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Check out our reviews and recommendations:
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Christine recommends: Royals by Rachel HawkinsWhat it’s about: Daisy works at a Florida grocery store, but her sister Eleanor is dating the Crown Prince of Scotland. When Eleanor’s engagement is announced, Daisy is strong-armed into going to Scotland for the summer and is swept into the world of the royal entourage, where she witnesses plenty of royal misbehavior by the prince’s brother and sister and is talked into a fake romance with the insufferable Miles…who becomes more sufferable the more she gets to know him. Why you should read it: I’m a sucker for breezy royal romances, and this one took some fun turns without getting too steamy. Daisy’s narrative voice and her washed-up rocker dad’s comments made me laugh out loud a number of times. If you like this one, there’s a companion book called Her Royal Highness, about Princess Flora’s romance with her boarding school roommate.
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Rachel recommends: Milkman by Anna Burns What it’s about: An unnamed narrator struggles to make sense of being pursued by a dangerous man, her town’s resultant ostracization of her, and the violent political environment that surrounds her. A complex story of community, belonging, and the power of rumor. Why you might like it: Experimental, challenging, and embraced by critics on both sides of the pond, Milkman is a must-read for anyone who likes to keep up with the literary scene. Book Buzz: 2018 Man Booker Prize for Fiction; 2019 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction.
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Laura recommends: My Sunshine Away by M. O. Walsh What it’s about: “It was the summer everything changed.” An adult narrator looks back on his fourteenth summer, when his idyllic Baton Rouge neighborhood was shattered by a violent crime against his friend and crush—the girl across the street. Golden girl Lindy is raped by an unknown assailant, and as the police investigation proceeds, suspicion spreads, affecting the entire neighborhood and tearing apart families. The unnamed narrator becomes a suspect for a time, and once cleared, he attempts to track down the real culprit. This noir-tinged coming-of-age story perfectly portrays the doubts and insecurities of a teen-age boy. Reviewers say: “You (will) suck down the story like a cold beer on a hot Louisiana afternoon” (Kirkus). “As a Baton Rouge native, Walsh gives the reader an intimate understanding of the place as if it were a beloved but misunderstood grandmother. Rarely does a new author display the skill to develop a page-turner with such a literary tone” (Library Journal).
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Astrid recommends: You're Dead by Chris Knopf What it’s about: Dr. Waters, an organizational psychologist for an aerospace manufacturer, comes home one night to find the dismembered head of his boss lying in a pool of blood in a guest bedroom. When the rest of the body shows up in Water’s storage locker, his mortgage is paid off, and a large sum of money ends up in his checking account, he becomes suspect #1. Reviewers say: “Finally, a professional-grade detection-cum-actioner with a hero who actually has a logical reason for being so emotionally disengaged. More, please” (Kirkus).
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What’s inside: The autobiography of a horticulturalist who has traveled to the ends of the earth to locate endangered plant species in the wild, figured out how to propagate them in the greenhouses at the world-renowned Kew Botanic Garden in London, and then struggled to find ways to protect them as they are reintroduced into the wild. Who it’s for: Anyone who loves adventure and passionate commitment to an important goal. Don’t miss: The photo of the author’s excited baby son sitting on a waterlily pad.
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Misty recommends: Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown What is it? The book's theme is "true belonging", which the author defines as: "...the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn't require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are." This might sound a bit unfamiliar, but the book develops this idea in wonderful ways that will appeal to every reader. Is it for you? If you are seeking true connection and the feeling that you belong because of who you matchlessly are, read this book. "If I get to be me, I belong. If I have to be like you, I fit in."
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Roseanne recommends: The Distancers: An American Memoir by Lee Sandlin What it’s about: Follows seven generations of the author's Midwestern family through The Great Depression, World War II, and the Dust Bowl years, where he learned the value of family and the art of keeping one's distance. Reviewers say: “A bit of general Americana and the ghosts of one family that settled comfortably for a while in a place between Chicago and the Mississippi provide an amalgam that now and again buttresses important matters known to all of us” (Kirkus). About the author: Lee Sandlin is also the author of Wicked River and Storm Kings. He is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and book reviewer for The Wall Street Journal. Born in Wildwood, Illinois, he grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. He died in 2014.
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Stacey recommends: The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals by Clea Shearer Who it’s for: If you love organizing your home—or simply looking at beautiful home organization books—this book is a delight. Filled with practical tips and lovely photos, this guide is inspiring and friendly in tone. As an added bonus—the authors have organized several celebrities’ homes, and the book is sprinkled with photos of their bright and colorful closets, mudrooms, and pantries. What sets it apart: This book’s cheerful, conversational tone, along with its gorgeous color photos, make reading this book a very pleasant experience. Also—this book emphasizes labeling practically everything, and the authors’ suggested label format is seriously pretty.
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