Check out our staff's July 2023 picks!
Chosen by: Emily
This is not a sensational, tell-all celebrity confession. Instead, Page invites us into a collage of nonlinear memories–some warm and comforting, others gut-wrenching and traumatic. This book gave me a new appreciation and respect for him as an artist, and was a sobering reminder that fame, money, looks, and popularity are no guarantee of an easy life. While this book describes only one person’s experience, it magnifies the struggles and abuse experienced by many people in the queer community, and I especially recommend it for anyone wanting to be a better ally to their LGBTQ+ loved ones
Chosen by: Amanda
If you’re looking for the perfect summer read, look no further! Not only does this book have an incredibly adorable romance storyline, but it also tells stories of friendship, self-discovery, and grief, and does so with so much care and nuance. This book also blurs the genre line between romance and magical realism and features a time travel element that makes the reading experience even more fun. If you love stories populated by complex and interesting characters that move at a fast-pace, this book will be perfect for you! (Especially if you're a foodie!
Chosen by: Ava
Is it a prison novel, a crime novel or just a great novel about a down and out man who can't catch a break? It’s all of them! It’s a book that cannot be placed into one single genre because it's essentially about a life, and who can put someone's life into one genre? Hard Rain Falling is filled with poignant systemic critique and emotional nuance and written with such incredible honesty and empathy. Best book I read all year
Chosen by: Heidi
You may know Jean Rhys because of Wide Sargasso Sea. Quartet was her debut novel and it is fascinating and scandalous. Sex, class, power, art, women’s labor, hysteria, sudden shifts in tense, it has it all. And it takes place in Paris!
Chosen by: Michael
Difficult to find
Chosen by: Julie
Chosen by: Arjun
What does it take to create a popular videogame? This novel answers that, all while exploring the boundaries between work, love, and friendship. With elements of trauma, disability, and depression, Zevin works to craft characters that feel like real people, allowing one to live amongst them and dive into their minds.