Staff Picks
July/August
The Honey Witch
by Sydney J. Shields
Twenty-one-year-old Marigold doesn’t fit in at home or in her ultra-artistic community. When her grandmother unexpectedly comes to visit and tells her she’s a Honey Witch, Marigold’s life makes more sense. Marigold leaves her home against her mother’s wishes and begins training with her grandmother on her magical island. There is a catch to being a Honey Witch, a curse that prevents Honey Witches from finding true love. Marigold must learn to navigate her new life through loss, friendships, potential loves, curses, family drama, and a dark and sinister force that threatens to annihilate it all.
~ Lisa
Graceling
by Kristin Cashore
Graceling delves into themes of interpersonal relationships, trust, and personal value. This romantic fantasy novel follows protagonists Katsa and Po, as they embark on a quest to protect their kingdoms. Both characters possess unique abilities known as graces, and as they journey together, their bond strengthens. The series is well-crafted with intricate world-building and poignant, heartfelt moments. The book left me hungry for more from Mohamed. If there is ever another book in this world, I will be first in line.
~ Samantha
The Guest
by B.A. Paris
Iris and Gabriel’s marriage is already on shaky ground when they arrive home from vacation to find an unexpected guest waiting for them. Longtime friend Laura has announced that she is leaving her husband – the couple’s friend Pierre – after he confessed to having an affair and secret love child. While Iris and Gabriel would normally rejoice to see Laura, the unfortunate timing of her visit and the way Laura has made herself comfortable in the couple’s bedroom and Iris’s wardrobe, rubs them the wrong way. Though Laura has arrived without any physical baggage, she is rife with emotional baggage. A friendship with a new couple in town offers Iris and Gabriel some reprieve from Laura’s constant drama, but before long, Laura’s lack of boundaries and unpredictable behavior consume the entire household and threaten to unleash everyone’s darkest secrets.
~ Melissa
After Annie
by Anna Quindlen
Another winner from Quindlen with her portrayal of a family attempting to function after the sudden death of Annie, at the age of 38. Annie leaves behind a dazed husband, four needy young children, and a best friend in addiction recovery, all stunned with grief by the loss of the person who centered their lives. The story toggles between present and past so we get to know the smart, exuberant Annie and how her memory helps them to discover their own strengths and work together to recover. While certainly not a new premise or plot, it’s the beautiful writing by Quindlen that makes this novel a standout.
~ Mary
The Familiar
by Leigh Bardugo
“But let it be my ambition and not my fear that seals my fate.”
I have always been drawn to the ‘immortal being obsessed with his lady’ plot, and Leigh Bardugo has perfected this trope in her newest Historical Fantasy novel, The Familiar.
The Familiar, despite being a slower-paced read, immediately captivated me. My interest in the Inquisition made the well-crafted setting even more engaging. The story feels gothic, lush, and atmospheric. It delivers on every page with a blend of magic, a compelling immortal demon, and a masterful mix of fiction and fantasy.
Luzia, the protagonist, is a quietly powerful character—stubborn, adaptive, and a true survivor. I was rooting for her from the beginning. Santangel’s devotion to her is understandable, as Bardugo excels at creating intriguing, morally complex characters. This is a must read for lovers of fantasy and historical fiction alike.
~ Danielle
Tender is the Flesh
by Agustina Bazterrica
This book is not for the faint of heart.
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica is a chilling dystopian novel that plunges readers into a world where humans have been commodified as livestock. Set in a society devastated by a mysterious virus that renders all animals unfit for consumption, the novel explores the horrifying consequences of this crisis and how society could rationalize and normalize such a horrific practice. It touches on themes of commodification, capitalism, and the erosion of empathy, raising profound questions about the boundaries of ethical behavior and the consequences of dehumanization. This powerful and thought-provoking novel’s unflinching depiction of violence and dehumanization may be too intense for some readers. Its exploration of central themes is compelling and disturbing, requiring readers to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature and society.
~ Jess