The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
Title: The Buffalo Hunter Hunter
Author: Stephen Graham Jones
Review: I truly couldn’t put this book down. It’s a beautifully-told, terrifying, and serves as a great new take on the typical vampire story. The author does a fantastic job of weaving real historical events into the story, and it’s absolutely bone-chilling in the best way possible. This is truly a compelling and unforgettable read!
Review by: Jo
New Dark Ages by James Marriott
Title: New Dark Ages
Author: James Marriott
Review: Book vs smart phone, reading vs scrolling. That's the short version. But this is more than the demise of long form reading, it’s about the cultural shift away from print to screens, short form video, and the shortening of attention spans.
Review by: Ben
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
Title: Dungeon Crawler Carl
Author: Matt Dinniman
Review: A former marine technician is forced into a fantasy themed death game hosted by space aliens. Now with the help of his ex-girlfriends laser shooting cat he has to do his best to survive 18 floors of this madness, all without any pants on. Also featured in this story: drug dealing llamas, a pyramid scheme cephalopod, and fatally enforced dungeon sanitation standards. If all this has piqued your interest I’d highly recommend you stop reading this and start reading the actual book.
Review by: Marc
A Long Winter by Colm Toibin
Title: A Long Winter
Author: Colm Toibin
Review: A short, stark, yet tender story of a family's dysfunction, a missing mother, and a long winter. In what reads like a parable, the author tackles multiple family dynamics and brilliantly ties together personal isolation with the bleak isolation of the Pyrenees.
Review by: Layne
Grace Is Enough by Courtney Fidell
Title: Grace Is Enough
Author: Courtney Fidell
Review: In a society where anxiety and insecurity run rampant, Fidell's devotional serves as a reminder for who we as believers truly are: Christ's. With both the world and sometimes the Church pushing women to look, act, and be a certain way, it can be easy to drown in all the conflicting calls to action. Fidell shares her own struggles with anxiety and insecurity, then points us to scripture, to the peace and love that our Creator has left for us to find. I did this devotional with a friend, and it was truly a comfort!
Review by: Bethany
Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe
Title: Lore Olympus
Author: Rachel Smythe
Review: Lore Olympus is a depiction of Greek myths through beautifully drawn comics and amazing story telling. The art was the first thing that caught my eye and the love story between Persephone and Hades kept my interest throughout the whole series. Even the side characters and how they add to the storyline, is so wonderfully done and gets you so invested to find out how things will unfold.
Review by: Nya
Such a Clever Girl By Darby Kane
Title: Such a Clever Girl
Author: Darby Kane
Review: Over a decade ago, a prominent family in a small town vanished. The case remained unsolved, the story turning into a chilling local legend. That is, until the last close relative of the family passed away, leaving behind a will that divided the estates amongst a fresh list of suspects... including the newly returned Aubrey Tanner, the daughter that disappeared 15 years ago. As the beneficiaries fight to uncover the truth while keeping their own secrets buried, it appears no one is safe and no one can be trusted. This was such a fun read!
Review by: Bethany
The Land and Its People: Essays by David Sedaris
Title: The Land and Its People
Author: David Sedaris
Review: David Sedaris delivers yet again with his sharp wit and warm, insightful observations on life, humans, and the different spaces they inhabit. This is a great option to have with you at your bedside, travelling, or for any time when you want a casual but engaging read of substance.
Review by: Layne
Accidentally Wes Anderson Adventures
Title: Accidentally Wes Anderson Adventures
Author: Wally Koval
Review: If you’ve ever watched a Wes Anderson movie, you know he has a distinct style. Now, photographers from all around the world are chiming in with images that look like still shots from one of his movies. Part photo book, part travel book.
Review by: Ben
The Antidote by Karen Russell
Title: The Antidote
Author: Karen Russell
Review: Karen Russell never disappoints when it comes to weird literature. In this title, we get a mix of nitty gritty historical fiction realism and dark fantasy, set in the Great Depression and with a cast of bizarre characters. This book is great for wanting to try something different.
Review by: Layne
Rise and Renew by Candace Cameron Bure
Title: Rise and Renew
Author: Candace Cameron Bure
Review: It can be easy to lose sight of what is important in the hustle and bustle of life. It can also be easy to forget essential aspects of our faith as the world attempts to pull us back into it. Candace's devotional functions as a great tool for processing the ways the world (and sometimes the church) hurts us and reminds us who we are called to be in Christ. My friend and I used this as a weekly journaling prompt to guide our discussions and both loved it!
Review by: Bethany
Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich
Title: Plague of Doves
Author: Louise Erdrich
Review: This gut wrenching story set in the sweeping plains of North Dakota tells a multi-generational narrative surrounding the murder of a farm family and how it affects the white and Ojibwe communities. A coming of age story with elements of mystery and history are all wrapped up in Erdrich's gorgeous prose.
Review by: Layne
She Kills: The Murderous Socialite by Skip Hollandsworth
Title: She Kills: The Murderous Socialite
Author: Skip Hollandsworth
Review: This collection from one of my favorite crime writers is unique in its focus on violent female offenders, and is expertly curated from the various stories Hollandsworth has contributed to Texas Monthly since 1989. The writer has a masterful way of mixing the perfect amount of tension, chemistry, and detail to pull you into each story.
Review by: Layne
Library of Lost Maps by James Cheshire
Title: Library of Lost Maps
Author: James Cheshire
Review: Filled with fascinating maps and the stories behind them, this book is an awesome combo of imagery and text.
Review by: Ben
Deeper By Dane Ortlund
Title: Deeper By Dane Ortlund
Author: Dane Ortlund
Review: Sanctification, the growth process that begins after conversion, is an extremely difficult and often confusing process for most believers. Growing with Christ without falling into a works-based faith mindset is a delicate balance. In this book, Ortlund walks readers through common stumbling blocks and urges them to dig deeper into their union with Christ. This read is difficult, but in an immensely beneficial sense.
Review by: Bethany
How to Grow Food by Huw Richards
Title: How to Grow Food
Author: Huw Richards
Review: Great book to get you going on how to grow your own food. This is definitely an entry-level book, but if you’re interested in bettering your health and growing some of your own food. This is one to dip your toe in.
Review by: Julie
The Painter's Daughters by Emily Howes
Title: The Painter's Daughters
Author: Emily Howes
Review: Molly and Peggy are daughters to Thomas Gainsborough, one of the most influential artists in the late 18th century. However, with such a public spotlight on them, it is crucial that they live up to high society's standards. The problem? Molly has had bouts of confusion from a very young age, and time only seems to be pushing her closer to madness. Her younger sister and best friend, Peggy, takes it upon herself to hide Molly's secret, no matter the price she must pay herself. Following their broken family through generations, this story is a beautifully written tragedy.
Review by: Bethany
Comfort Food the Cowboy Way by Kent Rollins
Title: Comfort Food the Cowboy Way
Author: Kent Rollins
Review: Probably my favorite cookbook in that it's easy to follow, provides some of the best comfort food I've ever tasted, and you get some fun anecdotes and narration on ranching history mixed in. History alongside delicious recipes? Yes, please.
Review by: Layne
The Weekly Habits Project
Title: The Weekly Habits Project
Review: This 52 week devotional would make a great addition to any believer's week! With only 2-3 prompt questions a week and short readings, this devotional is not time consuming and yet still makes its readers consider their thoughts and actions at a deeper level. Big changes often start small, and this book helps walk you through that process. I highly recommend!
Review by: Bethany
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Title: The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Author: Muriel Barbery
Review: This lightly satirical, bittersweet story is set in France and focuses on the unlikely connection between 12 year old Paloma and the middle aged concierge of her apartment building. Both live ordinary lives, yet both hide their affinity for art & philosophy and their above average intelligence from the outside world. In that, the story explores the beauty of finding connection with strangers. Quirky, sad, lovable, and one of the more unique books I've read.
Review by: Layne