Jory John, Pete Oswald
[isbn]
He’s not only an egg, he’s a verrrrry good egg! But what if sometimes good can go too far? With soft illustrations filled with detail and deadpan humor, The Good Egg reminds us that the first step in being good is being good to yourself.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Charlie Jane Anders
[isbn]
I don't usually read sci-fi, but I will read ANYTHING Charlie Jane Anders writes. She is constantly breathing new life into old genres, and writes characters so well you immediately feel like you know them. This book, her newest, is incredibly moving and thought-provoking — I can't stop thinking about it!
Recommended by Leah C.
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Toni Morrison
[isbn]
Morrison’s forceful, eloquent speeches on globalization, race, and literary criticism made me envious of her generations of lucky students. This is a thoughtful book, to be savored for its wisdom and fierce commitment to justice.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Ross Gay
[isbn]
Never was a book so aptly titled. Ross Gay brings small wonders and beautiful memories to life, while also meditating on race, class, and gender. In these times of nearly constant bad news, reading this book was, well, a delight!
Recommended by Leah B.
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Adam Higginbotham
[isbn]
Adam Higginbotham takes the very complicated — the design and operation of nuclear power plants — and the very, very complicated — Soviet bureaucracy — and makes them both comprehensible in this deeply researched and deeply terrifying minute-by-minute account of the disaster.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Sophia Shalmiyev
[isbn]
Lyrical and raw, Mother Winter is Sophia Shalmiyev’s exploration of leaving Russia with her father at age 11, and of her relationship with her absent mother. Filled with hard-won insight, Shalmiyev’s prose is both searing and meditative.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Valeria Luiselli
[isbn]
One way I've been describing Valeria Luiselli's Lost Children Archive is that it reads like a classic — as though even now, you can tell that this is a novel that will be pored over and taught, and will carry its gravity, grace, and intelligence into the future. But it's also immensely compelling, and the second half is so page-turning I raced through on first read, desperate to find out what happened. The story of this family is both... (read more)
Recommended by Jill O.
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Michael Chabon
[isbn]
Chabon uses a memoir-ish format to tell the story about his grandparents' often-turbulent marriage. Or, at least, that's what he says he's doing. Our narrator is Chabon's grandfather, who painstakingly retells the story of his complicated and troubled marriage. Addressing issues of mental illness, the love of science, death, grief, marriage, and the toll on family when one member is mentally ill, Chabon does a wonderful job. His prose is... (read more)
Recommended by Dianah H.
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Amit Chaudhuri
[isbn]
Returning to the city of his youth, Amit Chaudhuri encounters sights and shopkeepers both familiar and unknown. Those more mundane memories are punctuated by Amit’s recollections of his old friend, who is being treated for a long-standing substance abuse problem, and by the city’s collective trauma from a recent terrorist attack. Friend of My Youth is an autofiction kaleidoscope, examining how cities, friendships, and artists change over... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
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Juliet Lapidos
[isbn]
Talent follows a graduate student of English who’s fallen behind schedule on her dissertation and is finding it difficult to motivate herself to finish. When she meets the niece of a writer famed for his abrupt halt to publishing, she finds a perfect case study. Written with flair, Lapidos offers humor and insight in a novel that can either be read briskly or be endlessly diagrammed and analyzed. Reader’s choice!
Recommended by Keith M.
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Ta Nehisi Coates, Roxane Gay, Yona Harvey
[isbn]
This graphic novel is an excellent addition to the Black Panther story. It provides context for many of the moving parts in the Black Panther plot. And Roxane Gay is a talented writer in any medium!
Recommended by Junix S
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Morgan Parker
[isbn]
Morgan Parker’s newest collection is going to shake you to your core. While her work continues to explore black womanhood, this collection is an acute examination of the anger, pain, and rawness that comes from being a black woman in America — not just now, but over time as it has revolved more than it has evolved. This time, Parker turns the lens outward on the societal gaze and influences on black womanhood just as much as she reflects... (read more)
Recommended by Kate L.
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Hanif Abdurraqib
[isbn]
This book is a love letter to ’90s hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest. Abdurraqib explores the era, the art of sampling, and how their songs have impacted his life. The writing is amazing and has inspired me to dig out my old Tribe cassettes to immerse myself in their music once again.
Recommended by Jennifer H.
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Cormac McCarthy
[isbn]
Haunting and intensely descriptive, Cormac McCarthy's The Road lingers with you like the smell of a strong cigar. A prize winner and arguably McCarthy's most renowned title, The Road obsessively describes the apocalypse after an environmental disaster. You won't put it down, or forget about the experience traveling along with this father-son duo.
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Penney Peirce
[isbn]
Tune into the subtleties and increase your potential with this read. Its wisdom and simplicity will reverberate and add inspiration to your step.
Recommended by Hillary B.
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Amos Barshad
[isbn]
Amos Barshad is fascinated with Rasputins — shadowy advisers who manipulate those in power for their own ends. He pursues this archetype across an impressive variety of contexts with style and wit. I didn’t know I wanted this book until it mysteriously appeared, completely capturing my attention and earning my hopeless devotion.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Tayari Jones
[isbn]
What happens to a marriage when it is reduced to correspondence and brief supervised encounters? Told in letters, with vibrant narration, An American Marriage is the gut-wrenching story of Roy and Celestial, who have just begun building a life together when Roy is falsely convicted of a crime.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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S E Grove
[isbn]
When her brother is kidnapped by a large pharmaceutical corporation, Nat is determined to get him back. Set in a parallel version of San Francisco, The Waning Age is a dystopian thriller that will keep you glued to the page.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Anne Carson
[isbn]
If the goal of poetry is to reflect life, then Anne Carson's desolate and descriptive The Autobiography of Red is great poetry. This novella, written in verse, reveals many ways a heart can break. The tale of Geryon and Herakles is well worn, a tattered page in the book of mythology. But Carson sparks the tale anew, turning Geryon into a likable if unknowable monster who falls in love with Herakles, resulting in heartache and ruin.... (read more)
Recommended by Alex Y.
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James Baldwin
[isbn]
Any James Baldwin novel should be mandatory reading for concerned citizens of today. In Go Tell It on the Mountain, Baldwin explores the history of the hold evangelism has had on the black community. Navigating the complex emotions of different characters, Baldwin shares hidden relationships with Christianity and the question of God. This novel is ideal for the existentialist, the radical, and the curious. While it asks more questions... (read more)
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Mary Berry
[isbn]
Ever watched The Great British Bake Off and thought you could make better desserts than the contestants if only you had a recipe? Look no further than Baking With Mary Berry, from the queen of British baking herself. Her instructions are easy to follow and the enticing color photographs had me bookmarking every page. I'm baking my way through cover to cover!
Recommended by Amanda P.
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Peter H. Reynolds
[isbn]
Peter H. Reynolds returns with another tale of sage advice and a call to action for readers young and old. Say Something empowers even the quietest of us to say something with words or actions to spark change in ourselves — and the world around us.
Recommended by Kate L.
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Charlotte Shane and Merritt K
[isbn]
Times are tough. All any of us needs is a cool, slightly older friend who will hand us a bowl of cereal and let us pet their cat while they impart their wisdom and affirmation onto us. Fortunately, such a remedy has arrived in the form of merritt k. and Charlotte Shane (cat and cereal not included). Equal parts familiar and challenging, this beautiful, hand-printed pamphlet features discussion of sex work, monogamy, plastic surgery, the paradox... (read more)
Recommended by Kyan F.
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Paul Tremblay
[isbn]
One sign of a successful book is how much you think about it after turning its last page. On that count, Head Full of Ghosts is a resounding success. I've thought of this book many times since finishing it... often on rainy dark nights, when I wonder how in the world the author wove such a believable young narrator in with a story that seems straightforward at first, but becomes increasingly creepy and meta. So yeah, I still think about... (read more)
Recommended by Bart K.
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Lynn S. Chancer
[isbn]
Chancer provides an easy-to-read overview of the last century of feminist struggles and victories through seven key touchpoints, making it a great primer for those looking for a place to start. She wraps up these thoughts with a call to embrace intersectionality and education in our feminisms moving forward, acknowledging the challenges this poses.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Han Kang
[isbn]
Spare, observant, beautiful. The White Book is a profound meditation on the presence in our lives that an acutely felt absence can hold.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Nicki Pau Preto
[isbn]
They say the Phoenix Riders all perished in the war, but surely some are still out there. Surely Veronyka and Val, sisters with the Riders’ gifts of animal communication, stand a chance at finding surviving phoenixes to bond with — like the sister queens that ignited the war and perished in its fiery conclusion. This electrifying first half of Preto’s planned duology establishes a society on the brink of collapse — or, perhaps, rebirth.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Eric Carle
[isbn]
A great gift for new and old Carle fans alike, Eric Carle's Book of Many Things is filled with over 200 words and concepts little readers will delight in. Showcasing the colorful collage work synonymous with the author, full spreads feature weather, food, and feelings, with sweet cameos by beloved characters such as the Very Hungry Caterpillar and the Angry Lady Bug.
Recommended by Kate L.
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Lois Lowry, P Craig Russell
[isbn]
The Giver was one of my favorite books as a child, and it's perfect for a graphic treatment. I'm really excited that P. Craig Russell's adaptation stays true to the original; his artwork heightens the impact of some of the novel's most memorable scenes without distracting from Lowry's chilling story.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Keith Rosson
[isbn]
If someone told you to braid together three disparate story lines (let's say, the reincarnated soul of Joan of Arc's executioner, a washed-up alcoholic artist, and a sudden rash of ghostly appearances), could you do it? Could you do it without sounding like an idiot? Keith Rosson can — magnificently.
Rosson's characters are so layered and well-defined, they absolutely hum with realism, even when they're talking to ghosts, or... (read more)
Recommended by Dianah H.
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Marlon James
[isbn]
Tracker has a nose: he can find anyone. But when he takes a job to locate a missing child, he ends up as part of a splintered fellowship running headfirst into a conspiracy of magic and kings. James’s meditative prose delivers a gripping fantasy adventure rooted in African mythology and history.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Ben Clanton
[isbn]
Narwhal’s Otter Friend had me at the scowling jellyfish. A sweet and funny exploration of how new friendships can sometimes test old ones, with all the strawberries, waffles, and derring-do I’ve come to expect from this delightful series.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Lynne Kelly
[isbn]
Twelve-year-old Iris is deaf, and often feels cut off from her peers. When she learns about a whale that is similarly isolated, she hatches a plan to help him. This book is so very lovely, and packs in a ton of beautiful messages about the importance of things like belonging, hope, and fighting for what you believe in.
Recommended by Leah C.
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Angie Thomas
[isbn]
Ambitious in scope, On the Come Up could easily buckle under the weight of all it explores — as could its 16-year-old protagonist — but Angie Thomas is too good a writer to let that happen. This is an urgent, authentic novel, full of heart.
Recommended by Tove H.
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Elizabeth Mccracken
[isbn]
I'm so happy Elizabeth McCracken is back! As always, in this new novel she excels at place-building, characterization, and crafting wonderful language — her sentences stick with you long after turning the last page. This reminded me of many of my favorite things, from John Irving to the Gilmore Girls... I didn't want it to end.
Recommended by Leah C.
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Maria Popova
[isbn]
An extraordinary collection of biographies interweaving the lives of six great scientists, dreamers, and visionaries throughout history, told in melodic prose by another great conductor of wonder. Let’s hope that one day classroom history books are as full of life as this gorgeous tome.
Recommended by Moses M.
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Trevor Noah
[isbn]
There are a lot of reasons why Born a Crime is one of the best books I've read this year. Trevor Noah is a proven storyteller, so there's that. His life story is worth telling — the circumstances of his birth, the illegality and audacity of his very existence, so there's that. And then he provides a somehow totally new critique of race, because it's South Africa, not America. It's the same, but also totally different. This book was so... (read more)
Recommended by Britt A.
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Marisha Pessl
[isbn]
Ever have the feeling that you've discovered a great, unknown author? Do yourself a favor and discover Pessl, who writes in a distinctly enjoyable style. This, her debut novel, has intrigue, young love, and literature references galore. When you're through, Pessl has the equally enjoyable Night Film and Neverworld Wake to devour next.
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Garth Stein
[isbn]
Denny has dreams of becoming the world's best race car driver, but life seems to get in the way. When Denny's life careens out of control, his adorable mutt Enzo tries to be supportive. Enzo is quite ready to be human, so he deeply feels, and is frustrated by, his absence of thumbs and speech. This is a sweet, poignant, and unique book.
Recommended by Dianah H.
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Ursula K Le Guin
[isbn]
Lathe of Heaven pulls at your perception of reality and on your heartstrings in a way I can't begin to explain. An intense world where literally life-altering dreams happen to a seemingly ordinary man who believes there is nothing special about himself. For this reason, he becomes the most important.
Recommended by Rin S.
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Pro Familia, Dagmar Geisler
[isbn]
An awesome kids' book on consent and self-advocacy! It is written in a way that is clear for a child to understand, and that parents or teachers can build a discussion around. There are situational explanations with friends and relatives given in the story. It goes on to say that you can always tell someone no, even if the person in your space is a relative or a friend. Highly recommended for kids reaching the age where they start to grasp the... (read more)
Recommended by Rin S.
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Lucy Ives
[isbn]
Troy Augustus Loudermilk is on to something when he realizes there is money to be made and girls to be had in the poetry racket. All he needs to secure a spot in the prestigious Seminars is the ghostwriting help of his asocial friend Harry... sound familiar? It's as though our fabulously named, conspicuously handsome hero has stepped out of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalog (this is 2003, after all) and into a production of Cyrano de... (read more)
Recommended by Lauren P.
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Kevin A Patterson, Ruby Bouie Johnson
[isbn]
As far as I know, this is the only book on polyamory that specifically addresses the unique challenges people of color face in the poly lifestyle. I highly recommend this resource for POC and their partners.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Victoria Schwab
[isbn]
If Goosebumps is your cup of tea, City of Ghosts should be next on your list. Cassidy, her family, and her ghost friend Jacob move to Edinburgh to pursue a ghost hunting life, though Cassidy is the only one who can actually see ghosts. One day she finds that she's being haunted by an old ghost, and must enlist the help of an unlikely friend to stop the dangerous spirit. Though eerie and chilling, Schwab makes sure to add the perfect... (read more)
Recommended by Brianna B.
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Jon Krakauer
[isbn]
As someone who grew up in the LDS religion, this book brought to light so many devastating and gruesome historical truths in the church. I can't recommend it enough — whether you are a member yourself, or are curious to know about this American-born faith. Take it from me, you won't ever be able to view Joseph Smith or his followers the same.
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Jeff Vandermeer
[isbn]
Published within the span of a year, the Southern Reach trilogy begins with Annihilation. A stunning first part, the story is a strange mix of bio-horror and sci-fi. A little bit Alice in Wonderland, a little bit At the Mountains of Madness, VanderMeer's Southern Reach trilogy has earned him a place as one of the best contemporary sci-fi authors. Area X has an infectious hold on me, and restored my tumultuous... (read more)
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Lispector, Clarice
[isbn]
Fans of Gertrude Stein, Franz Kafka, and John Waters, get ready to take a dive into Lispector’s avant-garde world. The titular narrator reflects on the cockroach she has discovered and killed in her former maid’s room, culminating in a crisis of personality. Rich with metaphor and social analysis, The Passion According to G. H. is a beautiful meditation that demands to be read. Keep your pencil close at hand; there are sure to be lines,... (read more)
Recommended by Kyan F.
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Peter Rock
[isbn]
Based on a true story, My Abandonment is the story of a Portland father and his teenage daughter who actually lived for several years in a cave in Forest Park. No one knew they were there, but when their story came to light, there was an outcry among the city's residents on behalf of the family. Peter Rock, a writing professor at Portland's Reed College, tells their story in prose at once spare and graceful, and manages to twist the... (read more)
Recommended by Dianah H.
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Neil Gaiman
[isbn]
Coraline is my all-time favorite children's book. Coraline showcases Gaiman's lovably snarky yet subtle sense of humor, as well as his knack for creating whimsical and unforgettably creepy worlds.
Recommended by Annie BP
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Mark Bowden
[isbn]
The Last Stone focuses almost exclusively on a series of interrogations with a man who gave a statement about a kidnapping 40 years ago. The police knew he was lying then and they know he is lying now. Bowden deftly keeps the story taut and compelling while holding the aperture to its narrowest setting. The book is ultimately about confronting unrepentant mendacity and asks if victory over a pathological liar is truly possible.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Marisha Pessl
[isbn]
Marisha Pessl's newest novel explores familiar themes with a new twist. Can a group of friends collectively decide who will escape their new, perpetual reality? Or are they doomed to live the same day forever? At times mysterious and thrilling, Neverworld Wake explores the relationships we have with our loved ones — revealing that even those closest to us can be strangers.
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Marisha Pessl
[isbn]
Fans of classic horror directors, like Hitchcock and Kubrick, will love the uncanny resemblance of Pessl's fictional director Sanislas Cordova. Follow an investigative journalist into the cultish underground of Cordova and the mysterious details surrounding the death of his daughter. Don't read this one late into the night, or you'll find yourself trapped on the set of one of Cordova's films.
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Zachary Auburn
[isbn]
Ensure your feline is the most patriotic citizen possible with this red-blooded instructional guide to all those tough conversations.
Recommended by Dawn L.
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David Wallace Wells
[isbn]
Reading this book is like slowing your car to gawk at a wreck, only to realize you’re in the wreck; it is equal parts disaster porn and collective autobiography. Wallace-Wells’s erudite breakdown of what climate change is doing to us right now, and what it is certain to do to our children, is savage in its dismissal of optimism and brilliant in its urgency. I’ve rarely read anything as politically galvanizing: This is writing to raise your heart... (read more)
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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DK
[isbn]
An Anthology of Intriguing Animals by DK steps away from the publisher’s usual format of a glossy cover and pages filled with photographs and spots of text in favor of a beautiful gold-embossed cover and gilded pages. Inside, over 100 animals are highlighted by a single striking photograph accompanied by a realistic drawing. The text is short, factual, and clear, imparting interesting tidbits about each animal. This is a beautiful,... (read more)
Recommended by Steph C.
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Esme Weijun Wang
[isbn]
The Border of Paradise is a novel about the trauma inflicted upon us and that we in turn inflict on others, a ;saga chronicling the lives of a neurotic Polish American man who comes to marry a beautiful Taiwanese woman. We learn this man is about to kill himself on the first page, and from there their haunting histories unfold — bridled with abuse, mental illness, and lost love. Esme Weijun Wang is a master at weaving these different... (read more)
Recommended by Cosima C.
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Nosy Crow, Yu hsuan Huang
[isbn]
We adore this book in my house. My 18-month-old is very energetic, so I love how sturdy it is. Instead of flaps, it has movable parts which she loves interacting with. The wipers for the bus are especially fun. I find her looking at it by herself a lot. My 3-year-old is obsessed with anything having to do with cars and this is one of our favorite songs to sing. Colorful and bright with cute illustrations my kids love.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Constance Garnett
[isbn]
This is one of the finest explorations of criminal psychology ever written. With enormous scope, Dostoyevsky dissects poverty, rationalization, the criminal mind, guilt, confession, religion, and redemption. He also provides an exquisite look at overwhelming paranoia. Crime and Punishment is a perfect, breathtaking masterpiece.
Recommended by Dianah H.
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Jacqueline Kelly
[isbn]
This is an amazing story about a young woman of science and her studies with nature in rural Texas. Her eccentric grandpa teaches her biology out of his study, and they end up becoming partners in crime with their research. Most people in Calpurnia's life don't believe in women of science, but her grandpa does and instills and nurtures the curiosity within her.
Recommended by Rin S.
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Deborah Shapiro
[isbn]
Emily doesn't know what to do with herself. She and her husband had plans to renovate the camp she inherited from her aunt, but work has stalled. With no other job prospects in sight, she is adrift in a listless echo of the eternity of childhood summers. So when she discovers a magnetic young woman staying on their property, she is more intrigued than alarmed. Despite her better judgment, Emily is drawn to Stella and they quickly become very... (read more)
Recommended by Lauren P.
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Erica Silverman
[isbn]
An awesome story to explain to children what being transgender means. A great read for a sibling or close loved one of a trans kid, especially. The plot of this book is a big sister witnessing her younger trans brother starting to be himself. It even depicts the process through which the child might reject the idea at first, but then accept it in the end after they begin to understand. Highly recommended for trans kids and siblings of trans... (read more)
Recommended by Rin S.
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Julian Castro
[isbn]
Julián Castro’s political autobiography, released in anticipation of a presidential run, checks all the required boxes: values instilled in early life, impressive academic success, political coming of age, etc. I want and expect all that from every entrant in the literary presidential primary. I was pleasantly surprised to find that An Unlikely Journey also includes a more rounded view of Castro’s life with numerous unexpected and... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
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Stephanie Land
[isbn]
Maid, Stephanie Land’s clear-eyed explanation of just how difficult it is to get by while cleaning strangers’ houses, is standing on the shoulders of Barbara Ehrenreich’s now classic Nickel and Dimed. In fact, Ehrenreich wrote the foreword. Where Maid exceeds its predecessor is in the fullness of the lived-experience portrait it paints. Just as poverty is often passed on generationally, so is emotional abuse. Land’s... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
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Julie Maroh, David Homel
[isbn]
Lush illustrations and sweet prose tell multiple stories of many loves. There's a love story for everyone here; trans, straight, gay, poly, recently bereaved, still searching... the list goes on. It's the type of book you read in one sitting and it then sticks with you for days after.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Allen Ginsberg
[isbn]
I consider this collection a part of queer history. This read is vulgar and blunt, but very real. Ginsberg's work puts me in the mindset of someone who is defeated, howling, but accepting it as truth.
Recommended by Rin S.
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Kristyn Dunnion
[isbn]
Tarry This Night is a claustrophobic nightmare chronicling what it means to be a woman growing up in a bunker ruled by apocalyptic fundamentalism that decrees a holy writ life of enforced polygamous incest. This is the dystopia that comes about when all of the most horrific ideologies that pump into America's rotting heart — racism, Christian fanaticism, misogyny, and homophobia — calcify themselves into the single wicked hydra they've... (read more)
Recommended by Cosima C.
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Mary Ann Shaffer
[isbn]
I have always loved historical fiction; it makes me feel as though I have a real connection to these places where all these amazing and world-changing things happened. Within the first few pages, Mary Ann Shaffer immerses you in a world with characters that you feel you've known all your life. You truly feel as though you are with them working through all the hardships and unknowns that arose in post-WWII Europe. The fact that it is written in... (read more)
Recommended by Rachel J.
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Anthony Marra
[isbn]
The characters in the book will walk off the pages and grab hold of your heartstrings. They live in a stark reality that forces them to confront their inner demons and will bring the reader right along with them through all the ups and downs. It is a beautifully written story and will stay tucked inside your mind for years to come.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Holly Black
[isbn]
I do not frequently have the luxury of finishing a book in one sitting. Nor do I often have the desire to do so. This time I did. After consuming the whole of Cruel Prince on New Year's Eve, I read the second installment, The Wicked King, just days after, also in the span of one day. Needless to say, I loved it! The Wicked King had me captivated, mesmerized by the intricate espionage of Jude's game in the High King's... (read more)
Recommended by Samantha C.
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Stella Gibbons
[isbn]
If I were to tell you that Cold Comfort Farm is a perfectly executed take-down (and take-off) of romantic pastoral novels, it wouldn't be inaccurate... but it would miss the point of this book's charm. Stella Gibbons has done an awfully artful job of writing rustic mayhem. Every page of this book has a line of dialogue or a turn of phrase that is both striking and funny. (The plot in a nutshell: Flora Post, a refined, metropolitan young... (read more)
Recommended by Bart K.
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Brad Warner
[isbn]
I love Brad Warner for his breezy and accessible approach to the incredibly deep topic of Zen Buddhism. Here he tackles the Shōbōgenzō through personal anecdotes about his return to Ohio for a punk reunion concert. I highly recommend this title for anyone looking to jump into Zen studies, or students of Buddhism looking for a fresh take.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Melissa Broder
[isbn]
Lucy dives deep into the self-abnegation and ego of Tinder culture and surfaces with overpriced underwear, a merman, and every awful, self-defeating thing you’ve ever said or engaged in to make someone love you. The Pisces is bold, funny, and smart, but Broder’s real accomplishment is this: though you spend the book urging Lucy out of the water, by the end it’s you under the waves, summoning the strength to make it back to land.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Nafissa Thompson Spires
[isbn]
If I could stretch this book past the last page and into the infinite, I would, because I never wanted it to end. Whether she's chronicling an epistolary rivalry between two mothers who should know better (but thankfully don't), giving an achingly detailed account of a police shooting, or trying to craft the perfect suicidal Facebook post, Thompson-Spires entertains as much as she indicts. Her stories perfectly encapsulate modern life in a way... (read more)
Recommended by Lauren P.
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Marilynne Robinson
[isbn]
I read Robinson’s latest collection of essays like I do all of her nonfiction: with a highlighter, chin in hand, fiercely concentrated. Robinson is stunningly intelligent — capable of synthesizing topics as varied as Fox News and Calvinism — but most enviably, she thinks for herself. That’s not a simple task in a country that asks for blind allegiance to ideology (Left or Right?), and Robinson’s refusal to interpret modern America in such a... (read more)
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Tim Kreider
[isbn]
I am in love with Tim Kreider. Which — given the romantic anecdotes scattered abundantly throughout these beautifully composed and hilarious essays — suggests I have questionable taste in men... but excellent taste in literature.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Nosy Crow, Yu hsuan Huang
[isbn]
This publisher does such a great job with these interactive books. My daughter is very energetic, so we try to avoid lift-the-flap books since she destroys them. The movable parts on Itsy Bitsy Spider are a joy to play with and make her giggle. This was the first song she started learning so she had the biggest smile on her face when I brought this book home. I love the art and my favorite page is the rainbow at the end. So cute.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Rebecca Roanhorse
[isbn]
I thought that I knew what to expect from Trail of Lightning, but it surprised me at every turn: with it's world building, its lightning quick plot, and especially its characters. I expect this series to fundamentally change how we think of urban fantasy. There's no time like now to pick it up!
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Rebecca Roanhorse
[isbn]
Maggie is on a mission to be a better person, despite a world that wants her to be bad and her own aptitude for destruction, but a mysterious figure called The White Locust is really testing her dedication to this whole "no murder" thing. After Kai and Caleb Goodacre go missing, she takes off on an apocalyptic road trip to bring them home, introducing readers to the hellscape that remains outside of Dinétah, some strange new magic, and a host of... (read more)
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Rabeah Ghaffari
[isbn]
Rabeah Ghaffari has written the perfect novel, a story of entwined sweetness and violence that hums with life. With this book, she thoughtfully explores issues of tradition, community, and identity amidst the growing tension and unease of the impending Islamic Revolution. But what moved me most (besides the mouthwatering descriptions of family meals) were her insights into each character's secret pain. I sympathized with even the most wretched,... (read more)
Recommended by Lauren P.
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Sarah Hoffman, Ian Hoffman, Chris Case
[isbn]
This is an awesome story that teaches children that clothing and fashion have no gender. Everyone should wear what they feel the most comfortable in, and in Jacob's case, that would be dresses. It walks through the pushback and interactions one might get from going against the norm, and how to handle them.
Recommended by Rin S.
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N K Jemisin
[isbn]
Frustrated with never seeing herself in stories, Jemisin set out to write a diverse cast of characters to populate her fantasy worlds. This collection of speculative short fiction is sometimes sweet, sometimes haunting, sometimes sad, and always begs the reader to question: When was the first time you saw yourself reflected in a book?
Recommended by Deana R.
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Robin Hobb
[isbn]
I picked up this book because I love dragons. It was my first Robin Hobb book. It was definitely not what I expected. In this world, dragons have made a resurgence, but they're heavily flawed. And they, along with their keepers, must make a journey to the ancient homeland of the dragons. The dragons are cranky, stubborn, and have no idea what to do. Their keepers are desperate for a new life. The first book is emotional and does a great job... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
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Uzodinma Iweala
[isbn]
Uzodinma Iweala writes a coming-of-age tale that is so blistering and so timely, it's a wonder. Meredith and Niru have a long-standing friendship, but it is an unruly mixture of attraction, first love, confusion, jealousy, and rejection. Iweala picks apart themes of parenting, young adulthood, tragedy, and the misunderstandings that can sometimes catch fire and blow up into the daily news. Wonderfully done, with straightforward prose, Iweala... (read more)
Recommended by Dianah H.
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Liam Callanan
[isbn]
The setting, a bookshop in Paris, intrigued me. The first line hooked me. While some aspects of this tale are reminiscent of The Little Paris Bookshop, the larger story of a family searching for a missing father is so much more. Beautifully written, it questions the nature of parenting, marriage, and what we tell ourselves about love. But too, there is the bookstore and the mystery of connection and truth that books offer. Wonderful!
Recommended by Kathi K.
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Elizabeth Brooks
[isbn]
With its wild, windswept atmosphere, its haunted characters, and its enveloping story, The Orphan of Salt Winds is the perfect novel to settle into on a cold, dreary day. Elizabeth Brooks has delivered a gripping, swirling mystery that will transport you to the eerie landscape of Salt Winds.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Louis Bayard
[isbn]
Louis Bayard has written a fabulous piece of historical fiction. You fall right into the wild prairie town of Springfield, Illinois, in the 1840s, and are captivated by young Lincoln as he learns the ways of polite society from his friend Joshua Speed. The story is told alternately by Mary Todd as she chafes against societal strictures and confuses herself by falling for the rough-hewn but charismatic Lincoln. Bayard has created three memorable... (read more)
Recommended by Kathi K.
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Keith Negley
[isbn]
This is a great read to combat negative comments such as "man up" or "boys don't cry" and all of that nonsense. The message gets delivered but the illustrations are funny and lighthearted enough to keep the mood elevated while reading. I imagine this would be a great read-aloud to a class of elementary school students. Feel all the feelings!
Recommended by Rin S.
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James Gurney
[isbn]
If you're interested in getting started in fantasy art and/or traditional painting, this is a great resource book. James Gurney runs through the process of gathering reference material, sketching out ideas, and even delves a bit into color theory and composition. I loved reading about his process and how he got started in art. He also talks about different possible careers for illustrators/artists, which is something not every art book will talk... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
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Sera Beak
[isbn]
Redvelations is truly a revelation. Building on her bestselling memoir, Red Hot and Holy, Sera Beak digs even deeper into the workings of her own soul and brings us a book that is both incredibly personal and highly relevant. Her book is full of heart and soul and fire and poetry. I recommend it to anyone and everyone, and I hope it brings you as much joy and clarity as it brought me.
Recommended by Azalea M.
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Elliot Ackerman
[isbn]
Ackerman pens an unbelievably moving novella: his ode to wartime, family, friendship, pain, fear, and death. When Eden Malcom comes home from his tour of duty, burned beyond recognition, sightless, and voiceless, his wife Mary must choose his next path. As the marriage of Eden and Mary is revealed, her decision wavers as he waits in pain and silence. Ackerman's insight into a tiny slice of a life no one would ever want is heartbreaking and... (read more)
Recommended by Dianah H.
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Kate Allan
[isbn]
I think this is the most adorable self-help book I have ever seen. Cute animals grace every page, letting you know that everything is going to be OK and that you are not alone in your struggles.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Pam Houston
[isbn]
Deep Creek, Pam Houston's new memoir, details her life over decades on her 120-acre ranch in Colorado, including rich, vivid details about rural life, and honest, sometimes searing stories about Houston's own history. For any fans of her earlier work, or anyone who loves strong female voices or nature memoirs, Deep Creek hits the spot.
Recommended by Jill O.
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Ameet Studio
[isbn]
LEGO is back with another fantastic Harry Potter book, this time an activity book full of fun games, puzzles, comics, and much more. It also comes with a buildable figurine of Harry, complete with Hedwig and a broomstick!
Recommended by Matt K.
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Michael Chabon
[isbn]
Pleasure is the overarching theme in this perfectly winsome compilation on reading and writing: Chabon offers insights and meditations on the role literature has played in his life, invoking the written word as the cherishable prize that it is — in ways only he can.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Jeff Vandermeer
[isbn]
Enter Ambergris — a city inhabited by creatures called Mushroom Heads, hosts to an age-long fight against humans who cruelly colonized their ancestral home. VanderMeer holds his reader's attention through the short texts, which vary from personal accounts to faux historical documents. City of Saints and Madmen is bewildering, bemusing, and baffling. You'll want to return to Ambergris again and again, curious about unseen footnotes or to... (read more)
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Lauren Acampora
[isbn]
Although she currently works as a cashier and lives with her parents, Abby knows she is destined for greatness. Aside from her art, she has two passions: the esoteric films of reclusive director Auguste Perren and following her former best friend’s rise to fame in Hollywood. Their brief reconnection at a high school reunion is just the first step of her preordained path to success... Reading this sinister book is like entering one of Abby’s... (read more)
Recommended by Lauren P.
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Libba Bray
[isbn]
Imagine if Mean Girls was set in the Victorian era with a bit more murder and magic in the mix. This Gothic trilogy is chock-full of memorable characters, with a mystery and twists that will keep you hooked.
Recommended by Amanda P.
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Alexandra Rowland
[isbn]
Any lover of fiction or mythology knows that stories possess power, whether that power is used simply to enchant readers or listeners, suspend disbelief, change minds, or even, say, topple a nation. This particular story is very much about the power that stories are capable of, and in the hands of the wrongfully imprisoned storyteller Chant, that power proves to be most devastating. Our often sly and "trickster-like" protagonist manages to catch... (read more)
Recommended by Jordan D.
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Karin Tidbeck
[isbn]
Jagannath is an otherworldly, quirky collection of short stories that possesses the unique power to simultaneously leave you asking yourself what the heck you just read, while keeping you wholly engrossed in its surreal atmosphere. As far as science fiction goes, it's one of my favorite reads from this year.
Recommended by Jordan D.
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David Treuer
[isbn]
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee is a sweeping account of Native Americans from pre-"who shall not be named" to present day, and a rich counter-narrative to the myth that Natives are a relic of the past. Instead of the vanishing Indian narrative, Treuer delivers testimonies of resilient people over time, truths about termination policies that continue to this day, and portraits of contemporary Natives continuing to both resist colonial... (read more)
Recommended by Kate L.
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