Eric Carle
[isbn]
As the daughter of two retired teachers, I can’t think of a more appropriate gift than this lovely picture book, crafted by the incomparable Eric Carle, to present to those in the educational profession as a token of appreciation for their work and dedication to teaching our children.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Mandy Len Catron
[isbn]
What begins as an experiment for the author, who takes a psychology test to try and fall in love with another test participant, becomes the premise for a book that is as much fun to read as it sounds. Catron supplies a candid account of her doubts and misgivings about love, drawing from her family's and her own romantic history, tackling the topic with analytical curiosity. And when she finally does arrive at success in love, as the title... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Gail Tsukiyama
[isbn]
The lush, tropical atmosphere of Hawaii is bound headily into The Color of Air, a novel of extraordinary grace that portrays a sugar plantation community in the 1930s facing the potential destruction of their town as a volcanic eruption draws near. The book explores the present and delves decades into the past, to the immigrant origins of the central characters — Koji, Nori, Mariko, and Mariko’s son, Daniel — revealing the buried sorrows... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Neil DeGrasse Tyson and James Trefil
[isbn]
A philosopher’s science guide, for every curious mind who likes to pore over beautiful photos and graphs about the universe and revel over its (and our own) origins. You really can’t go wrong with physicists Neil deGrasse Tyson and James Trefil at the helm.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Kiran Millwood Hargrave
[isbn]
The storm that wipes out nearly all of the men from their small coastal fishing town doesn’t defeat Maren or the other women who must make do in time to survive winter conditions, leaving no time for the luxury of grief. This same gritty industriousness that pulled them through, however, will threaten to undo them when a new commissioner arrives in town, interpreting the women’s independence as dangerous, and ungodly. Gloriously stark, the... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Patrick Chamoiseau
[isbn]
As Slave Old Man runs through the jungle being hunted by a dog and his plantation master, experiencing philosophical revelations about the jungle around him in sensory relationship to his body, Patrick Chamoiseau unravels the reader's mind with hallucinatory prose, executed with the skill of a visionary architect whose sole purpose is to bridge the collision of these forces into a spectacle that alters perceptions as utterly as it transforms... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Zora Neale Hurston
[isbn]
Words crafted by Zora Neale Hurston are always a precious treasure, so to learn of the discovery of the previously lost stories included now in this collection feels like finding the Grail. Written during the Harlem Renaissance, these works embody a time that also deeply intersects with the here and now.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Zora Neale Hurston
[isbn]
This book changed my life and the way I read fiction. The folk dialect narrative brought me further inside a main character’s mind than I’d ever gone before, until I found myself seeing through Janie’s eyes and experiencing her losses and heartache as my own. If identifying with a black woman’s voice and struggle is considered dangerous enough to merit book banning, the act of reading this richly significant novel is an act of societal rebellion.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Delanie Holton-Fessler
[isbn]
A praise-worthy projects book for young kids, where basic toy-making (from wooden robots to mini-kites), learning fiber arts, and plenty more is all nicely laid out in clear, understandable steps alongside great photos. The author’s experience running maker workshops additionally shines through in the bonus materials, which include inventor challenges, guiding questions, and ways to adapt the tools and customize creations according to a child’s... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Michael Zapata
[isbn]
A book about Hurricane Katrina, pirates, and Dominicanas, luminous science fiction worlds, portals, and refugees all draw seamlessly together in an enveloping arc that follows the manuscript of Adana Moreau, and those pulled into its orbit. Zapata also asks deeper questions about disasters and home, and their place in our lives, while immersing us in an exceptionally written, unforgettable story.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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James McBride
[isbn]
Here is an ensemble of characters so ripe and joyfully alive in the tumescence of their maladies, carried out in a rare, ornamental fashion that only a master writer can pull off. In Deacon King Kong, James McBride invites you into a story that has always existed — the carnival of the tragedy of life — then steps aside, acting as a guide to reveal axioms of wisdom within the frolic. It is an understatement to call this novel a nonpareil... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Lily King
[isbn]
Exotic, intimate, and beautifully written. I have long been an admirer of Margaret Mead, and in my eyes Lily King has done justice to imagining part of Mead's life in a way that really places you in the environments and situational quandaries she encountered. This novel aches to be read by anyone who craves a book that, in addition to portraying moving, complicated characters, will completely take and hold their attention from start to finish.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Colson Whitehead
[isbn]
It’s 1963 in Tallahassee, Florida, and Elwood Curtis has a bright future ahead of him, enrolled in advanced college courses ahead of high school graduation. Then one innocent mistake lands him in the boys’ reformatory, Nickel Academy. Based on Florida’s real Dozier School for Boys, an institution that operated for over 100 years brutalizing young boys, The Nickel Boys is a vital work of historical fiction, challenging every soul to... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Neil Gaiman
[isbn]
Master storyteller Neil Gaiman brings to life the Norse gods as only he can, from their origins to their twilight. Find out why the handle on Thor’s hammer was forged too short, and how poetry is said to have come into the world. Comic book fans and fantasy readers alike are sure to treasure these classic myths.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Eden Dawn and Ashod Simonian
[isbn]
Locals and visitors alike cherish Portland, as it’s filled with something-for-everyone treasures to be found around every corner, both indoors and outside. This colorfully designed guide provides an updated tour through some of the smile-making activities that will engage your senses, showcasing what a wonderland Stumptown truly is.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Chuck Palahniuk
[isbn]
If you know Chuck Palahniuk's writing, you know he goes where others dare not tread. The advice imparted here is similar: explicit honesty that holds nothing back. It is this bold trait that garners him a devoted fan base, and what makes this book so rewarding.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Bryan Stevenson
[isbn]
“Why do we want to kill all the broken people? What is wrong with us, that we think a thing like that can be right?” If you feel called to learn about criminal justice, but don’t necessarily have a firm understanding of how the legal system operates, Just Mercy is exactly the book to read. Not only is it totally accessible, but the stance from which Bryan Stevenson writes is so utterly compassionate that, as he sheds light on example... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Layla F Saad
[isbn]
This book is so needed. It is a workbook for people with white privilege, like me, to educate themselves on the pervasive racist ideologies that they carry; and to dismantle these, and take action to make the world a better place. Reading and journaling through it, I was asked to confront hard truths in a loving way, an experience that continues to be a life-changing gift.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Thich Nhat Hanh
[isbn]
An indispensable tool for helping to reach the foundation of feelings below anger in a situation, How to Fight guides you to the compassion and strength within that’s needed to rise above the hurt, and communicate effectively. Thich Nhat Hanh’s writing is so accepting of the hardest parts of who we are, making it also a great antidote for despair.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Max Porter
[isbn]
The stage is set: Author Max Porter is the Pied Piper, and you are being called. Lanny will play your heart like a flute, luring you into its song of childhood landscapes, extending nature forward into its wild, animated state. And when the tune is complete, it will have fulfilled all its promises of consequence and heartbreak, in an astounding encore of reverie.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Madeline Miller
[isbn]
Circe is wondrously lush and lyrical, and the depth and carefulness with which her story is drawn is breathtaking. It comes so freshly alive that I found myself completely caught up in what would happen next, even already knowing the Greek myths. After finishing, I immediately went out and bought a copy of Madeline Miller's first book, The Song of Achilles, in order to be able to reenter the tapestry of world that she so... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Maurice Carlos Ruffin
[isbn]
Riveting and satirical, this deftly written novel blazed my mind with fantastical horrors simultaneously all too real to keep the allegorical hood on as a disguise. If you were spellbound and haunted by the movie Get Out, read this book.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Amy Bonnaffons
[isbn]
The Regrets is an oddly lighthearted, and also depressive, novel about several characters bound to the afterlife of Thomas, a guy who has not quite fully died. Upon entering a purgatory holding place, he is informed that he is not to get involved with others who are still alive, at the risk of incurring certain "regrets." Stuck in limbo, boredom and curiosity get the better of Thomas as he finds himself drawn to Rachel, a waif-like... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Zora Neale Hurston, Deborah G Plant
[isbn]
Zora Neale Hurston left us a rich legacy of black cultural history through her recordings as an anthropologist of the African American folk narrative, striving to, as she puts it “set down essential truth.” Here in this vital addition to her already known work are interviews documenting Cudjo Lewis’s own story, the last known living African American to arrive on a black slave ship. Because she preserves his original vernacular in writing, it... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Patrisse Khan Cullors, asha bandele
[isbn]
Reading like a series of political essays, this autobiography heralds one of the most articulate, wise, and necessary voices of our time. Black Lives Matter cofounder Patrisse Khan-Cullors's relentless compassion and commitment to raising up all black lives serve as a powerful beacon for change.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Jen Beagin
[isbn]
A marvelously transgressive novel that is hilarious, scary, and nothing short of brilliant. Amen to Jen Beagin for giving us Mona, a character who is somehow incredulous, entirely authentic, and in every way necessary.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Peter Stamm
[isbn]
Can changing the course of our present life path actually alter the story fabric of the past?
Playing with determinism, and calling into question the construct of reality, what makes this novel so irresistible is its simplicity of delivery. Christoph feels he is watching his own past relationship mirrored identically in a younger couple, so he pursues them, wishing to inform them of their inevitable demise. Aberrations begin to appear between to... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Mary Oliver
[isbn]
What a perfect collection this love letter to the earth is. Mary Oliver is so tuned in to the natural world around her; the way she allows it to speak through her onto paper, and reflect back to us all the truth, always awes and astounds.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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E.J. Koh
[isbn]
With the mind of a poet E. J. Koh demonstrates true vulnerability in her memoir, telling her story through carefully chosen words. The effect is perfectly expressed prose, which neither indulges in sentiment nor does it challenge the reader to compete or compare lives, as her thoughtfully exposed life is laid bare. Koh’s journey transforming hardship into peace leaves one with a sense of wonder and respect at the dignity and grace of her... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Vikram Paralkar
[isbn]
I loved this novel. Both the writing and the story pulled me in immediately and held me there, making it a book that was hard to put down. The emotional current running through it, and the philosophies examined pertaining to how we perceive and value life were subtly intoxicating. Night Theater is a beautifully carried story, lovely and unexpected.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Philip Pullman
[isbn]
The Secret Commonwealth continues the adventure and brilliant world-building of The Book of Dust, as a college-age Lyra sets out to learn more about Dust, and a city in the desert said to be haunted by daemons. But Lyra, Pantalaimon, and Malcolm Polstead will all pay the toll for the secrets revealed.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Matt Mahurin and Tom Waits
[isbn]
Tom Waits fans, rejoice: here is a visual feast, three decades in the making. Besides offering up the fruits of his work with Waits from several photo shoots and album covers, Mahurin digs deep into his film archives to create new images of whim and fancy of one of the greatest storytellers of our time, all compiled into this lovely and unique collection. Those familiar with this icon, as well as newcomers, will not be disappointed.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Ibi Zoboi
[isbn]
When Ebony Grace is sent to Harlem for the summer, her (inter)stellar imagination gets a boost of new fuel as she navigates the ways of seeing and being that city life has to offer. For a girl with a mind of her own and dreams as big as a spaceship, however, she may have just as much to share with Harlem as it has in store for her.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Sarah Henning
[isbn]
Runa and Alia, the Sea King’s twin daughters, are as close as two sisters can be. When Alia makes a desperate trade of her voice for a chance at true love, Runa must place an even greater sacrifice on the line to the Sea Witch, who has the power to help or destroy the girls. But Evie has plans of her own, and just as much at stake as the sisters… if not more.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Esi Edugyan
[isbn]
Washington Black’s story begins as an 11-year-old slave who is taken in by the plantation owner’s brother, Titch, and, after incurring a burn that leaves his face disfigured and then witnessing a tragic event for which he is blamed, "Wash" is urgently sent out into the greater world by way of a hot air balloon. What follows is a wondrous, harrowing journey spanning continents as Titch and Wash struggle to leave the ghosts of their past behind,... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Tommy Orange
[isbn]
When you hear truth as potent as Orange’s, speaking through generations of suffering and slaughter and consequent addiction and poverty, it surpasses anything as temporary as anger or righteousness or even respect, it takes you to the place of acknowledgement, a recognition of power and knowing. This book changes the story being told about Native Americans — it changes us all — reminding us that no matter how ravaged an identity, place, or a... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Erin Benzakein and Julie Chai
[isbn]
Widely anticipated by her fans, Washington state flower farmer Erin Benzakein invites us into the world of lavishly photographed flowers and floral arrangement techniques in stunning turns. Avid gardeners and designers alike will find inspiration in this expertly comprised tome.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey
[isbn]
The earth is vast and richly vital, however we need to remain aware of the limits of the resources we draw from it, and each do our part to help restore the supplies that we deplete. In Our Planet, we are shown in breathtaking photos the gorgeous diversity that we are granted, and asked to acknowledge the ways that we’ve affected the ecosystem, which is the first step to finding the hope required to regrow the lush legacy of our home.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Jonathan Stutzman, Heather Fox
[isbn]
Sometimes eating a whole lot of cake can lead to disastrous results, especially when you’re a llama, dancing in very snug pants. Kids of all ages will love this funny approach to not stressing too hard about food choices and carrying on after your mistakes… no matter how epic they may be.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Tom Rachman
[isbn]
Pinch Bavinsky feels utterly swallowed by the shadow of his famous artist father, the great Bear Bavinsky, who produces, in addition to critically acclaimed paintings, at least a dozen other children from nearly as many wives, all competing for Bear’s love and inheritance. Both men are difficult, jovial and reclusive talents who feel infinitely misunderstood, yet in spite of or because of these traits, Bear barrels on successfully while Pinch,... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Kazuo Ishiguro
[isbn]
This book lives among my top 10 favorite books of all time. The story entails the journeys of an aging couple, two warriors, and Sir Gawain, the chivalrous knight from Arthurian legends. Their fates all meet as they make their way across Britain, at a time when ogres and other mythical creatures were said to still walk among us. We come to learn that what they think they are seeking is not quite what is drawing them, and that memories are really... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Diane Setterfield
[isbn]
A carefully executed fairy tale about lost girls, found girls, and society’s relationship to the science and magic of these things, Once Upon a River is rife with symbolism that embraces tradition as it simultaneously breathes new and unexpected bodies of life into it. What exactly are the messages we carry about women’s roles in society, and are we able to change those without disrupting the familiar and sacrosanct? If so, Diane... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Lucy Burningham
[isbn]
Portland journalist and beer enthusiast Lucy Burningham combines these two passions and takes us on a journey with her, enveloping us in her infectious curiosity. She explores hop farms, attends beer festivals, and sits in on a Widmer Brothers tasting panel, among other adventures. It is her willingness to toss aside her assumptions and approach the world of beer so openly through new eyes that makes this particular beer memoir a must-read.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Beaton, Kate
[isbn]
Princess Pinecone wants nothing more than to ride gloriously into battle alongside her warrior kin, but when her birthday wish for a steed is granted, things don’t exactly turn out as she envisioned. Beaton, the author/illustrator of Hark! A Vagrant, scores again with a laugh-out-loud picture book about a lovable farting pony and the merits of embracing the unexpected.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack
[isbn]
Wine appreciators, from novices to connoisseurs, will enjoy this newly expanded edition from the award-winning website WineFolly.com. Chock-full of well-organized and easy to use infographics, this guide makes a choice gift for any occasion.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Archie Bongiovanni and Tristan Jimerson
[isbn]
Welcome to the nonbinary world. New here? No worries — your funny, animated guides are Archie Bongiovanni and Tristan Jimerson, and they will be introducing you to gender neutral pronouns, how to use them, and why they matter. Sit back, free your mind, and enjoy the tour.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Katherine Applegate
[isbn]
In this important new adventure series, Byx, possibly the last of her kind, sets out on a courageous journey of discovery that will bring her, and the unlikely friends she gathers along the way, face to face with the consequences of thoughtless environmental destruction.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Peter Brown
[isbn]
In this sequel to The Wild Robot, we follow Roz to Hilltop Farm, where she has been shipped to serve alongside other robots. But Roz dreams of going back to the island she calls home, raising important questions for both Roz and for young readers about what it means to belong, and the power of pursuing the things you believe in.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Chelsea Clinton, Alexandra Boiger
[isbn]
A companion to She Persisted, this collection expands out to include pioneering women across the globe who found ways of forging into territory beyond traditional gender roles. Their ingenuity and determination provide little readers with a palette of diverse examples of what is possible when you pursue your passion, no matter who you are.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Sara Oleary, Julie Morstad
[isbn]
Join Sadie on a voyage in a ship made of boxes, and on an adventure to a castle made of cushions, where anything she make-believes is possible. This beautifully imagined, delicately drawn story of the little girl, Sadie, is now in board book format.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong
[isbn]
A chilling, in-depth story revealing the psychology of rape from multiple angles. The intertwining accounts and outcomes are both shocking and insightful, providing answers at a time when taking a closer look at why sexual assault happens, and what we can do about it, is vital to society’s way forward.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Tom Malmquist
[isbn]
In the same way that grief slows time down while simultaneously speeding it up, this semi-autobiographical novel moves through the events the author experienced — the year he lost his wife, his father, and became a father himself — with painful acuity and breathtaking grace.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Dawn Davies
[isbn]
Dawn Davies drew me in with all of the honesty required of a memoir — she reveals everything, without soliciting approval for it. Her awakened understanding that strength comes from the recoveries after the falls, not in avoiding mistakes, is absolute gold.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Scott Freeman and Susan Leopold Freeman
[isbn]
From sapling germination to salmon run cycles, Freeman’s humble explanations of each step of the Tarboo Creek restoration are tenderly lyrical. More importantly, his dedication to this cause reminds us why every piece of the natural earth is worth protecting and preserving.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Ilyasah Shabazz and Renee Watson
[isbn]
Each of us has a destiny to fulfill, and for Betty, overcoming self-doubt and finding her voice are what pave the road to her empowerment. This uplifting story of persevering with kindness and resilience is brimming with inspiration.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Teagan White
[isbn]
The woodland bunch is back, this time guiding little ones through learning their numbers while exploring concepts, making pancakes, and having other adorable adventures along the way.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Olaf Olafsson
[isbn]
This captivating, ethereal story follows Magnus, a UK neurologist working in New York, whose fiancée has just passed away. As he processes her loss and focuses on a Jane Doe coma patient he is conducting research on, other central female relationships in his life begin to surface, requiring recompense for past damages. The novel maintains a cautious, dreamlike current throughout, moving the main character like a river that at last channels out... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Maggie Stiefvater
[isbn]
The Sorias are a family of miracle workers whose gifts have turned sour. The recipients of their miracle-performing stay stuck halfway between the miracle and the darkness that is being drawn out of them, leaving a mass of suffering pilgrims on the Soria ranch. That is, until the day Pete Wyatt shows up at their door, setting off a chain of events that will change everything, from saints to owls to the very nature of what a miracle truly is.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Laini Taylor
[isbn]
This imaginatively illustrated companion book to the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy tells the story of Zuzana and Mik’s whimsical first date, from alternating perspectives. A perfect introduction to Portland author Laini Taylor’s fantasy world creation, and more fodder for her devoted fans! Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Gregory Maguire
[isbn]
I loved this book so much. The story of Drosselmeier, the wood carver whose enchanted journey leads to the creation of the soldier brought to life in "The Nutcracker," is steeped in German fairy tale symbolism. Maguire’s retelling is richly intricate, winding, and mesmerizing.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Patti Smith
[isbn]
Whether or not you’re interested in her music or other icons she lived among at Hotel Chelsea, the voice with which Patti Smith lays her life bare in this work is undeniable. She walks in dual worlds as a grounded dreamer, a transparent enigma, but most of all as a truthful storyteller, and conveys these realities with an intimacy so powerful that it completely blew my mind.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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David Williams
[isbn]
To take the plain-spoken language of the Amish and make it riveting is a feat. David Williams accomplishes this in When the English Fall, which follows Jacob as his community’s nonviolent way of life collides with the deteriorating society and escalating chaos that the apocalypse brings with it. Reading, you feel like you’re tipping your ear to the ground to listen for the sound of charging horses.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Daryl Gregory
[isbn]
Spoonbenders
is so much more than a hilarious story about a family with psychic powers;
it’s a tribute to the power families have to create chaos in our lives, and, with a little luck, also to save our hides. Each Telemachus family member has a
special ability, from lie-detecting to telekinesis to astral projection. But these abilities are more of a burden than a gift, attracting mobsters, government
agents, and other psychics into the... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Julie Pointer Adams
[isbn]
What a treat this low-key entertaining guide is, reminding us that living a pleasurable life does not mean having to abandon our values. It reads like a summertime hygge book, both sensuous and inviting, providing inspiration for mindful gatherings.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Lisa Ko
[isbn]
This amazing novel gave so much insight into the life of an immigrant, and how when we leave a place, a part of us stays in that geography, and it in us. Both Polly, who sacrifices everything to come to New York from China, and her son Daniel, who we see trying to integrate his Chinese and American selves into one narrative and identity, jump off the pages, as do their overriding struggles to belong. I read all of the book in one day except the... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Jens Christian Grøndahl
[isbn]
This was sweetly tender, especially at first, and then a deep sort of grief bordering on despair begins to set into the main character's voice as she reveals doubts about the authenticity of her feelings for her deceased husband’s family. Ellinor is so starkly pragmatic and yet so sensitive, which comes across in the way she nitpicks the details of her loved ones' choices. To have placed a character book-ended between two traumatic losses... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Greg Hrbek
[isbn]
Trauma, memory, alternate realities, and religious violence all puzzle together in this uniquely written tale, which is by turns sorrowful and cautionary. Can we ever really know what kernels of truth lie inside the suffering of others? A deeply philosophical exploration of what drives us, motivates us to change, and keeps us locked in old patterns as though time were standing still. This novel plunders the soul.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Belle Boggs
[isbn]
This read like a slow-burning mystery for me — Belle gathers stories from a wide variety of situations where the potential parents are put through a series of tests, either scientific or in their everyday lives, alternately telling us how she and her partner came to discover their own route to conception. What’s beautiful is her lack of judgment in the journeys taken; each exploration and outcome is valued equal to her own. A brave and intimate... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Mikhail Bulgakov
[isbn]
What greater emphasis could I place on this book than to say that if you only read one Russian novel in your life, let it be this one. The Devil arrives in Moscow, bringing with him a fantastical troop of nefarious characters, wreaking havoc on all who cross their path. Let's not forget The Master, a writer committed to a psych ward, and his faithful lover, Margarita, who literally flies to Hell in order to be with him. Written during Stalin's... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Lucy Berkley and Ryan Berkley
[isbn]
Anyone who's walked into a gift shop in Portland will instantly recognize Ryan Berkley's animal portraits; I’ll admit I have the "Lion in a Suit" print on my wall at home! The descriptions of the animals’ backstories by his wife, Lucy Berkley, are fun and clever as well. This is the kind of book you could give to almost anyone, for any occasion.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Steven Sherrill
[isbn]
The Minotaur, M, a fantastical and once fearsome beast from Greek mythology, is now reduced to a mundane existence in the gritty South. Yet even M, the most displaced of creatures, finds himself chancing at hope for happiness of a crude sort. Author Steven Sherrill offers a raw and redeeming take on finding one's place in the world in this excellent debut novel.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Dao Strom
[isbn]
This novel follows Tran, a Vietnamese woman, from her days of working for a politically charged newspaper in Saigon in the '70s to her family life in California and on into her children's lives. A precise story about the nature of belonging. I loved it.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Z. Z. Packer
[isbn]
I read this whole collection more or less by accident, as I originally only intended on browsing the book. ZZ Packer's style is well-crafted, her writing flawless; and the stories are vivid, almost like stored memories you're only now recalling. It's a damn fine debut.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Georgia Byng
[isbn]
A wonderfully imaginative kids book! Molly is a homely little 10-year-old who is picked on by the other kids at Hardwick Orphanage. But when she discovers Dr. Logan's Hypnotism Book, her miserable world is transformed into a dazzling adventure in New York City involving an astronaut musical, twenty-five garden gnomes, and all sorts of other wonderful treats... and mischief.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
|
Lian Hearn, Gillian Rubinstein
[isbn]
The first in a trilogy, Across the Nightingale Floor is being compared with the likes of the Pullman Trilogy, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings and rightly so. The story line follows Takeo and Kaede, who are each torn from their families in a time of persecution bordering on war, only to discover that their fate is bound to a purpose higher than they ever could have imagined. It's an amazing story, beautifully written, and... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Tone Almhjell, Ian Schoenherr
[isbn]
Enter the enchanted animal land of Sylver with Lin Rosenquist, an 11-year-old girl who finds herself on a fateful journey. Can she restore the magical balance of this snowy world in time to save its animal inhabitants? A captivating winter fantasy for middle readers.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
|
Douglas Stone, Sheila Heen
[isbn]
Another gem from the authors of Difficult Conversations, this great read is for professionals and anyone looking to improve their relationships through better communication. If you've ever wondered in frustration, Why did they say that?, then this is the book for you.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Jeff VanderMeer
[isbn]
Prepare yourself for another psychologically intense narrative in this second installment of the Southern Reach Trilogy. This time we are taken behind the scenes of the agency and learn many of Area X's secrets, only to discover how much more there is to uncover.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Kohara, Kazuno
[isbn]
This delightful bedtime book is a perfect addition to a young reader's collection. Illustrated in charming linocut prints is the story of a little librarian and her owl assistants, who go on reading adventures to help the animals that inhabit the night library!
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Claudia Lucero
[isbn]
This fantastic cheese-making cookbook from Portland's own indie crafter is so easy to use it's almost hard to believe. Almost. I've made yummy cheese from the step-by-step photo recipes in it several times now, thanks to Claudia's simple, encouraging instructions. This book boasts 16 varieties of fun cheese recipes to try, all in one hour or under. There's an assortment of cheese accompanying recipes in the back as well. I recommend this... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Walter Mischel
[isbn]
From an expert psychologist comes an insightful, fresh take on self-control based on studies given to children on delaying gratification. In this wonderfully accessible read, we come to not only understand our impulses but learn how to effectively tackle and reappraise them.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Living Language
[isbn]
This language kit is the newest essential for any Game of Thrones enthusiast. If you've ever heard a friend or loved one proclaiming "my sun and stars" or "moon of my life," then this is exactly the holiday gift item they need. Hajas!
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Michel Faber
[isbn]
An emotionally atmospheric achievement, I felt as though the author was holding my hand through the entire book. Not only are all of the characters believable, but there is a hopefulness which, despite how fragile and volatile the situations are, threads its way through to the very end.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Stan Lee, Stuart Moore, Andie Tong
[isbn]
When unsuspecting teenager Steven Lee is imparted with mystical powers and thrown into battle for control of the 12 Zodiac mysteries, he must dismantle a corrupt conspiracy while trying to master his newfound Tiger skills. Stan Lee and friends pack a punch in this new kids' series, complete with stunning red illustrations.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Jennifer Williams, Olivia Bee
[isbn]
I do not have a daughter of my own, but as soon as I saw this, I instantly fell in love. The illustrations come from a Brooklyn mother who drew (and also documents on her blog of the same name) what her tween daughter and her daughter's friends were wearing. The combined results are phenomenal. These girls' fearless, laid-back style and self-expression puts them in a class all their own, brought to life in smooth, colorful sketches, making this... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Christian Rudder
[isbn]
Using the data he collected from his dating website as well as other social media sources, Harvard grad and OkCupid cofounder Christian Rudder presents us with a highly readable, honest, and funny look at human behavior. From flirting demographics to marital success stats, he demonstrates our changeable yet predictable nature in a way that is neither plauditory nor judgmental. The charts, graphs, and illustrated tweets throughout are the perfect... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Sean Ferrell, Charles Santoso
[isbn]
Koala keeps popping up in all the wrong places... that is, he keeps showing up everywhere! Try as he might to get rid of the "most terrible" Koala, Adam eventually learns there may be worse things than a friend who won't leave you alone.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Katherine Faw Morris
[isbn]
There's no way to sugarcoat the contents of this novel by debut author Katherine Faw Morris, and no reason to — it is sharp and chilling and raw, and very compelling. After witnessing her mother's death while cliff diving, 13-year-old Nikki sets out after her father and her inheritance, finding herself in situations that are as shockingly brutal as she is adaptable in this hillbilly horror. Captured in swift and vivid prose, this is for fans of... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Marnie Hanel and Andrea Slonecker and Jen Stevenson
[isbn]
The Picnic is like a hidden secret, full of wonderful summer food preparations and easy but innovative, already-familiar recipe ideas. For example, the salad on a stick is pure genius, and can be made and enjoyed anywhere — I put together the caprese variation at work in our kitchen, only moments before it was served!
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Miranda July
[isbn]
Miranda July is known for exposing the most awkward, neurotic parts of our humanity with mirth and tenderness, and her stories often illustrate these themes by way of bizarre premises or characters — though usually both. In her first novel, The First Bad Man, we are introduced to Cheryl, the obsessively depraved, middle-aged narrator who winds up taking in her boss’s verbally-abusive grown daughter, Clee. This initial arrangement, and... (read more)
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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