You are here
Staff Picks

I'm so impressed by the execution of this ambitious novel--and it's a debut, at that. Kupersmith seamlessly weaves together different points of view, timelines, historical references, mythologies, and more. The result is a thoughtful and creative exploration of serious themes, such as sexual violence and the impacts of colonialism in Vietnam. For such heavy subject matter, Kupersmith still finds ways to inject humor and absurdity. I was fully immersed, beginning to end. [Adrienne]

For me, it’s difficult these days for a YA fantasy to stand out among the rest, but ‘Lucha’ has done it. The book first pulled me in with otherworldly forests & mushroom (!) magic. It completely won me over through its fast-paced adventure, strong sister bonds, and a sweet queer romance. [Adrienne]

Have you ever wanted to escape to a subterranean magical library? Or to be swept away into a modern fairy-tale? Cause "The Starless Sea" is just that. The book is pure escapism put to paper. Morgenstern floods the whole thing with the love she has for stories and storytellers. By the end of it you'll feel as though you went there yourself and miss it wholeheartedly. (Zephyr)

For those who don't shy away from the weird, the bold, or the otherwordly: this one's for us. Asja Bakić has woven together a spectacular set of stories that push boundaries of genre. She twists sci-fi and mythology tropes to examine themes of gender, sexuality, the socio-politics of the Balkans, and more–all while being wildly entertaining. [Adrienne]
Mary Shelley really knocked it out of the park here. Not only did she propagate and define early sci-fi; but she also wrote such an eloquent story about human nature, the power dynamics between created vs creator, and how humans have morals that are looser than we think. If you love the gothic and macabre this is a great short read. (Zephyr)
This book got me out of an awful reading slump. I finished it in a day cause I just couldn't put it down. I'm a sucker for a story told through journal entries. The atmosphere is tangible, the main character is lovable and mayhaps a tad naive, and the pacing keeps its momentum throughout. You'll be shown wonders, be frustrated, and have your heart touched. (Zephyr)
I read this for the first time with my spouse cause we both love the movie. But the book, in my opinion, is creepier and more magical. Even though it's categorized as a "kids" book it can be enjoyed by anyone that wants a fun (and at times unsettling) story of a girl that goes on an unexpected and relatable journey. (Zephyr)

No Edges represents the first (!) collection of Swahili stories in English translation. Featuring eight East African authors crossing generations and literary styles, this incredible collection will leave you hungry for more: more from these authors, more from the rich traditions of Swahili storytelling, and more Africanfuturist visions. [Adrienne]

A lot happens in this first volume to set up the plot of the series that it kept me on my toes! It plays a twist on several common tropes with superb writing and on-point illustrations. I look forward to the second volume being released in May. (I do warn that this series is for an older audience, since it does have some violence and mature themes.) [Blanca]

What a read! Beagin touches on some dark themes but in a tightly structured narrative full of ingenious metaphors and well-crafted literary allusions. Told from the perspective of a morally gray protagonist, Beagin makes us complicit with the narrator, who I totally liked. I was hooked from the first chapter, and if I find the time, I might re-read it. [Blanca]