and climate change to sex.
(read more)
Recommended by Sarah R.
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Terry Fan and Eric Fan
[isbn]
While I love this delightful story of the wonderment that comes from a mystery and the way greed can soften into graciousness, the artwork is the star: luscious black and white landscapes with bursts of yellow and green. And the hats! Oh, what magical detail and charm!
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Emily Winfield Martin
[isbn]
Portland local Emily Winfield Martin writes with the kind of soft-but-radical hope that I expect from a Mike Schur television show. Her dreamy, inspiring artwork — somehow both vintage and incredibly new — elevates her books from great to excellent, and This Is a Gift for You is no exception. It’s exactly what I needed to read in the midst of a very tough stretch of time.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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