Caroline Dooner
[isbn]
This book is for every person who is sick of dieting, sick of feeling bad about their bodies, sick of having a tumultuous relationship with food and eating, and ready to kick all that nonsense to the curb. Here's to 2020 being the year of the Fck it Diet!
Recommended by Haley B.
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Danez Smith
[isbn]
Reading Homie is like getting sucker punched by one of your buddies, in that it hurts like hell but you both still have a laugh. This collection flawlessly celebrates all of the beauty and pain, the angst and the tenderness of friendship in all its complexities.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Kristen Miglore
[isbn]
This cookbook holds true to its title — it is packed to the brim with GENIUS desserts! New tips to modernize old classics, tantalizing flavor combinations, and gorgeous color photos throughout make this collection a must-have for excited bakers. Try the Whole Orange cake, it's a surefire crowd-pleaser.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Rachel Monroe
[isbn]
The surge in true crime popularity over the past decade has been nigh impossible to miss, perhaps particularly so due to the fact that the overwhelming majority of fans are women. Many a think piece have been written on the subject, but in Savage Appetites, Monroe applies her own theory that each true crime fan tends to align with one of four archetypes. She proceeds to delve into the true stories of four women who embody each of the... (read more)
Recommended by Haley B.
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Helen Phillips
[isbn]
The Need is a breathtakingly beautiful, terrifying work of brilliance. Phillips melds thriller with speculative fiction seamlessly and with care, creating a story that examines motherhood as if it were an egg: deftly cracking it open and observing the contents, just before turning up the heat.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Mady G. and J.R. Zuckerberg
[isbn]
This brief comic uses whimsical illustrations paired with straightforward text to introduce folks to queer and trans identities and to further educate others who may be questioning or looking to learn more about the queer community. If you're looking for resources to share with peers or loved ones that address these topics, this book serves as a perfect and accessible first choice.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Jessie Sheehan, Alice Gao
[isbn]
The Vintage Baker is a gorgeous collection of retro favorites with a modern twist. Perfect for bakers of any skill set, these recipes don't require any obscure ingredients and are written with clear, easy-to-follow instructions. Make sure to try the Butterscotch Potato Chip Balls — they are perfection!
Recommended by Haley B.
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K ONeill, Katie ONeill, Kay ONeill
[isbn]
Aquicorn Cove is an exquisite, oceanic gem! O'Neill's illustrations transport the reader to a small seaside village where our protagonist, Lana, discovers some magical creatures while cleaning up after a destructive storm. Will the villagers be able to save the symbiotic relationship they've shared with the reef and the Aquicorns for hundreds of years? With a little teamwork and open communication, there's always hope.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Mai K. Nguyen
[isbn]
A beautiful story that illustrates the importance of allowing oneself to deal with emotions in a healthy, constructive way. Pilu of the Woods touches on friendship, grief, and growth simultaneously and uses these themes to create a kind and powerful story perfect for readers young and old.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Morgan Parker
[isbn]
Parker is one of the greatest contemporary poets of this decade and her newest collection does not disappoint. Her electric prose illuminates the page and sparks with energy and life. An overall outstanding read.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Erika Meitner
[isbn]
These poems paint a grappling portrait of life in Southern Appalachia. Meitner tackles religion, violence, racial tensions, and motherhood, all with ever-present empathy and nuance. This collection is a timely and necessary addition to any poetry lover's library.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Mirka Andolfo
[isbn]
Unnatural is already an Italian hit and now, thanks to Image Comics, U.S. readers can join Leslie the pig as she navigates life and dating under a totalitarian regime. Any same-sex or interspecies relationships are illegal and deemed "unnatural," which makes Leslie's erotic, lucid dreams involving a wolf all the more worrisome. Gorgeously illustrated and written, this series is one you won't want to miss.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Britteney Black Rose Kapri
[isbn]
Black Queer Hoe is a living, breathing masterpiece. A deep-dive exploration of identity that's at once brusque and tender, Kapri's debut collection is a must-read.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Leland de la Durantaye
[isbn]
Hannah Versus the Tree is a wholly original, genre-melding stunner. An epic poem for the digital age, a romance, and a mythological wonder all wrapped up into one. Leland de la Durantaye's debut will leave readers breathless under it's entrancing spell.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Michael Deforge
[isbn]
DeForge's new collected edition of his web comic Leaving Richard's Valley may just be his most spectacular work to date. A haphazard crew of animals are kicked out of the valley they call home by Richard, their Fabio-esque quasi-cult leader, as a punishment for saving their friend's life without his permission. Shenanigans galore ensue, both in the valley and as we follow our protagonists on their quest to find a new home. A five-star... (read more)
Recommended by Haley B.
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Patricia Lockwood
[isbn]
Lockwood’s riotous retelling of growing up in a rectory with her Catholic priest father and her disease-obsessed mother is a memoir like no other. Her poetic talents elevate her prose to skyscraper levels of absurdity and warmth, creating an immensely enjoyable and impactful read.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Michael Deforge
[isbn]
DeForge brings his signature bold shapes and clean line style (reminiscent of his work on Adventure Time) to this bizarre collection about an unusual and highly accomplished woman who is dead set on living out the rest of her days in the wilderness.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Ice T, Douglas Century
[isbn]
From growing up an orphan during desegregation in LA, to his army days and musical beginnings, Ice-T offers a no-holds-barred look at his wild life. Inspiring and hilarious, raw and at times mildly offensive, this book has it all!
Recommended by Haley B.
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Ottessa Moshfegh
[isbn]
Moshfegh's debut short story collection beautifully displays her talents. Using often unlikable, grotesque characters, her sharp prose evokes surprising emotion.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Morgan Jerkins
[isbn]
Jerkins's essay unflinchingly examines her experiences with black womanhood in white America. Diving into racism, colorism, adult virginity, and cultural assimilation, this debut is a feminist must-read.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Lisa Hanawalt
[isbn]
Coyote Doggirl loves two things: her horse, Red, and her peaceful home. When both are threatened, she finds herself on the run as she's pursued by some rough 'n' tough cowboys looking for vengeance. Hanawalt's bold feminist spin on a good old-fashioned Western is a rollicking hell of a ride.
Recommended by Haley B.
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Simon Hanselmann
[isbn]
Hanselmann's second collection of this beloved comic about a witch named Megg and her clan of anthropomorphic friends is all at once devastating and hysterical. This rag-tag crew of characters are faced with severe, debilitating bouts of depression (largely intensified by substance abuse) as well as grappling with their sexuality and gender identities while trying to navigate their relationships, romantic and otherwise. I found myself both hating... (read more)
Recommended by Haley B.
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Lisa Hanawalt
[isbn]
Reading this was one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had all year. The pleasures of food and everyday life are so accurately represented, it's palpable. Whimsical illustrations and hilarious stories are paired so splendidly it feels like kismet, as if the varying subjects had just been waiting for Hanawalt to pick them up and turn them into something magical. I laughed, teared up, and took snapshots of my favorite pages to share with... (read more)
Recommended by Haley B.
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