Staff Picks

Lavender House – Lev Ac Rosen

This was a fun one – like “Knives Out” but gay and set in the 1950’s.

Read Alike: Good mystery with lots of twists, like Lisa Jewell books
Reviewed by: Barb

This book is:

  • Fiction, Mystery / Thriller / Horror, A Diverse Pick (with a diverse author and or characters)

Bloodmarked – Tracy Deonn

2nd book in the Legendborn series. Bree is plunged into a kidnapping, an escape and a race to find sanctuary. A face-paced, fun ride deeper into Arthurian legends & ancestral roots with magic & teen angst

Read Alike: The Grishaverse series by Bardugo, Red Queen by Aveyard, Kim Possible!
Reviewed by: Barb

This book is:

  • Young Adult

Pony – R. J. Palacio

Palacio succeeds again at writing a story that spans the generation gaps! Just like his bestseller, Wonder, this story can be read by young and old alike. Pony takes place in the Wild West. A young boy’s father is taken by a gang of thugs and in the skirmish the gang leaves behind a pony with (unlucky?) markings. The boy and his only friend (a ghost-not scary!) set out with the pony to rescue his father.

Read Alike: Harry Potter, Wonder, The Secret Garden
Reviewed by: Barb

This book is:

  • Middle Grade

A Rogue of One’s Own – Evie Dunmore

One ambitious suffragette may have met her match when none other than her old nemesis Lord Ballentine shows up to foil her plans for a revolution in print. The battle of wills commences for control of the publishing house they now co-own and sparks will fly. This is Historical Romance at its best Dunmore has not only written a wonderful love story with compelling characters and plenty of chemistry, but also a story with real depth, well drawn sub plots and historical details that set this book apart.

Read Alike: The Bridgerton’s by Julia Quinn
Reviewed by: Robin

This book is:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Romance
  • Fast-paced, light or fun

The Cartographers – Peng Shepherd

The book is a fun and fast paced adventure, full of mystery, family secrets and just a bit of magic all set in the world of maps. One map can change the world, it was a seemingly innocuous gas station road map that turned Nell’s life upside-down and now she has to uncover the secrets of the map and the shadowy forces that are trying to stop her.

Read Alike: Lost Book of the Grail by Charlie Lovett & A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Reviewed by: Robin

This book is:

  • Fiction, Mystery
  • Thriller
  • Horror, Fast-paced, light or fun

I’m Glad My Mom Died – Jennette McCurdy

This book keeps you absolutely hooked with the short chapters and intense topics. It reveals the truth of the dark side of Hollywood/entertainment industry as well as the struggles with fame.

Read Alike: My Body by Emily Ratajkowski
Reviewed by: Halle

This book is:

  • Nonfiction

White Noise – Don Delillo

Soon to be on NETFLIX starring Adam Driver, this is a masterpiece and eerily relevant.

Read Alike: Postmodern Literature
Reviewed by: Konner

This book is:

  • Modern

This Is How You Lose the Time War – Amal El-Mohtar/Max Gladstone

A gorgeously written sapphic love story across timelines and multiverses! Short, but impactful.

Read Alike: The Lake House, Little Big
Reviewed by: Maisa

This book is:

  • Sci-Fi / Fantasy
  • Romance