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Moon Witch, Spider King (The Dark Star Trilogy #2) by Marlon James. What a joy to return to the wholly original
Afrofantasy world of Booker-winner Marlon James’ Dark Star Trilogy. It offers a Rashomon -like perspective on the events of Black Leopard, Red Wolf, but that is only a fraction of Sogolon’s life. From her origins as an abused girl in a
termite hill to an attendant in the royal court to the explosive discovery of her fickle powers, this book offers unparalleled world-building and character development with James’ remarkable, defamiliarizing prose. Drawing inspiration from mythology, pre-colonial history, and the different beats or tropes of African storytelling, James yet again does what Tolkien did for Germanic mythology and GRRM did for British history and geography. Mad kings, shapeshifters, love & heartbreak, shocking violence, strong- girl-bildungsroman, water sprites, scary nuns, and the sangomin–maybe his greatest contribution, a genuinely scary assortment of monstrous mutant children turned assassins
~ Dafydd WoodFICTION
HARDCOVER
Notes on an Execution: A Novel by Danya Kukafka. This gripping tale of a serial killer begins at 12
hours before his execution as he waits on death
row. The chapters alternate between his jail cell
and the story of his life, starting with his early
childhood years and continuing throughout his
adulthood. We discover when, how, and why his
psychopathic behavior began and developed, as
told through the eyes of three prominent women
in his life. His mother, his wife, and a female
detective weave through the story and lead you to the final hours
of his life. In a strangely empathetic way you find yourself trying to
decide if you actually feel sorry for him. ~ Jen Grigsby
Wahala: A Novel by Nikki May. A fast-paced, labyrinthine, debut novel that
hooks you from the start. Ronke, Boo and Simi
are the best of friends, but when an old school
friend from Nigeria turns up, things start to go
wrong for all of them. The novel deftly draws on
the history and culture of their shared experiences
as British-Nigerian women, as well as exploring
their different relationships and attitudes towards
motherhood. I could not put this book down. ~ Becky Doherty 
Groundskeeping: A novel by Lee Cole. Cole delivers a thoroughly entertaining debut
about the glory and terror of having your whole
life ahead of you. Are you stuck or are you free?
Should you stay or should you go? Filled with
wonderfully crafted characters and sharp dialogue,
Groundskeeping follows two young lovers who
are also writers. She is privileged and published.
He works on the grounds crew and lives in his
grandfather's basement. A very fun and
smart ride. ~ Stan Hynds
One Italian Summer: A Novel by Rebecca Serle. If you enjoy getting your heart ripped into
a million pieces then this is the book for you!
The crisp Italian atmosphere, mixed in with
the bitterness of the main character suddenly
losing her mother and coping with her new,
empty world, brings a heartful lesson on grief
and how to go on. Beautiful storytelling, vibrant
characters, and a touch of magic will leave you
craving pasta and sunshine, but also holding
back tears. Highly recommended. ~ Kirstin SwartzPAPERBACK
The Cave Dwellers by Christina McDowell. Aristocratic bloodlines, not political power,
define the elite in Washington D.C. Having your
name listed in the ever-secretive Green Book
means that you and your ancestors didn't follow
the political circus or the nouveau riche who are
ever changing in their town. They socialize and
live beside each other. Their children attend the
A-list schools and parents never worry about
finances. But when one of the families is brutally
murdered, they must look at their own behaviors and beliefs to get past
the horrible crime. ~ Suzanne RicePAPERBACK
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. It is hard to exactly put into words the profound
impact that this poignant, epic telling of a migrant’s
arduous journey had on me. It is a beautifully written
and timely book that puts a human face on those
seeking asylum. Heart-wrenching and filled with
humanity. You will never look at this issue the same
again, I know I won’t. EVERYONE should read this
book! ~ Tambra Johnson Reap 
Foregone: A Novel by Russell Banks. Canadian documentary filmmaker Leonard
Fife, who is suffering from terminal cancer, has
consented to a series of interviews about his
successful career. Much to the frustration of the
people filming the sessions, he decides to use them
as a personal confessional. The truth that Fife has
endeavored to expose with his camera has eluded
him throughout his own life, and he is determined
that his wife remembers the deceptive man, not
the celebrated artist. Written with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel,
this novel is eloquent testimony that words never spoken can be just as
destructive to the human spirit as actions regretted. ~ Alden Graves
Sorrow and Bliss: A Novel by Meg Mason. An outstanding debut novel! Our protagonist,
Martha, has an undisclosed mental illness that
rules her life, and all her relationships are tested
to their limits, but we, as the reader, are treated
to her incredibly dark witty inner dialogue that
makes it a joy to be on the journey with her. I
was unable to put it down, and was ultimately
blown away by the handling of the subject.
Stunning! ~ Becky Doherty
Libertie: A Novel by Kaitlyn Greenidge. Libertie, the freeborn daughter of a Black woman doctor in pre-Civil War Brooklyn,
struggles to find her own path through
America and Haiti in the years before and
after the war. The gorgeously simple prose of
this novel is filled with big ideas - freedom and
loss and the love and anger between mothers
and daughters. ~ Rachel Person
Vera: A Novel by Carol Edgarian. In the early morning hours of April 18, 1906,
the earth began to shake in San Francisco.
Buildings collapsed into rubble, gas mains
ruptured and massive fires began to consume
the city. For many survivors, however, the real
ordeal began after the tremors had stopped and
the smoke began to clear. Fifteen-year-old Vera
Johnson was determined to find her mother, the
proprietress of a brothel that catered to the city's
elite, and nurse the grievously injured woman back to health. This is a
colorful recreation of a raucous era, reminiscent of Ragtime, in which
fiction mingles smoothly with history. ~ Alden GravesSCIENCE FICTION
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi. If you have been looking for a book you won't be
able to put down, look no further. When Jaime
Gray loses his corporate job right at the start of the
pandemic he is stuck working as a delivery driver,
barely making ends meet. But when he delivers
food to an old acquaintance who offers him a job
specializing in “large animals,” it will change his life
forever. This long-awaited sci fi reads like a summer
blockbuster, but it is as humorous as your favorite comedy special. This is the
story of mountain-sized monsters, snarky scientists, and the efforts to study a
world so much like our own, but so vastly different. ~ Jordan StarksSCIENCE FICTION
In a Garden Burning Gold: A Novel by Rory Power. Rory Power's first step into the adult genre is this imaginative Greek inspired fantasy novel lush with vivid imagery and prose. It follows near immortal twins, Alexandros and Rhea, as they contend with a growing independence movement and possible betrayals. This is a political fantasy where family dynamics are at the forefront,
making for an engrossing read that will have you constantly turning the pages. ~ Cassidy WashburnGRAPHIC NOVELS
The Aquanaut: A Graphic Novel by Dan Santat. A cute story with a theme about environmentalism,
animal conservation and family. When a handful
of sea creatures find a surprise at the bottom of the
ocean, it leads them on an adventure with a young
girl and her uncle. These aquatic and land beings
make an unusual, but formidable friendship/bond,
and will do whatever it takes to keep the spirit of
Sophia’s father’s research alive. But what is best for
the animals and for Sophia and her uncle, might not
necessarily be the easiest. Signature illustrations by Santat add to the humor and
serious message. ~ JeanetteMYSTERY
The Maid: A Novel by Nita Prose. This book is a new favorite! It is at once a
heartwarming exploration of grief, a beautiful story
about friendship and connection, and, of course, a
suspenseful whodunnit–all set inside a cozy hotel.
Molly the Maid is a wholesome and endearing
protagonist and she found a special place in my
heart. I went into this for the thrills, and left feeling
like I’d just received a warm hug from a friend. ~ Madison Gallup 
The Paris Apartment: A Novel by Lucy Foley. Lucy Foley’s newest thriller keeps the tried and
true formula of her last two mysteries: multiperspective,
twisty, and with punchy chapters that
keep you flipping the pages. Jess is a young Brit
who decides to stay with her journalist brother,
Ben, in his fancy new Paris apartment. When Jess
arrives, Ben is nowhere to be found, and she’s left
to solve his disappearance with little help from his
eclectic group of neighbors who all seem to have
reasons to want Ben to stay gone. It kept me on my toes until the very
end. ~ Madison Gallup
Girl in Ice by Erica Ferencik. A gripping thriller in its own right, this
very original story set in the Arctic Circle
features solid writing, vivid imagery, and
well-developed characters. In addition to the
mystery surrounding one character’s death is
that of the "girl in ice"...hoax or reality? Also
woven expertly into the narrative are elements
of climate change, coping with mental illness,
and how linguistics and communication
shape our perceptions of nature...the Arctic way of saying "climate
change" roughly translates to the hauntingly beautiful "my friend is
hurting.” This is one I will continue to think about for a long time
after finishing it. ~ Tambra Johnson ReapPAPERBACK NON-FICTION
The Woman They Could Not Silence: The Shocking Story of a Woman Who Dared to Fight Back by Kate Moore. A wife who speaks her mind, rather than deferring
to her husband, is insane. That was the cruel truth
in the United States until Elizabeth Packard came
along. Her story, superbly told by Moore, is
terrifying, tumultuous, and, finally, triumphant. ~ Mike Hare
Women and Other Monsters: Building a New Mythology by Jess Zimmerman. This is a pure,
unadulterated, feminist read that analyzes female
monsters from Greek mythology and compares them
to women today. The goal is to help women reclaim
what they've originally been told is "monstrous"
(mostly by men); to see that anger, hunger, ambition,
and sexual desires are not inherently bad, and in fact
could be their greatest strengths. It is a powerful
analysis, perfect for anyone looking for a new
feminist read or fans of mythology. ~ Cassidy Washburn