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Staff Picks: Our Favorites of the Year December 2024 |
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The ministry of time by Kaliane BradleyTo establish whether time travel is feasible—for the body, but also for the fabric of space-time, a“bridge” who lives with, assists and monitors the expat known as“1847” or Commander Graham Gore, falls fervently in love, with consequences she never could've imagined—ones that could change the future. What our staff had to say: ”It was so much fun and had me guessing what was going to happen the whole time.” |
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The final act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery LloydFifty years after runaway heiress artist Juliette Willoughby perished in an accidental studio fire in Paris, two Cambridge art history students stumble across proof that the fire was no accident, which threatens the very foundation of Juliette's aristocratic family and revives rumors of the infamous curse that has haunted them for generations. What our staff had to say: ”It was so much fun and had me guessing what was going to happen the whole time.” |
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Starling house by Alix E. HarrowDetermined to find a better life for her younger brother Jasper, Opal, when she gets the chance to step inside the Starling House, the estate of the 19th-century author of her favorite book, and make some extra cash, finds things taking a sinister turn. What our staff had to say: ”This book is so well written. The story pulls you in immediately. This was instantly my new favorite book” |
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Remarkably bright creatures : a novel by Shelby Van PeltFor fans of A Man Called Ove, a luminous debut novel about a widow's unlikely friendship with a giant Pacific octopus reluctantly residing at the local aquarium-and the truths she finally uncovers about her son's disappearance 30 years ago. What our staff had to say: "It was a sweet story, and of course, the octopus stole the show!" |
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Birds of California by Katie CotugnoFormer child actor Fiona St. James dropped out of the spotlight after a spectacularly public crash and burn. Now in her late twenties, Fiona believes her humiliating past is firmly behind her. Unlike Fiona, Sam Fox, who played her older brother on the popular television show Birds of California, loves the perks that come with being a successful Hollywood actor: fame, women, parties, money. When his current show gets cancelled and his agent starts to avoid his calls, the desperate actor enthusiastically signs on for a Birds of California revival. But to make it happen, he needs Fiona St. James. Against her better judgment, Fiona agrees to have lunch with Sam. What happens next takes them both by surprise. What our staff had to say: "Great to listen to, three words: irreverent, steamy, entertaining." |
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James by Percival Everett"When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death toescape his violent father, recently returned to town" What our staff had to say: "Incredible storytelling. I recommend the audiobook to get a better sense of how the speech (cadence/vocabulary) changes according to which race the protagonist is addressing." |
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Kaiju no. 8 by Naoya Matsumoto "With the highest kaiju-emergence rates in the world, Japan is no stranger to attack by deadly monsters. Enter the Japan Defense Force, a military organization tasked with the neutralization of kaiju. Kafka Hibino hopes to one day keep his pact with his childhood friend Mina to join the Japan Defense Force and fight by her side. But while she's out neutralizing kaiju as Third Division captain, Kafka is stuck cleaning up the aftermath of her battles. When a sudden rule change makes Kafka eligible for the Defense Force, he decides to try out for the squad once more. There's just one problem--he's made the Defense Force's neutralization list under the code name Kaiju No. 8" What our staff had to say: "Great character building and arcs. Action packed and super quick read, you'll get hooked." |
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Down the drain by Julia Fox Capturing her improbable evolution from grade-school outcast to fashion-world icon as well as her transition from girlhood to womanhood to motherhood, the multidisciplinary—and unapologetic—artist chronicles her shocking life and her unrelenting determination to not only survive but to achieve her dreams. Illustrations. What staff had to say: "She's a great storyteller and she has a wild story to tell. Reading about everything she went through made me a lot more confident I could get through everything I was going through at the time." |
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Inside out by Demi Moore "Even as Demi was becoming the highest paid actress in Hollywood, she was always outrunning her past, just one step ahead of the doubts and insecurities that defined her childhood. Throughout her rise to fame and during some of the most pivotal moments of her life, Demi battled addiction, body image issues, and childhood trauma that would follow her for years all while juggling a skyrocketing career and at times negative public perception. As her success grew, Demi found herself questioning if she belonged in Hollywood, if she was a good mother, a good actress and, always, if she was simply good enough." What our staff had to say: "This is a very bittersweet memoir, where Demi overcomes many heartbreaking events and difficult personal relationships with family and partners." |
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Creep : Accusations and Confessions by Myriam GurbaA ruthless and razor-sharp essay collection that tackles the pervasive, creeping oppression and toxicity that has wormed its way into society, in our books, schools, and homes, as well as the systems that perpetuate them, from the acclaimed author of Mean, and one of our fiercest, foremost explorers of intersectional Latinx identity. What our staff had to say: "She writes in a poetic, sometimes naive, sometimes wise style. She is her own person no matter how creepy the world can be at times. She lives undefeated by the "stranger" and "familiar" creeps of the world. " |
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I'll have what she's having by Erin Carlson A backstage assessment of the making of Nora Ephron's revered trilogy, When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle, shares an intimate portrait of the writer's life and her enduring influence on a generation of Hollywood women. 35,000 first printing. What our staff had to say: "This is a real love letter to the rom-com industry as well as women in Hollywood. A must-read for any fan of Nora Ephron or Nancy Meyers. Lots of behind-the-scene stories, and a fun way to revisit favorite films " |
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