We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Title: We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Author: Shirley Jackson
Review: The Blackwood sisters, Constance and Merricat, have always lived very happily with their Uncle Julian on the outskirts of their town, despite the unspeakable “incident” from several years ago that ostracized them from the wider community. The unexpected arrival of their cousin Charles, however, threatens to disrupt this peaceful balance… and Merricat has the oddest feeling that he has much darker intentions in mind. This is one of Shirley Jackson’s finest works, and the use of an unreliable narrator here is perfectly executed!
Review by: Jo
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
Title: The Sound and the Fury
Author: William Faulkner
Review: Easily one of his best works, Faulkner's tale of a southern family dynasty's decline contributed to his winning of the Nobel Prize in 1949. The stream-of-consciousness format and unreliable narrators make this a challenging read, but completely worth it. It takes you through each family member's personal tragedy and makes a larger comment on the decline of the Old South's long upheld conservatism.
Review by: Layne
Karen: A Brother Remembers by Kelsey Grammer
Title: Karen: A Brother Remembers
Author: Kelsey Grammer
Review: Kelsey Grammer writes a gorgeous memoir dedicated to his late sister, Karen, who was murdered in 1975. This is a beautiful portrayal of Grammer's life, while lifting the veil on one of television's most iconic actors.
Review by: Layne
Peak Human by Johan Norberg
Title: Peak Human
Author: Johan Norberg
Review: Given that some parts of the world have had essentially a few thousand years head start, why have they not advanced as much some other countries that are much younger? The answer is of course a combination of factors that the author lays out in the book.
Review by: Ben
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
Title: Spinning Silver
Author: Naomi Novik
Review: Miryem, a moneylender with a reputation for being able to “turn silver to gold”, and Irina, a noblewoman engaged to a tsar, have nothing in common. That is, of course, until Irina realizes that a daemon is inhabiting the body of her husband— and the Staryk, strange, icy fey creatures, catch wind of Miryem’s abilities. By chance encounter, Miryem and Irina’s lives intersect— and together, they form a plan to rid themselves of these troubles once and for all. This unique twist on the tale of Rumplestiltskin is unforgettable!
Review by: Jo
This Angry Pen of Mine by Layne Staley
Title: This Angry Pen of Mine
Author: Layne Staley
Review: I loved diving into this intimate collection of the personal writings of Layne Staley, frontman to the band Alice in Chains. It was insightful and deeply human. I have read many collections of writings from various musicians, and this one stands out in terms of its personal nature. Even if you are not a familiar fan of his music, this is an engaging look at a talented artist.
Review by: Layne
Dinner at the Night Library by Hika Harada
Title: Dinner at the Night Library
Author: Hika Harada
Review: This was a wonderful quirky book. I love the most joyful journey of this one. It’s about books, food, friendship, and a little mystery. The attention to detail is just so grand, I really don't want to say too much or I will spoil it. If you want a light enjoyable read, this is the book for you!
Review by: Julie
Ursula K. Le Guin's Book of Cats
Title: Ursula K. Le Guin's Book of Cats
Author: Ursula K. Le Guin
Review: Easily one of my favorite reads this year is this collection of poems, letters, illustrations and more on the magical and mystical nature of cats from one of science fiction's greatest. Perfect for any cat lover (or for those you're trying to convert!)
Review by: Layne
Wrecked by Coll Thrush
Title: Wrecked
Author: Coll Thrush
Review: This title explores the storied maritime history of the Pacific Northwest and the many shipwrecks that lie along its coasts from a variety of unique perspectives. It examines many key aspects of this history, from Terrible Tilly and settler colonialism to the Graveyard of the Pacific as a whole. This book is a fantastic introductory title for anyone that’s curious about the Pacific Northwest’s maritime history and what all of it means in a broader historical context. I can’t recommend it enough!
Review by: Jo
Shibui by Sanae Ishida
Title: Shibui
Author: Sanae Ishida
Review: Now firmly in middle-age, I identified with the author's perspective, and appreciated the insights from Japanese culture. We're not getting
any younger, so why not find the "aging gracefully" path forward?
Review by: Ben
After Life by Gayle Forman
Title: After Life
Author: Gayle Forman
Review: Amber Crane is dead. Or at least she was, for the past seven years. Now she’s suddenly back, with no memory of her tragic, still unsolved death. Now having reappeared, Amber is forced to reflect on her life and the butterfly effect she had on her family, friends, and community. Fun, sweet, and at times devastatingly raw, After Life was a great read.
Review by: Bethany
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Title: The Metamorphosis
Author: Franz Kafka
Review: Kafka's bizarre tale of a man who transforms into a large insect illustrates the more uncomfortable realities of the human condition, playing with themes of identity and isolation. This is a short but thought-provoking classic I can go back to and get something different out of it each time I read it.
Review by: Layne
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Title: Dracula
Author: Bram Stoker
Review: Jonathan Harker, an English real estate agent, sets out on a journey to meet an eccentric client in the Transylvanian Alps— but what he meets there is an ancient, bloodthirsty horror that is almost too terrible to speak of. This novel is a thought-provoking reflection on Victorian repression, but it is also a reflection of Bram Stoker’s own fears and what he himself deemed “monstrous”. It’s one of the most engaging and thrilling works of gothic horror out there, and its epistolary format makes it very easy to pick up!
Review by: Jo
Ghost Stories by Roald Dahl
Title: Ghost Stories
Author: Roald Dahl
Review: These are nice goosebumps tingly stories that will have the hair on your arms tingly the whole time. Like the little girl who swears that she sees her brother, the old man that gives away trinkets, and all sorts of spooky stories, but not too spooky or gruesome .
Review by: Julie
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Title: Crime and Punishment
Author: Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Review: Crime and Punishment is a shockingly stellar book. I'll begin with my criticisms; the Russian names are hard to pronounce… Now on to the praise, Dostoyevsky explores multiple intersecting themes and points woven throughout the story: The danger of rational practicality unhinged from a moral law, the consequences of the “extraordinary man” applied, and salvation through humility and willing acceptance of suffering as transformation. There’s so much more I could say, so I’ll leave with this: 9.5/10, a truly remarkable read.
Review by: Chandler
The Unmaking of June Farrow By Adrienne Young
Title: The Unmaking of June Farrow
Author: Adrienne Young
Review: June Farrow has nothing but madness to look forward to. The women of her family are cursed to lose their minds. Or are they? Spanning generations, June embarks on a journey to solve a small town murder, discover what happened to her mother that abandoned her, and uncover the truth behind her family’s curse, all before her own mind entirely unravels. This was such a fun, mind-bending read!
Review by: Bethany
Dissolution by Nicholas Binge
Title: Dissolution
Author: Nicholas Binge
Review: Nicholas Binge, author of Ascension, does it again! When Maggie Webb discovers that her husband's memory loss may not be natural, she jumps at the offered opportunity to insert herself into his memories to find who may be responsible. What she discovers is bigger than she could imagine and could change everything we believe to be true about human history.
Review by: Jannelle
A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
Title: A House With Good Bones
Author: T. Kingfisher
Review: When Sam returns to North Carolina to visit her mother, things just seem a little… off. All of the house’s decor has changed— the garden is thriving a little too well, and— well. The flocks of vultures that have been hanging around the house are just creepy. As Sam begins to investigate further, though, she uncovers a mystery that’s been haunting her family for generations. This Southern Gothic novel is absolutely gripping— equal parts humor and horror.
Review by: Jo
The Deepest Fake by Daniel Kalla
Title: The Deepest Fake
Author: Daniel Kalla
Review: Liam Hirsch, CEO of AI tech company TransScend, is dying. As he begins to secretly make arrangements for his death, he hires Andrea DeWalt, private investigator, to help decide who should replace him when he steps down. But as Andrea digs deeper into the lives of TransScend's employees, figuring out what is real and what is AI becomes difficult to uncover. Great book but a little too real in today's world!
Review by: Jannelle
A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin
Title: A Corner of the Universe
Author: Ann M. Martin
Review: 12 year old Hattie's world drastically changes the summer she meets her schizophrenic Uncle Adam. What follows is a heart wrenching coming of age story that tackles family dynamics and mental illness in small town America.
Review by: Layne