One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
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Title: One Italian Summer Author: Rebecca Serle Review: This is a wonderful read!! Katy is devastated when her mom dies. She does not know how to handle the pain, how to go on. She decides to take the Italian trip her and her mother were supposed to take. Next is a magical experience that she was not prepared for. She meets her mom! A young healthy alive free sprite. This book is a adventure, self discovery and romance all in one. Review by: Julie |
Love & Saffron by Kim Fay
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Title: Love & Saffron Author: Kim Fay Review: Two friends, two very different ages, living states away stay in touch with each other over the years though hand written letters. Their correspondence is heartwarming. If you like books about food and friendships, this book is for you! Review by: Jan
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The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison
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Title: The Witness for the Dead Author: Katherine Addison Review: This return to the world of the Goblin Emperor absolutely blew me away! This unique story has it all: a murder mystery, a journey of self-discovery, phenomenal world-building, and a genuinely kind, caring main character. I absolutely adored Thara Celehar in the Goblin Emperor! Review by: Jo |
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte P. Gilman
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Title: The Yellow Wallpaper Author: Charlotte P. Gilman Review: I thought this classic short story was absolutely fascinating, in a slightly terrifying sense. In diary-entry format, we watch as a young mother suffering from depression is slowly driven mad. Written as a critique of “rest cure” often prescribed to women in the 1800s, Gilman’s most famous work is a chilling one to remember. Review by: Bethany |
Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide by John Cleese
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Title: Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide Author: John Cleese Review: John Cleese of Monty Python fame, writes some effective ideas for anyone trying to be creative. This handy pocket size is perfect to carry along to inspire you wherever you go. Review by: Ben |
Shady Hollow by Juneau Black
Title: Shady Hollow
Author: Juneau Black
Review:
Shady hallow is a wonderful village where the forest animals live together joyfully and in peace . Or is it??? One morning the village grumpy toad is found dead in the pond. Arriving on the case, the newspaper reporter Vera Vixin . Vera knows she can solve the case, but will she out-fox the killer before she is there next victim?
This is a quick and fun mystery that is a treat to read.
Review by: Julie
99% Invisible City by Roman Mars
Title: 99% Invisible City
Author: Roman Mars
Review:
Following up on the 99% Invisible podcast, this book takes a look at some of the things we walk past every day and may not notice. You might not think that city infrastructure is an interesting topic, but dig just a little under the surface and there are fascinating stories to discover.
Review by: Ben
Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff
Title: Empire of the Vampire
Author: Jay Kristoff
Review: Recently, I was looking for a seasonally-appropriate epic fantasy read, and Empire of the Vampire popped up on my radar as an upcoming release, so I picked it up! Suffice it to say, I finished it in under three days. I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s the perfect blend of excellent world-building, compelling characters, and a strong story, and the gorgeous illustrations by Bon Orthwick included between every few chapters add a lot of great content that captivates your attention and explores the characters and settings in such a fun way. If you’re looking for an engaging dark fantasy story, this is a must-read!
Review by: Jo
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
Title: Under the Whispering Door
Author: TJ Klune
Review:
Under the Whispering Door follows Wallace, a recently-deceased man, on his journey of processing the details of his life and the circumstances of his death itself, with the assistance of the Reaper Mei and Hugo, the ferryman meant to guide him into the afterlife. The setting of this book is absolutely lovely; I can think of no better place than a tea shop for this story to take place in. All in all, Under the Whispering Door is an absolutely beautiful book that radiates warmth and will make you laugh, cry, and probably feel all the better about life once you’ve finished it.
Review by: Jo
Tales from the Cafe by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Title: Tales from the Cafe
Author: Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Review:
What if you could go back in time?? In a small little cafe off a side street you can get a cup of coffee and a trip back in time.. There are rules though, don’t break the rules, this book weaves 4 peoples stories together it will leave you tearful, joyful and wanting a cup of coffee..
Review by: Julie
Gastro Obscura by Cecily Wong & Dylan Thuras
Title: Gastro Obscura
Author: Cecily Wong & Dylan Thuras
Review:
Food lovers and travel adventurers rejoice! This book is for you all! What a gem of a book. Treasure after treasure on every page. Unimaginable taste delights...and taste adventures! Fluffy Beer, Spit Roasted Cake, Bouncy Meatballs...What?!?! Not to mention the incredible photos. Look no further for the perfect gift. Gastro Obscura has arrived.
Review by: Jan
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Title: Iron Widow
Author: Xiran Jay Zhao
Review:
A reimagined telling of China's only female emperor, in a fantasy setting. Zetian is a young woman set on revenge for her sister's murder. She joins the army as a concubine pilot of a Chrysalis, huge machines powered by the qi of the male and female pilots. Will she get her revenge? What secrets will she uncover along the way?
Review by: Kiana
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moiarty
Title: Apples Never Fall
Author: Liane Moiarty
Review:
Fans of Liane Moiarty books will not be disappointed. Her latest release is my favorite! A well written, suspenseful page turner. I loved it until the very last word.
Review by: Jan
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Title: The Priory of the Orange Tree
Author: Samantha Shannon
Review:
The Priory of the Orange Tree is an epic, loose re-telling of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon. It has a great cast of strong female characters in a complex and well-designed world, as well as a beautiful, slow-burn romance. If you are intimidated by the size of this book, don't be! The story is enthralling and absolutely worthy of your time.
Review by: Jo
Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card
Title: Pathfinder
Author: Orson Scott Card
Review:
Deep in space Ram Odin is piloting a starship full of frozen colonizers to a planet far away from earth. He is hoping to jump through a fold in space-time and cut 900 years off the journey, but this has never been done before. There's no guarantee it will work. What if something goes wrong?
Review by: Kiana
New York Times Cooking No-Recipe Recipes by Sam Sifton
Title: The New York Times Cooking No-Recipe Recipes
Author: Sam Sifton
Review:
What a fun cookbook to have by my side as I decide what to cook next! It's just what I have been wanting for years. Page after page of fabulous dishes made just by grabbing ingredients from my pantry, tossing them together and ending up with a terrific dish. SO many great ideas! I LOVE this book.
Review by: Jan
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Title: Piranesi
Author: Susanna Clarke
Review:
Piranesi is one of those rare stories that is best enjoyed with as little prior knowledge of the plot as possible-- it is impossibly unique and enchanting. I adored the protagonist and setting of this story with all of my heart! This strange, charming, and magical tale of a man and the House that loves him is one that you won't want to miss.
Review by: Jo
An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed by Helene Tursten
Title: An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed
Author: Helene Tursten
Review:
This book is a series of short stories about Maud, who seems like a proper little Swedish lady, a retired schoolteacher who took care of her sister. But there’s more than meets the eye, these short stories are wickedly fun! Never underestimate a little old lady who thinks you’ve done bad things. She will give you what’s coming to you. This book was such a joy to read and so much fun!!
Review by: Julie
Fangs by Sara Andersen
Title: Fangs
Author: Sara Andersen
Review:
This came into my hands kind of by accident. Not the sort of thing I usually read, but I thought, why not?
So what happens when a vampire dates a werewolf?
I found it a fun, quick read about the interesting struggles of a unique couple.
Review by: Ben
Milk Street Cookish by Christopher Kimball
Title: Milk Street Cookish
Author: Christopher Kimball
Review:
I rarely find a cookbook that is chock full of recipes that I LOVE! Here it is. I find myself wanting to make nearly all of the recipes in this beautiful book. Enjoy!
Review by: Jan