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Staff Picks

In this coming-of-age graphic memoir, Gharib shares her experiences growing up across borders and cultures and navigating changing family dynamics. She thoughtfully captures the complex, and sometimes contradictory, feelings of adolescence. This beautiful book would be make a great gift for either adults or teens. [Adrienne]

Bayard Rustin is one of my heroes, so i have been very excited for this picture book biography! The book focuses on Bayard's work organizing the 1963 March on Washington. This book is an important step to recovering the legacy of this civil rights hero written out of history for being queer. [sweet pea]

What I love about this baking book, aside from the mouth-watering pictures of each dessert, is how accessible Claire Saffitz created her recipes. No special tools needed, and each recipe has little troubleshooting Q&A's on the side. As a beginner myself, I felt encouraged and less intimidated to practice making desserts. [Blanca]

It seems like disinformation is everywhere these days, and the more young readers are online the more likely they are to encounter harmful information. So take heed of these cute lil blobs who make media literacy fun and understandable. Aimed at young readers, but this should be essential reading for all in an age where fake news is big business and we're all the target audience. I also learned I shouldn't drink shampoo and no, my underwear will not kill me. [Karen]

Besides reading, two things get me through the long, dark PNW winter: comfort food and comfort TV. This cookbook is the best of both worlds. It’s chock-full of references from the show that will please even the biggest Seinfeld fans. Worth getting for the jokes alone, the recipes are legitimately good too. I'll be bringing 'Hand Model Hand Pies' and 'Puffy Shirt Pastry Tarts' to my next holiday gathering! [Adrienne]

When i first saw this book, i literally squeed. These are two of my favorite artists. Based on a beautiful song by Buffy about enduring love, changing seasons, and Native traditions. Julie is one of my favorite illustrators, i love everything they do. Truly a remarkable pairing. [sweet pea]

Murakami elaborates more on his writing career, where we only got glimpses of it in What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. He also goes into detail about his ideas of creativity, originality, and criticism. I'd say we haven't heard much from the East on the literary life, so this is a fresh perspective. I always enjoy Murakami's style. [Blanca]

What does a vibrant and inclusive community look, sound, smell, feel like? This adorably-illustrated picture book explores just that. A great way to talk with young kids about our roles as neighbors in supporting one another and welcoming newcomers! [Adrienne]

Another spectacular book by Oliver Jeffers! The little dialogues he includes in the illustrations are hilarious, and I loved the parallel between space and time. By placing the distance between us and the planets in years, Jeffers gives us perspective on historical events that happened in a similar time in the past. It was a fun journey. [Blanca]

Let me tell you that I devoured this book. A murder mystery set in an Old West-inspired fantasy town, where the social order is based on the existence of angels & demons. In 200 propulsive pages, we learn how far our protagonist, Celeste, will go to protect the person she holds most dear: her younger sister. Plus, did I mention there are some (ahem) pretty steamy scenes between Celeste and her former demon lover? Yes, yes please to all of this. [Adrienne]