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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Sheri Holman
[isbn]
The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman is one of the most surprising historical fiction books I've ever read. Her ability to recreate 1830s England — with all its nastiness — is simply magical, and the seamless addition of an unlikely medical thriller theme just left me in complete awe of her writing chops. The story also includes one of literature's most astonishing characters: the laser-focused automaton, The Eye (who is, alone, reason... (read more)
Recommended by Dianah 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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Erica Silverman, Holly Hatam
[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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Abi Maxwell
[isbn]
This story of two women separated by time but united by place and suffering for their sexuality is written with eerie beauty. It haunts and soothes as if told at night by campfire.
Recommended by Kathi K.
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Lili Anolik
[isbn]
Lili Anolik has indulged her obsession with the life, times, and writings of LA author Eve Babitz and created a fascinating observation of the ’70s arts scene on "the other coast." This very nontraditional biography provides the reader with a multifaceted portrait of an outsize and unforgettable talent, Babitz, and of a time and place little known or understood beyond the glitz. I'm so glad Anolik introduced me to Eve.
Recommended by Kathi K.
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Isaac Asimov
[isbn]
Foundation is an oldie but goodie in the sci-fi world in my opinion. My brother offhandedly recommended it to me, and it has easily become a favorite. Asimov's writing style flows in a way that is complex but also digestible, and the dialogue is the most unique I've experienced. I'm usually not much for space politics, but this story is amazing, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has liked Le Guin or Douglas Adams.
Recommended by Rin S.
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Raleigh Briggs
[isbn]
An awesome do-it-yourself guide for simple remedies, medicines, and cleaners! I say simple, but you will acquire a lot of skills if you put any of these methods in practice. If you're interested in relevant homesteading skills in a fast-paced world where there is hardly any time for that, this is totally for you!
Recommended by Rin S.
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Nichole Mara and Alexander Vidal
[isbn]
We all have feet. Even animals! This book is a great way to introduce animals to a child by finding something they can relate to — feet. The book breaks down the animal kingdom into different kinds of feet: Polar bears have snow feet, while tortoises have slow feet. The simple illustrations are very cute and colorful. My toddlers love picking out all the different animals when we read this together. So much fun.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Natalie C Anderson
[isbn]
Refugee, homeless, child soldier, spy: Abdi has been all these things and more to keep his family alive. Where can he go from here? Darting back and forth in time, this is a compelling story about a young man deciding whether to let himself drown or to kick back against the forces trying to keep him under the waves.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Daniel H Pink
[isbn]
Timing isn't everything, but it might be more important than you think. Daniel Pink’s When combines insight from psychology, biology, and economics, along with helpful tips and tricks to help you maximize your day. Pink never fails to educate and entertain.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Ursula K Le Guin
[isbn]
A lively and engrossing collection of blog posts ranging from an encounter with a rattlesnake to a discussion of Homer and Joyce. Whatever the subject, Le Guin’s elegant prose is always a joy to read.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Lisa Kleypas
[isbn]
I used to be a snob and refused to read romance novels. A friend saw me as a challenge and handed me this novel to read. I was hooked. It starts off with Beatrix writing letters to a soldier away at war. He thinks it's Beatrix's friend writing the letters and when he finds out the truth upon his return home, it's both emotional and hilarious. I loved this one so much that I ended up going back and reading the rest of the series after finishing... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
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Kevin Hearne
[isbn]
This urban fantasy series is hilarious and full of magic. Atticus O'Sullivan is a druid. He is, in fact, the last druid to walk the earth. And all he wants is to live in peace in Arizona, running his occult bookshop. That peace is interrupted when he is discovered by a Celtic god who has held a grudge against him for about 2,000 years. This series has gods, faeries, and all kinds of other magical creatures. A super fun read. Great for fans of The... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
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Paula McLain
[isbn]
Hemingway’s charisma, determination, and aggressive masculinity are intoxicating. But those same features are all the more fascinating in Martha Gellhorn, war correspondent and Hemingway’s third wife. Love and Ruin resurrects Gellhorn as the brazen genius she was, with the talent to match her famous (and famously difficult) husband. A fun and fascinating read!
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Leigh Bardugo
[isbn]
Civil war left the country of Ravka scarred — quite literally in the case of its king, Nikolai Lantsov. But scars are the least of his worries: there are monsters lurking in Nikolai’s past, and if he wants to save his country, he’ll need to vanquish his demons. Bardugo is in fine form in this return to her compelling Grishaverse!
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Dahr Jamail
[isbn]
The End of Ice is terrifying. It kept me up at night. In exacting, riveting prose, both elegiac and fierce, Dahr Jamail examines the impact of human-caused climate disruption on eight wilderness areas. Read it, weep, and then bust your butt to protect what we have left before it vanishes.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Dani Shapiro
[isbn]
It’s the moment almost all of us have imagined, in fear or expectation — discovering that our family is not our own. Unmoored by a DNA test taken on a lark, Inheritance is Shapiro’s absorbing story of finding her biological father. Beautifully written, like all of her work, and bracingly honest.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Pat Barker
[isbn]
A retelling of the story of the fall of Troy told from a woman’s perspective — but not just any woman, a queen, Briseis, who becomes a slave when captured. Her rape and subsequent life as a piece of property owned by Achilles form the center of this story. It is a story about a particular time and place, but also a timeless story of the plight of women in a war zone.
Recommended by Miriam S.
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Christopher Paolini
[isbn]
What a treat to return to Alagaësia after so many years and spend some time with these beloved characters! This short story collection provides a few tidbits and treats for long-term Inheritance Cycle fans, as well as what appear to be clues for another novel to come... fingers crossed!
Recommended by Leah C.
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Steven Pinker
[isbn]
Offering hope through evidence, researcher and Harvard professor Pinker shows us that we are not only capable of overturning our base impulses and drive towards societal destruction, we are in fact already collectively striving towards better. His advice for how to consciously hold onto the progress we’ve made is bracing, fortifying, and refreshingly sound.
Recommended by Moses M.
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Diane Setterfield
[isbn]
Truth and imagination run together in this beautiful novel. Diane Setterfield tells a hypnotic story that absolutely begs to be read aloud from a cozy chair by the fire. You will immerse yourself in fantastical mysteries and try — but fail — to guess what could possibly happen next.
Recommended by McKenzie W.
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Tom Barbash
[isbn]
Considering The Dakota Winters involves a famous late-night TV host, John Lennon, and malaria, it’s surprising how intimate, relatable, and comforting Barbash’s family drama is to read. Funny and bittersweet, this novel about fathers, sons, and the possibilities (and pitfalls) of New York City is a total charmer.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Kyle Sullivan
[isbn]
My sassy 18-month-old LOVES this book. She has demanded we read it every night since bringing it home. Santa tries to get Krampus to settle down for bed... I'm sure she finds it relatable. The art is adorable and the rhymes make it so much fun to read aloud.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Naomi Alderman
[isbn]
In this work of speculative fiction, women develop the ability to electrocute others, which engenders tremendous shifts in social and political power. Alderman masterfully explores the concept of power and how it affects both individuals and the world, without providing any easy answers. Extremely thought-provoking!
Recommended by Leah C.
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Tui T. Sutherland
[isbn]
The 12th book in the bestselling Wings of Fire series brings three new tribes of dragons! Join Cricket and her new Silkwing friends as they aim to steal The Book of Clearsight in this excellent adventure story for kids ages 8 and up.
Recommended by Kim T.
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Joseph Fink, Jeffrey Cranor
[isbn]
Could the Joyous Congregation of the Smiling God be endangering the beloved Night Vale community? Scientist Nilanjana Sikdar is on the case! Night Vale fan or not, you won’t be able to resist this smart, funny novel that is as charmingly strange as the rest of the series.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Dav Pilkey
[isbn]
Dav Pilkey, Pacific Northwest author and creator of the Captain Underpants books, does it again in the sixth book of the popular Dog Man series. In Brawl of the Wild, we find Dog Man being sent to the pound for a crime he didn’t commit! Clever humor and puns along with Pilkey's beloved “flip-o-ramas” make this a hit for kids ages six and up!
Recommended by Kim T.
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Samanta Schweblin
[isbn]
From Samanta Schweblin — author of the haunting novel Fever Dream — comes Mouthful of Birds, a collection of 20 macabre short stories. Schweblin’s sinister, unsettling tales are equal parts eerie and foreboding, blending unforgettably the ominous and the bizarre.
Recommended by Jeremy G.
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Akwaeke Emezi
[isbn]
I knew I loved this book by the end of the first chapter. Dark magical realism, narrated from the otherworldly perspective of a chorus of minor gods trapped in the mind of a young woman. It's not going to be for everyone, but I thought it was phenomenal.
Recommended by Hayley H.
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Doug Bock Clark
[isbn]
The Last Whalers is the extraordinary story of the Lamalerans, a tribe of 1500 hunter-gatherers who live on an incredibly remote island, and the ways that modern culture is encroaching upon their way of life, which is centered around subsistence whaling. Doug Bock Clark lived with the Lamalerans for three years, and his fascinating account brings them into sharp focus; The Last Whalers is compelling, page-turning journalism.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Ottessa Moshfegh
[isbn]
Newly reissued for a wider audience, Ottessa Moshfegh's first literary outing ventures into the fractured psyche of a drunken sailor, McGlue, who stands accused of murdering his best friend. You'd never read about McGlue in any history book, but Moshfegh lends dignity to his sad story. A must-read for fans of the author and a strange, standout work in its own right.
Recommended by Renee P.
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Corinna Luyken
[isbn]
“Some days, it is tiny. But tiny can grow.” With soft, delicately rendered illustrations in shades of gray with well-placed joyful bursts of yellow, Corinna Luyken explores the heart in all its aspects — simply, whimsically, and beautifully.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Joyce Wan
[isbn]
You Are My Magical Unicorn absolutely bursts with cuteness and joy. Joyce Wan’s bubbly, brightly colored cartoon drawings, simple rhymes, and message of hope are the perfect way to draw a child in and remind them to: “Reach for the stars, the moon, and the sun.”
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Kat Howard
[isbn]
A haunting collection of shorter works filled with mystery and longing, seasoned thoughtfully with myth, fairy tale, and folklore. The Arthurian novella “Once, Future” is a stunner and not to be missed.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Pia Mellody
[isbn]
There are many addictive behaviors such as substance abuse, sex addiction, and others, but we hardly ever talk about being addicted to other people. If you are coming out of an abusive relationship, or you're repeating toxic behaviors that you've learned from your elders, this guide is an amazing character study for you or a loved one living with a codependent personality.
Recommended by Rin S.
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Jenny Hval
[isbn]
Paradise Rot is the erotic sapphic novel that I've always wanted, a slow-burning hallucinatory romance that evokes Han Kang's surreal The Vegetarian in the best possible ways. The story follows a Norwegian student living in a ;renovated warehouse with a strange roommate, and lays witness as their environment, identities, bodies, and the borders between them become less and less stable as everything becomes more and more alive —... (read more)
Recommended by Cosima C.
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Attica Locke
[isbn]
Bluebird, Bluebird is a deeply troubling exploration of the penetrating racism that plagues huge swaths of America, and what can be set in motion when people feel backed into a corner by a cultural landscape they no longer recognize. This literary mystery is elegant, frank, and unswerving in its focus.
Recommended by Emily F.
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Nancy Garden
[isbn]
This story is another teen romance like any other, but instead of a boy/girl relationship, two girls fall in love. I wish I had this book in high school to help me through the romance book phase, because I never felt like I resonated with the stereotypical, straight, teen love novels. This book is amazing for any teen looking for the right fit for a romance novel, or an adult who never got to experience this romantic phenomena.
Recommended by Rin S.
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Jaye Garnett, Olga Demidova
[isbn]
The illustrations, textures, and interactive features make this book so much fun for little ones. My three-year-old is obsessed with the moon and loves this book. All the little flaps and sliding components keep him engaged while the words have helped expand his vocabulary. It is also sturdy enough to stand up to wear and tear from my one-year old.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Cat Seaton, Kit Seaton
[isbn]
I love retellings of old fairy tales and this one does not disappoint. It's based off of an old Scottish fairy tale with the same name. There is a feisty female protagonist, lots of magic, and an obscure prophesy that makes things difficult for everyone involved. The characters are diverse with people of color, a nonbinary character, and even one with prosthetics. The artwork is lovely and I loved reading it. Can't wait for volume two.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Stephen Mack Jones
[isbn]
A thoroughly fun thriller and great debut!
Recommended by Doug C.
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Jamieson, Victoria
[isbn]
A funny and relatable story about the pains of growing up. Astrid and her best friend Nicole have been inseparable for years, and when Astrid decides to go to roller derby camp in the summer, she assumes that Nicole will want to as well. She wasn't expecting Nicole to go to dance camp instead, so Astrid sets out alone on a journey of skating, hair dying, colorful socks, new names, and most importantly, self-discovery and persistence. This book is... (read more)
Recommended by Brianna B.
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S. A. Chakraborty
[isbn]
Second books can be tricky: too often they're a bridge from book one to book three with no real standalone merit. I'm thrilled to say that this isn't the case with The Kingdom of Copper, which complicates the murky alliances from The City of Brass while building to an explosive conclusion. The Kingdom of Copper treats readers to the finery of Daeva high society and then hones in on what's rotten behind the... (read more)
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Django Wexler
[isbn]
Isoka, a ward boss in the slums, is used to violence. She’ll gladly confront and create it to keep her younger sister safe. But when her hidden magical talent is discovered, that dedication is held over her head: to save her sister, she must become a sacrifice to a ghost ship of legend and claim it for the emperor. With a compelling cast of characters and world building reminiscent of Brandon Sanderson, I can’t wait to see where this series goes... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Lincoln Peirce
[isbn]
When your uncle is a traveling musician, you’re expected to follow in his footsteps. But Max has no interest in singing (terrible) songs to (bored) crowds — Max wants to be a knight! An ancient prophecy and a mystic quest (all told with Lincoln Pierce’s trademark cheery humor) may lead to a chance at knighthood after all.
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Sarah Perry
[isbn]
Sarah Perry’s beautiful novels richly reward the patient reader. Her world building is lavish and precise; though her prose often tilts into poetry, her characters are crystalline, giving the writing a paradoxical quality that is both ornate and bare. This confusion between what is exposed and what only imagined drives the wonderfully creepy Melmoth, in which a fabled wanderer combs the world for human wickedness, doling out consolation... (read more)
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Andrea Gibson
[isbn]
Andrea Gibson is the reason I started reading poetry again. I can't even describe how beautiful and stirring their poems are; all I can say is buy this now and find out for yourself.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Airlie Anderson
[isbn]
From the perspective of an agender person, this is a book I wish was available when I was growing up. The story is very simple, yet colorful and self-explanatory. It's probably a good book to read to any age group of elementary school students, especially when they're reaching that age where they start to question the world around them and have queries that don't necessarily have an easy answer. In summation, it's okay to be this, that, or... (read more)
Recommended by Rin S.
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Masatsugu Ono, Angus Turvill
[isbn]
Takeru, a withdrawn 10-year-old boy, is taken in by a family member in a small coastal village. The adult reader recognizes a traumatized child, but Takeru's past experience is never directly revealed. Poverty, hunger, and abandonment are relayed only through the disjointed way of memory, where sought images dance alongside bewildering flashes of violence and depravity. Is it his need of solace, or a desire for kinship and understanding, that... (read more)
Recommended by Lori M.
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George P Pelecanos
[isbn]
Great crime fiction challenges us. Not just our armchair detective skills, but our notions of justice, our assumptions of societal norms. The Turnaround is great crime fiction. Suspenseful, yes, almost painfully so, but not in a heart-stopping, breathless action sort of way. The suspense and drama are more heart-stretching. I followed this story with a sense of dread, knowing no good could come from the inevitable showdown, And yet,... (read more)
Recommended by Lori M.
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Shane Bauer
[isbn]
This gripping book grew from journalist Shane Bauer's undercover work as a security guard for a private, for-profit prison. From there, Bauer researched the history of corporate American prisons, an appalling story that began back in the 1800s and continues to the present day. Why does the U.S. have a vastly higher ratio of its citizens behind bars than any other nation? There are a host of factors; one is the legacy of a systemic effort to... (read more)
Recommended by Bart K.
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Haruki Murakami, Philip Gabriel
[isbn]
The tale of Tsukuru Tazaki is refreshingly sad. I like to describe it to others as the world's saddest glass of water, because the read is so smooth and quenches a need to dissociate into mystical sadness for a little while. It leaves you wanting to know what happens to everyone in their normal lives after the book is over, which I suppose is the whole point of a lot of Murakami's work.
Recommended by Rin S.
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Ferrett Steinmetz
[isbn]
Uploaded is just sheer fun. Lots of great action and relatable characters... if you're looking for something to read after you've finished Ready Player One or Ender's Game, this is the book for you.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Rita Bullwinkel
[isbn]
Belly Up is a strange and wonderful collection of stories about women and girls, exploring the ways that their bodies and identities commingle, or are objectified, or consume/are consumed. Herein the tuning of a harp gives a woman a second self, high school girls talks about eating themselves and becoming flowers, a dead husband feels omnipresent in his widow's sex life, and a saleswoman finds it more and more difficult to distinguish... (read more)
Recommended by Cosima C.
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Sabrina Orah Mark
[isbn]
I am not sure if these are story dreams, or narrative poems, or maybe even spells. Language is given about motherhood, love, and everything else and then it's broken, or dispersed, or maybe inhaled. Whatever Wild Milk is, I know that it's still floating around in me, and that maybe now even words themselves are different then they were before.
Recommended by Cosima C.
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Kamala Harris
[isbn]
One of the legacies of the Obama era (I hope) is that the autobiographies have to be good. As Kamala Harris recounts her path to becoming California’s attorney general and now senator, the 2020 Democratic literary primary (I’m calling it that) begins.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Laura Lippman
[isbn]
Adam and Polly meet at a dive bar in a tiny town, but neither one of them are who they say they are. Polly is running, but from what? And Adam is in pursuit, but of what? Fear, theft, insurance fraud, abuse, and maybe murder are in play in this fast-paced thriller. Laura Lippman's Sunburn is an intricately plotted noir mystery, with complex and intelligent characters, and enough sex appeal to cause a... well, a sunburn.
Recommended by Dianah H.
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John Glynn
[isbn]
Told in staccato observations and reflections, Out East is a perfect beach read. Over the course of a summer’s worth of booze-soaked weekends at Montauk, John makes new friends and unpacks new feelings in a truly millennial coming-of-age story.
Recommended by Keith M.
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