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Check out our reviews and recommendations:
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Christine recommends: Witch Hat Atelier. Volume 1 by Kamome Shirahama What it’s about: Coco dreams of using magic, and by drawing a picture out of a mysterious forbidden book, she accidentally unleashes a spell that hurts her mother. She is taken under the wing of Qifrey, the leader of the Witch Hat Atelier, who hopes to protect her from a masked witch with unknown intentions. Why you should read it: This is one of the most lusciously illustrated manga series I have ever seen, and Shirahama has created a gorgeous fantasy kingdom with an unusual magic system. Coco and the three other apprentices, each of whom has their own strengths, must use their talents to solve problems, save each other, and (sometimes) work together.
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Laura recommends: Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams What it’s about: Queenie’s long-time boyfriend requests a break, and in her heartbreak she spins out of control, stumbling (literally) from one bad decision to the next as she tries to get over her breakup with Tom. As she navigates her newly single status, she makes choices that endanger her job, her friendships, and her self-worth. It sounds like typical chick lit—the book has been compared to Bridget Jones’ Diary—but Queenie is a frank yet funny examination of racial stereotypes and the female experience. Why you might like it: The prose is vibrant, the situations are humorous but engender empathy, and you’ll fall in love with the characters—the disarming Queenie, her Jamaican-British family, and her friends, the Corgis (called so because they follow the Queen around).
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Stacey recommends: Such a Fun Age: A Novel by Kiley Reid What it’s about: When Emira is unjustly accused of having kidnapped the child in her care, a video of the incident goes viral. The child’s mother is an online influencer with an urge to fix others’ problems (while disregarding her own). Then add an unexpected twist or two… In this captivating #ownvoices novel about race and power dynamics, it’s fascinating to consider the characters’ points of view and motives. Why you might like it: If you enjoy reading books that are both page turners and thoughtful explorations of characters’ motivations, this book is for you. You might also like: Literary page-turner Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng also thoughtfully explores issues of race and class.
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Kristin recommends: The Chilbury Ladies' Choir: A Novel by Jennifer Ryan What it's about: World War II has come to the small English village of Chilbury. This charming ensemble story follows four female narrators through romance, intrigue, and heartbreak as they and their neighbors try to keep their spirits up during a dangerous time. Why you might like it: If you like reading about women who find their strength in adversity, you might enjoy this book. If you enjoy following a carefully crafted narrative of multiple viewpoints, then this book is for you.
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Roseanne recommends: The perfect couple : a novel by Elin Hilderbrand Reviewer’s Say: "Hilderbrand throws enough curveballs to keep readers guessing, but not too many, maintaining the breezy pace her novels are known for. The mystery element is new, but The Perfect Couple is classic Hilderbrand" (Booklist). Featuring: Chief of Police Ed Kapenash.
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Aimee recommends: Lighter Than My Shadow by Katie Green What is it: This is a story of recovery. Katie Green grew up in a typical family with typical friends. However, the people in her life always seemed to make a big deal about how much she did or did not eat. Her friends would stress and worry about their bodies, pinching at their extra skin, and complaining about boys. Saying things like, “I wish I could be anorexic… to be able to just not eat, if I wanted to” or “I’d do anything to be skinny like Katie” (68). Katie was naturally thin but being surrounded by toxic self-talk and being scrutinized about her body at every turn led her down the road to an eating disorder. At first, she skipped meals, became obsessed with counting her calories, and counting her ribs. Eventually she stopped eating altogether and landed herself in a hospital bed. The remainder of the graphic novel depicts her various routes of treatment and her struggles with recovery and relapse. Why it’s significant: According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, hospitalizations for eating disorders in children under the age of 12 has increased by 119% between 1999 and 2006. It’s so important for young people to be made aware of these diseases and their lifelong implications. The way Katie Green illustrates the fog of her eating disorder, always looming over her every decision and every mouthful, is a powerful image. Its accuracy is spot-on. The feelings she depicts are spot-on. And I think anyone who has ever felt unsure about their body should pick up this title.
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Astrid recommends: The Ultimate Retirement Guide for 50+: Winning Strategies to Make Your Money Last a Lifetime by Suze Orman What it is: Nine chapters of solid financial information about your retirement for those still years removed from retirement, those approaching retirement, and those already in retirement. What sets it apart: There are many books that cover the same territory, but Orman has a very straightforward (at times even brutally honest) style. She considers pros and cons and couples it all with a lot of common sense and plenty of humor to boot. Chapters 2-9 feature a checklist at the end of each chapter that summarizes its main points. Want a taste? “Remember: You are the best financial advisor you will ever have. When you aren’t sure about something, slow down and learn more. It is better to do nothing than to do something you don’t understand.”
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Misty recommends: Boundaries for Leaders: Results, Relationships, and Being Ridiculously in Charge by Henry Cloud What is it? Henry Cloud uses a great mixture of neuroscience, years of first-hand experiences, and tangible steps to guide leaders into lasting strategies for success. Readers will be primed to lead their business, their teams, and themselves in a way that will energize and strengthen them, not deplete them. Is it for you? Also addressed in this book are the deep-seated issues of why and how people deal with their decision-making process. Every one of us have filters that we sort out information through. If we process through our past hurts and failures, we will make faulty decisions. This book encourages us to keep the big picture in focus while dealing with ourselves and others.
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