Yuval Noah Harari
[isbn]
Having written about mankind’s past and future, Harari turns his keen eye and provocative fusion of historical and scientific reasoning to an examination of the present. Harari is a captivating writer, unafraid to follow the paths technology, climate change, national politics, and other hot button issues are leading us on. It’s a journey well worth joining.
Recommended by Matt K.
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DK
[isbn]
With over 50 plans for creative models including a Corellia hologram, a Vader Jet Ski, and a Scavenger crane, along with the bricks to create your own Cloud Car with Bespin Guard minifigure, this set is bound to keep young Jedi Knights dreaming up their own galactic creations.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Sara Beth Greene and Jimmy Thompson
[isbn]
One Max train, four dragon boats, ten Portland bridges… even the Chapman swifts make an appearance. With fun cartoons in bright primary colors, Portland 1 to 10 is an adorably small board book packed with delights. A great way for Portland kids to get to know their city.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Timothy Egan
[isbn]
Regional author Egan’s classic travelogue of the Pacific Northwest has only grown more prescient (and pressing) since its 1990 release. In The Good Rain, Egan follows the path of Theodore Winthrop, who in 1853 journeyed across Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Winthrop was overcome by the wild majesty of the Pacific Northwest; Egan is equally in awe, but also angry about the clear-cutting of old-growth forests, threats to local... (read more)
Recommended by Matt K.
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Dav Pilkey
[isbn]
An excellent series for reluctant readers continues, as Dog Man and Petey the Cat are faced with new problems, ranging from tackling supervillains and parental woes… to being chased by balls? No trouble is too great and no pun too silly for our favorite bunch of supa buddies.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Bob Shea
[isbn]
It’s Unicorn’s first day back at school! But getting his classmates’ attention is proving challenging. Will Unicorn’s plan to wow them with lots of razzle-dazzle do the trick? Through playful illustrations and prose, Bob Shea shows that even unicorns can struggle to find their magic.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Tui T. Sutherland
[isbn]
The exciting dragon series continues as Sundew and her tribe of LeafWings get more than they bargained for when they head deep into the jungle, seeking a long-held secret to advance their war against the HiveWings. Could there be a new hidden tribe of dragons, or something altogether different that awaits them?
Recommended by Matt K.
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Randy Ribay
[isbn]
A young Filipino American visits the Philippines to determine what really happened to his murdered cousin in this fantastic, moving novel about immigration, survival, family secrets, and President Duterte’s ongoing war on drugs. Once again, acclaimed author Randy Ribay gives voice to a marginalized community to riveting effect.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Jacob Shell
[isbn]
In his fascinating book, Shell illuminates the surprising working relationship between humans and elephants that has existed for millennia in Southeast Asia. Prized for their strength and ingenuity, elephants are paired with riders during the day and roam free at night. Giants offers a new perspective on a beguiling creature.
Recommended by Matt K.
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David McCullough
[isbn]
Prize-winning historian McCullough illuminates the national and regional politics of 18th-century America and the everyday lives of the extraordinary first band of pioneers to settle in the Northwest Territory. Little known, engagingly written, and meticulously researched, The Pioneers will satisfy a wide range of history fans.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Jeff Kinney
[isbn]
Rowley Jefferson, Greg Heffley’s sunny and hapless best friend, is finally getting a book of his own and we’re thrilled. When Greg tasks Rowley with writing his biography (he'll be famous one day, you know), things go hopelessly and hilariously awry.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Peter Rock
[isbn]
A young man and a mysterious young widow spend their evenings swimming in Lake Michigan, until she disappears. Years later, the narrator reconstructs their relationship with the help of photographs, texts, and other remnants of that period, seeking answers in this unsettling, semiautobiographical novel from one of Portland’s best writers.
Recommended by Matt K.
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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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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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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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Michael Diamond, Adam Horovitz
[isbn]
No! Sleep! Till I finish this seriously entertaining book mixed together by Ad-Rock and Mike D (weaving in guest spots from famous fans like Amy Poehler, Jonathan Lethem, and Spike Jonze) that feels like a playfully constructed scrapbook and heartfelt personal chronicle all in one.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Jessica Hische
[isbn]
The end of the day is the perfect time to look toward tomorrow and plan for momentous things: like being brave, being strong, being curious. Through Jessica Hische’s bold designs and beautiful, shout-it-from-the-rooftops text, kids learn the joy of possibility and the power of words.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Sue Burke
[isbn]
The only thing wrong with this spectacular debut is that it isn’t long enough. In Semiosis, a group of humans land on a new planet lush with sentient plant life. Burke’s descriptions of the people and plants are so detailed and fascinating that you don’t want to let them go — but you have to, because the book races through several generations of settlers, exploring how they learn to communicate and coexist with the hostile plants. The... (read more)
Recommended by Matt K.
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Doris Kearns Goodwin
[isbn]
An engrossing and nuanced look at the leadership styles of some of our most effective presidents (Abraham Lincoln, both Roosevelts, and Lyndon B. Johnson), Goodwin’s inspiring new tome is the perfect antidote for anyone feeling despondent over our current leadership.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Dav Pilkey
[isbn]
The wordplay pun-fun continues in this bestselling series as Dog Man and his pals are called upon to work together with the notorious Petey, the World’s Most Evil Cat, in order to bring justice to the town against a motley crew of bad guys.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Angela Duckworth
[isbn]
What motivates us, allows us to push through obstacles, and to stay committed to fulfilling our dreams? It turns out it's less about intellect and more about tenacity, according to Angela Duckworth's Grit. Through experiments, studies, and interviews, she demonstrates that it's never too late to learn how to start living your best life.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Lisa Margonelli
[isbn]
Termites are more than just the pests eating your new deck. In Margonelli’s articulate and often hilarious hands, they are a key to understanding the nature and direction of mankind. From genetics to robotics, Arizona to Africa, Underbug’s far-reaching quest to uncover the links between man and mite both fascinates and surprises.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Jarrett Krosoczka
[isbn]
With a scary droid principal in charge and strange new rules in place, something seriously weird is going on at Jedi Academy. Join the intrepid Victor Starspeeder and his friends as they get to the bottom of the mystery!
Recommended by Matt K.
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Peter Wohlleben
[isbn]
Peter Wohlleben’s small, info-packed books reveal the elaborate interplay of the natural world in a remarkably accessible manner. Here he writes about the weather and its very local impact on our own gardens, offering up tips on how to read nature’s clues and appreciate its quiet ingenuity.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Anthony Horowitz
[isbn]
Horowitz makes murder practically delightful in this beyond-clever British puzzler involving a famous actor, his murdered mother, a disgraced detective, and a writer named Anthony Horowitz. Creepy and charming in equal measure, you can tell Horowitz had a blast writing The Word Is Murder, and you’ll have even more fun reading it.
Recommended by Matt K.
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James A. McLaughlin
[isbn]
Rice Moore becomes the caretaker of a private Appalachian nature preserve for the solitude and safety it offers, but when a trespasser finds a dead bear, Moore’s criminal past rears its ugly head. Terrifically atmospheric and charged, Bearskin shimmers like a midsummer haze between the real and the feared.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland
[isbn]
With The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O., Stephenson and Galland have brought us a deliciously labyrinthine satire involving time travel, magic, witches… and mountains of bureaucratic paperwork. D.O.D.O. is ingenious and so much fun to read.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Daniel H Wilson
[isbn]
Imaginative and deeply learned, Wilson’s latest collection examines the empathic potential of artificial intelligence, and the fierce love between fathers and children.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Jonathan Santlofer
[isbn]
Bringing together some of today’s most talented creative minds into one impressive anthology, It Occurs to Me features original stories and art as varied and expansive as our country’s many challenges. Though it doesn’t offer any easy answers, it is a hopeful collection, filled with empathy and acuity. I urge you to pick this up.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Matt De La Pena and Loren Long
[isbn]
Matthew de la Peña's writing is gentle and poetic, and Loren Long's lyrical illustrations are full of beautiful authenticity in this sweet homage to love. The book doesn't shy away from anxiety and sorrow, but it always depicts them surrounded by and lightened by love.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Tui T. Sutherland and Mike Holmes
[isbn]
Clay the dragonet has grown up under a mountain, and, along with four other dragonets, has been chosen to fulfill a prophecy to end the war of the dragon tribes. Warm illustrations and an epic adventure make this graphic novel adaptation of the bestselling series a great pick for all ages.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Thomas Macri and Chris Kennett
[isbn]
For the Star Wars fan in all of us, The Big Golden Book of Aliens, Creatures, and Beasts is filled with stories of out-of-this-world aliens and monsters from Ewoks to Wookies. Relive the wonderful world of George Lucas with these fun illustrations and adventurous tales!
Recommended by Matt K.
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David Frum
[isbn]
David Frum is a senior editor at the Atlantic and was a speechwriter for George W. Bush; he's not exactly a progressive liberal. But he's been an eloquent voice sounding the alarm about Trump and his administration's dangerous and corrupt dismantling of American democracy. Trumpocracy is a clear-eyed, compelling, and astute appraisal of the way Trump's deception, narcissism, and incompetence are permanently damaging our country.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Rachel Renee Russell
[isbn]
As the end of the school year approaches, Nikki Maxwell is dealing with a lot of messy drama, and it all comes to a head in Tales From a Not-So-Secret Crush Catastrophe. Nikki is as charming and relatable as always in this 12th installment of the addictive Dork Diaries series.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Andy Ricker, Jj Goode
[isbn]
The food in this fantastic cookbook is celebratory, designed to be paired with drinks and friends. The recipes range from basic (fried peanuts), to adventurous (Pork Ribs Grilled Underwater), to the really adventurous (Northern Thai Frog Soup). It's (almost) as good as a trip to Thailand.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Nate Blakeslee
[isbn]
Take an intrepid wolf, put it in Yellowstone’s famous Lamar Valley, throw in a mix of conservationists, hunters, and ranchers, and you have the makings for an arresting story full of conflict, suspense, and heartbreak. Blakeslee’s beautifully written book may be nonfiction, but it reads like a novel.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Jonathan Eig
[isbn]
Jonathan Eig had incredible access both to enormous amounts of new material (including interviews and FBI files) and to the most important people in Muhammad Ali's life. His diligent research has produced this fascinating, readable, and definitive biography of Ali, which might change your understanding of one of the most absorbing figures in sports history.
Recommended by Matt K.
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