Staff Recommendations
I originally picked up City of Stairs because I was fascinated by the idea of exploring a society a generation into the aftermath of a series of events that one would expect a fantasy author to write an epic trilogy about, and Robert Jackson Bennett doesn't disappoint. With an engaging mystery at its heart, this is a grand adventure set in a fascinating world. And exploring the politics of a post epic-battle-with-huge-underdog-upset society is only half the fun! How the complex plot comes so neatly together in the end is just icing on the cake.
- Lizzie
The Buried Giant, written in the style of medieval story telling, follows the journey of Axl and Beatrice, an aged couple in search of their son. A mist has mysteriously clouded everyone's memory - folks forget what they were focused on only moments later let alone hardly remembering their past - but slowly, Axl remembers. Together the couple embark on a quest to recall their memory and ultimately uncover more than asked for. The novel is chalk full of ogres, pixies, conniving monks, dragons, and knights, yet holds so much more meaning and soul. Kazuo Ishiguro touches upon the most tender human emotions in his beautiful and fantastically written tale.
-Chala
Written with elegant prose, Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel is a hauntingly hopeful post-apocalyptic novel. After a worldwide pandemic, those who have managed to survive struggle to live in the new dark world. The novel centers on a cast of gypsy-esque characters (a travelling band of actors & musicians, a tabloid-famous actor, an ex-wife, and a paramedic) who have yet to discover how deeply their lives intertwine. Mandel's beautiful writing and stirring story remains with you long after the last page has been read. Station Eleven is my new favorite book!
-Laura
If you are: a "nerd", a "geek", a "gamer", a "child of the 80's", or a "child of the internet", then this book is for you.
If you are familiar with: Dungeins & Dragons, Classic Arcade Games, Sitcoms, 80's Rock Bands, or MMO's/RPG's, then this book is for you.
If you are down with reading a dystopian novel, chock-full of witty dialogue and an impressive array of sarcastic jokes, Ready Player One by Ernest Cline is exactly what you're looking for.
-Calley
Have you been looking for a strong female character without the romance? May I present Kelsea Raleigh, Queen of the Tearling. Erika Johansen's debut, The Queen of the Tearling, displays a strong-willed, intelligent, and adverturous young woman to the fantasy world. With unique world building and exciting plot, Johansen's awesome book will leave you begging for more!
-Laura
An exploration of "how did it come to this?", Burial Rites is a beautifully written & engaging debut about the last person to be publicly exevuted in Iceland. Agnes Magnusdottir is charged & found guilty of the murder of two men, and in the months preceding her death, she recounts her life's sad tale. Interwoven with her story, readers receive a glimpse into the lives of Icelandic peasants in an ongoing struggle to live & survive in a harsh yet beautiful land. Burial Rites is a heartbreaking witness to a young woman's last moments that will stick with you long after you have finished the last page.
-Laura
Have you read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand? Did you enjoy it? Try Frozen in Time by Mitchell Zuckoff. Also set to the backdrop of WWII comes a heartwrenching story of survival and tireless rescue to save the crew members of C-53 cargo plane, B-17 bomber who crashed trying to rescue the C-53, and finally a Coast Guard Grumman Duck sent to rescue both but ended up following suit. Not forgotten after 70 years is a modern quest for the lost heroes.
-Amy
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton has something to offer everyone. It has adventure, mystery, and of course a little romance. If you like multigenerational mysteries and enjoy trying to put events together, you will definitely love this novel. It easily hooks you and will keep you turning pages until the end!
-Lauren
Cloud Atlas is a fantastic book which explores how interconnected our lives are with those who have come before us and those who will come after us. The author David Mitchell displays his masterful writing style to accentuate each perspective in this novel. Following the lives of six people, spanning hundreds of years, Mitchell draws readers into the infinite magnitude that every life has. Long after you have finished this wonderful tale, Cloud Atlas will have you still pondering its beauty and grace.
-Laura
It's been so long since I read this book that I'm not sure I can justify what I liked about this book.
It's a fictional portrayal of one woman's wanderings with a group of aboriginies in the Australian Outback. It starts when she arrives at the appointed place to begin her trek, the group welcomed her and... burned everything she brought with her. From here the book takes you through her physical and mental challenges as she comes to accept, appreciate and love the people and their lifestyle.
Take a chance and read this book about a vanishing lifestyle.
-Dixie
Phenomenal, by Leigh Ann Henion, will make you long of sights unseen. Her well crafted travel book is full of stunning descriptions, brilliant research, and a relatable voice. Even as a young, independent, childless girl, I can relate to her plight - we are born to seek adventure and phenomena that makes us one with nature and the universe. All life's trivial problems are forgotten when hundreds of lightning bolts crash before you!
-Chala
A master of short non-fiction, David Sedaris uses the art of humor to tackle tough topics most would avoid discussing. Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls is my favorite collection by Sedaris. These hilarious stories remind us to laugh at the things we cannot control - just as the title suggests. Every story makes me laugh guiltily. Especially "Laugh, Kookaburra" - go ahead, read it, indulge your curiosity! A perfect example of how to laugh at yourself. From the first story to the last, you won't want to put the book down.
-Chala
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien is a collection of war stories so powerful, it's heard to believe they're fiction - there were times I forgot I wasn't reading people's life stories. O'Brien knows how to pull from his own Vietnam deployment in order to portray a soldier's experience as accurately as possible - with all the sadness, fear, power, and most of all, hope.
-Calley