Staff Picks

I absolutely LOVED These Violent Delights and it's sequel, Our Violent Ends. Based off of Romeo and Juliet (but with gangs), it's a great historical enemies-to-lovers romance set in 1920's Shanghai. I loved the strong female main character and engaging plot, as well as the political elements that are sprinkled throughout. It was incredibly well written, and still managed to have surprising plot twists, despite it being a retelling. I'll definitely be reading it again sometime soon.

 

Publisher's description:

In 1926 Shanghai, eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, heir of the Scarlet Gang, and her first love-turned-rival Roma Montagov, leader of the White Flowers, must work together when mysterious deaths threaten their city.

 

Beautiful book, but most definitely not for the faint of heart, it describes the struggles of the Jewish children living in Vienna in 1936 when Nazi influence was on the rise. When the World was Ours is a great way to get an in depth perspective on each child’s experience. Absolutely love this book, it was my favorite for quite a while, but I wouldn’t recommend it to younger people, or anyone with sensitivities towards violence and child abuse. This book is pretty dark and has some heavy subjects like death and Nazis, but I do feel it’s important that youths read it.

 

Publisher's description:

Vienna. 1936. Three young friends—Leo, Elsa, and Max—spend a perfect day together, unaware that around them Europe is descending into a growing darkness and that they will soon be cruelly ripped apart from one another. With their lives taking them across Europe—to Germany, England, Prague, and Poland—will they ever find their way back to one another? Will they want to?

 

If you like found family, a touch (ok, more than a touch) of weapons, crime, and drama, this is the book for you. While it’s the first of a stunning duology, it has so much packed into it and has really interesting world building based loosely on the real world AND LANGUAGES!!! There’s also a show based on it and another series (same universe, the Grishaverse) that’s really cool and the fandom is very nice. I’ve still yet to find a series or book similar to this but OML, it’s so much fun -- I highly recommend reading it!!

 

Publisher's Description:

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right pric©♭€”and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone. . . . A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction--if they don't kill each other first.

 

Cemetery Boys is such an amazing read, this stand-alone book is queer and trans but also has magic and Latinx culture that combined into an incredible book. I’ve read it at least three times and every time it hits me hard and it isn’t even that sad. There’s cute pets, interesting culture and references, and a coming of age aspect that didn’t feel super cringy and awkward. I’d say They Both Die in the End is kind of similar but also not really, it’s such a unique book to me, however The Sunbearer Trials, also by Aiden Thomas is really good and is kind of a mix of Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games while also being trans and Latinx.

 

Publisher's Description:

Yadriel, a trans boy, summons the angry spirit of his high school's bad boy, and agrees to help him learn how he died, thereby proving himself a brujo, not a bruja, to his conservative family.

 

Keeper of the Lost Cities is such an amazing series! It has everything—adventure, magic, mystery, and tons of heart. The world in the books is super cool because it’s a secret society of magical people, hidden away from regular humans. The main character, Sophie Foster, is awesome! She’s smart, brave, and she has to face all of these huge challenges, like figuring out who she really is and how to use her powers. Plus, the other characters are all really interesting too, and they each have their own cool abilities and problems to solve. It’s a mix of exciting action and emotional moments that keep you hooked the whole time!

 

Publisher's description:

At age twelve, Sophie learns that the remarkable abilities that have always caused her to stand out identify her as an elf, and after being brought to Eternalia to hone her skills, discovers that she has secrets buried in her memory for which some would kill.

 

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes is an intriguing and thoughtful memoir written by famous mortician Caitlin Doughty. It's my go-to recommendation to anyone because of its dry humor, conversational style that gives the story flow, and content that addresses many sides of a subject not often talked about--death. In the book, Caitlin Doughty explains her life experiences going into the funeral business, and how her thoughts on death changed. She walks the reader through not just personal experience and her arguments, but also the fascinating history of the industry. Even if you don't agree with her views, the book provokes thoughtful discussions and presents the morbid subject in a fascinating and entertaining way.

 

Publisher's description:

Most people want to avoid thinking about death, but Caitlin Doughty―a twenty-something with a degree in medieval history and a flair for the macabre―took a job at a crematory, turning morbid curiosity into her life’s work. Thrown into a profession of gallows humor and vivid characters (both living and very dead), Caitlin learned to navigate the secretive culture of those who care for the deceased. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes tells an unusual coming-of-age story full of bizarre encounters and unforgettable scenes. Caring for dead bodies of every color, shape, and affliction, Caitlin soon becomes an intrepid explorer in the world of the dead. She describes how she swept ashes from the machines (and sometimes onto her clothes) and reveals the strange history of cremation and undertaking, marveling at bizarre and wonderful funeral practices from different cultures.

 

The Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland is seriously one of the best book series ever! It’s all about dragons, and each book is about a different dragon tribe, each with their own cool powers and personalities. The dragons feel so real—they have problems, friends, and dreams just like us, so you totally connect with them. The books are packed with tons of action, crazy mysteries, and twists that will totally blow your mind! You’ll never want to put the book down because it’s so exciting and you always want to know what happens next!

 

Publisher's description:

The seven dragon tribes have been at war for generations, locked in an endless battle over an ancient, lost treasure. A secret movement called the Talons of Peace is determined to bring an end to the fighting, with the help of a prophecy - a foretelling that calls for great sacrifice. Five dragonets are collected to fulfill the prophecy, raised in a hidden cave and enlisted, against their will, to end the terrible war. But not every dragonet wants a destiny. And when the select five escape their underground captors to look for their original homes, what has been unleashed on the dragon world may be far more than the revolutionary planners intended.

 

Four for the Road is a hilarious yet down to earth novel about Asher, a teen struggling after losing his mom to a drunk driving car crash. Having trouble coming to terms with his mother's death, Asher decides on a new goal to focus his life on--revenge. Bringing along his eclectic three friends from his bereavement group on his trip to murder his mother's killer, they all discover more about each other, themselves, and what it means to live with the grief of losing someone. K. J. Reilly brings her novel to life through both emotional and touching moments and surreal situations that make the characters and story larger than life. Not to mention, Asher’s stream-of-consciousness narrative and quirky details add a personal, human, and humorous touch to the serious subject matter. An enjoyable read for anyone, and especially those who love a story with strong personality.

 

Publisher's description:

When seventeen-year-old Asher embarks on a road trip from New Jersey to Graceland to get revenge on the drunk driver who killed his mom, he brings along three new friends from his bereavement groups.

 

Greenglass House by Kate Milford is so cool because it’s like going on a huge adventure full of mysteries, puzzles, and even a little bit of ghostly magic! The story is about a 12-year-old boy named Milo who’s hoping for a quiet holiday at this super old and creepy inn called Greenglass House. But when a bunch of weird guests show up, everything gets way more exciting. The house itself is kind of spooky, but in a fun way. It has hidden corners, secret rooms, and hallways you’d never expect. Some doors even seem to move on their own, making you feel like the house is alive and hiding something.

 

Publisher's description:

At Greenglass House, a smuggler's inn, twelve-year-old Milo, the innkeepers' adopted son, plans to spend his winter holidays relaxing but soon guests are arriving with strange stories about the house sending Milo and Meddy, the cook's daughter, on an adventure.

 

Oh, Top Story from the Front Desk series by Kelly Yang is so good! It's like the perfect mix of funny, heartwarming, and dealing with real stuff. If you loved Front Desk, you'll totally love this one, too. The main character, Mia Tang, is super relatable and inspiring. She’s super smart and works so hard, and she always stands up for what’s right, even when it’s hard. What makes Top Story even cooler is how it talks about big things like racism, fighting for justice, and learning how to speak up for yourself, but it still feels like an adventure. You really root for Mia the whole time!

 

Publisher's description:

Mia Tang is at the top of her game. She's spending winter break with Mom, Lupe, Jason, and Hank in San Francisco's Chinatown! Rich with history and hilarious aunties and uncles, it's the place to find a great story--one she hopes to publish while attending journalism camp at the Tribune. But this trip has as many bumps as the hills of San Francisco . . .