Chosen by: Heidi
A visceral collection, as funny as it is sad, with electric, haunting undercurrents of the past and strong sense of place. Through her woven narrative, Hart introduces us to a community of people who are hard to forget, with a lyricism that will linger in your mind long after you finish reading
Chosen by: Amanda
A cozy romance to start your Fall off on the right foot - FORGET ME NOT has everything you want in a second chance romance. This book has alternating timelines and perspectives, some amazing spice, and characters you’ll love, all set against the background of the wedding industry. Get ready for floral puns, a grumpy x sunshine trope done perfectly, and a love story you won’t be able to put down! (SPICE LEVEL 4/5 - this is an open door romance!
Chosen by: Julie
A spooky, surreal thriller, perfect for fans of Creepypasta.There’s an old kids television show called Mister Magic. It is half-remembered by nostalgic adults, but there are, mysteriously, no existing records or copies of it. Just fan theories on message boards. The surviving cast members are reunited for some kind of anniversary podcast, but even their own recollections of the show are fuzzy. As the story unfolds, we learn more about the characters’ pasts, the history of the show, and the secrets of Mister Magic, himself.
Chosen by: Emily
This book is a beautiful visual memoir of the author’s childhood, rife with pain and conflict but also overflowing with creativity and love. Growing up in the 80s and 90s as a Korean-American adopted by white parents, Sarah endured racism and bullying. They retreat into themself through drawing, anime, and cosplay, hobbies encouraged by Sarah’s parents but ridiculed by many of their schoolmates. As Sarah fights to figure out their own identity, they begin to battle their own compulsions towards anger and violence. This book is so nuanced and poignant–a really important read.
Chosen by: Arjun
A wonderfully convoluted book designed to blur the lines between fiction and reality. Calvino uses an unconventional structure, as well as a second person perspective, to explore important themes of change, chance, and deceit. This novel is an experimental classic with plenty of breaks in the fourth wall and you, the Reader, are the main character. If you are looking for a stupendous work of metafiction then this is most definitely the book for you.
Chosen by: Ava
The Postcard is a beautiful, personal and semi-autobiographical novel about a family destroyed in the Holocaust and the generational trauma that came from it. This book was incredibly honest and compelling, and even though the topic is so heartbreaking and heavy, I found myself completely immersed in it as soon as I picked it up.