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Don't judge a reader by their staff picks. Yes, my list may seem heavily female and fantasy oriented & honestly my reading bends that way most of the time. There is much more to my library! I also happen to enjoy mysteries, non-fiction, memoirs, legend/folklore/mythology, and science fiction as well (admittedly Star Wars audiobooks -space wizards!).
Bookseller: JUlia
Comments:
"Thrift's gift is - Thrift's grace is - to give a glimpse of hope in the tightest of spots, the toughest of places."
The Lost Spells is a delight. Much like it's predecessor, Lost Words, this much smaller book of poetry and art is a celebration of the English countryside, of the poetry in the plants and animals all around us. It is a book of love and hope. As beautiful as the large scale Lost Words was, Lost Spells miniscule size makes it ever more precious.
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
I quite enjoyed reading this. Rebecca Roanhorse really breathes new life into high fantasy, breaking away from the Arthurian or Nordic tradition. It's very exciting world building and narration. From beginning to end you will be riveted, stuck in your comfy reading spot not able or wanting to stop!
Bookseller: J
ulia
Comments:
This book is insane in all the right ways.I have to admit at first I was soooo confused I wasn't sure I was going to like Harrow as much as Gideon the Ninth. Harrow the Ninth is confusing, chaotic, & full of horror. Alas, the writing snares you and even when I was completely lost wondering how this could be a sequel, I had to keep going. You too may be put off to begin with, but once you see what is happening, you will be marveled by the genius of Tamsyn Muir. Do not be put off reading this, because you will be rewarded.
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
This book had me laughing out loud at times. TJ Klune has once again brought us a quirky & charming tale wrapped up in very different paper. "The Extraordinaries" is a wonderful love letter to fandom, friendship, and searching for the truth.
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
This is the perfect book for anyone who is feeling small, a little lonely, or possibly a bit grinchy. Reading this made me feel so light & warm. It is perfect to read in these stressful times, if not any other times. Wonderfully written and such a lovely story. "The House in the Cerulean Sea" illustrates that it's never too late to find friendship, family, or love and start living to the fullest.
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
I really enjoyed this book! From the lovely, warm illustrations to the poetry of the words. Look & be taken in by the whimsy & comfort of each image & each word!
This is a celebration of the self, what joy this young person finds in their own skin! Read & celebrate!
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
Once again Tessa Gratton has made magic with her retelling of Shakespeare's plays of Henry VI. If you have never read the bard, don't worry! If you are familiar with the original plays do not be afraid of this gender swapping retelling!. Prince Hal is captured once again with all their faults and full of inspiration. I could not get enough of Lady Hotspur and it will be an adventure for you also!
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
Once again we are given a beautiful story tangled up in time. Erin Morgenstern has woven another intricate tapestry of story, magic, friendship, adventure, and love.
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
Look at this celebration of numbers! The artwork is gorgeous! Flora loves to count and that love starts with the everyday things around her, extending to the impossibility of counting the stars. Whether counting everything you see can be done, loving numbers and math can!
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:Beth Piatote, a Native American author & member of Chief Joseph's Band, has written this literary combination of fiction, poetry, & dramatic writing in the tradition of the Pacific Northwest.
This collection is moving, informative, and stunning. Wonderful collection of stories and poetry to keep in your library.
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
This was so good, pulled me right in & I could not read it fast enough. Well that's not 100% true, I drew it out as long as I could (not long)so I could savor it. Murder mystery + collegiate secret societies + magic= perfection. "Ninth House" is really well done, but I think if you don't already know that Leigh Bardugo is a great storyteller you soon will!
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
Dog is no longer with Rabbit to share stories of his adventures, one day Rabbit finally builds up the courage to go create his own stories. This is a story about loss, loneliness, and finding your way to be brave.
"Rabbit and the Motorbike" is a lovely book with a sweet story accompanied by some beautiful illustrations.
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
This book was thoroughly enjoyable. I love the premise- a college student who lives in the White House because his mom is president, is forced to make nice with the youngest Prince of England, and chaos, friendship, politics, and love follow.
Alex Claremont-Diaz had me cracking up. I love this book and all that it holds in it. If you're looking for some laughs, a world with a woman president in the White House, and a good love story, this is your book!
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
Indian Horse is a must. This will be one of the most beautiful, masterfully told stories you ever read. Throughout this book I was full of anger and anguish for Saul Indian Horse. Left by his parents, losing his grandmother and taken from everything familiar.
This coming of age tale is incredibly moving, heartbreaking account of a dark part of Canada's history.
Bookseller: Julia
Commenst:
Are you looking for a story that will have you shaking a little bit as you read it? Well, if you aren't already just a little spooked around corn mazes & scarecrows, you soon may be. This is a wonderful (spooky) adventure that is full of thrills & fun!Katherine Arden has once again written a story with all the right ingredients! (this time for kids!)
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
Oh, how gorgeous this book is. Each page is dazzling.
The words are beautifully placed within the imagery. The POetry is lovely. It all makes me want to find a tree or a stoop to curl up under or on.
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
THIS IS A LOVELY BOOK FULL OF BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATIONS!
So much teaching for us all. Just because someone looks different does not mean they were born somewhere different or very far away ( and vice-versa). Also, we see that we are from places where we are born and live, but we are also from the lands our ancestors walked upon and the land we now walk upon. We have the short histories we live and the long histories that exist through our predecessors' lives.
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
Non-magical detective gets called into a magic school to solve a murder. What more could you want in a premise?
Magic For Liars was a fun read; the perfect mix of epic magical prophesies, humor(sarcasm), romance(?), and sleuthing.
I never felt resentful that I didn't receive my letter from Hogwarts, but I think this book will appeal to those who may be. even if you have no fantasies about attending magic school you may just want to pick up Magic For Liars. Enjoy!
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
A mapmaker named Hassan who can create doorways where there were none before or change the terrain of mountain with his pen. A young concubine called Fatima who pines for a world outside the palace which she has never set her eyes on. The Spanish Inquisition is at it's height & has breached the palace walls. They want this magical mapmaker, but Fatima will not let take the only friend she has ever known. With Hassan's magic and Fatima's determination (plus the help of a jinn) Fatima and Hassan flee the Inquisitors in search for freedom, in search for the Bird King, in search for a home. The Bird King is a beautiful tale of freedom, determination, love, despair, hopelessness, friendship, family, self realization, and faith.
bookseller: Julia
Comments:
I'm going to keep this brief. There are so many things in "Priory of the Orange Tree" that you want in a fantasy novel. It is full of all the right ingredients: magic, dragons, battles, love evil, power giving trees. Read the jacket summary if you need to or maybe some reviews, but this was an excellent read. Samantha Shannon's previous books have been a hit and this one is also. It is well written, full of action, and you want to read it!
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
"Living on the Borderlines" is a quiet, contemplative collection of stories. Centering around a group belonging to the Seneca community the stories explore history, identity, family, and what it means to be Native.
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
An excellent collection of stories. This memior is a reminder of the varied communities and individulas we have here in New England. That it isn't always a lovely little rural experience, even when it is. Emily Bernard's use of time with the juxtaposition between herself as a mother, her mother, and her own youth creates a nice flowing narrative. Navigating New England and particulary Vermont as a black woman, her discomfort with her chosen home vs. her discomfort with the south, the home she considers home. This memoir is beautifully written and a wonderful read.
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
Oh, what a conclusion to this fantastic series. Winter of the Witch is full of action and magic. It is a completely satisfying ending to the Winternight Trilogy. That is if one can be satisfied with this gorgeous story ending. You are already here at the final installment, so I don't need to tell you how wonderful this series is. It will be bitter sweet, but there is always the second read through and the third.
Bookseller: Julia
Comments:
Rebecca Traister is just so good at what she does. She's clear, concise, and validates a lot of what we've all been thinking. You want to read her, I want you to read her. So, do it!
Bookseller: Julia
Title: The Lost WordsComments:
A few years ago the editors at Oxford University Press decided to remit words describing nature for words about technology from the junior dictionaries. There would be a new generation of children who would not find words like “fern” or “acorn” in their dictionaries. Lost words is an invitation for young and old alike to enjoy the 20 words that were removed, such as “adder” and “wren”. The illustrations are a celebration of the English countryside, of poetry in nature and the words we use to describe it. If you don’t close this book appreciating the poetry and wonderful illustrations, you will at least understand why we hold on to those ancient dictionaries.
Bookseller:
Comments:
I love Jane Mount's whole thing with books. She does custom "Ideal Bookshelves" and has a previous book by the same name. Cards of themed book collections and more. This book is wonderful and it is not just because I am quoted somewhere within. It has illustrations and lists and quotes from bibliophiles around the world. It is everything a person could want in a book about books, whether or not they identify as a bibliophile themselves. Bibliophile is a great table book to gift or have at home, read part of a page or several pages at any given time. Love it!