Music for the Dead and Resurrected by Valzhyna Mort

Adult Poetry

The Lost Soul by Olga Tokarczuk, illustrated by Joanna Concejo, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones



Highly Recommended!

Adult Fiction

Swim Home to the Vanished by Brendan Shay Basham

Adult Fiction

I Can Be All Three written by Salima Alikhan and illustrated by Noor Sofi

This beautiful picture book celebrates all the cultures and identities that make us who we are.



Children's Picture Book

Bibi by Jo Weaver

It's been awhile since a picture book got me all misty-eyed. The illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning, but the story.... such a lovely story about the importance of community and helping others in time of need.

Children's Picture Book

Tenacious: Fifteen Adventures Alongside Disabled Athletes by Patty Cisneros Prevo and illustrated by Dion MBD

There is so much that I love about this book - first and foremost, it is written by a disabled athlete (a two time Paralympic Gold medalist) so she has the lived experience to write about this topic without creating inspiration porn. It features a broad range of disabilities - disabilities from birth as well a disabilities from illnesses and accidents - and the spectrum of sports included is awesome, from well known sports like wheelchair basketball to adaptive surfing and wheelchair motorcross! Not only does it ask each athlete to identify a daily challenge (and a lot of those challenges are not related to their disabilities) each athlete is also asked for a daily joy - disabled lives are so much more than challenges! The book also includes outstanding backmatter including a wonderful author's note, identity vs person first language, examples of ableist language and terms to use instead, more resources, an outstanding glossary , and a timeline of the Paralympics.

Children's Nonfiction

Bhai for Now by Maleeha Siddiqui

A modern day version of the "Parent Trap" with a slight twist. A story that celebrates the importance of brotherhood and community.

Children's Chapter Book

Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw: Reimagining Success as a Disabled Achiever by Eddie Ndopu

Eddie Ndopou, a disability activist diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, was excited to attend Oxford University in pursuit of a masters of public policy. When he arrived, however, he was dismayed to learn that officials at Oxford only did the bare minimum when it came to accessibility. At times infuriating, at other times funny, at all times thoughtful, this memoir is highly recommended.

Adult Memoir

The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok

I mainly liked this fast paced novel exploring the lives of the two mothers and international/trans racial adoptions. The revealed twist upon twist and the plot occasionally veering into Lifetime movie territory got to be a little much for me at times, but the descriptive writing was beautifully done.

This book is set to be published on October 10 but you can reserve your copy now!

Adult Fiction

Chita: A Memoir by Chita Rivera

This memoir is a must for fans of musical theater and dancing. Chita Rivera does not hold back (but is never vicious). Listen to it on audio, if you can.

Adult Memoir

Civil Rights Queen: Constance Baker Motley and the Struggle for Equality by Tomiko Brown-Nagin

Densely packed and informative biography of a noted civil rights lawyer who later became the first Black woman who was appointed as a federal judge. I'm ashamed to say that I was not familiar with Constance Baker Motley before becoming aware of this biography, despite her role in many landmark cases, including Brown v. Board of Education. 

Adult Biography

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

Adult Fiction

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Adult Fiction

My Husband by Maud Ventura

Adult Fiction

Against the Currant: Spice Isle Bakery Mystery by Olivia Matthews

Adult Mystery

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

Adult Fiction

Gallows Hill by Darcy Coates

Adult Fiction

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

I have had this on my radar to read since it was published in 2021.  

Prior to Crook Manifesto coming out, C. Whitehead realized he had so many stories and directions he wanted to go in with his character Ray Carney, he was looking at a 1200 page novel or a trilogy, a totally new writing concept for this twice Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner.

I listened to and read Harlem Shuffle simultaneously. The writing is SO evocative, funny and clever, brought to life via narrator Dion Graham's dulcet tones, he is a joy to listen to, this novel is a joy to read.

And it is a shuffle, literally, through Carney's life, his family of origin, his family now, and NYC in the 60's. I am just about to begin Crook Manifesto which will take us through NYC in the 70's; the final book will land us in the 80"s, I can't wait for that.

What a history lesson this is on Colson's hometown, on race and power, money and status and all against the backdrop of Harlem illuminating it, in all of its unique glorious color, always!  

Adult Fiction

Our Pool by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Our Pool is a delightful picture book told through the eyes of a young child visiting his pool in the city where he lives. Just like libraries, the public pools in urban cities are outdoor gathering spaces where community members, visitors and neighbours can all interact and connect. Vibrantly illustrated, the activities and feelings, the visuals and sounds of this magical city space jump off the pages with anticipation, excitement, contentment and sheer joy, creating sweet summer memories in the mind of this child forever.

Children's Picture Book

A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat

I don't read a lot of graphic novels but this graphic memoir by an author/illustrator I already adore is even more adorable and has just been long listed for the National Book Award.

The awkwardness of his teen years as he experiences so many huge new things, an overseas trip, being away from his parents for the first time, feelings for a girl and so much more are so poignantly shared, you cannot help but feel these things too as if you are right there with him. I cheered him on with my fingers crossed and had a huge smile on my face by the time I reached the end, feeling victorious with him.

Children's and Teen Graphic Novel

The Changeling by Victor Lavalle

Just watched the first three episodes of The Changeling on Apple TV+ based on the award winning novel by Victor Lavalle. I am completely surprised that I am really enjoying this fantasy horror novel; two genres I NEVER read, but it is set in NYC and I do like the work of actor Lakeith Stanfield who stars. I'm hooked and just placed a hold on another Lavalle novel.

Adult Fiction

Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories by Jarvis

If literary duos like Frog and Toad are your thing, I highly recommend this new chapter book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book coming out in October.

Children's Chapter Book

I Want to Be Spaghetti! by Kiera Wright-Ruiz

Children's Picture Book

Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik

Adult Science Fiction (and Romance)

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead by Haro Aso

Teen Manga

The following titles are both the second book in a series, and I highly recommend reading the first book in the series as well!

An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera

Adult Fiction

Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma

Adult Fiction

Biography of X by Catherine Lacey

Adult Fiction

Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, edited by Carmen Maria Machado

Adult Science Fiction/Fantasy

The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez

Adult Fiction

Lydia Maria Child: A Radical American Life by Lydia Moland

Adult Biography