S. A. Chakraborty
[isbn]
Second books can be tricky: too often they're a bridge from book one to book three with no real standalone merit. I'm thrilled to say that this isn't the case with The Kingdom of Copper, which complicates the murky alliances from The City of Brass while building to an explosive conclusion. The Kingdom of Copper treats readers to the finery of Daeva high society and then hones in on what's rotten behind the facade; Nahri and Ali... (read more)
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Rebecca Solnit and Arthur Rackham
[isbn]
Solnit turns Cinderella into a story about being kind and lifting each other up, and she consciously subverts the more dated tropes associated with the fairy tale. The illustrations are lifted from an older version of the story, giving this modern fairy tale a clean, classic look that really works.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Lois Lowry, P Craig Russell
[isbn]
The Giver was one of my favorite books as a child, and it's perfect for a graphic treatment. I'm really excited that P. Craig Russell's adaptation stays true to the original; his artwork heightens the impact of some of the novel's most memorable scenes without distracting from Lowry's chilling story.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Jennifer Egan
[isbn]
I don't always read historical fiction, but I'm so glad that I made an exception for Manhattan Beach. I love Jennifer Egan's prose and the atmosphere in this book, and the intertwining storylines kept me intrigued to the end.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Rebecca Roanhorse
[isbn]
I thought that I knew what to expect from Trail of Lightning, but it surprised me at every turn: with it's world building, its lightning quick plot, and especially its characters. I expect this series to fundamentally change how we think of urban fantasy. There's no time like now to pick it up!
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Dave Eggers
[isbn]
Like most of Eggers's books, The Monk of Mokha wears its themes on its sleeve — but that's a large part of why I read Eggers in the first place, and Monk doesn't disappoint. I came to read about Yemeni coffee, but ended up — delightfully — learning about much more than that.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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S A Chakraborty
[isbn]
Second books can be tricky: too often they're a bridge from book one to book three with no real standalone merit. I'm thrilled to say that this isn't the case with The Kingdom of Copper, which complicates the murky alliances from The City of Brass while building to an explosive conclusion. The Kingdom of Copper treats readers to the finery of Daeva high society and then hones in on what's rotten behind the... (read more)
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Ursula K Le Guin, Charles Vess
[isbn]
I came to the Earthsea series later than most, but it would be difficult to overstate the impact it's had on not only how I read but how I see the world. Charles Vess's illustrations for this new edition are gorgeous and evocative: I am excited about Le Guin all over again.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Tracy K Smith
[isbn]
I have not kept up-to-date on contemporary poets, so American Journal, curated by Tracy K. Smith, was immediately appealing to me. This collection is thematically and stylistically diverse; it's a great introduction to some of America's best poets, but it's also a thoughtful meditation on being an American in 2018.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Nicole Chung
[isbn]
The openness and honesty with which Nicole Chung writes about her life is captivating. This is an intensely personal book, but handled with a precision that keeps it from feeling voyeuristic. If you only read one memoir this year, read All You Can Ever Know.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Corey Ann Haydu
[isbn]
I loved this introspective book about the nature of love and fear. Lorna and her friends, the Devonairre Street girls, might be cursed — but they might not be. Lorna struggles to find her place in the midst of this uncertainty while dealing with the grief caused by the loss of a friend — a loss that may prove the curse to be real. Corey Ann Haydu deftly handles the intricacies of this supposed curse, never quite showing her hand. I don't often... (read more)
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Olivia Laing
[isbn]
A strange, brief novel that intertwines real events from the summer of 2017 with fictional events experienced by Kathy Acker — yes, that Kathy Acker, still alive and facing down her own marriage. The stream-of-consciousness prose is difficult but rewarding; if I couldn't always keep up, I definitely couldn't look away.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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David Grann
[isbn]
I've never read anything quite like The Lost City of Z. Partly the story of an early 20th-century explorer, and partly the story of the reporter who became obsessed with his fate, this book managed to be informative while reading like an adventure story. Lost City gave me the opportunity to live vicariously through someone else's journey, and it reminded me exactly why I am a person who reads instead of a person who goes into... (read more)
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Adib Khorram
[isbn]
I was charmed, really charmed by this story about a teenager who travels to Iran to meet his Persian family for the first time. Darius was a sympathetic, funny lead, and I loved watching his friendship with Sohrab blossom as he began to grow into his place in the world.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Annie Lowrey
[isbn]
Lowrey examines the mechanisms of societal inequality and universal basic income experiments all over the globe to show that giving people money just works. A timely read for people who aren't yet convinced that spreading wealth is the best and perhaps only way to end poverty.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Katie Heaney
[isbn]
Would You Rather, Katie Heaney's book about coming out, is a surprising follow up to Never Have I Ever. That book is about a series of not-quite-relationships with men and the friends she makes along the way; this one, of course, is about how she fell in love with the first woman she ever dated. Recommended for anyone who liked her writing at the Hairpin, anyone who still misses Livejournal, and, of course, for anyone who has... (read more)
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Zadie Smith
[isbn]
If you haven't read Zadie Smith's nonfiction, this collection is the perfect place to start. She is one of very few authors who can balance hope for our future with a realistic view of our current failings, and her work feels more vital every day.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Karl Ove Knausgaard
[isbn]
In the second book of his new quartet, Knausgaard writes a daily observation to his unborn daughter. That such a book can be beautiful and sometimes overwhelming is a welcome surprise. Knausgaard's prose is exquisite. If you're not already reading his work, this is the perfect time to start.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Carrie Fisher
[isbn]
Carrie Fisher isn't just Princess Leia. In The Princess Diarist, though, she takes us back to her Star Wars days with a look at her diaries during filming. They're replete with her signature humor, but they also provide a fascinating look at life behind one of our most iconic films.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Jessica Townsend
[isbn]
Nevermoor is a really exciting debut. The world is whimsical and immersive, but like the best children's literature, it has a sinister streak. I suspect that things in Morrigan's life are not exactly as they seem, and I can't wait to uncover more.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Chris Ware
[isbn]
Chris Ware writes the most emotionally devastating comics I've read in my life, which sometimes distracts from just how weird and experimental his work is. Monograph is a very strange, meandering book that's difficult to classify, but it's a must-read for anyone who loves comics.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Yotam Ottolenghi, Helen Goh
[isbn]
I love baking, and especially experimenting with new flavors and textures. Sweet showcases a huge variety of recipes, including some classic flavors and some for the more adventurous palate. Although some recipes are fairly advanced, this is a great collection for bakers of all skill levels.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Ruth Ware
[isbn]
This is a great place to start with Ruth Ware. The Lying Game follows Isa as she reunites with her boarding school friends to contend with the mistakes they made as teenagers. All of the women are liars, and their turbulent relationship with the truth lends this thriller its most shocking moments.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Lisa Maxwell
[isbn]
Two of my favorite things to read about are the last remnants of a race of dying magicians, and spunky girl thieves navigating hostile worlds. This book features both, and it includes turn-of-the-century New York and time travel as a bonus! This is a great summer read.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Angie Thomas
[isbn]
For the past several months, I've been recommending The Hate U Give as "the Black Lives Matter YA book" — because this is a powerful, nuanced introduction to the movement, and that's more than enough reason to recommend it! But this book stuck with me for so many other reasons. I loved all of the characters, and especially the protagonist, Starr. Her coming-of-age story is touching and believable; I haven't rooted so hard for a character... (read more)
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Michael Wallis
[isbn]
Growing up in the shadow of the Sierras meant growing up in the shadow of the Donner Party. I've heard this story more times and in more versions than I can accurately relate. Here, Wallis provides one of the clearest, most definitive accounts that I've come across.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Arundhati Roy
[isbn]
I loved The God of Small Things, and I've been keeping an eye out for Roy's next novel. She doesn't disappoint. Her prose is as lyrical and her commentary as incisive as I expected, and her scope has expanded in the 20 years since she published her last novel. This was worth every year of the wait.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Al Franken
[isbn]
It's rare to read a book that manages to be funny, well-written, and very informative about the inner workings of the United States Senate. I consider it my civic duty to tell you to read this book: it's a brief light in the very dark tunnel of American politics.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Laura Ruby
[isbn]
This steampunky story set in an alternative New York City has some tried-and-true fantasy premises: mysterious inventors, inquisitive kids, an alternate reality. But the reality that Ruby creates here is so fun, and the mystery is so engaging, that it's unlike anything I've read before.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Chuck Klosterman
[isbn]
No one writes pop culture quite like Chuck Klosterman, and this collection of essays he's published throughout the past decade is a must-read for his fans. Even when I'm not enamored of his subjects, I'm always enthralled by his writing, and this is a great book to read in bits and pieces when you need to think about something a little less serious.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Esme Weijun Wang
[isbn]
While I was reading it and for days after I finished, I dreamt about this book. Wang's debut novel checks off a lot of boxes for me: it's a family saga, it's a sympathetic and realistic rendering of mental illness, and it's both beautifully written and deeply disturbing. Wang's characters follow their internal compasses down paths that seem to be somehow unexpected and preordained all at the same time, and they come to devastating ends. The... (read more)
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
[isbn]
The Plumbs might be the worst — they’re four siblings relying on their trust fund, the eponymous Nest, to get them out of their respective financial troubles — but Sweeney’s prose makes them the best worst family in contemporary fiction. Come for the perfect cover art, and stay for the deft, clever storytelling.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Caroline McAlister, Eliza Wheeler
[isbn]
This charming picture book is a biography of J. R. R. Tolkien. The art is as fantastic as Tolkien's Middle-earth, and the story is perfect for future-readers who aren't quite old enough for The Hobbit — and for Tolkien fans who want a colorful token to remember him by.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Viet Thanh Nguyen
[isbn]
My favorite stories in The Refugees are "Black-Eyed Women" and "The Americans," but every story offers some tantalizing description or surprising idea to mull over. Nguyen has written a book that is both a pleasure to read and an accounting of refugee experiences that everyone should become familiar with.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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John Lewis and Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell
[isbn]
Whether you're familiar with him or not, John Lewis's memoir is a must read. The graphic novel format makes it a welcome introduction to Lewis's life and activism during the Civil Rights Movement, but it's also a compelling story if you're already versed in the history.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Elan Mastai
[isbn]
Do you ever wonder if reality is the result of a time-travel catastrophe? The rakish narrator of All Our Wrong Todays is here to tell you that's exactly what's happened — and it's all his fault. But how do you fix that mistake — and would you really want to, if you could?
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Roxane Gay
[isbn]
I've been following Roxane Gay for years, but Difficult Women was my first foray into her fiction. Her writing here is incisive and unflinchingly honest about humanity at its worst, but she also shows a tremendous amount of compassion for the characters she portrays. There is something here for everyone.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor
[isbn]
Set in the same inexplicable town as the podcast that spawned it, Welcome to Night Vale is Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor’s debut novel in the Night Vale universe. While remaining firmly grounded in the mythos of the podcast, the novel reaches further to provide a glimpse at daily life in an exceptionally unsettling town.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Paul Beatty
[isbn]
Clever and absurd, The Sellout is one of the most unusual books I've read in years. "A biting satire" is a very fitting description: this book has teeth, and you're not going to make it through it without seriously reconsidering the state of contemporary society. Don't worry, though — it's also hilarious.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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J K Rowling
[isbn]
It's been a magical year for Harry Potter fans, and the release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a great way to end it. The story recaptures the magic of the original series, and the screenplay is bound in an artful hardcover that makes it a perfect gift for the HP completist in your life.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Zachary Auburn
[isbn]
Finally! I have been wondering for years how to discuss these touchy subjects with my cat. If you want to protect your beloved feline from the temptations of contemporary life, this book has all your answers. And who knows — it might make you look at human society a little differently, too.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Gareth Cook, Robert Krulwich
[isbn]
I always enjoy the annual edition of the Best American Infographics, and the latest is no exception. This election year, there are a lot of startling political infographics, but there's so much more than the election here. I love flipping through this in my downtime; I always learn something new.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Brian Wilson, Ben Greenman
[isbn]
Put aside all of the rumors you've ever heard about Brian Wilson. This is his story, told for the first time in his own words: it's recommended for both Beach Boys fans and anyone who has an interest in the musical legacy of the 1960s.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Gigi Little
[isbn]
Portland is the City of Weird, but don't come to this book expecting bird-embellished messenger bags or artisan pickles. This is a fantastic and varied collection of fiction by authors from the Pacific Northwest that really gets at the anarchic, imaginative spirit that drives this city.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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J.K. Rowling, Jim Kay
[isbn]
I love the illustrations in this edition of Chamber of Secrets. As a fan, I'm always excited to see someone else's take on some of my favorite characters; as a bookseller, I'm thrilled at the opportunity to draw a new generation of readers into the Potter fold.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Alan Moore
[isbn]
I was so intimidated by how massive this book set is, but once I started reading, it swept me away. This isn't an easy read, but it's a rewarding one — as any fan of Alan Moore's comics should expect.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Joshua Foer, Dylan Thuras, Ella Morton
[isbn]
I don't think there is a more perfect coffee table book. It's not just beautiful (but it is really beautiful) — it's full of fascinating information about places I've never heard of.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Jonathan Franzen
[isbn]
In Franzen's effort to catch the zeitgeist, Purity is a twenty-something drowning in student loan debt who is lured in by a Julian Assange figure whose past is more than what it seems. No one here is happy, perse, but they are familiar, and I couldn't get enough.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Luke Dittrich
[isbn]
Dittrich uses Patient H.M. to investigate both the life of the titular patient and the morality of his treatment at the hands of researchers. He exposes sides of a well-known case that will appeal to the already familiar as well as newcomers interested in mental illness and the brain.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Dave Eggers
[isbn]
Josie dives headlong into a popular escapist fantasy when she takes her children on an unplanned adventure through the Alaskan wilderness. Filled with nature's grandeur, a cast of eccentrics, and a lot of existential crises, Heroes of the Frontier is perfect for anyone who's felt the call of the wild.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Ben Winters
[isbn]
Part thought experiment, part thriller, this clever alternate history examines a world only degrees removed from our own. Can you imagine an America where slavery had never been abolished? Winters has, and it's not so difficult to see the world he's created lurking beneath the surface of our own society.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Emma Straub
[isbn]
If you want to know what happened to your cool friends after their band broke up and they started having kids, Modern Lovers has your answers. (Hint: they're still cool, and they live in Brooklyn now.) Emma Straub's light, breezy style makes this a perfect summer read about growing up, reckoning with the past, and passing the baton to a new generation.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Don Delillo
[isbn]
Zero K is built on a sci-fi premise that expands outwards to become an exploration of what meaning life can hold in the absence of death. The novel moves quickly despite its philosophical preoccupations and manages to present both a compelling story and a thought experiment in one small package.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Ken Forkish
[isbn]
From Portland's own Ken Forkish comes this in-depth look at the art of pizza making. While his claims that you can make a better pizza than the pros might seem like a stretch, with this book and a little practice, you'll be on your way to perfect homemade pizza in no time.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Sy Montgomery
[isbn]
The Soul of an Octopus is Sy Montgomery’s exploration into the mysterious nature of the octopus. Equal parts memoir and scientific study, this is a fascinating look at one of the ocean’s strangest creatures.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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M R Carey
[isbn]
Jess is sent to a maximum security prison after murdering a boy in a house fire — a boy who walks through death and brings her back from the edge of her suicidal hunger strike. The book unfolds into a supernatural mystery that questions how far Jess must go to be redeemed.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Keri Smith
[isbn]
Randomness and the unexpected are vital conditions for personal growth, and this book suggests that wandering is a surefire way to increase the unexpected and to become more grounded in the present moment. Part memoir, part guide, it is sure to give you an exciting new way to spend your time.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Arroyo, Raymond
[isbn]
In his first of many adventures, the intrepid Will Wilder sets off to right a wrong — and ends up throwing his entire town into peril instead. Equal parts fantasy, mystery, and adventure, this story is sure to hook readers from the first page.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Edward O. Wilson
[isbn]
In Half-Earth, Wilson takes a hard look at damage humans have caused the planet. However, Half-Earth isn’t without hope for the planet’s future. Wilson presents a balanced view of a complicated issue, and you don’t need a science background to understand where he’s coming from.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Matt Ruff
[isbn]
Lovecraft Country alternately thrilled me with its tales of haunted houses, strange potions, and distant worlds, and grounded me in the reality of being black in mid-century America. This is Lovecraft with a heart, the spirit of the pulps for a modern era. I absolutely loved it.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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John Wray
[isbn]
A book that weaves together the tales of a Nazi war criminal and, decades later, his great-nephew who has been removed from the timestream, The Lost Time Accidents is a must-read for fans of family sagas, historical fiction, and Neal Stephenson-style science fiction.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Jeff Garvin
[isbn]
Riley’s life is complicated. A gender-fluid teen whose dad is up for reelection in Congress, Riley is struggling to navigate high school’s rocky terrain while living honestly and openly. This is a timely, important coming-of-age novel.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Raina Telgemeier
[isbn]
In this graphic novel adaptation of Ann Martin’s Baby-Sitter’s Club series, Claudia and her older sister Janine must overcome their differences when their grandmother falls ill. Telgemeier’s illustrations fit perfectly with Martin’s characters, making this a charming book for BSC devotees and graphic novel fans alike.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Toni Morrison
[isbn]
In Toni Morrison’s latest, Bride is a young woman grappling with how her past has shaped her present. Although the novel is shy of 200 pages, Morrison’s cutting prose gives it the same emotional weight that has made her one of the most important writers in the American canon.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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Kim Gordon
[isbn]
Kim Gordon may be best known for playing bass in Sonic Youth, but her memoir proves she’s as talented a writer as she is a musician. Gordon covers everything from her upbringing to her very public separation from Thurston Moore in this must-read for Sonic Youth fans, musicians, and feminists.
Recommended by Ashleigh B.
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