Yuvi Zalkow
[isbn]
Saul can’t stop messing up his life, but you can’t help but love him for being the sad, funny, awkward, self-deprecating mess he is. With endless wit and quirky charm, Yuvi Zalkow examines the myriad ways we lose touch with our lives and with each other, and the ways we fumblingly inch our way back. I Only Cry with Emoticons is the perfect fun read for all of us other awkward, anxiety-ridden, dis- and misconnected messes in this mess of... (read more)
Recommended by Gigi L.
|
Sangu Mandanna
[isbn]
Okay, so you’ve read all of TJ Klune, Becky Chambers, T. Kingfisher — but there has to be something else, right? You are in luck, because The Secret Society of Very Irregular Witches is exactly the book you need. Mika is a South Asian witch who is mysteriously summoned to a house hidden in the countryside to tutor three young girls in controlling their magic. Found family, a cranky librarian, and a car whose interior magically expands... (read more)
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
|
Julia Whelan
[isbn]
Julia Whelan returns with her second novel, Thank You For Listening, which is every bit the gift that her work as audiobook narrator is. The novel focuses on two audiobook narrators, Sewanee and Brock, and the story of their relationship. Whelan’s dialogue, pacing, and sense of humor are topnotch. This is a standout offering amid a sea of rom-coms.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
|
Emily Wibberley, Austin Siegemund Broka
[isbn]
This book hurt... in a good way. It isn't my typical read — there's no smut, it's filled with negative tension, and the main characters' past relationship is shrouded in mystery for a good few chapters. But the story hooked me. It felt real and very emotional. Katrina and Nathan went from writing partners (who wrote a bestselling novel together) and best friends to... nothing. Just, all of a sudden, their friendship ceased and all that's left are... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Lynn Painter
[isbn]
This book was a fun ride. Olivia is a bit of a hot mess and feels like she's had bad luck all her life. While she's trying to pull herself together after hitting rock-bottom, Olivia gets a text from a wrong number and their conversations are delightfully entertaining. When Mr. Wrong Number ghosts her, it seems like her brother's best friend starts to see Olivia in a different light and their conversations turn delightfully entertaining.... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith
[isbn]
Here is a great idealization of making the specific and everyday something that can resonate with us all. Here is a reason to read, and to specifically read graphic novels — to be allowed into lives and worlds other than our own. This book loves its characters and it loves its readers.
Recommended by Doug C.
|
B B Alston
[isbn]
Amari and the Night Brothers is one of my new favorites for young readers and I am thrilled that book two will be available soon. Alston has created a fun and fresh supernatural world populated with imaginative creatures and a great hero in Amari. In this installment, Amari is looking forward to summer camp at the Bureau where she will be a Junior Agent and learn more about her magical abilities when an unauthorized time freeze stirs up... (read more)
Recommended by Jennifer H.
|
R. F. Kuang
[isbn]
This was the loveliest and most fulfilling read. The story is smart and exciting and thoughtful and human. The author, R. F. Kuang, makes magic and science out of etymology, and the words in this book, the characters, what they have to say — it all rings true.
Recommended by Doug C.
|
Sunya Mara
[isbn]
The perfect new book to tide you over until the second season of Shadow and Bone! In this YA fantasy debut, Vesper is desperate to keep her revolutionary father from being executed like her mother was. To save his life, she'll need to catch the eye of a cruel prince — and perhaps even brave the fantastical, deadly Storm.
Recommended by Madeline S.
|
Gabrielle Zevin
[isbn]
Video games and their infinite potential as transgressive, powerful, artistic endeavors told through the incisive and probing medium of literary fiction? It’s about time. If you’ve ever loved an indie game, sought meaningful connection, or considered the vast possibilities of human creativity: this one’s for you.
Recommended by Sarah R.
|
Aaron Blabey
[isbn]
If you’ve seen The Bad Guys movie, then you’ll no doubt be overjoyed to have more things to make you go Arrrgh!
Recommended by Lucinda G.
|
Gavin Grimm and Kyle Lukoff and Gavin Grimm
[isbn]
If You’re a Kid Like Gavin is a tale of true courage told with a humble sensibility that really conveys to readers the idea that standing up to injustice may be daunting, but it is what dignity requires.
Recommended by Keith M.
|
Richard Osman
[isbn]
I absolutely love the Thursday Murder Club series. Four pensioners living in a retirement community in the English countryside meet every Thursday to discuss unsolved crimes. Once they make friends with a local police constable and her boss, they start putting their detecting skills to work in the real world. The charming characters, the clever plots with just the right amount of twists and the idyllic setting, make this series one of my new... (read more)
Recommended by Jennifer H.
|
Michaela Goade
[isbn]
Berry Song is the first picture book both penned and designed by Caldecott-winner Michaela Goade. Her soft, warm, very detailed artwork and shiny, jewellike language come together beautifully to celebrate the abundance of the earth and subtly urge humankind to interact respectfully and honorably with it.
Recommended by Gigi L.
|
Melissa McKinnon
[isbn]
Summer and early fall for me is a time to enjoy the outdoors, especially as it pertains to my back garden. While I usually leave the painting crafts for the confined, wet, and windy months we have here in the Pacific Northwest, I recently came across Textured Art: Palette Knife & Impasto Painting Techniques in Acrylic. Forget the rain and wind of winter — this summer I move outdoors with my acrylics and modeling paste and bring my garden... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
|
Kevin Sampsell
[isbn]
The collages and poems in I Made an Accident are dreamy and nightmarish, sometimes at the same time, often funny, just as often disturbing — and always quirky and imaginative in that Kevin Sampsell way. The perfect kind of peculiar.
Recommended by Gigi L.
|
Sandra Lawrence
[isbn]
All hail the glory of mushrooms! Quite possibly the most beautiful and important resource in the natural environment, mushrooms have been treasured since the dawn of humans. The Magic of Mushrooms walks us through the practice and lore of the mighty fungus, showing us how people have treasured, been fascinated by, and misused the mushroom throughout history. The illustrations are beautiful as they speak to the magical influence the... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
|
Joan Didion
[isbn]
Didion articulates my mixed feelings towards my home state in a way I've never encountered before. California is a garden of Eden, populated by a dozen or so men who for some godforsaken reason thought the oil underneath Eden was more important than the fruit she bore.
Recommended by C.J.
|
Calla Henkel
[isbn]
Henkel quickly draws you into the intoxicating story Hailey and Zoe craft in the hopes of inspiring their landlord's next book. Set in Berlin in 2008, Amanda Knox is small talk and drugs are plentiful. With themes of love, sex, obsession, and ultimately murder — you won't want to put it down!
Recommended by Kyra R
|
Paula Hawkins
[isbn]
Hawkins keeps you guessing until the very end and then still manages to make you rethink everything you thought you knew. The multiple narrators will keep you on your toes, though the storyline continuously flows along with the harrowing river that women keep disappearing into. I loved the allusions to the European witch hunts, as the book had a very witchy vibe to me from the start.
Recommended by Parker W.
|
Eric Cervini
[isbn]
An incredibly moving and inspirational story about a veteran and government employee who was fired after being outed as gay. Follow Frank Kameny on his painstaking journey for justice as he fights for the rights of the marginalized. I really appreciated experiencing the Stonewall Uprising and legalization of gay marriage from this unique perspective.
Recommended by Parker W.
|
Bree Paulsen
[isbn]
The sequel to the utterly charming Garlic & the Vampire from last September follows our main character, Garlic, as she flies to the Magic Market to find the right ingredient for a vegetarian blood substitute for the friendly Count. Bree Paulson’s palette of warm autumn colors and lots of humor make this a great slightly-spooky-but-not-too-scary read for ages 8 and up.
Recommended by Kim T.
|
Susan Rogers, Ogi Ogas
[isbn]
I’ve often wondered why my unique musical tastes are so very different from friends or relatives. Why don’t the emotions of a specific song or musical artist evoke the same feelings as someone similar to myself? Susan Rogers, award-winning professor of cognitive neuroscience, explores this concept and explains our unique “listening profile” based on our brain’s natural responses to any song. Roger's background as Prince’s chief engineer for the... (read more)
Recommended by Kim T.
|
Len Prince, Matt Tyrnauer, Brian Wallis
[isbn]
Joan Archibald is being called “the California Vivian Maier.” Her work was locked in a shed for over 40 years, and only discovered recently after her death. Archibald abandoned her life as a 1960s Long Island housewife to start over in in Malibu as Kali. Once there, she created an enormous body of work — primarily photographic prints and polaroids that she altered and transformed into what I can only call psychedelic visions. Saturated in color,... (read more)
Recommended by Leah B.
|
Timothy Janovsky
[isbn]
The perfect summer romance read. This book is heartwarming and full of charm and a great read for any fans of queer romance, movies (particularly horror), and the summer drive-in. A journey of self discovery and how you will never forget your first love.
Recommended by Lauren M
|
Gestalten, Banks Grace
[isbn]
I want to step into the cover of this book. What you’re
looking at is one of Yayoi Kusama’s iconic pumpkins sitting serenely at the end
of a dock in Japan. Seeing this object in the conventional space of the museum is
one thing, but encountering it outside those walls, in nature, the experience
becomes something completely different. Art
Escapes features pieces from all from all over the world, and is indeed a
wonderful escape for art... (read more)
Recommended by Leah B.
|
Paul Hollywood
[isbn]
Have you ever watched The Great British Baking Show and wished you could have Paul Hollywood in your kitchen to help you navigate the world of baked goods? Well, you can’t get much closer than Bake. It’s a terrific collection of pastries, biscuits, cakes, and breads, with easy-to-follow recipes and loads of tips and tricks to get Showstopper-worthy bakes from your own home kitchen.
Recommended by Deana R.
|
Grady Hendrix
[isbn]
A book that poses the question: what if your favorite slashers were based on real people? by taking a look into the long and short term effects of the trauma associated with being a Final Girl, this novel delves even deeper into what would happen if they continued to be hunted. Can you trust your own already-proven instincts? How does being a Final Girl affect your life and those around you? Fans of the 80s and 90s slasher films will have a blast... (read more)
Recommended by Lauren M
|
Sierra Simone
[isbn]
Have you ever wanted an erotic romance to make you question your own spirituality? Did you *really* enjoy the second season of Fleabag? I went into this book expecting some spicy scenes with not much substance and instead found a romance that was both tender and exciting. The theological and philosophical conversations that take place in this novel are as important and memorable as the numerous extra spicy scenes.
Recommended by Lauren M
|
Andrew Joseph White
[isbn]
Blood, spit, innards, and bone brought to genesis by the religious nightmares of trans youth. An infernal Dies Irae for the gays. Queer horror at its most unholy and blasphemous. I could go on and on. This book is the dormant eruption that lies within every queer soul in existence. Be not afraid to let it burst from thee.
Recommended by Stacy W.
|
Isaac Fitzgerald
[isbn]
As someone who reads a lot of memoirs, it takes a lot for me to read one and think "This book has changed me as a person, a reader, or as a writer." Dirtbag, Massachusetts manages to hit all three in a way that left me clutching the book to my chest when I finished. This book is for every adult who grew up with a traumatic childhood, made some mistakes, and lived to tell the tale. It's for the misfits, romantics, dreamers, doers, and... (read more)
Recommended by Katherine M.
|
Clinton Walker
[isbn]
England in the 60s. The Pacific Northwest in the 90s. In the late 70s and 80' it was Australia,* and Clinton Walker was right there in the thick of it. Stranded is a classic of rock/punk literature and a must read for anyone who likes Lester Bangs, Hunter S. Thompson, and rock music that sounds like it fell off the rails before they even recorded it.
Bands You Should Know: The Go-Betweens, Warumpi Band, Laughing Clowns, The Triffids, and... (read more)
Recommended by Fletcher O.
|
New York Public Library, Edmund White
[isbn]
This anthology is so incredibly touching and inspiring. The New York Library has pulled together its extensive collection to bring us multiple first-hand accounts of what happened both inside and outside of the Stonewall, making you feel as if you were there. These are accounts of Stonewall that weren't a part of any documentaries that I'd seen, and I felt lucky to have stumbled upon all the different and unique points of view laid out in this... (read more)
Recommended by Parker W.
|
Jordan Crane
[isbn]
Keeping Two is a quiet, thoughtful, impressionistic story of a couple. The author uses the comic strip form to tell the many timelines and threads of their difficult and challenging relationship. This deeply felt tale makes full use of the graphic novel format to pull the reader in, make the reader stop and reread and think. This is a smart and human book.
Recommended by Doug C.
|
Morgan Talty
[isbn]
Night of the Living Rez was such a completely satisfying read, and I wanted more. Told in the form of short stories, but really a novel that is both deeply personal and very big, incidents in the life of a Penobscot family as told by one member, a boy you get to know well and closely, and hope against hope that life would give him and everyone here a break. This book could be sad, but it resonates so deeply that it goes past sadness.
Recommended by Doug C.
|
Oliver Milman
[isbn]
We wouldn't have chocolate without flies? Everyone knows about the plight of bees and butterflies, but the entire insect world is essential for ecosystems to keep functioning. You'll journey with the author to learn from entomologists as they share their expertise. I did not like the imagined scenario of what the world would look like without insects. Even if they give you the creeps, The Insect Crisis will help you appreciate insects... (read more)
Recommended by Erica B.
|
Becky Chambers
[isbn]
A Prayer for the Crown Shy continues the story of Dex and Mosscap as they visit the villages and towns on the moon they call home. Many reviewers have called this series “a hug in book form” and I have to agree. This is a perfect and much-needed dose of Cozy Fantasy, sweet and delightful and lovely.
Recommended by Deana R.
|
Elaine Hsieh Chou
[isbn]
Disorientation is a thrilling exploration of self and Asian American identity; a pitch-perfect satire of academia, institutions, and power; a literary mystery propelled by slightly bumbling sleuths; and (somehow) uproariously unhinged while being painfully familiar. No one is quite who they seem, as Chou expertly reveals the hidden depths and deceptions of every character in this knockout of a novel.
Recommended by Michelle C.
|
Douglas Wolk
[isbn]
If you have any fondness for any run of Marvel comics — from Golden Age to the introduction of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur — you will enjoy this remarkable book. Wolk navigates the complex narratives of the Marvel Universe with deftness, while skillfully recounting the biography of Marvel's heroes and villains. I was afraid this book would be dry and overwhelming in scope. Wolk is clearly a fan, but isn't fawning. Thorough, thoughtful, and best... (read more)
Recommended by Lesley A.
|
Rebecca Rukeyser
[isbn]
I finished this book in one sitting and it was the perfect way to spend an afternoon. It reads quick, but I really just wanted to keep hanging out with Mira on her quest to understand and embody sleaziness. I got major Wes Anderson vibes and Jenny Offill vibes. Quirky, addicting, and so so good!
Recommended by Carrie K.
|
E Lockhart
[isbn]
I'm usually pretty good at spotting surprise endings, but this one is so well done I'm glad I didn't see it coming. Beautifully written, emotionally powerful, and a scathing exploration of the corrosive effect of privilege.
Recommended by Warren B.
|
Oliver Burkeman
[isbn]
I loved this book because it drops a bomb on the tacit societal assumption that "more and faster" is better. Did you ever see the Twilight Zone episode about the little town of Willoughby? This is the book that makes a case for it. A patiently reasoned, illuminating, and firm but humorous rebuttal to the PUSH PUSH PUSH that comes at us every day. I felt so much better by the time I finished it.
Recommended by Warren B.
|
Rebecca Rukeyser
[isbn]
I finished this book in one sitting and it was the perfect way to spend an afternoon. It reads quick, but I really just wanted to keep hanging out with Mira on her quest to understand and embody sleaziness. I got major Wes Anderson vibes and Jenny Offill vibes. Quirky, addicting, and so so good!
Recommended by Carrie K.
|
Gideon Sterer, Lian Cho
[isbn]
Love it! This book will make you smile and get in a happy summer mood. Our spirited young character is determined, imaginative, and doesn't give up. I love the unique twist the adventure takes. Be sure to take time to look at all the illustration details, they're marvelous.
Recommended by Erica B.
|
Peter Straub
[isbn]
Unrelenting — by the end I was begging it to stop and praying that it wouldn't. Like a bad dream in all the best ways.
Recommended by Warren B.
|
Ben Urwand
[isbn]
A fun tale to revisit as Disney once again unfurls its yearly banner of rainbow capitalism. A truly wild piece of history and a reminder that Hollywood has always and will always have a single overcooked noodle where its moral backbone is supposed to be.
Recommended by C.J.
|
Sheridan Le Fanu
[isbn]
Yes, the patriarchy has wronged us again. Shocking. This time, it has robbed us of Carmilla, the deliciously sapphic vampire gothic that predates Bram Stoker's Dracula by almost half a century. Don't feel bad that you haven't heard of her. It's not your fault. Do yourself a favor; get lost in Le Fanu's sensuous prose and be sure to mind charming strangers on moonlit strolls.
Recommended by Stacy W.
|
Cookie Mueller, Olivia Laing, Chris Kraus
[isbn]
Maybe I'm just weird, or maybe it's because my mom's favorite filmmaker is John Waters, but stories like Cookie Mueller's help me to see the tragic, paradoxical beauty inherent in being human. Reading these now for the first time is a bit like meeting an old friend I never knew I had.
Recommended by Fletcher O.
|
Robert McCloskey
[isbn]
One of my favorite summer activities is berry picking. Blueberries for Sal is a perfect story to read before picking berries or at your summer picnic. A classic tale that still warms your heart.
Recommended by Erica B.
|
Ross John Farrar
[isbn]
Bitter, beautiful, and brutally honest, post-punk band Ceremony's front man Ross Farrar's latest book sings the praises of Suicide's Alan Vega, the devastation of losing friends and subsequently visiting their graves, and the elation and pitfalls of recreational drug use and its abuse in a way that is uniquely his. Told through the voice of "Ross," an obvious stand-in for the author himself, Ross Sings Cheree & the Animated Dark is a... (read more)
Recommended by Eric L.
|
Kurt Vonnegut
[isbn]
Vonnegut's profound exploration of free-will and humanity's relationship with time. What does it mean to have nearly unlimited power in the vastness of the cosmos? It likely means nothing when your choices, ultimately, are insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe. Who is Rumfoord, really? Will Unk find himself or his best friend? Will the Martian Army destroy the Earth and its civilizations? Does it even matter? This book is a romp... (read more)
Recommended by Eric L.
|
Evan Ross Katz
[isbn]
With the help of the creators (!), cast (!!), crew (!!!), and fans (!!!!), Evan Ross Katz meticulously unpacks the seven-season run of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the controversies that have surrounded the show since its debut. The result is an enchanting oral history/fan memoir/media study that is a celebration of all that Buffy has given us (so much).
Recommended by Chris T.
|
Victoria Chang
[isbn]
Victoria Chang’s intriguing new collection is mostly composed of short, symbolic poems using Japanese waka forms. The book has a unique tall, narrow trim size that makes this a literal standout in a section that’s home to no shortage of great poetry. Rarely have I been so captivated by a collection; each brief poem demands your full attention for repeated readings. Though small, these poems have an outsized gravitational pull, like that of a... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
|
John Higgs
[isbn]
There's something about Blake that speaks to me. Well... not so much "speak" as "slaps me across the face with both hands before shaking me by the shoulders while jumping up and down, ranting and raving about god knows what," and I love it. Sometimes though, it would be nice to understand those ravings a little better, and luckily, John Higgs, scribe of The KLF and I Have America Surrounded: The Life of Timothy Leary, has... (read more)
Recommended by Fletcher O.
|
Caren Beilin
[isbn]
This hallucinatory, macabre, and surprisingly jubilant book about breaking free from cycles of family trauma had me laughing in the laundromat and weeping in the back of the bus. I'm certain Beilin's revenge will feel like a gift to many, but especially to the truth-tellers, the survivors, the exilic by nature; truly to anyone who has learned, at great risk, how to stay alive in spite/despite. Viva the scapegoats.
Recommended by Alexa W.
|
Isaac Butler
[isbn]
The Method charts the evolution of what became the dominant acting technique of the 20th century on stage and screen, tracing its journey from Tsarist Russia to HUAC-era Hollywood to the present day. Along the way, Isaac Butler dispels the numerous myths and misconceptions about The Method, but what's powerful in this book is something deeper: how an acting style devoted to the truth of the human condition came to flourish in two... (read more)
Recommended by Tim B.
|
Nic Goodrick Clarke
[isbn]
A deeply important story to understand, especially for us folks here in the PNW. This lady is the unfortunate link that exists between modern environmentalist movements and literal 20th century Nazis. The mother of what we today call Esoteric Hitlerism: the religion-izing of Nazism and the deification of Hitler. Her beliefs are very very stupid and I do not like her one little bit, but they've spread like a cancer to all corners of the world.... (read more)
Recommended by C.J.
|
Amy Lea
[isbn]
This is such a fun read. Crystal is a curvy, confident, plus-size fitness influencer (hello, goals!) with a gym nemesis who looks just like Chris Evans. The way they prank each other made me giggle so hard. And the SPICE? I'll never look at a locker room the same way again...
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Isabel Ibanez
[isbn]
Think about the history of bullfighting — then imagine that, but with dragons and magic and a fierce female heroine who believes there's a better way. Add a hint of romance and betrayal, and you've got yourself a fantastic summer read!
Recommended by Beth C
|
Peng Shepherd
[isbn]
The central conceit of this novel — a cheap gas station map — is so enchanting and strange that it carries the whole story of how its discovery affects the lives of the group of people who find it. You'll never look at a map the same way again!
Recommended by Warren B.
|
Bradley W. Hart
[isbn]
A very readable and pertinent history about the (not lacking in quantity, mind you) Americans that would have been happier had Nazism swallowed Europe whole.
Recommended by C.J.
|
Lauren Layne
[isbn]
I adore pen-pal romances. This one has an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story. People-pleaser Gracie Cooper meets a charming man via a dating app but *PLOT TWIST*? he has a girlfriend: his friends signed him up as a prank one drunken night. Gracie and "Sir" continue to chat as friends while a big company tries to buyout her family business. I love what happens when Gracie decides to take charge of her life and follows her own path.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Frankie Castanea
[isbn]
This book is in-depth and informative while also not being dense or hard to get through. The information on shadow work and grounding is beautifully explained and can be used by beginners or experienced witches. All in all, a beautiful and well-rounded book meant for anyone who wants to make change in themselves and in their community
Recommended by Aster A.
|
Gus Moreno
[isbn]
This Thing Between Us is a horror novel with a bleeding heart. Simultaneously eerie and affecting, it warns how grief can corrupt and let evil into our lives, despite our best intentions. I was struck by how timely and urgent this book was, too: Moreno manages to blend his supernatural scares with the horrors of our contemporary lives. The result becomes something unsettling and deeply honest.
Recommended by Nicole S
|
T Kingfisher
[isbn]
This story is the feminist fantasy quest of my dreams. Kingfisher crafts charming, relatable characters who you'll just want to keep hanging out with, and worlds you'll want to stay lost in forever. Her turns of phrase are wonderful and there's the perfect amount of cleverness and wit. She's my new fave!
Recommended by Carrie K.
|
Kerrigan Byrne
[isbn]
The Fiona Mahoney Mysteries will suck you into a gritty Victorian era London full of murders. After finding the brutalized body of her friend, Fiona inadvertently creates a new job for herself... cleaning up the blood from crime scenes. Now she's pulled into another mystery surrounding murdered sex workers, while still trying to seek justice for her friends' death. Surrounded by an eclectic cast of friends and foes, from Jack the Ripper to Oscar... (read more)
Recommended by Mecca A.
|
Georgi Gospodinov and Angela Rodel
[isbn]
There has been a failure of the future in Europe, and, increasingly, no one wants to live in the unstable present it keeps creating. Instead, people decide to make a time shelter for themselves, to recapture and recreate a past in which they felt most comfortable. But how to choose the best decade? As each country in the European Union holds a referendum to figure out which period of time was most idyllic for that nation, the story gets more... (read more)
Recommended by Jennifer K.
|
Chris Stuck
[isbn]
Chris Stuck consistently dazzles throughout this collection of very funny, occasionally brutal, and stylistically varied short stories. My favorites were the Jordan Peele-esque "Lake No Negro" (featuring a narrator who finds himself the fetishized target of suburban swingers), the surprisingly endearing witness protection story "And Then We Were the Norisses," and the hilarious dialogue-driven barroom scenes in "This Isn't Music."
A strong and... (read more)
Recommended by Kevin S.
|
Nate Lippens
[isbn]
Lippens's book is an evocative death shawl of a story that will stick with me for a long time to come. Though it says "a novel" on the cover, the writing is as intimate, gripping, and detail-heavy as the best memoir. But it feels so personal and nakedly moving, it transcends labels — autofiction, personal essay, diaristic queer nostalgia, fragments, whatever.
Lippens has written an amazing book of one man's survival, life, lusts, and loves, while... (read more)
Recommended by Kevin S.
|
Emme Lund
[isbn]
A fantastical story written with queer-punk, coming-of-age verve. Owen and his (literal) live-in bird companion are an unexpected power duo, navigating a world that baselessly fears them, and somehow still avoiding capture.
The emerging romance between Owen and one of his quiet Pixies-loving friends in the second half of the book was beautiful. It's encouraging to see a wild premise like this — it's part allegory, part underdog story, and would... (read more)
Recommended by Kevin S.
|
Chelsea Bieker
[isbn]
Proving that her excellent debut novel, Godshot, wasn't a fluke, Bieker comes back with a stunning follow-up. The short stories in Heartbroke explore some of her favorite themes (life in the Central Valley of California, working class characters, coming-of-age, religion versus sexual temptation) and examine them with detailed intensity. Bieker reveals how humans struggle and how they carry on. What a performance.
Recommended by Kevin S.
|
Jack Lowery
[isbn]
The past few years have seen some excellent books published that revisit ACT-UP's work during the AIDS crisis in the early 90s (see Sarah Schulman's Let the Record Show). It Was Vulgar & It Was Beautiful focuses specifically on Gran Fury, an affiliate group of artists in ACT-UP, their successes and failures, their iconic images and interpersonal struggles. Jack Lowery has written an eminently readable and ultimately inspiring... (read more)
Recommended by Adam P.
|
Asbjorn Intonsus
[isbn]
Need some devilishly good vegan recipes with the soundtrack to match? Look no further! Even if they call your favorite music tasteless, they won't be able to say that about your food anymore.
Recommended by Eric L.
|
Kim Krans
[isbn]
Kim Krans' beautiful art is both joyous and profound, just like her reverence for the natural world. I love this book.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
|
Christopher Franceschelli
[isbn]
This series of "block" board books is so much fun, and now they're covering space? I couldn't be more delighted!
Recommended by Lucinda G.
|
Leila Mottley
[isbn]
Leila Mottley is somehow able to simultaneously honor the perspective of her narrator — who finds herself swept up in a dangerous situation — while also showing the reader the wider political and legal landscape of a city on the cusp of a reckoning. This is an electric debut.
Recommended by Keith M.
|
Dan Saladino
[isbn]
I could not put this book down! An insightful look at how global homogenization has not only shaped what and how we eat, but has ruthlessly reduced the variety as well. Saladino walks us through the rich and varied food choices of the past that were important cultural markers of the societies that nurtured them. He then describes their loss, be it due to habitat cleared for monoculture crops, war, climate change, or simply time. Saladino rounds... (read more)
Recommended by Lesley A.
|
Ada Calhoun
[isbn]
I picked this book up because, like Ada Calhoun, and her father, Peter Schjeldahl, I love Frank O'Hara's poems. As I hoped and expected it would, Also a Poet delivered wonderful anecdotes about O'Hara and his milieu that I hadn't previously heard. I was surprised and delighted to be just as invested in Calhoun's focus on her complex relationship with her father, writing, gender, and art. Also a Poet charmed and moved me. I'll be... (read more)
Recommended by Adam P.
|
Sueyeun Juliette Lee
[isbn]
Lee's exploration of grief and identity is as impactful as it is strange (in a good way). Her deep understanding of light and ability to inject an uncanny apocalyptic landscape into her poems create a fascinating book that relies on different modes of creative expression and scientific research to inform its content. I have never, and likely will never, read something else quite like it. It's possible that it will change your understanding of the... (read more)
Recommended by Eric L.
|
Sabaa Tahir
[isbn]
A beautifully compelling coming-of-age tale that offers an important glimpse into the immigrant experience. Tahir elegantly explores the complicated nuances of trauma with incredibly honest writing and such richly drawn characters, I felt I knew them personally after finishing.
Recommended by Tawney E.
|
Robert A Jacobs
[isbn]
As terrifying as it is that we once again find ourselves potentially inching towards a nuclear standoff, it's even more terrifying to consider the costs already incurred from nuclear weapons testing — a toll we will pay for centuries. This book is a disturbing read, but as the machinations of the military-industrial complex become more distant and obfuscated, it's one that needs our attention.
Recommended by John Ha
|
Thich Nhat Hanh
[isbn]
The late Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh exemplified all that is beautiful about Buddhism and made accessible what can be a very deep and overwhelming subject to a lay audience. Whether you have been practicing for years or are just starting down your spiritual path like I am, The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching is a superbly written guide for anyone curious about the Buddhist tradition and offers sound advice for anyone regardless of faith.
Recommended by John Ha
|
Weike Wang
[isbn]
My aunt recommended this read to me and I'm so glad she did.
Joan is Okay by Weike Wang addresses the timely themes of pandemic living, coping with loss, and bridging the Asian American identity in a time of outward and inward crisis.
Joan is a character who challenges our preconceptions of success and how we may find humanity in shared moments big and small.
Recommended by Chloe M.
|
Mitch Albom
[isbn]
A heartfelt and honest read with great nuggets of wisdom. I loved reading Morrie's outlook on life and admired his compassion and the patience he extended to those around him. A heartfelt and inspiring read.
Recommended by Tawney E.
|
Shelby Van Pelt
[isbn]
Have you held a book after reading it? Clutching it to your chest and wanting to sink into the story?
This is that book.
It is a beautiful story of grief, friendship, identity, and love. We follow Tova, a woman who over the years lost her son to a mysterious accident at sea and then, decades later, lost her husband of over 40 years. She is lonely, but she is not alone. She has her friend Marcellus, the Giant Pacific octopus, to keep her company... (read more)
Recommended by Mariette E.
|
Sav R. Miller
[isbn]
Fair warning: this is a DARK romance. Always check trigger warnings. There were quite a few in this book.
This is a loose retelling of Hades and Persephone.
Hades is Kallum Anderson, a doctor/hit man for a mafia boss known as Dr Death. Persephone is Elena Ricci, a mafia princess and the daughter of Kal’s boss.
One night, Elena chooses Kallum, knowing she is betrothed to another. She gives into her darkest desire, Kal. Morning comes, and she is... (read more)
Recommended by Mariette E.
|
Nik Sharma
[isbn]
Nik Sharma is the developer of the award-winning blog, "A Brown Table," and he also the weekly column "A Brown Kitchen." In this gorgeous book, he presents global eating, the foods and the techniques, that we can enjoy through his guidance. Think “Toasted Cumin Lemonade,” “Turkey with Cherry-Fennel Barbecue Sauce,” “Cocoa-Spiced Bean and Lentil Soup,” and “Elderflower and Ghee Cake.” This is the kind of cookbook I love because it celebrates... (read more)
Recommended by Marianne T
|
Syan Rose
[isbn]
Open this book to any page and you’re immediately immersed in drawings and conversations that are personal and captivating. From Nube F. Cruz mourning the passing of their Ama, to Kid Cudi sharing people who’ve inspired them, you’ll be touched by their heartfelt words and Syan Rose’s gorgeous art.
Recommended by Marianne T
|
Cole Arthur Riley
[isbn]
The writing in This Here Flesh is so breathtakingly beautiful. It invites quiet, thoughtful reading and contemplation and is one of those books that leaves your soul just a little bit bigger for having read it. Told as a series of stories in simple, powerful prose, it feels like sitting down with an old friend, someone who knows your deepest truths and seeks to help you rediscover them
Recommended by Deana R.
|
Edward Niedermeyer
[isbn]
Having written about the auto industry since 2008, Niedermeyer is the perfect person to tell this story. He effortlessly guides us through the series of blog posts, press releases, exposes, and citizen-led investigations that tell the story of how Tesla became the Goliath we've come to know today. And, head's up: it's not because they were making and selling cars.
Recommended by C.J.
|
Dan Santat
[isbn]
An incredibly touching and heartfelt adventure story about loss, grief, the importance of friendship, and animal rescue. This is perfect for any budding marine biologists and all animal lovers. Impossible to not enjoy!
Recommended by Eric L.
|
Jason Reynolds and Alexander Nabaum
[isbn]
School's out! Ah, the freedom and adventures kids have as they head home. Each chapter and each block, you'll discover new characters with stories to share. Fun, interesting, and a modern classic that still shines even after the first time you read it.
Recommended by Erica B.
|
Kristin Hannah
[isbn]
This is by far my favorite Kristin Hannah book. With all the well-developed characters surviving against the Alaskan wilderness, you'll have a hard time putting it down. If you like the book Where the Crawdad's Sing, try this one.
Recommended by Erica B.
|
Kate Weiss
[isbn]
Whether you know just enough to be dangerous (like me), have made your own clothing for years, or simply want to consider the possibilities, this book will be a good friend. You’ll save money and strut your own style with confidence and pride. Kate Weiss offers really sound advice that’s serious but not too complicated. And you don’t have to make “outfits.” There’s plenty of mending, etc., that we should all be doing, and her instructions are... (read more)
Recommended by Marianne T
|
Justin Rhodes
[isbn]
This book is so inspiring! Rhodes blends his own family’s experience with grounded know-how and practical advice. And then there are the photographs! My favorite shows his daughter and a chicken on page 120. This is an irresistible read.
Recommended by Marianne T
|
Monte Burch, Joan Burch
[isbn]
This is the real deal, from making soap and sharpening knives to foraging and butchering. All the skills our great-grandparents had and we can use.
Recommended by Marianne T
|
Sadhbh Moore and Abi Aspen Glencross
[isbn]
There are lovely recipes here (grouped into categories for “Plants,” “Vaguean,” and “Omnivore”) but also wonderful tips for shopping, re-using, planning, and cleaning. This is a smart and helpful book and would make a great gift for someone starting out (or needing to break from bad habits!).
Recommended by Marianne T
|
Karla Clark
[isbn]
Fantastic! The rhyming and beautiful artwork move the ideas along as you read about how children deal with some very common worries — thunderstorms, first day of school, and a doctor visit. Learn some ideas to try and also talk with your family about what works for you.
Recommended by Erica B.
|
Anna Jones
[isbn]
My favorite feature of this cookbook is the “Ten Simple (name that vegetable) Ideas” that offer immediate gratification and are like brainstorming with a friend. The full recipes are wonderful too, and most are quick and easy to prepare. Check out Gobi Manchurian or Lemongrass and Tofu Larb. My partner doesn't even like tofu, but this one made the difference!
Recommended by Marianne T
|
Ibram X. Kendi and Cbabi Bayoc
[isbn]
With Kendi’s elegant prose and Bayoc’s warm, joyful illustrations, Goodnight Racism cleverly takes the moon from Margaret Wise Brown’s similarly titled classic and makes it so much more — letting it lull sleepers into dreams of a world of equality, “a world where all people are safe.” A joyful, hopeful book.
Recommended by Gigi L.
|