Staff Picks

Lone Women – Victor Lavalle

From the award-winning author of The Changeling, comes an intense, frightening & lonely trip into the brutal landscape of Montana in the early 1900’s.

Read Alike: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Reviewed by: Barb

Iron Flame – Rebecca Yarros 

This book was a rollercoaster! It answered so many of my unanswered questions from Fourth Wing along with giving me so many new ones!  This second book in Empyrian Series did not disappoint. A build on Violet’s place in a war torn continent, growing her bonds and power to conquer the next wave of men trying to doom the world’s fate.

Read Alike: Fourth Wing, From Blood and Ash, A Shadow in the Ember, ACOTAR
Reviewed by: Pam and Emma

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi – Shannon Chakraborty

Sail the twelfth-century Indian Ocean with a spirited pirate crew in this wonderful historical fantasy adventure. The legendary pirate captain Amina al-Sirafi is convinced to come out of retirement and to rescue the kidnapped daughter of one of her former crewmembers. Amina must reunite her crew, outwit the authorities, face powerful magic and even ally with her ex, who happens to be a demon, to rescue the girl and ensure her own daughter remains safe.

Read Alike: Tricia Levenseller 
Reviewed by: Robin

Cain’s Jawbone – Edward Powys Mathers

This book is a murder mystery on a whole different level! It’s 100 pages that are all out of order. Once you figure out the order of the pages you can then figure out who all the murderers and victims are. It’s a big puzzle that’s only been solved 4 times since it came out in 1935!

Read Alike: Classic mystery writers like  Chsterton, Christie, and Conan Doyle, but totally unique!
Reviewed by: Emma

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies – Alison Goodman

Such a fun read! Authentic Regency details but filled with adventure, mystery and romance. Looking forward to the sequel.

Read Alike: Read if you liked the humor in Pride and Prejudice
Reviewed by: Deirdre

The Frozen River – Ariel Lawhon

Great historical fiction! A beautifully written and fascinating story I didn’t want to put down. The life of an inspiring colonial era midwife, Martha Ballard, and based on her real diary. I loved Martha and Ephraim. Five out of five stars. The perfect wintery read!

Read Alike: Too good to compare, IMO.
Reviewed by: Deirdre

The Future – Naomi Alderman

Gripping and eerie. Not just a tale of competitive CEOs and not quite Science Fiction, but full of futuristic things that don’t seem that far away from today.

Read Alike: Like Succession meets Elon Musk inventions
Reviewed by: Barb