Staff Book Reviews

The Bandit Queens: A Novel By Parini Shroff Cover Image
Reviewed by: Audrey H.
Posted: March 18, 2024

I loved this.  Set in a rural village in India, Geeta, is a "widow" bc her husband disappeared over five years ago. Because of this, she has a reputation and soon, the other women, in their micro loan group, seeks her help in getting rid of their abusive husbands. The women's voices are loud, sometimes coarse and hilarious as they juggle their hard lives, while also dealing with the patriarchy, domestic abuse, child abuse and caste issues. And, there are some definite hilarious moments balanced with the heavy themes throughout this read. But, most of all, the women support each other while being brutally honest (and not always loving) and learn its better to be together then to survive apart. Readers of My Sister, the Serial Killer, will adore this read.

The Empress of Salt and Fortune (The Singing Hills Cycle #1) By Nghi Vo Cover Image
Reviewed by: Haro
Posted: March 17, 2024

The story of an empress rising to power, told from the perspective of one of her servants. Vo's writing is grounded and full of character. While not packed with high stakes action, the story keeps you hooked. A great read for fans of Becky Chambers.

Hungry Ghost By Victoria Ying Cover Image
Reviewed by: Haro
Posted: March 17, 2024

The story of a high school girl struggling with family expectations and an eating disorder. Ying uses a limited color pallet and expressive drawings to make the characters feel real and relatable. The writing is raw, honest, and compassionate for a heavy subject matter. 

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A Love Like the Sun By Riss M. Neilson Cover Image
Reviewed by: Audrey H.
Posted: March 17, 2024

Reading A Love Like the Sun is like reading sunshine itself. It's so sweet and full of sunshine and it made me so happy as I read it. Childhood best friends. Check. Fake dating. Check. Both MCs untraditionally successful? check, check, check. The care that Isaac and Laniah have for each other, and for their respective traumas was so loving as well as other issues arose. And, loved all the PVD references, especially the food talk. This book will be the perfect summer read.

The Other Valley: A Novel By Scott Alexander Howard Cover Image
Reviewed by: Whitney
Posted: March 14, 2024

Shy, awkward Odile lives in a small town in a valley. On one side of the town is the exact same valley but twenty years in the future. On the other side is the same valley twenty years in the past. This provocative novel asks us what our lives might be like if our older and younger selves were accessible to us--and sends us on a page-turning to find out what would happen if they were. Perfect for fans of Ishiguro, Ozeki, or Emily St. John Mandel. 

The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois: An Oprah's Book Club Pick By Honoree Fanonne Jeffers Cover Image
Reviewed by: Audrey H.
Posted: March 14, 2024

This was a monumental piece of fiction. It's a family epic that really is the story of the American south with truly unforgettable characters. Jumping in time, this mostly centers on Ailey, the most recent generation and how she discovers her family history and as she navigates childhood into adulthood. I loved this read and it is definitely worth the time investment.

Never Been Better By Leanne Toshiko Simpson Cover Image
Reviewed by: Leora
Posted: March 13, 2024

I don't typically go for romance books, but I was drawn in by the promise of candid depiction of mental illness. Leanne Toshiko Simpson's debut novel depicts life with bipolar without stigma and with lots of bold and relatable humor. A light and heartfelt read, this book took me very little time to complete.

A Better Best Friend By Olivier Tallec, Olivier Tallec (Illustrator) Cover Image
Reviewed by: Stacey
Posted: March 12, 2024

A sweet and charming story about a creature who desperately wants a best friend, and believes he has found one.  The two don't talk much, but they spend a lot of time having fun together, and enjoying nature.  One day a new creature joins them and the best friend seeker believes he has found an even better best friend!  However, it's not long before others join and he realizes that you can have multiple best friends, and enjoy them all.  This would make a wonderful story-time book! - Stacey

The Bandit Queens: A Novel By Parini Shroff Cover Image
Reviewed by: Lee
Posted: March 12, 2024

This novel is a great mix of cultural insight into the struggles of women and of caste in India, woven through a funny, rollicking plot. Think "Big Little Lies" set in an Indian village, the definition of dark humor. 

Looking for Jane: A Novel By Heather Marshall Cover Image
Reviewed by: Stacey
Posted: March 12, 2024

This was a complex novel with 3 women’s intertwined storylines, and a lot about abortion rights in Canada at the time (there basically weren’t any).  Very much something we can relate to these days.  This was a salute to those women who risked their careers and jail time to help others obtain safe abortions, and the tragedy of unmarried women having their babies taken away and put up for adoption.  The characters were very well drawn.  This was a book I really looked forward to reading each night. - Stacey

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A Crane Among Wolves By June Hur Cover Image
Reviewed by: Audrey H.
Posted: March 8, 2024

Loved this book. Both historical fiction and a mystery, it's also about sisterly love, tyranny, and a rebellion. After Iseul's sister is kidnapped by the tyrant king, she sets out to rescue her. She teams up with an innkeeper and the half blood prince to depose the king. Women, in these times have so little power and agency and Iseul seeks to survive and adapt, while slowly falling in love. Such a satisfying read.

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The Vanishing Station: A Novel By Ana Ellickson Cover Image
Reviewed by: Audrey H.
Posted: March 6, 2024

Loved this urban fantasy with portal magic via the subway! Both Ruby and Montgomery contend with complex family issues but are drawn to each other. And, Ruby's dad, Balboa, sacrifices his body and mental health to try and pay off his debt. When Ruby takes over, she learns all about the magic of the trains, but not without a cost. This was such a satisfying read as well as a satisfying ending. Yet, I would love more of this world.

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