Staff Picks
When Ava Reid writes a story it's like she's cut my heart out of my chest and handed it to me. A Study in Drowning absolutely drips with folklore and subtle worldbuilding until Llyr feels more real than our world. The characters are so heartbreakingly human, and watching them unravel the mystery of Myrddin's work moved me to tears. A dark academia book complete with myths and fairy bargains, you won't be able to put this one down.
Ryan La Sala's Beholder is story about art, pictureesque obsession, and the truth in a reflection buried beneath a terrifying mass-murder mystery. No one survived the party at the penthouse. Except Athan. Now the prime murder suspect, Athan is swept up in a mystery of secret occult societies and eldritch horrors. Another spooky classic from the author who managed to make bees scary!
- Engel
A middle-grade series about a cat with supernatural abilities that may or may not be a zombie? Talk about a stellar Halloween read. Follow up with books 2 & 3.
- James
I absolutely tore through this sweet paranormal story of friendship. When Bella moves to Shiver-by-the-Sea with her mom, she meets Cooper and his dog Casper. The two of them soon come across a cute little bat in the theater that Bella's mom has just bought, and are shocked to discover that it's actually a young vampire named Bram! The adventure to get Bram back to his mom and dad will pull in any young kid this Halloween season! 10 out of 10 would recommend!
- Halle
This magical mystery is the mashup of Harry Potter and Nancy Drew that we all have been waiting for. Filled with friendship and romance, this book had my heart and my attention from the very first page.
- Emma
This dog has pink pajamas, a fondness for blueberries, and a very complicated relationship with seagulls. Just look at that face! The perfect gift for a human with an anxious doggo.
- Murphy
For fans of Mona Awad and Chelsea G. Summers, this book is the next crazy read you have been looking for. This satirical thriller is the modern girls version of American Psycho, filled with dark comedy and feminine rage that makes it the ultimate page turner.
- Emma
Nobody creates atmosphere quite like St. James. Whether the sun is out or not, a heavy, gray mist hangs over the totality of this story. Perfect for the reader who enjoys their true crime podcasts with a side of ghosts and muddy suspense.
A sweet little book filled with love and Boston!
- Alyssa
Monsters may never get haircuts, but they do make you laugh in this fun book that fosters imagination and courage. A perfect October read!
- Jane
I honestly didn't think I'd be interested in this book based on the description (the focus on meat didn't sound particularly appealing), but I read it in two days. A captivating story about media, meat, sex, fertility and love with beautiful prose and strong female characters.
- Alyssa
If you liked Percy Jackson, YuGiOh, or Pokemon Go, get this book! An ancient Chinese emperor gets stuck in an AR gaming headset, and an international adventure ensues! Zachary Ying is a great book for readers young at heart and young readers alike.
- Murphy
The sequel to She Who Became the Sun -- in other words, a queer alternate history of the Ming Dynasty, now with more feuds, battles, and scheming.
- Sarah
I've picked up a lot of how to draw/ how to sketch books in my life, and Jason Brubaker may have been the one crack that maybe just maybe there's a little more to it then "Here's how to shade a circle and draw a square."
- John
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I've picked up a lot of how to draw/ how to sketch books in my life, and Jason Brubaker may have been the one crack that maybe just maybe there's a little more to it then "Here's how to shade a circle and draw a square."
- John
Last year I spent October reading each essay in this book and then watching the corresponding movie, and let me tell you it made for one of the most magical (and spookiest) Octobers I've had in a while. This book had me nodding along as I read essays that echoed my own thoughts (such as Carmen Maria Machado's take on Jennifer's Body) as well as seeing some old favorites in a completely new way.