Alice Oseman
[isbn]
If you’re into the Heartstopper series (and if you’re not, I strongly recommend that you become so!), you’ll want — you’ll need — this novella about love and doubt and growing up.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Tui T. Sutherland and Mike Holmes
[isbn]
I am hooked on this series, and I’m so excited to see this next chapter, now that the dragonets have to go to school together. Some of my favorite characters, now in one of my favorite settings.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Esteban Castillo
[isbn]
Look at this cover! I bet your mouth is immediately watering and your oven already is preheating!
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Lonely Planet Kids
[isbn]
Dogs! All the dogs from all the places! I’m so happy about this development!
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Kayla Miller
[isbn]
I loved Click, so I can’t wait for another story about Olive. This time, she’s trying to do too many things at once. I feel the same way, but about trying to read too many books at the same time! Anyway, I’m starting this one right away.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Aaron Blabey
[isbn]
If you’ve seen The Bad Guys movie, then you’ll no doubt be overjoyed to have more things to make you go Arrrgh!
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Kim Krans
[isbn]
Kim Krans' beautiful art is both joyous and profound, just like her reverence for the natural world. I love this book.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Christopher Franceschelli
[isbn]
This series of "block" board books is so much fun, and now they're covering space? I couldn't be more delighted!
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Betsy Beier
[isbn]
Locals and visitors alike will find this a creative and invaluable guide to help discover — and record — new experiences across the Rose City.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Roshani Chokshi
[isbn]
I can’t wait to see how Joe Caramagna and Anu Chouhan adapt Roshani Chokshi’s incredible fantasy! This time I get to watch Aru’s quest to save her friends and family from a time-stopping demon.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Roddy Scheer
[isbn]
In the Pacific Northwest, we’re gifted with so many natural wonders that it can be hard to keep track: enter Roddy Scheer’s indispensable guide. This book will be my personal tour guide for spring (and summer, fall, and winter, too).
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Jeff Kinney
[isbn]
I’m old enough to remember when book #1 came out; I was a bookseller at the time (I really am old!) and so it’s no surprise to me that the series is still going strong so many years later. Now that there’s a TV show, too, Greg really is a big shot (you probably shouldn’t tell him, though).
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Marissa Meyer
[isbn]
Can there be too many retellings of Rumpelstiltskin? (Trick question, the answer is no.) An unlikely and wonderful combination of Grimm Brothers fairy tale, Persephone myth, and the curse of Cassandra, Gilded is a cancel-all-plans adventure story born of lies, love, and desperation.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Louise Erdrich
[isbn]
Tookie is a remarkably unique and intriguing protagonist. After a betrayal and years of incarceration, she gets a job at Birchbark Books (a real bookstore owned by Erdrich). Ghosts pervade the story — a former customer haunts the bookstore, the ghosts of Tookie’s past haunt her memories, and the horrific history of genocide perpetrated against Native Americans haunts all the characters. Set in Minneapolis between 2019 and 2020, Tookie, her... (read more)
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Deborah Copaken
[isbn]
If TMI is your jam (and Nora Ephron your muse), grab a copy of Deborah Copaken’s hilarious, cringy account of divorce, grief, and serial, serious illness. Ladyparts is honest in the most embarrassing, most important ways for women, giving our bodies and brains the space to be messy and loud in a society that demands quiet perfection.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Alice Waters
[isbn]
Legendary chef Alice Waters knows that how and what we eat is a political, environmental, and humanitarian act that ricochets around the word, influencing ecosystems, labor, and equity. We Are What We Eat is her passionate plea to eat and act graciously, with the intention and compassion our planet (and our taste buds!) deserve.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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John Green
[isbn]
In this gorgeous and entertaining collection of essays by the inimitable John Green, topics from the (seemingly) mundane to the magnificent are examined with grace and wisdom. Based on Green’s podcast of the same name, The Anthropocene Reviewed gets five stars, easy.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Dav Pilkey
[isbn]
In a year where everything has seemed chaos, silly, endearing Dog Man and his crew come to the rescue with a giggle-packed graphic novel about the power of love to set the world right.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Ann M. Martin and Gabriela Epstein
[isbn]
When you're used to being the creative one, what happens when the new girl in class seems even more creative than you? Adapted by Gabriela Epstein, this brand-new Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel is a lively page-turner with loads of heart.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Hope Larson
[isbn]
Larson’s new graphic novel about rocking out and navigating middle school relationships is heartfelt and fun. Perfect for any kid trying to figure out how to get through middle school without sacrificing what makes them special or brings them joy.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Deborah Eisenberg
[isbn]
“Writer’s writer” is an annoying phrase — implying both commercial failure and writing that’s too good for the masses — but it’s really the best way to describe Deborah Eisenberg, whose wryly funny, language-rich short stories have been enthralling literary fiction fans for decades, and rarely get the mainstream recognition they warrant. The stories in Your Duck Is My Duck range from an artist reckoning with her patrons to a child trying... (read more)
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Jennifer Finney Boylan
[isbn]
Accompanying Jennifer on her journey of self-discovery through reflecting on dogs’ predominant traits — honesty, loyalty, and determination, to name just a few — we are granted insights and lessons on a life crafted alongside these experiences. That we maybe aren’t so different from our canine friends is just another rewarding takeaway from this lovely and edifying memoir.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
[isbn]
The inspiring smash hit from the Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen gets new life in this lovely keepsake, featuring the song’s lyrics paired with sweeping illustrations. Go ahead and belt out the words as you leaf through the pages.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Pam Muñoz Ryan
[isbn]
Fantastical and gripping from the first page, Mañanaland explores family secrets, parental love, and immigration through the enchanting eyes of 11-year-old Maximiliano and his twin loves of fútbol and storytelling. The writing is especially exquisite for a middle reader, and the world-building — set somewhere in the Américas — is rich in history, magic, and meaning.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Gabriel Bump
[isbn]
Loosely based on the author’s own experiences, this stellar work of fiction is told in distinctive vignettes, making the pace fast and rendering the emotions symphonious and raw. Gabriel Bump is a tremendous breakout talent — offering up a coming-of-age journey that is an absolute tour de force.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Melissa de la Cruz
[isbn]
Political intrigue, deadly assassins, reluctant lovers — all covered by a veil of lies. De la Cruz’s new fantasy-romance is funny, romantic, propulsive, and ready to be your Friday night date.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Jeanine Cummins
[isbn]
Cummins takes an issue — immigration — that is highly politicized in our country and reminds us that it is not a political issue, it is a human one. Lydia and Luca’s harrowing journey is a reminder that no one chooses be caught in the net of a brutally inhumane immigration system unless their circumstances are so dire that they have no other choice, and America cannot continue turning a blind eye to their plight.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Daniel Mallory Ortberg
[isbn]
Resisting the conventions of memoir, Daniel Mallory Ortberg has written about his transition in a series of intelligent, hilarious, and heartfelt personal essays. Thought-provoking and unpredictable, Ortberg cleverly swerves between the highbrow and the silly. This is a delightful and satisfying read — not to be missed!
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
[isbn]
The crayons are back! And they’re as charming and sweet as ever. This is the perfect Valentine’s Day treat for the little ones in your life. Explore all the colorful shades of love in this gem of a book.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Nico Walker
[isbn]
A lightly fictionalized autobiography, Cherry documents an Iraq War vet's cycle of crime and addiction. This book doesn't shy away from the ugly fallout of that conflict, making it not only a difficult read but an important one: this is Walker's story, but it's not just Walker's story.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Meg Wolitzer
[isbn]
Thoroughly in sync with the American zeitgeist, Wolitzer’s latest novel optimistically explores female ambition and success through Greer Kadetsky, a college student who becomes a mentee of feminist icon, Faith Frank. Both an engrossing coming-of-age story and a keen examination of American womanhood, The Female Persuasion is an insightful, pleasurable read.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Alicia D. Williams
[isbn]
This book is honest, raw, and very important. It deals with poverty, a parent's addiction, and both external and internalized racism in ways that feel true to life and which are good for kids to see depicted in fiction (either because they can relate to those things, or because they can't.) Genesis Begins Again will break your heart, then put it back together again.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Robin Wall Kimmerer
[isbn]
In this luminous and wise book, botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer (Potawatomi Nation) makes a lyrical and convincing case for reimagining our relationship to nature as mutually beneficial. Taking the reader from her classroom to her lab to her (enviably abundant) garden to a rainforest in Oregon, Kimmerer demonstrates time and again how working with the land, as opposed to shaping it to one’s purpose, is a method rooted in Indigenous tradition and... (read more)
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Chuck Palahniuk
[isbn]
Adjustment Day is the Palahniuk book that 2018 requires. A satire in his typical style, this book is disturbing, uncomfortable, and nearly impossible to put down. Comparisons to Fight Club are inevitable, but I stuck with Adjustment Day for its relevance to the current news cycle, and it didn't disappoint.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Susan Orlean
[isbn]
Just as she did with The Orchid Thief, Orlean tells a true story that has the page-turning appeal of great fiction. This time her focus is a devastating fire that struck the LA library in 1986, and it serves as a launchpad for a riveting journey into the history of LA, public spaces, and the vital role of libraries themselves.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Sharon Olds
[isbn]
Sharon Olds is one of the most prestigious and critically acclaimed living American poets today, and her latest collection (her 15th!), Arias, contains some of her strongest, most distinct verse to date. Ranging in subject from birth to the modern TV to language itself, Olds illuminates the universal through the particular.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Christopher Franceschelli and Peskimo
[isbn]
Franceschelli and Peskimo are an unstoppable board book superhero team. Their latest, Farmblock, is a delightfully bright and clever tour around a busy farm. With thick, indestructible pages and engaging peekaboo cutouts, babies and toddlers are sure to ask for repeat visits to this charming farm.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Michelle Lopez
[isbn]
If you’ve been casting lovelorn glances at your standing mixer as you hurry through each day’s endless to-do list, fret no longer. Lopez’s cheery and creative collection of time-saving recipes will reunite you with your mixing bowls. One bite of her Supernatural Brownies and you’ll be making baking a part of your everyday.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Jenny Slate
[isbn]
There couldn’t be a more perfect title for this book. These tiny and delightfully bizarre essays are an intimate look into Jenny Slate’s inner life. They’re whimsical, hilarious, insightful, and with their short length, you can’t help but speed through them. This book will give you some chuckles, but also all the feels.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Rachel Ignotofsky
[isbn]
What a charming and informative book! This is a delightful way to learn about some incredible women in art who have been ignored or overshadowed for far too long. I’m glad this book is shining a light on them in such an accessible and enjoyable way.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Elizabeth Strout
[isbn]
Elizabeth Strout continues the fascinating story of Olive Kitteridge in Olive, Again. Strout's unforgettable character is older now, though just as blunt and unapologetic. In this follow-up to her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Strout's incisive portrayals of Olive and the other townspeople of Crosby, Maine, shine.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Stephen King
[isbn]
Last summer's The Outsider was one of Stephen King's best books in years, and this summer's The Institute proves that King is again writing some of his best work. With echoes of Firestarter, Carrie, and It, The Institute includes some of King's strongest ingredients — kids with telekinetic and telepathic powers, government conspiracy, and a showdown between good and evil elements in the world... (read more)
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Louise Penny
[isbn]
A Better Man, the latest from master mystery writer Louise Penny, sees Armand Gamache back in his old position of head of homicide, after a demotion due to his actions in previous books. Penny's graceful, gentle writing and incisive psychological portraits continue to make this series better and better; this most recent addition to the story of Three Pines will please current fans and recruit new ones.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Rebecca Kim Wells
[isbn]
Wells's debut is a unique and exciting take on the traditional YA fantasy. In particular, her attention to diversity breathes new life into the story and leaves you anxiously awaiting the sequel!
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Jeff Gordinier
[isbn]
You don’t have to be an adventurous eater, a travel junkie, or a memoir lover to get tantalized by Hungry, food journalist Jeff Gordinier’s gripping account of journeying through Mexico, Denmark, and Australia with Noma chef René Redzepi. Just sit back and enjoy this feast of the senses.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Guillermo Del Toro and Cornelia Funke
[isbn]
Reimagined and brought to life in book form is the darkly atmospheric tale of Ofelia, daughter of the king of the Underworld, a girl who must navigate the will of fairies and faun and creatures of all manner who wish to reclaim her into their realm, below ground. Whether you’ve seen the film (by the same name) or not, this beautifully rendered version stands equally in its own right.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Nicole Dennis-Benn
[isbn]
Nicole Dennis-Benn nails the dislocation of immigration in this beautiful, wrenching novel about a woman who abandons her young daughter in Jamaica to rekindle a love affair in New York City. The titular character is both courageous and bitterly disappointing, making for a fascinating, heartbreaking spin on the common tropes of immigrant struggle and upward mobility.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Mary Beth Keane
[isbn]
Ask Again, Yes is a quietly moving family drama, attentive to the ways memory, hope, and failure test the limits of love. While the plot will keep you turning the pages, it’s Keane’s generous exploration of how families fall, recover, and forgive that makes this a gripping read.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Nick Hornby
[isbn]
Nick Hornby does an excellent job of deconstructing relationships using smart, funny dialogue and characters, and State of the Union is no exception. Louise and Tom are trying to repair their marriage in couple’s therapy, but the real gist of the matter unfolds in the time spent before their sessions, as they grapple with the many foibles that intimacy brings.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu
[isbn]
Fun, sexy, and diverse, The Red Scrolls follows High Warlock Magnus Bane and his boyfriend, Shadowhunter Alec Lightwood, as they chase a dangerous cult across Europe — one that party boy Magnus may have started (he can’t remember). Clare and coauthor Chu have created a gratifying spin-off sure to please fans of The Mortal Instruments series.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Puck, Violet Lemay
[isbn]
Learning words, embarking on adventures, having some belly time… Bookstore Babies illustrates, with sweet, soft drawings, all the things babies can do while exploring their neighborhood bookstore. Best of all, at the end are activities for kids and grown-ups to share, to enjoy the book again and again.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Colin Meloy, Carson Ellis
[isbn]
Colin Meloy has a way with relatable child characters living remarkable lives. In The Whiz Mob, Meloy gives us Charlie, a pickpocket-in-training at the School of Seven Bells. Perfectly paired with illustrations by Carson Ellis, The Whiz Mob is a treat for all readers.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Tayari Jones
[isbn]
What happens to a marriage when it is reduced to correspondence and brief supervised encounters? Told in letters, with vibrant narration, An American Marriage is the gut-wrenching story of Roy and Celestial, who have just begun building a life together when Roy is falsely convicted of a crime.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Anthony Marra
[isbn]
The characters in the book will walk off the pages and grab hold of your heartstrings. They live in a stark reality that forces them to confront their inner demons and will bring the reader right along with them through all the ups and downs. It is a beautifully written story and will stay tucked inside your mind for years to come.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Elizabeth Brooks
[isbn]
With its wild, windswept atmosphere, its haunted characters, and its enveloping story, The Orphan of Salt Winds is the perfect novel to settle into on a cold, dreary day. Elizabeth Brooks has delivered a gripping, swirling mystery that will transport you to the eerie landscape of Salt Winds.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Michael Chabon
[isbn]
Pleasure is the overarching theme in this perfectly winsome compilation on reading and writing: Chabon offers insights and meditations on the role literature has played in his life, invoking the written word as the cherishable prize that it is — in ways only he can.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Paula McLain
[isbn]
Hemingway’s charisma, determination, and aggressive masculinity are intoxicating. But those same features are all the more fascinating in Martha Gellhorn, war correspondent and Hemingway’s third wife. Love and Ruin resurrects Gellhorn as the brazen genius she was, with the talent to match her famous (and famously difficult) husband. A fun and fascinating read!
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Dahr Jamail
[isbn]
The End of Ice is terrifying. It kept me up at night. In exacting, riveting prose, both elegiac and fierce, Dahr Jamail examines the impact of human-caused climate disruption on eight wilderness areas. Read it, weep, and then bust your butt to protect what we have left before it vanishes.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Doug Bock Clark
[isbn]
The Last Whalers is the extraordinary story of the Lamalerans, a tribe of 1500 hunter-gatherers who live on an incredibly remote island, and the ways that modern culture is encroaching upon their way of life, which is centered around subsistence whaling. Doug Bock Clark lived with the Lamalerans for three years, and his fascinating account brings them into sharp focus; The Last Whalers is compelling, page-turning journalism.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Joyce Wan
[isbn]
You Are My Magical Unicorn absolutely bursts with cuteness and joy. Joyce Wan’s bubbly, brightly colored cartoon drawings, simple rhymes, and message of hope are the perfect way to draw a child in and remind them to: “Reach for the stars, the moon, and the sun.”
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Stuart Atkinson, Brendan Kearney
[isbn]
Felicity the star-watching cat leads readers through the pages of this fun and exceptionally informative book on the night sky. The illustrations are kid-friendly and just realistic enough to familiarize readers with the appearance of the real thing. A Cat’s Guide to the Night Sky presents all the important who, what, when, where, and whys in clear and easy prose that respects the intelligence of its young readers. This book is perfect... (read more)
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Rene Redzepi and David Zilber
[isbn]
If you buy only one cookbook this year, I implore you to snatch up The Noma Guide to Fermentation. Written by the chefs behind Copenhagen’s world-famous restaurant, this incredible resource will teach you how to use the ancient art of fermentation in ways you never could have imagined.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jonny Sun
[isbn]
Lin-Manuel Miranda, author and creator of Hamilton, also writes the loveliest, most genuine, and life-affirming tweets. Collected here with adorable illustrations by Jonny Sun, author of Everyone's a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too, Gmorning, Gnight! is an utterly charming collection that will light up everyone's holiday season.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Anne Lamott
[isbn]
Wise, frank, and infused with generous humor, Anne Lamott’s latest offering discusses our relationship to hope, and ways of giving it a home within us. Whatever your spiritual or religious affiliation may be, Almost Everything is a tonic for the soul, and a welcome antidote to the troubling times we face.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Sam J Miller
[isbn]
A fiercely imaginative book that inhabits an intriguing narrative space between utopia and dystopia, Blackfish City is the story of a post-climate change refugee settlement in the Arctic Circle run by algorithms and oligarchs, but soon under the thrall of a threatening woman who rides an orca and keeps a chained polar bear at her side. A parable for the 21st century, Blackfish City comments cogently on issues like technology,... (read more)
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Abbi Jacobson
[isbn]
So honest, funny, and thoughtful — Abbi's road trip entries are a fresh take on navigating the pressures and quandaries of adulting. Her stories are so relatable you don't need to have watched Broad City to feel included along for the ride.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Casey Gerald
[isbn]
I was gripped from page one by Gerald’s magnetic, painterly writing. But it was his story — that of a poor black kid from Dallas whose intellect and athletic ability propelled him to increasing levels of success, and the humbling lessons he learned along the way — that blew me away. An extraordinary read.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Leonard Cohen
[isbn]
Leonard Cohen’s final volume contains self-portraits, poems, notebook excerpts, and lyrics gathered by the artist in his closing years. I fell in love for the first time to The Songs of Leonard Cohen (no doubt a calculated effort on my boyfriend’s part!); this beautiful collection brings me back to those bittersweet and wanting days.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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John Lennon, Yoko Ono
[isbn]
Imagine John Yoko is a gorgeous collection of photographs, stories, lyric sheets, interviews, and artwork that describes the making of the album Imagine. The vast majority of the book consists of never-before-seen material, and the thoughtful design and compelling stories make it the perfect gift for a Beatles fan.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Stephen King
[isbn]
Set in Castle Rock, a town well known to Stephen King fans, Elevation is a surprisingly optimistic (but still, of course, incredibly creepy) new novel from the master. Drawing on the themes of community and strength in the face of prejudice and evil that King has threaded throughout his earlier work, Elevation meets the consistently high standard that the author has set for himself.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Tom Hanks
[isbn]
Hanks’s playful, modern short stories are as heartwarming and mischievous as the actor’s many movies, and equally deserving of praise. Though a typewriter anchors each piece, it’s Hanks’s joyous wanderings from Mars to immigration to celebrity satire that makes this collection so winning.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Rachel Renée Russell
[isbn]
It’s Nikki’s birthday and it’s supposed to be amazing. But is nemesis Mackenzie lurking in the wings itching to ruin the big day? Don’t miss a minute of the drama!
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Susanna Clarke
[isbn]
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell’s mentorship turned rivalry over the use of magic, which takes place in early 19th-century England, lies at the center of this unparalleled tale, in which the foibles of humans, our relationship to the fantastic, and the lengths and limits of faith and science are told in measured wit. This book is so deserving of the many awards it has received and of its devoted and diverse fan base, for inside Clarke’s... (read more)
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Roy Scranton
[isbn]
Roy Scranton is a gifted, intrepid writer, and these essays are mesmerizing despite their dire themes (climate change, war, violence). We’re Doomed. Now What? is an elegiac book that grieves as it presses forward.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Caitlin Moran
[isbn]
When 19-year-old music writer Johanna Morrigan’s writing propels her into the public eye, the fallout leads to a brilliant — and brilliantly funny — examination of what female agency looks like, and the truly rock and roll heights it can lead to.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Andy Weir
[isbn]
Jazz is struggling to make ends meet in Artemis, the only city on the moon. When a lucrative criminal opportunity presents itself, how can she say no? This fast-paced story is just as quirky and fun as The Martian. A highly entertaining read.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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David Lynch, Kristine Mckenna
[isbn]
In this memoir/biography, we get to take a look behind the scenes into the life of cinematic visionary David Lynch through interviews and rare, intimate stories from those who know him best. The result is a fascinating portrait of a unique artist.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Maggie Nelson
[isbn]
Perceptive and loving and sad, this collection of poetic stories dazzles. I will spend the rest of my life trying to be smart enough for Maggie Nelson.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Ruth Spiro, Irene Chan
[isbn]
Blue, yellow, green — but where's the red train car? And how can baby get it back? Using simple language and cute cartoony art, Ruth Spiro and Irene Chan explain logic, sequence, problem-solving, and step-by-step thinking in a fun, easy way for young readers and future coders.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Stephen King
[isbn]
King’s newest thriller is absolutely terrifying. A young boy is found murdered and all evidence points to the town Little League coach. But the coach has an alibi: How can he be in two places at once?
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Victoria Aveyard
[isbn]
If you’ve been longing for the romance, magic, war, romance, politics, and romance that is the Red Queen series, be still your readerly heart! Also, clear your schedule, because Aveyard’s series finale runs at breakneck speed; you’ll find yourself turning the pages long after you promised to do something more (ahem) productive.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Terri Libenson
[isbn]
Izzy and Brianna navigate school, family, friends, and boys in this fun follow-up to Invisible Emmie. With humor and depth, the middle school world is beautifully illustrated in this prose and graphic novel tale of two very different girls whose surprising connection isn’t revealed until the end.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Marina Abramovic
[isbn]
Marina Abramovic, of The Artist Is Present fame, is one of the most fascinating artists working today. Her memoir is as surprising, raw, gripping, and forceful as you would expect, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Kate Riggs, Laëtitia Devernay
[isbn]
Beautiful, soft sketches in mostly black and white contrast with simple shapes in bright colors in Kate Riggs's Shapes All Around, a sweet, clever board book whose airy outdoor setting reminds us that the whole wide world is built of shapes.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Peter H. Reynolds
[isbn]
Jerome has the best kind of collection: he collects words! But what happens when he falls and all his collected words scatter to the wind? Peter H. Reynolds's The Word Collector is a fun, whimsical story about the joy of sharing and the love of language.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Jojo Moyes
[isbn]
If you’ve missed the sweet and cheerful voice of irrepressible Louisa Parks, grieve no more! Instead, join her in Manhattan, where she’s taken a job with the ultrawealthy Gopniks. There she meets the handsome Joshua Ryan, who upsets her carefully constructed new life. Cue romantic hijinks and Bridget Jones-esque hilarity.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Holly Black
[isbn]
I couldn’t put this down and I don’t feel a spot of guilt about it. Holly Black’s world of faerie folk will get under your skin. Just beware that you’ll find yourself in deeper than you expected, indulging in every betrayal and savoring each intrigue.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Niki Brantmark
[isbn]
A delightful companion to the Danish Little Book of Hygge, Lagom elaborates on the Swedish philosophy of nurturing a balanced lifestyle. It’s the perfect book to take in on a quiet day when you want to slow down and reflect on how you’re spending your time and energy.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Reza Aslan
[isbn]
God: A Human History is Reza Aslan’s intriguing account of humanity’s evolving and myriad conceptions of the divine, ranging from prehistoric cultures to modern-day monotheism. Concerned primarily with how and why people anthropomorphize God, Aslan’s clear prose and fascinating historical research will keep you engaged to the provocative conclusion.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Walter Isaacson
[isbn]
Equal parts scientist, engineer, and artist, Leonardo da Vinci’s genius is expertly detailed by Walter Isaacson in this fascinating and enjoyable biography.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Brené Brown
[isbn]
Brené Brown's wisdom is a salve for this violently divided age. Full of funny, relatable life stories, the power of Braving the Wilderness lies in its reminder that we are all human, and we all deserve humanity.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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