Brittany's Picks
Brittany is a bookseller that also acts as our main receiving personnel. She is known for her varied and impeccable taste so be sure to check out her current Staff Pick in-store.
JUNE 2022
All the charm, humor, and heart of Casey McQuiston's previous adult novels goes to high school! Fans of the scavenger hunt adventure aspect of John Green's Paper Towns and the witty teen characters from the movie Booksmart will find the best of both worlds in I Kissed Shara Wheeler.Sweet, insightful, and laugh out loud funny, this is the perfect addition to pride month reading for teenagers and adults alike.
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APRIL 2022
Robert A. Jensen owns and operates the largest disaster management company in the world. He responds in the wake of plane crashes, fires, tsunamis and terrorist attacks, just to name a few examples. Though not for the squeamish, Jensen's experiences uniquely lay bare the humanity within devastation. his job is inherently tragic, and often gruesome. but the care, dignity, and compassion that Jensen gives both the dead and the living they leave behind is truly beautiful.
MARCH 2022
This book had me at "feminist Western". Raised in a community with extreme views on motherhood, childless Ada is forced to flee her home and everyone she loves. She soon finds herself the new blood in a notorious gang and under the care of its charming and mysterious leader, The Kid. What follows is a story that is both thought provoking and fun. Outlawed is packed full of all the action, peril, romance, found family, and heroism you could want from a Western, all with a special feminist twist.
FEBRUARY 2022
"Knowing the collective narrative is important. Knowing the story of the individual is transformative."Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five (one of the five black and Latino teenagers falsely convicted in the Central Park Jogger Case) tells his story with purpose, power, and a staggering amount of grace, which he credits t his strong Islamic faith. Salaam's voice is invaluable to hear, particularly if you are in the beginning stages of learning about mass incarceration and the disparities in the US justice system. The injustices he faced are igniting, and his triumph is healing.
JANUARY 2022
within only a few pages of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous I could already tell that I was reading one of my new favorite books. Lyrical, intense, brutal, and compassionate, Vuong's poetical style and personal experiences with being a queer Vietnamese immigrant create a beautiful story. The characters will both break your heart and make you want to call your grandma. Mental health, the impact 0of the Vietnam War, sex, and addiction are depicted with an honesty that is startling and unforgettable. In my opinion, this novel has truly earned the title "masterpiece".
NOVEMBER 2021
"I laughed, I cried" may be a cliche, but it's the best way to describe my experience while reading The New One. Stand up comedian Mike Birbiglia's signature way of mixing his goofy sense of humor with disarming honesty and sincerity really works well for him in book form. His candid thoughts on parenting are intermixed with poetry by his wife J. Hope Stein, creating a vulnerable, hilarious, and tender portrayal of all the joys and fears that came with the birth of their daughter. The New One is both a great partner to the Netflix stand-up special of the same name, and a worth while reading experience all in it's own.
OCTOBER 2021
I'm not typically someone who is drawn to YA fantasy, but Six of Crows was a pleasant surprise. It's a heist story with a multilayered and interesting fantasy back drop. And while the action is engaging and the stake high, what really stands out in this story is the excellent characterization. The rag tag band of criminals are captivating, unique, and lovable despite their flaws. I had so much fun reading this story.