Staff Picks

Marcellous, the giant octopus, builds a special relationship with Tova, the aquarium cleaner, which helps Tova to unravel a surprising discovery of meeting her grandson. This is an easy and joyful reading, and you are going to love it. Marcellous' smart human-like behavior, the unheard conversations, and internal thoughts of Marcellus and Tova offer some clues about the plot.

Publisher’s description:
After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her 18-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over 30 years ago. Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors --- until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova. Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.

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The Sunbearer Trials is SO good. I loved the LGBTQ+ (especially trans) representation and the world building reminded me a lot of the Percy Jackson series but with Mexican mythology, if it met The Hunger Games. The fast paced and action packed plot was amazing and after finishing, I immediately bought the second book. Aiden Thomas didn't disappoint with The Sunbearer Trials! also: SPARKLY SPACE CHICKEN (you won't get this until you read the second book, but that was my favorite part haha).

Publisher's description:

Transgender demigod Teo is unexpectedly selected for the Sunbearer Trials, a fierce competition among demigod heroes where the winner sacrifices the loser to Sol, their blood fueling the Sun Stones that protect Reino del Sol.

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The author says in the acknowledgements "I wanted to write a book that reads like drinking hot chocolate." I think this is the perfect description of The Spellshop. I was warmed and comforted from the first page to the last. Keila escapes a burning city and returns to the remote island that was her home. She thinks she is not lonely because she has her books, but bit by bit, cinnamon roll by patched roof, the people of the island welcome her back. They help her create a home and a found family that I want to visit and be a part of.

Publisher's description:

The Spellshop is Sarah Beth Durst's romantasy debut -- a lush cottagecore tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love. Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz--a magically sentient spider plant--have spent the last decade sequestered among the empire's most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city's elite. When a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz flee with all the spellbooks they can carry and head to a remote island Kiela never thought she'd see again: her childhood home. Taking refuge there, Kiela discovers, much to her dismay, a nosy--and very handsome--neighbor who can't take a hint and keeps showing up day after day to make sure she's fed and to help fix up her new home. In need of income, Kiela identifies something that even the bakery in town doesn't have: jam. With the help of an old recipe book her parents left her and a bit of illegal magic, her cottage garden is soon covered in ripe berries. But magic can do more than make life a little sweeter, so Kiela risks the consequences of using unsanctioned spells and opens the island's first-ever and much needed secret spellshop. Like a Hallmark rom-com full of mythical creatures and fueled by cinnamon rolls and magic, The Spellshop will heal your heart and feed your soul.

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