The Creative ACT: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
Title: The Creative ACT: A Way of Being
Author: Rick Rubin
Review: Known for his work as a record producer, Rubin writes a book that will be useful for anyone that is interested in the creative process and how to make it happen, no matter what medium of art.
Review by: Ben
Babel by R.F. Kuang
Title: Babel Author: R.F. Kuang
Review: Set at Oxford in the 1830s, the story follows Robin Swift, an orphan from Canton who has just recently become a first-year student at the esteemed university. The magic system based off of silver-working and translation is truly imaginative, and the meticulous manner in which Kuang dissects and critiques the structures of power and inequality at the time is absolutely astounding. If you’ve ever enjoyed titles such as The Secret History or Piranesi before, Babel should be the next book on your to-be-read list!
Review by: Jo
Watercolor Is For Everyone by Kateri Ewing
Title: Watercolor Is For Everyone
Author: Kateri Ewing
Review: This is such a great book to help you gain confidence while learning to use watercolors! With simple, calming lessons that are fun for beginners and experts alike, I highly recommend!
Review by: Bethany
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
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Title: Lord of the Flies Author: William Golding Review: During wartime, a group of schoolboys crash land on an island with no surviving adults. In order to survive, they must try to create order among the chaos of a hostile environment. The story that unfolds is one that reveals the stark contrast between morality and the dark side of human nature. |
Emma by Jane Austen
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Title: Emma Author: Jane Austen Review: Emma is one of my favorite of Jane Austen’s. It is definitely much more lighthearted and whimsical. It’s about Emma and her matchmaking abilities or really lacking. It’s a snapshot of her privileged yet lonely life, and all of her friends and the comings and goings of that era. What happens when you meddle when you shouldn’t? The choices are always the individuals. Great classic read. Review by: Julie |
Windfall by Wendy Corsi Staub
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Title: Windfall Author: Wendy Corsi Staub Review: JJ, Molly, and Leila, three college roommates, reunite for a birthday weekend in Las Vegas. While there, they impulsively buy a lottery ticket. They win. A billion dollar windfall. Unsure of how to handle the win, they turn to Shea Daniels, a "sudden wealth manager". When Leila disappears, JJ and Molly begin to realize that a lot has changed since college - especially themselves. Review by: Jannelle |
Bridge of Souls by Victoria Schwab
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Title: Bridge of Souls Author: Victoria Schwab Review: Our favorite ghost-hunter and ghost-bff duo are back in this third installment in Schwab's young adult series. Cass and Jacob have barely survived putting ghosts to rest in Paris and Edinburgh. Now they have a new problem: Death is hunting Cass, determined to stop her from crossing the Veil like no mortal should be able to. But how do you hide from Death? Review by: Bethany |
Notes on Complexity by Neil Theise
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Title: Notes on Complexity Author: Neil Theise Review: Spanning topics like biology, physics, philosophy, and consciousness, this book is for anyone interested complex things. Is everything connected to everything else? Read this to stimulate some deep thinking. Review by: Ben |
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
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Title: Frankenstein Author: Mary Shelley Review: Every bit of this beautifully-written novel is absolutely engrossing— and, in my opinion, fully deserving of all the praise that it has accumulated over time! The characterization of both Victor Frankenstein and the Creature is excellent, and their interactions with one another are heartbreaking in the best possible way. It’s such a profound exploration of grief, isolation, and scientific obsession; and certainly a classic that should be on everyone’s to-read list! Review by: Jo |
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prost
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Title: The Mystery Guest Author: Nita Prost Review: If you read and loved The Maid, you will love The Mystery Guest. Molly is adorable, smart and a pure delight. What is she up to next? I can’t wait to see! Review by: Jan |
Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black
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Title: Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale Author: Holly Black Review: I can’t say enough good things about this book! Holly Black is a master of her craft, and this is particularly evident in Tithe; a story that follows Kaye, a girl who can see faeries and soon finds herself embroiled in a plot between two rival courts. This is one of my favorite books of all time, and you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t read it! Review by: Jo |
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
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Title: I Want My Hat Back Author: Jon Klassen Review: Bear is missing his hat and must find who took it. With a fun hunt for the hat for kids, and an even funnier ending for the adults, this is one of my favorite board books at the moment! |
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verges
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Title: The Covenant of Water Author: Abraham Verges Review: Yes, it’s a LARGE book, seemingly overwhelming . Do not let that deter you. This a fabulous experience, crossing generations. It will be over before you know it and will love the entire journey. Review by: Jan |
The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray
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Title: The Murder of Mr. Wickham Author: Claudia Gray Review: This is a wonderful, fun and cozy murder with several of my favorite Jane Austen characters! And Mr. Wickham finally gets what he deserves!! Jonathan, the Darcy’s youngest son, and Ms Juliette Tinley decide it’s up to them to figure out who killed Wickham. With all the murder subjects either being friends and families is a tense situation for the two amateur sleuths. |
Ascension by Nicholas Binge
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Title: Ascension Author: Nicholas Binge Review: What happens when a massive mountain suddenly appears in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? Well, you must explore it, of course. As the expedition ascends higher, time and reality seem to shift and change. Confused and disoriented, the team realizes that they aren't alone on this mountain. Great read! |
The Art Thief by Michael Finkel
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Title: The Art Thief Author: Michael Finkel |
The Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree
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Title: The Library: A Fragile History Author: Andrew Pettegree Review: If the words, book, library, history, preservation, peak your interest, this might be a book for you. I was surprised how fragile libraries are, and shocked at the way so many have met their demise. Review by: Ben |
Love in Winter Wonderland by Abiola Bello
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Title: Love in Winter Wonderland Author: Abiola Bello Review: Trey Anderson's family owns a small bookshop called Wonderland that is struggling to stay afloat. He and Ariel Spencer come up with a plan to use social media to save Wonderland. Review by: Kiana |
Sound of Kindness by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
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Title: Sound of Kindness Author: Amy Ludwig VanDerwater Review: In times of trouble and turmoil, it's so wonderful to have a beautifully written and illustrated book to remind us of what truly matters. Review by: Jan |
Filmlandia! by David Schmader
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Title: Filmlandia! Author: David Schmader Review: Film and television lovers: this is the book for you. This is a well-researched love letter to the cinema of the Pacific Northwest. The entries are concise, easy to read analyses, and it has some fun artwork to boot! Review by: Layne |