Staff Picks

Red, White and Royal Blue – Casey McQuiston

Alex, the son of the president of the United States has a beef with Britain’s Prince Henry and it has turned into a media fiasco complete with a toppled wedding cake. And now Alex and Henry are going to have to pretend to get along as their teams convince the media they have become friends. This LGBTQIA romance is absolutely brilliant, fun, funny and an incredibly heartwarming story that we just love.

Read Alike: Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall, Beach Read by Emily Henry & American Royals by Katharine McGee
Reviewed by: Robin

This book is:

  • Fiction, Romance, Fast-paced, light or fun, A Good Cozy Read, A Diverse Pick (with a diverse author and or characters)

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek – Kim Michele Richardson

A fascinating fictional take on two real-life pieces of history: The blue people of the Kentucky hills, and the Pack Horse Library Project. Emotional, poignant, and captivating!

Read Alike: Anything by Andy Weir and Jeff VanderMeer
Reviewed by: Maisa

This book is:

  • Historical Fiction

Monsters Born and Made – Tanvi Berwah

Berwah has dreamed up the most unique and exhilarating creatures! This book is a thrilling race of willpower and defiance, set on an utterly unique world filled with deadly monsters. Perfect for those who have grown out of Middle Grade and looking for something more challenging. So fun!

Read Alike: White Smoke, Burn Down Rise Up, Pony, School for Good and Evil,
Reviewed by: Barb

This book is:

  • Young Adult

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library – Chris Grabenstein

There is a new library in town built by one of the worlds most celebrated game designers Mr. Lemoncello and he has invited 12 kids to the opening and participate in his greatest puzzle yet, escaping from his library. This book is full of fun puzzles all about books as the kids discover all the fun they can have in their new library.

Read Alike: Willy Wonka, Framed! by James Ponti
Reviewed by: Robin

This book is:

  • Middle Grade, Fast-paced, light or fun, About Books or Reading

Now Is Not the Time to Panic – Kevin Wilson

‘The edge is a shanty town filled with gold seekers. We are fugitives and the law is skinny with hunger for us”. A coming-of-age story full of teen-angst set in a small town. But it is also a book of misunderstandings and conjecture. It’s like Banksy graffiti meets Slenderman conspiracies – not creepy, just speculation blown out of proportion. A fun, fast read.

Read Alike: A good book to transition out of YA Fiction, Jennifer Egan fans (The Candy House)
Reviewed by: Barb

This book is:

  • Fiction

The Family Remains – Lisa Jewell

Jewell bedazzles us with another winner! She is so good at building characters – giving you just enough to think you’ve sorted out the “who-done-it” yet it is never quite what you’re expecting. Could not put this one down! (Even though it is a “sequel”, there is no need to have read the Family Upstairs to enjoy this book)

Read Alike: any other Lisa Jewell novel, also Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley
Reviewed by: Barb

This book is:

  • Mystery
  • Thriller
  • Horror

Parable of the Sower – Octavia Butler

This was a heavy one. Written in 1993 about a post-apocalyptic world set in 2024 greatly affected by climate change (a little too close for comfort!) the story dug into what it really means to be kind & empathetic. Perfect for those who liked 1984 or The Handmaid’s Tale.

Read Alike: 1984, Handmaid’s Tale, Termination Shock
Reviewed by: Barb

This book is:

  • Fiction, Sci-Fi / Fantasy
  • A Diverse Pick (with a diverse author and or characters)
  • A Retelling (fairytales, classic literature etc.)

Emily Wilde’s Encylopaedia of Faeries – Heather Fawcett

Witty, cozy, and fantastical! Such a fun read.

Read Alike: For fans of Sarah J. Maas and Erin Morgenstern
Reviewed by: Maisa

This book is:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Sci-Fi / Fantasy