CINDER by MARISSA MEYER

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A futuristic retelling of Cinderella with a feminist spin. It takes a minute to get into it and then, for me, it sucks you in.  First in a series!

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: You like serial books, with strong female characters, a little bit of love, and a lot of fairy tale magic.

FOR FANS OF: YA, fairytale retellings, books in a series

TRULY DEVIOUS by MAUREEN JOHNSON

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A very quirky high school, with a main character who is obsessed with true crime, and a series of mysteries!

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s not your average YA book. The twists and turns are unpredictable and the story is both fun and spooky.  It’s also part of a series!

FOR FANS OF: crime, mystery, YA, and a little romance

THE TRUTH ABOUT ANIMALS: STONED SLOTHS, LOVELORN HIPPOS, AND OTHER TALES FROM THE WILD SIDE OF WILDLIFE by LUCY COOKE

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Animals, in a way you have never thought about them.  I am wholly obsessed with this book and it’s on my bookshelf if you need a copy!

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: You like learning new things!

FOR FANS OF: Nonfiction, animals, having facts in your back pocket to impress people with.

LESS by ANDREW SEAN GREER

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: An out-on-his luck writer, Arthur Less, travels around the world trying to make ends meet and figure out love and life.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It seems simple but it hits you in the gut. Absolutely, beautifully written.

FOR FANS OF: BOOKS!

NOTES FROM A YOUNG BLACK CHEF by KWAME ONWUACHI

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Chef Kwame Onwuachi's memoir, which dives into his experiences as young, Black chef breaking into a predominantly white industry and how his Black American and Nigerian cultures influence his style in his dishes.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s a great read that accurately portrays the experience of intersectionality as a first generation African in America.

FOR FANS OF: cooking, memoir, intersectionality

AYA: LIFE IN YOP CITY by MARGUERITE ABOUET AND CLÉMENT OUBRERIE

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This graphic novel follows  19-year old Aya,  who lives in Yop City, Ivory Coast. The year is 1978 and takes us through the everyday troubles and pleasures of her and her family and friends in Yop City.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It's a lighthearted read if you are looking to escape!

FOR FANS OF: African culture, graphic novels, teenage life in 1970s Ivory Coast

MS. MARVEL by G. WILLOW WILSON

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A Muslim American girl named Kamala who lives a double life as superhero Ms. Marvel.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It's a Superhero!

FOR FANS OF: Marvel Universe, Marvel comics, graphic fiction

RAGE OF DRAGONS by EVAN WINTER

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A young man seeks revenge at any cost, even death. This military fantasy follows Tau, a high common, who needs to climb the ranks in order to get what he wants.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This debut novel has a cast of all Black characters, and is inspired by African culture. It explores fantasy from a new perspective.

FOR FANS OF: fantasy, dragons, complex magic systems

DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY by ADIB KHORRAM

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: In this contemporary YA novel, you follow Darius on his trip to Iran, where he learns more about himself, his family, and his culture.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Complex family dynamics, mixed with an exploration of culture and mental health makes this book realistic and touching.

FOR FANS OF: slice of life, culture clashes, self-discovery, family history

THE WHISPER MAN by ALEX NORTH

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A father and his young son move to a new town for a fresh start. However, before long, mysterious events start to occur, including butterflies in locked rooms and voices from the outside window.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Want a little spook to your life? This one will be making you lock your windows and doors.

FOR FANS OF: chills down their spine, complex father-son relationships, and thrillers

THE NAME OF THE WIND by PATRICK ROTHFUSS

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Kvothe, or Kote as he is called now, retells his story of how he became an unassuming innkeeper. Tragic backstories, magic, training school, and romance ensue.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you like magic schools, this book has that and plenty more.

FOR FANS OF: fantasy series, school settings, characters with mysterious backgrounds, multiple timelines

ON EARTH, WE'RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS by OCEAN VUONG

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: It is the debut novel of the Vietnamese-American poet Ocean Vuong. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you like memoirs, emotional stories, and love stories, you will enjoy reading this.

FOR FANS OF: Poetry and beautifully written prose. The imagery and writing is moving and beautiful. 

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY by OSCAR WILDE

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A 19th Century socialite’s denigration and descent into madness and evil. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you like Gothic writing, and are interesting in history and the 19th century.

FOR FANS OF: Gothic writing, horror, history. 

THE THREE BODY PROBLEM by LIU CIXIN

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Set over a long period of time, the book tells the story of humanity's first contact with extraterrestrial life and the effect it has on our civilization. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It's extremely creative. 

FOR FANS OF: Hard Sci-Fi, science, history

ORYX AND CRAKE by MARGARET ATWOOD

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: In the future, the last human recounts his past love and the events which led to the end of the world as he knew it. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This creative Sci-Fi book by Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood tells a beautiful love story and vision of an ambiguously apocalyptic yet optimistic future. 

FOR FANS OF: Adventure, Romance, Sci Fi

LIFE OF PI by YANN MARTEL

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The story of Pi Patel, a teenager from India. He recounts his childhood growing up on a zoo, his relationship with religion, and finally his astonishing story of his boat journey across the Atlantic. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I might have chosen this as my book that everyone should read. Everyone should read it. 

FOR FANS OF: adventure, philosophy, realistic fiction, survival

FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON by DANIEL KEYS

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Presented as the journal of a man born with an extremely low IQ. He tells his story as he undergoes a scientific experiment to increase his mental capacity. While the premise may seem somewhat outdated, the book is sensitive and gripping, as the reader becomes attached to the life of Charlie Gordon. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This book has a very unusual style of prose, changing to reflect the protagonist’s mental state as the book progresses. 

FOR FANS OF: science, short stories, psychology

WHAT ABOUT TOMORROW? : AN ORAL HISTORY OF RUSSIAN PUNK FROM THE SOVIET ERA TO PUSSY RIOT by ALEXANDER HERBERT

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Through zines, archives and interviews Herbert gives us an engaging text that captures the historical patterns of a fundamental youth subculture. An essential and intimate look at Russian punk and its influence!

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Thoroughly researched and capturing generations of shows, bands and music contraband this book reads more like a script than a historical text, not too difficult to digest and strewn with gig posters, lyrics and show photos.

FOR FANS OF: Ryan’s Youth Subcultures class, punk, anti fascism in the history of music, the Soviet Era

WINTER HOURS by MARIE OLIVER

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Grounding and personal, this book is a collection of prose and poems from none other than Mary Oliver herself. She speaks of turtle eggs, reflections on her own poems and the “thousand unbreakable links between each of us and everything else”.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Very good company during disaster and or cyclical death of the known in your life! Slim and easy to carry around too if you need a quick cry on public transport.

FOR FANS OF: If you’re a fan of Miss Oliver this is the closest you will get to having a conversation with her. Otherwise this is a lovely book if you are interested in some fundamental poetry reads.

THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS by URSULA K. LE GUIN

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A science fiction book from 1969 set in the Hainish universe that follows Genly Ai, native to the planet Terra but sent on a mission to the planet Gethen, home to androgynous beings neither male nor female. Genly Ai must navigate their politics and social ways all while trying to convince the Gethenians to join the united nations of the universe, Ekumen.  

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Often compared to great works like Lord of the Rings,  this is a beautiful and incredibly important work of literature and vivid world building. 

FOR FANS OF: Science fiction, humanity’s role in nature, examining nationalism, gender

ON BEAUTY by ZADIE SMITH

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: It’s primarily about the experiences of a mixed-race, mixed-nationality family in New England. The father is a white man, a professor at a fictional college outside of Boston, married to a Black woman. He is a very liberal atheist, and the main conflict of the novel starts when his son tries to get romantically involved with the daughter of his main rival, a super conservative/religious and very successful Trinidadian professor. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s very funny and insightful, and shows off Zadie Smith’s virtuosic ability to write characters from a huge range of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds; every character’s voice feels specific and genuine.

FOR FANS OF: campus novels, British novels, contemporary social issues

COMMAND AND CONTROL by ERIC SCHLOSSER

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This is a nonfiction book about the history of the American nuclear weapons program. It is absolutely terrifying - the number of accidents and close calls we’ve had with our nukes is no fun to think about. It’s a brilliantly structured book, alternating between an overview of the program’s history since 1945 and an almost novelistic account of one particular accident, in a missile silo outside Little Rock, Arkansas in 1980.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s an amazing piece of investigative journalism - I’m in awe of the amount of research it must have taken - but it never feels slow or boring.

FOR FANS OF: Fast Food Nation (the writer’s other major book, about McDonald’s), history, the military

RED MARS by KIM STANLEY ROBINSON

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A super-realistic account of developing a Martian colony and terraforming the planet. It’s a three-book series that starts with the first long-term human settlement and ends with a totally transformed planet and society. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: For me the best parts about it are Robinson’s visions of how we might restructure society to be more socially and economically equitable. In real life he is a pretty committed socialist, and his science fiction shows that influence strongly. At the same time it’s an incredibly rigorous novel from a scientific point of view; you will learn a lot about Martian geology.

FOR FANS OF: “hard” science fiction, space travel

LA ROSE by LOUISE ERDRICH

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This book has a very intense, disturbing premise - a man accidentally kills his neighbor’s young child in a hunting accident, and following ancient Ojibwa custom, gives his own son away to the grieving family as a way of atonement. It’s a sad story but also a beautiful and hopeful one, and Erdrich is in complete control as a novelist; you trust her completely to carry this challenging and intricate narrative.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It will make you think about big ideas like family, justice, and community without ever hitting you over the head.

FOR FANS OF: sad books, Indigenous American stories

ON EARTH WE'RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS by OCEAN VUONG

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A letter from a son to his first-gen immigrant mother.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Every sentence in this book packs an emotional punch. It is beautiful and heartbreaking till the very end. Chef’s kiss. 

FOR FANS OF: the queer Asian American experience, poetic prose

WUTHERING HEIGHTS by EMILY BRONTE

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The love story of two of the most unlikeable characters ever: Cathy and Heathcliff. This book is the epitome of chaotic good; made for the masochistic reader. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you ever wondered what that Kate Bush song was about, this was it!!

FOR FANS OF: flawed protagonists, melodramatic 19th century banter

WE ARE OKAY by NINA LACOUR

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A girl’s struggle to confront her loneliness and the death of her family. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This book is the perfect mixture of queer grief and queer joy.

FOR FANS OF:  bite sized reads, sad gay yearning

FUN HOME: A FAMILY TRAGICOMIC by ALISON BECHDEL

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Alison Bechdel’s relationship with her father and growing up in a small Pennsylvanian town. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Bechdel’s drawings are witty and capture the all too relatable fear of becoming your parents. This book will make you want to reexamine your own childhood.

FOR FANS OF:  coming of age stories but make it lesbian, graphic memoirs

A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER by HOLLY JACKSON

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A high school senior investigates a murder case from her school to prove the supposed murderer is innocent for her capstone project and gets far more entangled and obsessed than she intended.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The plot is intriguing and sucks you in. The characters are interesting and, most of all, believable, especially the main character. As you follow her journey in the investigation it almost feels like you’re there with her, connecting dots and making theories.

FOR FANS OF: mystery, fiction

GOOD OMENS by TERRY PRATCHETT AND NEIL GAIMAN

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: An angel and a demon who rather like humans and the Earth try to stop the apocalypse in late 20th century England.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s really fun to read and the characters are great. Aziraphale and Crowley both toe the lines between good and evil in a way that makes you laugh while contemplating: what is good and evil, really?

FOR FANS OF: fantasy, humor, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

SIX OF CROWS by LEIGH BARDUGO

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A famous thief puts together a team of criminals to pull off an almost impossible heist in a world with magic, intrigue and schemes. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: While it has a slow start, this book is a page turner almost all the way through. There are plenty of surprises and twists that will make you want more. The world building is super interesting and the characters are complex. Each brings their own skills and traits to the table and each does their part in really bringing the book to life. 

FOR FANS OF: YA fantasy, adventure, romance, crime

ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE by ANTHONY DOERR

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This book follows the lives of a blind French girl and an orphan German boy in France during World War II while each separately try to survive and escape the horrors of the war until their paths inevitably cross.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s beautifully written, to say the least. The dual perspective of this book is particularly interesting, both of the characters’ journeys weaving in and out, paralleling and contrasting until they collide, with the horrors of the war always present and forever altering them. 

FOR FANS OF: historical fiction, dual perspectives

SALT TO THE SEA by RUTA SEPETYS

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Salt to the sea is a story about four individuals during World War II, all living separate lives and having separate struggles, then fate leads them to the same boat, where their lives all meet. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It's dramatic, interesting, and definitely emotional. The characters are unique, and the historical perspective adds a layer of reality to the story. 

FOR FANS OF: historical fiction

TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN by JOHN GREEN

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A pretty average teenage girl who has pretty severe anxiety is swept up into a mystery of a billionaire who goes missing, where she meets the billionaire's son. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I found the main character to be very sympathetic and interesting. I haven’t read a lot of books about people who struggle with mental illness but seeing her perspective was really impactful. 

FOR FANS OF: young adult, mystery, and a hint of romance

LESS by ANDREW SEAN GREER

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Arthur Less is a failed novelist who’s about to turn fifty. He’s just found out that his ex-boyfriend is about to get married - and he’s been invited to the wedding. Instead of going to the wedding, Less decides to accept every half-baked literary invitation he’s received, sending him on an impromptu trip around the world.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s the perfect mix of comedy and melancholy. The main character is well written, and there’s some really great prose as well.

FOR FANS OF: humor, fiction, LGBTQ+ lit

WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE by MARIA SEMPLE

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A woman goes missing, and to find out where she went, you must travel through an immense web of lies and mysteries to find out the truth about her. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: You might like this book because you can’t put it down! I found myself completely unable to think of anything other than the deep mystery of Bernadette the whole time I was reading this book. 

FOR FANS OF: mystery and drama

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY by OSCAR WILDE

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A man who sells his soul to be young and beautiful forever. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Exquisite is not a word I use often, because I try to avoid sounding pretentious, but there’s really no other way to describe the way Wilde writes. The characters are complex and the plot offers insight into some interesting topics.

FOR FANS OF: classics, fantasy, dark academia

A LITTLE LIFE by HANYA YANAGIHARA 

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Four friends who met in college: Malcolm, JB, Willem, and Jude and their lives.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you like books that will rip out your heart and stomp on it, you will definitely like this book. It’s absolutely stunning to read, you will fall in love with the characters. But don’t read it if you don’t want to cry a lot.

FOR FANS OF: longer reads, character-driven novels, contemporary fiction, LGBTQ+ themes

ORYX AND CRAKE by MARGARET ATWOOD

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A man named Snowman, who went by Jimmy before humankind was destroyed by a plague, is trying to survive in a world where he may be the last human remaining. The story is told with constant shifts between past flashbacks and the present, and as it goes on, we learn how humanity fell and Snowman’s role in the fall.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: You’ve probably heard of The Handmaid’s Tale, which was also written by Atwood. In my opinion, Oryx and Crake is just as good (if not better) than Handmaid’s Tale. It has all the elements of a dystopian future and social commentary that Atwood is so well known for, with chilling prose and complex characters.

FOR FANS OF: speculative fiction, sci-fi, post-apocalyptic fantasy

CATCH AND KILL: LIES, SPIES, AND A CONSPIRACY TO PROTECT PREDATORS by RONAN FARROW

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Ronan Farrow is a Pulitzer-winning investigative reporter who helped to break open the Harvey Weinstein case, which in turn started the #MeToo movement. This is his firsthand account of his experience doing so.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Farrow offers some terrifying insight into just how much influence Weinstein had over Hollywood - and the lengths he went to keep Farrow and other reporters from exposing him. It’s a fast-paced novel that you won’t want to stop reading once you’ve started. 

FOR FANS OF: nonfiction, politics, journalism, crime

THE SONG OF ACHILLES by MADELINE MILLER

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The story of Greek hero Achilles, retold through the point of view of his friend and lover, Patroclus.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This is one of the books that will break your heart, but in the end, you’re grateful you read it. The relationship between Achilles and Patroclus is beautifully done, and I love the descriptive writing - you can tell the author put a lot of research into this novel. (I also recommend her novel Circe). 

FOR FANS OF: mythology, LGBTQ+ themes, romance, historical fiction

SOME KIND OF HAPPINESS by CLAIRE LEGRAND

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A girl named Finley who loves to write and is spending the summer with her grandparents and extended family (who she has never met). 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It is a really emotional and sweet novel that deals with mental health and family problems, and shows the wonder of magic and imagination. It is beautifully written and is one of my all-time favorites.

FOR FANS OF: family stories, magical worlds, mysteries, the power of imagination

GRACELING (GRACELING REALM #1) by KRISTIN CASHORE

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: In a fantasy world where people with two different colored eyes are graced with extraordinary powers, a girl a name Katsa, who is graced with the art of killing, must uncover the secrets of her grace and journey to a land far away where lies are more abundant than truths.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Katsa is one of the coolest characters I have ever read about and I love her so much! The characters and storytelling in this book are amazing and the series just gets better and better. If you like fast paced and engaging stories with some mystery, this one's for you!

FOR FANS OF: badass female characters, witty dialogue, superpowers

CHECK PLEASE! BOOK 1: #HOCKEY by NGOZI UKAZU

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Check Please! Is a graphic novel about a gay college student named Bitty who plays hockey and loves to bake.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This is my favorite, favorite, FAVORITE graphic novel because it has loveable and supportive characters, beautiful friendships and hilarious interactions. it never fails to make me laugh and always leaves a huge goofy smile on my face. This is the first book I turn to when I am having a rough time and I hope that by sharing it, I can help you through one too.

FOR FANS OF: graphic novels, wholesome main characters, witty humor and lots of laughs, lgbtqia+ representation, hockey brodom

WHITE ROSE by KIP WILSON

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: White Rose is a historical YA novel written in verse about Sophie Scholl, a German college student who joined the White Rose, a non-violent resistance group against the Nazi Regime during World War II.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The poetry in this novel is beautiful and the story is extremely emotional and captivating. If you want a book that you can’t bear to put down, this one's for you.

FOR FANS OF: historical fiction, family stories, poetry, inspiring female characters, speaking up for what is right

SIX ANGRY GIRLS by ADRIENE KISNER

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Six girls who form a rival mock trial team at their school and explore friendship, feminism, and the power of using art to make change

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This book features laugh out loud humor and an amazing cast of characters that band together to discuss important topics and make change in their community. It is a very fun and empowering read, and I learned a lot while reading it. 

FOR FANS OF: feminism, friendship, lgbtqia+ representation, debate and mock trial, social justice, knitting

THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF COYOTE SUNRISE by DAN GEMEINHART

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Coyote and her father live on a repurposed school bus and spend their days driving along old highways and going on adventures. When Coyote gets news that calls her all the way across the country, she must race against the clock to get to her destination, all without letting her father on to what she is doing? Sounds easy, right?

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This novel truly is remarkable. Along the way, Coyote and her dad pick up travelers, who each have their own stories and destinations. The writing in this book is so heartfelt, emotional, and funny and Coyote has such a great character voice that you can’t help but fall in love with her.

FOR FANS OF: adventure, travel, family stories, friendship

ON A SUNBEAM by Tillie Walden

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This is a graphic novel about a group of outcasts who work as a restoration crew in space. They travel to different planets and fix old buildings that are falling apart. The newest member of their crew is trying to find her girlfriend, who mysteriously disappeared one night from their boarding school. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This book is gorgeous. Every single page is beautifully drawn in full color, with expansive landscapes and expressive characters. The world building is cryptic and a little bizarre, but it only makes it better, for example, their spaceship looks like a fish!

FOR FANS OF: diverse characters, graphic novels, coming of age in space

THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR by Amar El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Who even knows, really? If anyone can figure out what this book is actually about, please let me know. The story follows two agents from different sides of a war through time and space. Red works for The Agency, and Blue for The Garden, and they travel through different threads of history trying to secure the best possible future for their side of the war. Through the course of this, the two women start exchanging letters and maybe even fall in love?

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s confusing and beautiful and genre-bending. 

FOR FANS OF: sci-fi, poetry, doomed love stories, time travel, books that don’t make sense

RED, WHITE AND ROYAL BLUE by Casey Mcquinston

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: What if the First Son of the United States and the Prince Of Wales fell in love? That’s what happens in this book, and it’s fantastic. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It is a pretty fluffy love story, but it is set to the backdrop of politics, so it tackles themes like race, sexuality, and the responsibilities that come with being a public figure. The characters are unique and appealing and I fell in love with them almost immediately. 

FOR FANS OF: romance, escapist fiction, doomed love stories

SHADES OF MAGIC SERIES by VE SCHWAB

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: 4 different versions of London, the boy who travels between them, and the thief he falls in love with. Plus: magic, mayhem, pirates, and princes. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The writing is strong and the plot is twisty and fantastic. I have never been so attached to characters as I have to the ones in this series. Delilah Bard is who I want to be when I grow up (kidding, but barely). I recently found out there will be three more books published in this series in the nearish future and I still have not recovered. 

FOR FANS OF: fantasy, characters who are the worst but you still love them, slow-burn romances, doomed love stories, long books

CARRY ON by RAINBOW ROWELL

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This book is basically what would have happened if Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were roommates and also secretly in love with each other. Except they are named Simon and Baz, and Baz is a vampire. Also instead of Voldemort, the villain is called the Humdrum. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s bizarre and funny and super light. In the world of this book, magic spells take the form of common phrases, such as “open sesame” or “clean as a whistle,” which makes for some hilarious quotes.

FOR FANS OF: Harry Potter, doomed love stories (sensing a pattern, anyone?), coming of age with dragons

A TALE FOR TIME BEING by Ruth Ozeki

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: When Ruth discovers the diary of a 16-year-old Japanese girl named Nao Yasutami washed up on the beach, she becomes engrossed in the life of the young, mysterious diary owner. As she reads through each diary entry, Ruth learns of Nao’s past, as well as her future plans to end her own life. But before her planned suicide, she is determined to document the story of her great-grandmother, a Zen Buddhist nun over the age of 100. This novel explores topics of life, death, time, and meditation. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: There was never a time where I was bored while reading this novel. I had to constantly remind myself that what I was reading was purely fictional. There was a long period of time after finishing this book where I kept thinking about it.

FOR FANS OF: multiperspectivity, metafiction

THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME by Richard Connell

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Rainsford, a big-game hunter, finds himself shipwrecked on an isolated island in the Caribbean. He soon learns that he is not alone on the island, and through his encounters, the line between hunter and prey, human and animal, becomes blurred. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This short-story is influenced by big-game hunting safaris in South America and Africa during the 20s. Its suspenseful plot will have you on the edge of your seat for the entire duration!

FOR FANS OF: action, adventure

INTO THE WILD by Jon Krakauer

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The short life of Christopher McCandless and the allure of the American wilderness. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Krakauer weaves his own experience into his work which creates a really interesting parallel between Chris and himself. I am a big fan of fiction, but this was probably one the first pieces of nonfiction that I truly enjoyed.

FOR FANS OF: adventure, literary nonfiction, nature and the outdoors

YOU & A BIKE & THE ROAD by Eleanor Davis

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A thoughtful graphic memoir that documents the author’s solo cross-country bike tour exactly as it happened. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I love Eleanor Davis’ illustrations. They are simple and playful but get the point across delightfully. Her method of story-telling is fresh, genuine, and is filled with good humor.

FOR FANS OF: memoirs, illustration, humor 

SIX OF CROWS AND CROOKED KINGDOM by Leigh Bardugo

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Six of Crows is set mainly in the 1700s Amsterdam-inspired city of Ketterdam, in the fictional Grisha-verse. A team of six criminals, led by the infamous Kaz Brekker, try to pull off a near-impossible heist involving magic, a deadly drug, romance, and impossible escapes. If they succeed, they would become rich beyond their wildest dreams and maybe even save the world … if they don’t murder each other first.  

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This is a truly character-driven book. You will find yourself empathizing with each of the six main characters, even if some of them are a little evil. The book deals with themes of discrimination, isolation, and what makes a person good or bad. It’s a page turner for sure, with great action sequences that are balanced well with the relationships that build through the book. 

FOR FANS OF: fantasy, adventure novels, romance and LGBTQ+ representation, complex characters

STAND STILL, STAY SILENT by Minna Sundberg

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: In a post-apocalyptic world filled with magic, danger, and Scandinavian mythology, a group of six explorers from the last remaining civilizations embark into the ‘silent world’ of destroyed Europe.  

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This graphic novel is made really great by the characters, who are all complex and interesting people with unique flaws. The magic system is unlike any I’ve read about before, based on both classic Nordic mythology and ancient Finnish religion. This book really cannot be put into any genre because it has a bit of them all - horror, comedy, slice of life, dystopian, fantasy, etc.

FOR FANS OF: dystopian fantasy, coming of age (kind of), mild existential horror, amazing characters

THE WITCHER SERIES by Andrzej Sapkowsk

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The Witcher books follow the story of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter, or witcher, and his adoptive daughter, princess Ciri. After the Empire of Nilfgaard attacks Ciri’s country and leaves her stranded and alone, she joins  Geralt, his friend Dandelion, and the sorceress Yennefer on their adventures. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: While the plot itself deals with destiny, royalty, monster slaying, and other grand fantasy adventures, the place this series really hits home for me is the relationship that builds between Geralt and Ciri. This book definitely fits into the ‘high fantasy’ category, but the most impactful part of it is the father-daughter relationship that Sapkowski builds. 

FOR FANS OF: fantasy, adventure, action, family bonds, magic and monsters, and morally grey characters

THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE by Mackenzi Lee 

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: In 1800s Europe, young Lord Henry Montague, or Monty, is about to embark on his grand tour accompanied by his sister Felicity and his best friend Percy (who he is very much in love with). The tour quickly becomes more than he bargained for, however, and Monty, Percy, and Felicity are sent on a thrilling and very dangerous manhunt across Europe.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Mackenzi Lee does an amazing job depicting the conflict that Monty feels around his sexuality and role in life. The book is exciting and fast-paced, but still makes time to develop the characters and go into the complexities of growing up and falling in love.

FOR FANS OF: historical fiction, LGBTQ+ literature, coming of age, romance, adventure

THE SHADES OF MAGIC TRILOGY by V.E. Schwab

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Kell Maresh is one of only a few magicians able to travel in between the four dimensions, Gray London, Red London, White London, and Black London, which has been destroyed. In the magic-less world of gray London, Lila Bard is a thief who’ll do anything to feel alive. When kell comes across a mysterious stone from the long-dead Black London, he and Lila are sent on a wild adventure through the different worlds, trying to save the existing Londons and each other. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This series is incredibly well-written and some of the best fantasy books I’ve ever read. The books stand out because of the original setting, incredible characters, and well-paced plot. In all three books, I completely forgot the outside world as I was reading.  

FOR FANS OF: fantasy, adventure, multiple dimensions, magic, complex characters

INTO THIN AIR by JON KRAKAUER

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: What happens when too many people try to summit Mt. Everest at the same time in really bad weather? Read this book and find out!

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you want to read an account of an attempt to climb the highest mountain in the world from the perspective of someone who was there.

FOR FANS OF: Mountain climbing, adventure novels, and anyone who has ever dreamt of climbing Mt. Everest!

THE GIRLS by EMMA CLINE

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: It's loosely based on the Manson Family.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I was motivated to read it after seeing [the film] Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. It’s a good book if you want to learn more about the Manson Family in a fictional format.

FOR FANS OF: Los Angeles in the late 1960’s, the movie Once a Time in Hollywood, The Manson Family

100 YEARS OF SOLITUDE by Gabriel García Márquez

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A multi-generational story of the Buendia family, who live in the fictional Colombian town of Macondo.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I don’t know where to begin. I think that this novel has something for everyone to enjoy.

FOR FANS OF: magical realism, the history of South America

SALEM'S LOT by STEPHEN KING

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Vampires! A small New England town! A small New England town that is overrun by vampires!

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you are a fan of horror fiction and/or vampires.

FOR FANS OF: horror fiction, vampires

AMERICAN DIRT by JEANINE CUMMINS

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A mother and her son are on the run from the leader of a Mexican drug cartel. This is a controversial novel. Why? Read it and see what you think!

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you are interested in current events in Mexico, the influence of drug cartels in Mexico, and the ongoing immigration debate in the U.S.

FOR FANS OF: Ben’s Spanish Current Events class (and for anyone interested in learning  more about immigraton from Mexico to the U.S. in a fictional format).

ONE WAY OUT: THE INSIDE HISTORY OF THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND by ALAN PAUL

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The Allman Brothers Band. They are my favorite band (I saw them live more than 75 times).

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you are a fan of the Allman Brothers Band then I strongly suggest reading this book. It’s not the only book that has been written about the ABB, but it’s far the best. Band members wrote the prologue and the epilogue!

FOR FANS OF: The Allman Brothers Band, music

THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE by Mackenzi Lee 

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Set in the 1700s, it’s the story of Henry “Monty” Montague, who is embarking on his Grand Tour of Europe- one last teenage year of wildness before he is supposed to take over as his father’s heir and get down to the deadly boring business of being an adult.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The characters are so lovable, I didn’t want to leave them behind. The book is a hodgepodge of a bunch of genres, but they blend together perfectly.   

FOR FANS OF: historical fiction, YA adventure, own voices queer rep

THE UNEXPECTED TRUTH ABOUT ANIMALS: A MENAGERIE OF THE MISUNDERSTOOD by Lucy Cooke 

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Unraveling myths about animals 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s absolutely hilarious! I also now know a bunch of useless but absolutely freaking fascinating knowledge!  

FOR FANS OF: science writing, nature, humor 

THE CROWN'S GAME by Evelyn Skye 

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Vika Andreyeva and Nikolai Karimov are the only two enchanters in Russia and with political unrest increasing in neighboring empires, the tsar needs an enchanted by his side. But which of the two will take that title and walk out with their life?

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s full of magic, murder, a love triangle, and Russian history.    

FOR FANS OF: fantasy, historical fiction, magic 

I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER by Erika L. Sánchez  

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A teen dealing with her sister’s sudden death and the secrets that follow. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s poignant but often laugh-out-loud funny. It’s a very real book and there’s a part of it that everyone can connect to. 

FOR FANS OF: realistic fiction, lies and mystery 

THE ISLAND BENEATH THE SEA by Isabel Allende

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This story chronicles the life of a young slave girl on Hispañola (Dominican Republic), the first Spanish colony in the Americas.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It spans three generations and comes full circle - karma is justice!

FOR FANS OF: historical fiction, social justice

LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE by Laura Esquivel

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A frustrated love story that takes place during the Mexican Revolution of 1910.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Great recipes and scandals!

FOR FANS OF: food and cooking, love stories, magical realism

THE POET X by Elizabeth Acevedo

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A teenage girl pursues her passion despite feeling stifled at home.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: The whole thing is written in verse!

FOR FANS OF: Spoken word, poetry, girls of color

THE BIRTH OF VENUS by Sarah Dunant

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A rebellious teenage girl during The Renaissance.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: She doesn’t like her options, and she does something about it.

FOR FANS OF: The Renaissance, art, feminists

CIRCE by Madeline Miller

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A famous witch from Greek mythology.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: There’s magic, and she’s a badass witch! ... (Can I say that!?)

FOR FANS OF: Mythology, witches, adventure

WIDE SARGASSO SEA by Jean Rhys

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: It’s written as if it is a prequel to Jane Eyre. It’s the story of Mr. Rochester's mad wife, Antoinette Cosway, a Creole heiress.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It has a strong feminist perspective.

FOR FANS OF: Jane Eyre

THE LIBRARY BOOK by Susan Orlean

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: SO much. It centers around the fire at the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986 and the man who was accused of starting it. Orlean uses this event as a springboard to explore the history of libraries, their role as community centers as well as centers of information, and the human urge to tell stories.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I read this book more than a month ago and have thought about it every day since. Seriously. Read it.

FOR FANS OF: True crime, biography, memoir, and most of all, libraries. 

THE HIDDEN LIFE OF TREES by Peter Wohlleben

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Trees! Turns out they’re much more complicated beings than we thought they were.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s a new and fascinating perspective on the natural world.

FOR FANS OF: Forests, science writing

BLUE HORSES by Mary Oliver

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This collection features Mary Oliver’s usual subjects—nature, solitude—and a few of my favorite poems of hers are in there.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: I have found myself returning to it as a source of comfort in the era of social distancing. It’s an easy, soothing read—good for before bedtime.

FOR FANS OF: nature writing, poetry

WONDERSTRUCK by Brad Selznick

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Two children from different time periods whose stories intersect in unexpected ways. One character narrates through words, while the other character, who is deaf, narrates entirely through exquisitely drawn illustrations.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Selznick’s drawings are incredible, and his method of storytelling is very unique. The story is fun, thought-provoking and sweet.

FOR FANS OF: museums, ASL/Deaf culture, children’s literature

INKHEART by Cornelia Funke

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A girl named Meggie and her father, both of whom can make characters step out of the pages of books when they read aloud. Years before the start of the novel, Meggie’s father accidentally releases all the villains from a book called Inkheart into their world. The story starts when one of those characters catches back up with them.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Diana Wynne Jones said it perfectly: “I don't think I've ever read anything that conveys so well the joys, terrors and pitfalls of reading.” 

FOR FANS OF: YA fiction, fantasy, books about books

FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: An anxious writer of fan fiction and her first year at college. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s funny, sweet, and occasionally moving—just what you’d expect from Rainbow Rowell. 

FOR FANS OF: YA fiction, romance, bildungsroman, character-driven stories

THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD by John Le Carré

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A British spy was sent to go undercover in East Germany to help the British agency get rid of a powerful enemy, the head of the East German secret service.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: As a must-read espionage masterpiece, this novel not only offers you a brilliant plot but also constructs a vivid portrait of life in the Europe of the Cold War era. You will be fully captured by the protagonist’s journey into the center of the tension of the Cold War and discover love, betrayal, and espionage plots along the way.

FOR FANS OF: suspense, espionage, history novels

THE WORLD OF YESTERDAY by Stefan Zweig

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: The memoir of Austrian writer Stefan Zweig that tells stories of his childhood, his youth, and his experiences to flee from his country to survive Nazi prosecution and the War. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It is not only a tale of the life of Zweig, but also one of Europe: its rise and falls before, between, and during the two World Wars, the life of renowned novelists, artists, and scholars who inhabited and loved this continent, and how the war tore everything into pieces.

FOR FANS OF: European history, autobiography

JOURNEY UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN  by Keigo Higashino

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A murder that was left unsolved for decades gradually unveils a series of stories.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It is a classical Japanese mystery novel. It is not much of a page-turner, but the vivid narrative and atmosphere will bring you into the overwhelming suspense in no time.

FOR FANS OF: mystery, murder, suspense

A SHORT HISTORY OF TRACTORS IN UKRAINIAN by Marina Lewycka

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A pair of rival siblings, Vera and Nadezhda,  join forces to oppose their widowed 84-year-old father’s new wife, a young Ukrainian lady who suspiciously seeks to acquire British citizenship for her and her son through marriage.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Don’t let the title trick you! It is actually a heartwarming tale about an immigrant family and the reunion of father and daughters. In a light-hearted way, this book tackles serious issues like romantic relationships, family relationships, and immigrant experiences. It is light reading that will make you both laugh and cry.

FOR FANS OF: humor, family drama

THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING by JOAN DIDION

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Transition. Death. Going with the change.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s beautifully written. An observational non-fiction masterpiece.

FOR FANS OF: Getting through things that are hard. 

THE REMAINS OF THE DAY by KAZUO ISHIGURO 

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: So much. It’s a stunning story about time and relationships, but dignified and polished in the British literary tradition.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It has huge emotional gravity that will capture anyone in the end. 

FOR FANS OF: English country life, the pull between “upstairs” and “downstairs,”, World War Two history, unrequited love, lush decorative interiors.   

I'LL DRINK TO THAT by BETTY HALBREICH

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A famed personal shopper at Bergdorf’s. Finding your own definition of style and beauty. Being brash and unfiltered.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: She’s seen it all.

FOR FANS OF: Fashion and art. Beach reading.

THE LONG TAKE by ROBIN ROBERTSON

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Post war/mid-century downtown Los Angeles. Gentrification. Being lost and accepting the inevitable. The weight of trauma.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s written in a distinct noir narrative poetry style, and thus, is experimental in terms of its format.

FOR FANS OF: Poetry. All things noir. Purposeful, experimental fiction. The changing face of cities over time.

A LONG PETAL OF THE SEA by ISABEL ALLENDE

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Operation Condor era intrigue. What it’s like to be an exile and refugee. Fascism and  communism. Abiding love.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s one of the best new works of fiction I’ve read in years.

FOR FANS OF: Historical fiction. Beautiful, sparring writing. Brilliant narratives. South America.

OFFSHORE by PENELOPE FITZGERALD

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: People living on houseboats in the Thames amidst 1970s London.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It’s not hugely dramatic, but it’s all about the people, their lives, and the subtext and intricacies sitting just below the surface.

FOR FANS OF: Exceptional short fiction. You can finish it in a long plane ride, but it’s deceptively rich in its brevity.