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2019 Staff Picks
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  • Fiction

  • Non-Fiction

  • Young Adult

  • Graphic Novels

  • Childrens Books

  • Music

  • Movies & TV

  • Fiction

To Be Taught, If Fortunate
by Becky Chambers
– Adam
I love odd stories, and this novella is basically an existential puzzle without an answer. It poses questions about the value of life and knowledge in an ever-changing universe. It asks what humans owe to each other, and lets you wonder what you would do if humanity wasn’t looking anymore. And yet, it never becomes too dark or depressing.
Middlegame
by Seanan McGuire
– Adam
Dark fantasy? Fatalistic science fiction? This novel walks the line. Not quite as dense as the Feed series, and not quite as whimsical as the Wayward Children books, Middlegame definitely falls into the dark side of dark fairy tale. While it doesn’t tie itself to the modern retelling of a specific fable, it still feels like it could be an iteration of a long-forgotten classic. Haunting and human, this book is long but will have you hanging on each page.
My Sister, the Serial Killer
by Oyinkan Braithwaite
– Allison
Convenience Store Woman
by Sayaka Murata
– Allison & Regan
Elevation
by Stephen King
– Allison
By Any Name
by Cynthia Voight
– Amber
Wanderers
by Chuck Wendig
– Amelia
A Memory of Empire
by Arkady Martine
– Darren
Gideon the Ninth
by Tamsyn Muir
– Darren
Empress of Forever
by Max Gladstone
– Darren
The Gutter Prayer
by Gareth Hanrahan
– Darren
Exhalation
by Ted Chiang
– James
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous
by Ocean Vuong
– James
Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens
– Maryann B
Couple Next Door
by Shari Lapena
– Maryann B
At the Wolf’s Table
by Rosella Postorino
– Nicoleta
A Woman Is No Man
by Etaf Rum
– Nicoleta
Rules of Civility
by Amor Towles
– Regan
Gardener’s Year
by Karel Capek
– Regan
The Goldfinch
by Donna Tartt
– Shelly
This tome was layered, complex, and covered so much in the life of main character Theo Decker. There are so many themes and parts and settings and characters, but it never feels crowded or unclear. You really get to know and care for the characters, especially Theo, and follow them throughout their lives while learning so much about emotions, art, crime, and family. Tartt is an incredible writer and you read through the book constantly surprised by just how “right” she gets everything and how much she has to say about everyone and everything in the story. The style of the book was reminiscent of Brady Udall, Gregory David Roberts, and Margaret Mitchell, who all wrote books I adore, too.
Teen Sex Tragedy
by Brett Yates
– Shelly
This debut novel, written by a local author, is incredible in its detail, tone, and creativity. The story of Jeff, an anxious seventeen year old, is meticulously crafted as he navigates senior year while strange things begin happening in his town. He is particularly intrigued by a beautiful, mysterious classmate, whom everyone begins to suspect is a witch causing the strange happenings, even as he navigates his first relationship with another girl. The nuances in the writing, especially when going into such depth in Jeff’s thoughts, are complex, well-written, and, at times, heartbreaking. This novel will teach you some new words, keep you reading to find out what’s really going on, change your opinion about paranormal tales, and make you feel some kindness towards teenagers. It’s a really powerful read, with some great twists and a memorable ending.
  • Non-Fiction

Say Nothing
by Patrick Radden Keefe
– Allison
Calypso
by David Sedaris
– Amber & Regan
Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living
by Ali Wong
– Amber
Kitchen Confidential
by Anthony Bourdain
– Amber
Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity
by Steve Silberman
– Amber
How To
by Randal Munroe
– Amelia
The Federalist Papers
by Alexander Hamilton
– James
Educated: A Memoir
by Tara Westover
– Nicoleta
Range
by David Epstein
– Regan
Bad Blood
by John Carreyrou
– Regan & Nicoleta
Peak Performance
by Brad Stulberg
– Regan
Once More We Saw Stars
by Jayson Greene
– Shelly
This memoir, by frequent New York Times contributor Jayson Greene, is incredibly moving, well-written, and exquisitely personal. Greene recalls the life of his daughter Greta, who died in a freak accident when she was two. While it’s a heartbreaking story, the book is beautiful and touching. While I definitely cried at some points and spent a lot of time thinking about life and death, I finished the book feeling uplifted and wanting to read more about Greene and his family. It’s truly an unforgettable story seeped in sadness and hope.
The Opposite of Loneliness
by Marina Keegan
– Shelly
This set of brief works, including non-fiction essays and short stories, was published after the author died a few days after her college graduation. Keegan was an incredible person all around, including a fabulous poet and performer, playwright, and Yale graduation speaker. She left behind a huge amount of works for such a young author, and nearly every essay in the collection is thoughtful and well-written. In the forward, the editor (a mentor of Keegan) talks about how her stories speak so much of her youth and optimism, and it really reads like the work of an author just getting started in the best way.
  • Young Adult

Scars Like Wings
by Erin Stewart
– Shelly
This book is a blunt take on a girl experiencing terrible tragedy: Ava’s parents and best friend die in the fire that completely disfigures her. Ava is angry and sarcastic and sad, not the typical feel-good kind of character who wants everyone to feel OK with her trauma. She is pushed into attending school and dealing with stares, rudeness, disappointment, and misunderstandings. She eventually makes some connections and processes some of her pain into growth, but it’s not without some major issues along the way.The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: I’m so glad I finally read this book. It’s a great, “”ripped from the headlines”” story about Starr, a teenage girl who witnesses the death of her unarmed friend at the hands of a police officer. The nuances in the story — how Starr knows her friend, who her family members are, whom she’s dating, the school she attends, and her connection to multiple communities — make it complex and thought-provoking. At its climax, I literally couldn’t put it down and read through to the end to find out what happened. It’s not an easy read, but an important one.
  • Graphic Novels

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me
by Mariko Tamaki
– Adam
This is a romance, but not romantic. It’s about the idea of being in love with a relationship more-so than another person. The emotions are complex, complimented by the clear, sharp art.
On a Sunbeam
by Tillie Walden
– Adam
A science fiction epic? A small school romance? A sweeping story of magical realism? The range of this book is enormous and pushes what a comic can do. The representation is great, as well (LGBTQ+ as well as neuro-atypical such as someone who’s nonverbal), but the characters are so grounded and human that the reader can find a piece of themselves in anyone in the crew.
Paper Girls
by Brian K. Vaughn
– Adam
This series has a story that covers billions of years, is written out in multiple languages and dialects, and always manages to keep the characters front and center. The story is, to be honest, bonkers, but it’s never nonsense and always entertaining.
Hey, Kiddo
by Jarrett Krosoczka
– Allison
El Deafo
by Cece Bell
– Amber
Pumpkinheads
by Rainbow Rowell
– Amber
The American Dream?
by Shing Yin Khor
– Amelia
House of X
– Darren
Powers of X
– Darren
  • Childrens Books

Cat Nap
by Toni Yuly
– Amber
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
by Sonia Sotomayor and Rafael Lopez
– Amber
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth
by Oliver Jeffers
– Amber
Snakes On A Train
by Kathryn Dennis
– Amber
Pigeon Has To Go To School
by Mo Willems
– Amber
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers
by Fred Rogers, Luke Flowers, Josie Carey
– Sharon C
You Loves Ewe!
by Cece Bell
– Sharon C
Because of Mr. Terupt
by Rob Buyea
– Shelly
This book was a quick and unpredictable read, told from the perspectives of different students in a fifth grade class. As a teacher, I really liked how realistic and well-done the book was, without falling into easy tropes or static characters. Everyone is dynamic and the story keeps you interested all the way through. The ending is emotional and makes you want to read more by the author. I will soon go back and reread it, so I can then read the other two books in the trilogy.
Baby-Sitters Club: Boy-Crazy Stacey
by Ann M. Martin and Gale Galligan
– Shelly
The Baby-Sitters Club, in all its formats, will always be my favorite series and Ann M. Martin will always be one of my favorite authors. I generally don’t like graphic novels, but I have loved seeing my favorite characters and situations depicted in a new, professional, fresh medium over the last few years. Boy-Crazy Stacey, the latest graphic novel, is no exception. I love combing through these familiar stories to pick up on the small, illustrated details that both surprise and reinforce my already comprehensive takes on the work.
Beautiful Oops!
by Barney Saltzberg
– Yeng
Ish
by Peter H. Reynolds
– Yeng
Not a Box
by Antoinette Portis
– Yeng
They All Saw a Cat
by Brendan Wenzel
– Yeng
How Many, How Many, How Many
by Rick Walton
– Yeng
Noisy Night
by Mac Barnett
– Yeng
The Most Magnificent Thing
by Ashley Spires
– Yeng
Murderous Maths series
by Kjantan Poskit
– Yeng
How to Be a Scientist
by Steve Mould
– Yeng
The Number Devil
by Hans Magnus Enzensberger
– Yeng
  • Music

Betty
by Betty Who
– Adam
Saves the World
by MUNA
– Adam
Shearwater Plays Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy
by Shearwater
– Adam
By the Way, I Forgive You
Brandi Carlile
– Allison
Thrilled to Be Here
Bailen
– Allison
Imperfect Circle
Hootie & the Blowfish
– Amelia
Remain in Light
by Angelique Kidjo
– Regan
I Am Easy To Find
by The National
– Regan
  • Movies & TV

Good Omens
– Adam
His Dark Materials
– Adam
Infinity Train
– Adam
Legion
– Adam
Bohemian Rhapsody
– Allison
Frozen II
– Amelia
The Americans
– Regan
I Called Him Morgan
– Regan
Outlander
– Regan
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
– Regan
Fleabag
– Regan & Adam
Killing Eve
– Sharon C & Adam
Parasite
– Sharon c
Ishva2021-12-13T11:05:17-05:00

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