$44.50
Tales From Faraway Worlds...
The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington
Recommended by Katherine
"It is written by a surrealist artist, and the book exudes fantastical surrealist components, (you can never predict what’s going to happen). It’s also a deeply funny and thoughtful perspective on the reality of being an elderly woman, and how inhumanely they are treated in their later years despite their will and zest for life."
The Wayfinder by Adam Johnson
Recommended by Terri
"It covers human consumption, draining of resources… family dynamics… dynamics of leadership and warfare. The setting is ancient Polynesia and the travel between islands. It’s so hard to describe, but really and excellent read. I think people who like historical fiction would like this, but the setting is completely different than most in the genre."
James by Percival Everett
Recommended by Sofia
"Someone who enjoys a retelling and wants to feel the spectrum of human emotions."
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Recommended by Ashley
"The writing is beautiful and clever, and the story is unlike anything I’ve read before. Great for anyone who loves any of mystery, science fiction, history, love, and/or the human condition."
Road of Bones by Demi Winters
Recommended by Kaylee
"A nordic-feeling historical fantasy -- a better GoT, honestly. Strong female mains, but a super diverse cast. And one of the rare times I didn't hate an author for a surprise character arc. Beware, though - it's book one of an unfinished series (book 3 just came out in Feb - all three are immersive!"
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
Recommended by Ashley
"Someone who loves the environment, love in many forms, and wants to be transported to another world through words. This book comes alive!"
Ghost Music by An Yu
Recommended by Giselle
"It carries you on a journey into a new relatable, dreamy, realm."
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
Recommended by Nicole
"This is a part of a 16-book fantasy series, but the time commitment is worth it!! Robin Hobb is an exceptional world builder, and you get to meet some of the most developed and complex characters through her pen."
"Surreal, mysterious and deeply human."
Tugging at Your Tender Heartstrings
The Ferryman and His Wife by Frode Grytten
Recommended by Sabina
"The final journey on the last day of a simple ferry driver’s life whispers the truth that deep connection and beauty surround us in even the most mundane activities and encounters. The cadence and words of this short novel flow over you like Nil’s boat flows over the fjord. I promise you will not want the book, or Nil’s life, to end."
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donaghue
Recommended by Danika
"An Irish coming-of-age novel following Rachel, a student in Cork. She makes mistakes, is messy, and the book captures the aimlessness of early adulthood so tenderly."
The Road to Tenderhearts by Annie Hartnett
Recommended by Jenna
"It was quirky, funny, and so funny. A mix of Little Miss Sunshine and a Wes Anderson movie."
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Recommended by Elvira
"Two people with an ocean between them share a connection that transcends geography and decades, showing us how sharing someone's world, near or far, can enrich our everyday lives in unimaginable and heartfelt ways.."
Great Black Hope by Rob Franklin
Recommended by Tessa
"Franklin’s clever descriptions of people and places made me want to live in his writing."
Heart the Lover by Lily King
Recommended by Veena
"It's quick and easy to read but full of heart, empathy, friendship, and forgiveness."
"Written delicately by a poet who has endured a lot in search of belonging and a home, it put into words emotions I have experienced myself but could never speak of. Anyone who has left their home in search of another will relate and possibly weep while reading Kaveh's magic."
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Recommended by Anna
"it made me like historical fiction! the characters were so incredible and the story is so heartbreakingly beautiful."
Woodworking by Emily St. James
Recommended by Sarah
"Hilarious and also deeply moving."
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
Recommended by Teresa
"This book is my favorite book, ever! It's a feel-good-makes-you-want-to-be-a-better-person read. Inspirational, heartwarming, and deeply touching."
My Friends by Hisham Matar
Recommended by Andrew
"Explores friendship, family, place, literature, and the ramifications of choice."
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Recommended by Gabby
"It’s a story about the hardships of a boy navigating foster care, but his perspective is so witty and charming. You root for him no matter what."
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Recommended by Pamela
"Someone who loves reading about older people changing and/or loves epistolary novels."
Heart the Lover by Lily King
Recommended by Veena
"For fellow sentimental nostalgia fiends who wonder about revolving door moments. This book made me weep in the kindest of ways."
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
Recommended by Wendy
"The message is inspiring, the writing is masterful. It leaves you feeling and wanting to do better."
Haunting and Thrilling
The School of the Night by Karl Ove Knausgaard
Recommended by Ashley
"I hated the main character, then I sometimes understood him and the tragedy at the end made me question my judgements. A book about how one is quick to judge and what that does. But also so much more, many layers."
Divertimento and Murder in B-Flat Major by RD Schaefer
Recommended by Geoff
"Reading this book was captivating because the story pulled me into its rich world and kept me curious about what would happen next. I also loved how the characters felt real and relatable, making it easy to connect with their struggles and triumphs."
Cruelty Free by Caroline Glenn
Recommended by Michelle
"Batshit & entertaining."
Make Sure You Die Screaming by Zee Carlstrom
Recommended by Nicholai
"Unhinged, touching, gross, sad – it’s a rollercoaster of feelings to read and you’ll be glad you joined for the ride!"
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead: A Novel by Olga Tokarczuk
Recommended by Janet
"The attention to detail."
Ways and Means by Daniel Lefferts
Recommended by Timothy
"Such amazing detail on every moment you truly are a part of the story. I love a good suspenseful book at well."
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
Recommended by Jennifer
The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon
Recommended by Tasha
"A thriller that will have you on edge from the start. It also is set in the Hudson Valley!"
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Recommended by Luca
"Unforgettable characters and truly bonkers. Much better than any of the film adaptations."
Spanning Generations
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Recommended by Eric
"An absolutely exquisite portrayal of an Irish family dealing with secrets, lies, and deep-rooted insecurities. Riveting storytelling from the first sentence to the last!"
Flashlight by Susan Choi
Recommended by Rachel
"Recommended for someone who wants to sit in a deep narrative and explore family histories and dynamics, switching from various family members’ perspectives and tied into a complex knot!"
Tangerinn by Emanuela Anechoum
Recommended by Lindsay
"It’s about the realities of family and emigration, generation to generation."
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
Recommended by Lydia
"I enjoy historical fiction and this book is about the Kentucky horse racing history during the 1800’s and transitions to current times. It’s about love dedication and the reality of racism. I couldn’t put it down.
The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman
Recommended by Helena
"Historical fiction about someone who is not often written about, focuses on the mother of a famous painter in a very interesting and unique time and place."
Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
Recommended by Stephanie
"This is a story that on the surface doesn’t sound like much: it’s a story about how two families lives connect over the span of four decades. Yet the richness of character and the realness of their heartache and redemption made this my favorite book of the year!"
The Names by Florence Knapp
Recommended by Christin
"Flawless character development across alternate timelines."
Watching Over Her by Jean-Baptiste Andrea
Recommended by Andrea
"Completely absorbing historical fiction set in Italy during the rise of fascism. Anyone interested in complicated, intelligent characters and immersive stories would love this book."
North Woods by Daniel Mason
Recommended by Alicia
"The story spans multiple generations. I loved the way the author was able to switch tones and styles to match the different characters and times throughout the book."
True Stories That Awe and Inspire
Murderland by Caroline Fraser
Recommended by Monica
"The author builds the extremely compelling case that, before the EPA was created and regulations were in place for companies who contributed heavily to pollution, those pollutants and chemicals drove up the number of serial killers in the country. she draws the connection between the large number of serial killers who came out of the Pacific Northwest and California to their proximity to smoke smelters and leaded gas. completely fascinating."
"Nobody does nonfiction like Patrick Radden Keefe. London Falling is both a meticulously-researched descent into London's billionaire-fueled criminal underworld, and a deeply intimate family portrait of love and loss across generations. It's all handled with Keefe's usual skill and care, and yet another work of his that explores the hunt for justice in very unjust times."
Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks
Recommended by Pamela
"Anyone who loves beautiful writing, especially those going through loss of a loved one."
The Barn by Wright Thompson
Recommended by Chatham
"The story of Emmett Till but so much more — really taught me how place and species of plant (cotton) played SUCH a role in the hate of the South. As a southerner, I feel it is my duty to understand my past and reconcile the atrocities."
Sacred Fire: Memoir of a Marriage by Uma Girish
Recommended by Uma
"It asks the question: How do two people in a long-term partnership who love and respect each other walk hand-in-hand when they don't see eye to eye?"
Prisoner of Tehran by Marina Nemat
Recommended by Emily
"Harrowing, honest, real story of a normal 16 year old turned political prisoner in Iran. everyone should read this book."
Claire McCardell: The Designer Who Set Women Free by Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson
Recommended by Megan
"I found Claire's story inspiring. She was a fiercely independent, groundbreaking fashion designer, who made beautiful and practical clothes for women."
Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green
Recommended by Shannon
"A readable combination of history, science, and hope that was informative and inspiring."
Strangers by Belle Burden
Recommended by Nicholai
"One of the most compelling memoirs I’ve read, capturing heartbreak, worry about your place in generational trauma, the devastation of relationship fallout, understanding, and resolve through beautiful, quick, and intimate prose."
On Being Human
The Arrogant Ape by Christine Webb
Recommended by Elinor
"This book is an excellent successor to David Abram's 'The Spell of the Sensuous': a rich explanation of the intelligence and sensory richness of the 'more-than-human' world, and why we need to move past human exceptionalism to break free of our loneliness, inequalities and short-sightedness."
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
Recommended by Mia
"This book has such a problematic narrator! You want to identify with him or perhaps be on his side, but he makes it harder and harder. There is a revelation at the end, which turns the whole book upside down. A great read!"
They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib
Recommended by Willa
"Short stories about music that moved the author through a lens of racial injustice in America."
On Muscle by Bonnie Tsui
Recommended by Suzie
"Great writing and introspection."
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
Recommended by Pawel
"Haunting post apocalyptic story. I think about it all the time since after reading it."
Platonic by Marisa G Franco
Recommended by Ciara
"Someone who is trying to find “their people” in an ever-more-fragmented world. Through understanding of your attachment style you can rewrite your friendship potential."
Transforming the Shame Triangle: From Shame to Love Using Parts Work by Jessica Fern and David Cooley
Recommended by Ciara
"Someone looking to heal the most critical, insidious parts of ourselves that keep us stuck. It’s so relatable and well articulated here."
"Great story incorporating social criticism of today’s world."
No! The Art and Activism of Complaining by Sara Ahmed
Recommended by Stephanie
"Ahmed diligently shared countless stories of the principled refusals and resistances that, even when they get buried by institutional power, shift everything. she reclaims complaining as a site for feminist, diverse, and queer world building."
How to Write One Song by Jeff Tweedy
Recommended by Brooke
"A book intent on demystifying and democratizing the artistic process so that anyone, even you, can write one song."
The Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimira
Recommended by Olivia
"I liked the twist of the story, great for anyone feeling like they need a connection to others."
Warlight by Michael Ondaatje
Recommended by Diane
"In Warlight, the narrator is an adult looking back at his teenage years in post-WWII London and piecing together the mysterious fragments of memory. The book is a beautifully written meditation on the fragility and instability of memory."
Journeys of Love (in all its forms)
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
Recommended by Emily
"It’s sexy and gay as hell (two of my favorite things) but it also tackles a familiar subject from a haunting new angle. This book is a necessary study of the human ability to take both cruelty and love to the extreme."
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
Recommended by Stephanie
"This is a story about resilience and it's also a love story. The writing is sublime."
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Recommended by Tamar
"Great character development/amazing romance."
The Sweet Dove Died by Barbara Pym
Recommended by Naomi
"A story of a relationship between aging women and young, gay men—a delightfully campy tale of the currency of companionship."
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
Recommended by Myrna
"Time travel fantasy love story goodness!"
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Recommended by Veronica