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Cheri
Hi! I am Cheri, aka the Enthusiastic Bookseller. I developed a love of reading as a young girl which led me to my first job in my town library and eventually to study English in college. I can't say enough how much books have helped shape me as a person. I really do believe that books are MAGIC -- they can inspire, inform and take us to places only our imaginations can create. Working at The Bookloft fulfills a dream for me - and I am so enthusiastic because I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have a job working with something that I'm so passionate about. Staff picks are such a cool thing we do here at the store (it's definitely my favorite!) and I'm so thrilled to be able to pass along recommendations for books I feel are worth the read. You will notice my picks showcase a wide range of interests -- I read anything from fantasy to romance, graphic novels to spirituality, memoir to poetry, music to philosophy. I have been known to spend time reading about crystals and tarot cards, as well as busting out laughing at books in our humor section and being moved by an excellent middle grade novel. As the children's buyer at the store, I do spend a lot of time curating what we bring in, and also have to admit, I can't resist a beautifully rendered children's illustrated hardcover, of which I have MANY staff picks, and the Young Adult section is also a favorite. My top genres throughout my life by far would be magical realism, horror, gothic fiction, mystery/thriller, film/tv, true crime and mythology. I look forward to seeing you in the store and enthusiastically discussing books!
Cheri's Staff Picks:
$27.00
ISBN: 9780525512462
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House - January 11th, 2022
Bookseller: Cheri
Title: Lost & Found: A Memoir
Comments:
Philosophical, beautiful and intimate this memoir made my heart skip beats. The writing - WOW. The Lost section at the beginning was the most accurate account of the experience of losing a father that I’ve ever seen. It astounded me and reminded me why I love to read.
$16.00
ISBN: 9780593201695
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Berkley - February 8th, 2022
Bookseller: Cheri
Title: Homicide and Halo-Halo (A Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery #2)
Comments:
So fun to return to Shady Palms and Lila’s world for another yummy food-filled mystery. Lila has PTSD and there are other things in this book that make it less traditional “cozy”, but I appreciated the realness. Once again she’s included recipes at the end which is so cool. Really looking forward to reading the next one.
$16.95
ISBN: 9781640095168
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Counterpoint - April 26th, 2022
Bookseller: Cheri
Title: Spell Heaven: and Other Stories
Comments:
I couldn’t put this down. This gem of a story collection features a sole narrator that really I felt was just talking to me the whole time. The pieces are all connected so it’s very different than a typical short story collection. I can say this: it really worked for me. I was drawn into her Northern California life by the ocean and all of the outsiders and odd folks that are around her. Told with humor, grace and humility the stories speak to our connections to each other and the world around us, despite our feelings of isolation. Highly recommend!
$27.00
ISBN: 9781982160784
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Atria Books - April 12th, 2022
Bookseller: Cheri
Title: Bomb Shelter: Love, Time and Other Explosives
Comments:
I related to so much of this book. Mary Laura nails it on so many topics. I especially liked her enthusiasm for life (and happiness) and her perspective on death and worries. Frank the turtle also stole my heart.
$29.99
ISBN: 9781250767790
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tor Books - April 5th, 2022
Bookseller: Cheri
Title: Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments (Edinburgh Nights #2)
Comments:
Oh, how I loved returning to this version of Edinburgh and to the snarky Ropa Moyo! Part Two of Edinburgh Nights is everything I hoped it to be. A fantastic and thrilling mystery steeped in magic and twisted politics. So much more is revealed about The Library of the Dead, as well as a bunch of other new places and people. But, once again, my favorite part is Ropa. What a character she is. I totally believe in her and also love her friends Priya and Jomo, her magical scarf Cruickshank and trusted vulpine friend, River. Her gran and sister Izwi are truly the heart of Ropa, and they play an important role in her journey as well. I don't think I'll ever tire of her! Can't wait for the next one.
$17.95
ISBN: 9781566896399
Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now
Published: Coffee House Press - July 12th, 2022
Bookseller: Cheri
Title: Till the Wheels Off
Comments:
As someone who came of age in the 1980s, this book was a fantastic and nostalgic step back in time. Records, rollerskating and finding passion and identity in the music - well, I really enjoyed this. Fans of music from the 60s, 70s and 80s will be delighted, amused and see a bit of themselves in the narrator's obsession and enthusiasm for spinning records and discovering new music. This book reads more like a memoir than fiction - and felt so believable as to be true. The story is also touching and full of heart.
$26.99
ISBN: 9781250174727
Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now
Published: Tor Books - July 19th, 2022
Bookseller: Cheri
Title: Just Like Home
Comments:
This is not your usual haunted house story or serial killer thriller. Where do I begin? 1) My jaw hurts because I was clenching it as I read every page; 2) Sarah Gailey created scenes that were SO vivid and dark that I was thinking about them long after reading, especially once the lights were turned off and it was time for sleep! 3) This book made me question traditional ideas of good vs. evil, light vs. dark, loyalty vs. betrayal -- what family means, if forgiveness is possible, and what is the true meaning of home? It made me question all of these things in a deeply disturbing, sometimes gory way, but I loved it despite my sore shoulders and neck from being so tensed out. I also don't think I'll ever think of grease in the same way again after this one! This was perfection.
$7.99
ISBN: 9781338726329
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Graphix - April 19th, 2022
Bookseller: Cheri
Title: Out in the Wild! Bug Scouts #1
Comments:
A super fun first graphic novel for beginner readers featuring a group of bug friends that have formed their own version of Cub Scouts. Exploring the outdoors and working towards receiving badges (and eating snacks!) they have funny personalities and interactions. They even run into a hungry frog that gives chase! Super cute and also smartly amusing, I look forward to the next chapter when they camp out!
$19.95
ISBN: 9780393868494
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: W. W. Norton & Company - May 10th, 2022
Bookseller: Cheri
Title: The Stranger Beside Me
Comments:
If you like true crime and have not yet read this, I urge you to check it out. I'd say it is the book that DEFINITIVELY got me interested in reading true crime when I read it many moons ago. Ted Bundy was an appalling human and also gave us the 70s/80s serial killer blueprint. Shocking, deplorable, horrific and absolutely terrifying that Ann Rule knew and worked with this guy. This was the best of all of her books in my opinion, and made me realize these creeps are hidden in plain sight all around us. yikes!!!
$17.99
ISBN: 9780063015517
Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now
Published: Balzer + Bray - September 13th, 2022
Bookseller: Cheri
Title: The Stars Did Wander Darkling
Comments:
I loved this. Many thanks to Colin Meloy for this super creepy middle reader horror that is on par with the writing of Joe Hill, Stephen Graham Jones, and even Stephen King. I was completely immersed in the lives of these four young friends in the town of Seaham in the 80s. Wonderful, very real characters and reminiscent of Stranger Things as well as It - in all the best ways. As for the creep factor, let’s just say I was sufficiently disturbed by the vivid imagery and bizarre goings on that take place. Overall, it’s the friendships that are the beating heart of this story even through scary times of new experiences - supernatural or otherwise.
$17.99
ISBN: 9781499812640
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: little bee books - May 17th, 2022
Bookseller: Cheri
Title: I'm Not Missing
Comments:
HILARIOUS! ADORABLE! Dog lovers will laugh out loud at this smart, cute dog friend trying to take a vacation from his life.
$15.99
ISBN: 9781797214924
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Chronicle Books - May 3rd, 2022
Bookseller: Cheri
Title: I Won't Give Up My Rubber Band
Comments:
I LOVE this book for the super fun and cute illustrations! Not to mention the absolutely genius ideas she has of what to do with this rubberband!! HA! So funny and smart and also a great little lesson about not growing too attached to just ONE thing! :)
$14.99
ISBN: 9781684642946
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Kane Miller - March 1st, 2022
Bookseller: Cheri
Title: It's Mine!
Comments:
Tee hee! This is a great little story with fun cutout peek-throughs in the pages. Everyone wants "the thing" to be theirs and the ending is the best when it is revealed what it is and to whom it really belongs. Super sweet - great for new and soon-to-be moms too!
$18.99
ISBN: 9781250753199
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Roaring Brook Press - October 19th, 2021
Bookseller: Cheri
Title: Awake
Comments:
"One night, after a story, a snuggle, and one last sip of water..." And so the tale begins! And I so love this opening. Who isn't afraid of a spider in their bedroom at night? I certainly am. The girl and her totally adorable dog come up with ways to solve their problem and to be brave. I adore this artwork which is a mix of collage, 3-D and drawings and not sure how it was done but the effect is very cool. And the dog is perfect :)