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Stop Me If You’ve Read This One: 36 Reads for April

Stop us if you’ve read these… but chances are most of these are new to you. Our staff is reading up a storm, as always, and they have thirty-six great titles for your consideration this month, featuring Regency romances, shipwreck and sisterhood, gorgeous gâteaux, and so much more!

FICTIONRecommended by Jennifer The Sirens: A NovelEmilia Hart

A mystery soaked in the waters of a shipwreck, sisters Lucy and Jess find themselves bound beyond logic across time to sisters Mary and Eliza. When Jess disappears and Lucy finds herself on the run, Lucy must solve the mystery hidden in the depths of the waters of New South Wales before it’s too late. Based on a real story, this haunting tale reveals the power of sisterhood and fate.

Recommended by Cat Everybody Says It’s Everything: A NovelXhenet Aliu

Anyone who has dealt with life not turning out according to childhood expectations, trying to find a place to call home, or the powerful bond between very different siblings will find much to relate to in this stunningly emotional novel of adopted twins Drita and Pete in Connecticut finding meaning for themselves in different and imperfect ways. It’s propulsive and thoughtful in such an original way that I hated for it to end!

Recommended by Jake Headshot: A NovelRita Bullwinkel

Rita Bullwinkel’s Headshot closely follows eight teenage girls as they compete in a boxing tournament. The resulting novel makes for electrifying literary fiction, and paints a stunning portrait of each of these young women as well as the varied circumstances that led down this path. Despite its slim length, Headshot packs a powerful punch and easily ranks among the best fictional sports writing I’ve ever read.

Recommended by Rachel Gifted & TalentedOlivie Blake

In this novel, Olivie Blake showcases her ability to make you love a character you would hate in real life. The Wren siblings are an obnoxious trio of trust-fund billionaires with a multitude of daddy issues & gifted child burnout syndrome, and yet by the end of the book you can’t help but cry for their failures as if they are your own. Another huge success for Blake!

Also loved by Cat!

Recommended by Jordan Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One: A NovelKristen Arnett

If a humorous tale of unhinged lesbian clowns and magicians sounds up your alley then this one is for you. Trust me when I say there is nothing quite like it.

Recommended by Cheryl 33 Place BrugmannAlice Austen

At the beginning of the Nazi occupation in Brussels, the neighbors in an apartment building become aware of their vulnerability. They live closely but hide secrets behind closed doors. How clever of Austen to use a building she had once lived in as the setting of this literary historical thriller.

Also loved by Lindsay!

Recommended by Paige Tilt: A NovelEmma Pattee

You’ll fly through this story set over the course of one harrowing, long, slow day. As our main character struggles to move forward to safety, we get glimpses back to how her world got so tilted. It’s a journey filled with moments of tenderness amid a natural disaster, and an exploration of the primal behaviors of survival that ensue.

Recommended by Elizabeth Maya & Natasha: A NovelElyse Durham

If City of Night Birds ignited in you a fascination with the political, artistic, and physical demands of Russian ballet, this book is for you. Orphaned sisters Maya and Natasha grow up together at the renowned Vaganova Ballet Academy, following in their late mother’s footsteps. Durham deftly navigates a story of sibling rivalry while also illuminating the complicated nature of Russia’s Soviet-era cultural institutions.

Recommended by Katie Kate & Frida: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and BooksKim Fay

From the writer of Love & Saffron comes a brand new epistolary novel featuring two young women in their twenties, one a bookseller in Seattle, the other an aspiring war journalist based in Paris. The two find comfort with each other and a strong friendship blooms between the women as they discover who they are meant to be. If you are a person who loves books about books and female friendship who might have also loved 84, Charing Cross Road, this book is for you.

Recommended by Ashby Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)Jesse Q. Sutanto

The second in the series doesn’t disappoint. This time, Vera becomes an influencer, using TikTok to solve a murder. She acquires new friends who join her old ones to do whatever she asks…always involving her cooking. Vera runs her tea house, trades barbs with her bakeshop neighbor, tells her son and his cop girlfriend she wants grandbabies, and solves everyone’s problems AND the murder!

Recommended by RJ Murder by Memory

Olivia Waite

Murder by Memory makes full use of its unique generational spaceship setting to create a charming sci fi mystery you can read in one sitting. Full of likeable characters I look forward to seeing in future sequels, this book starts the series on a high note.

Recommended by Rae Ann The Family Recipe: A NovelCarolyn Huynh

Siblings are called together by their eccentric father. The announcement: they will compete to inherit his Vietnamese sandwich empire. Each daughter will be assigned a store to revitalize and their brother must marry – all within a year. A missing mother and family secrets make this a caper with emotional depth.

Recommended by Maddie Lucky Night: A NovelEliza Kennedy

This book is the ultimate reading-slump cure. Set over the course of one night, we are flies on the wall of the hotel room where Nick and Jenny are confined together. They’ve been cheating on their spouses with one another for the last 6 years, but tonight they are forced to finally confront some things about their relationship. Packed with quick wit and realistic dialogue, I ate this book right up.

Recommended by Katie The Duke at HazardKJ Charles

Chances are if you have ever asked me for a historical romance or a juicy queer romance I have tried to push KJ Charles into your hands. I will be up to all of my old tricks with this brand new one from one of my favorite writers. This book has everything you could want – hidden identities, jewelry theft, an epic historical road trip, disgraced but handsome love interest. I just love a KJ Charles book.

Recommended by Ashby The Gatsby Gambit: A NovelClaire Anderson Wheeler

If Agatha Christie and F. Scott Fitzgerald had co-written a novel, this would be it. Greta Gatsby, Jay’s younger sister, is the detective, a naive recent graduate of finishing school. While solving the murder, Greta grows up and sees behind the facades of the rich and their servants. It made me want to reread The Great Gatsby and visit the mansions of Newport…

Recommended by Chelsea A Gentleman’s Gentleman: A NovelTJ Alexander

Full of all the charm and wit a reader could want, this Regency romance was the most fun read I’ve had in awhile. I am thrilled to have Alexander writing queer historical romance!

Recommended by Rae Ann The Story She Left Behind: A NovelPatti Callahan Henry

Clara Harrington is summoned to England to retrieve the dictionary of her mother’s lost language. The dictionary disappeared, along with her mother, many years ago. Clara’s journey is full of more questions than answers, but she refuses to leave until she uncovers the truth. This is an enchanting novel inspired by a true literary mystery.

Recommended by Chloe Slaying the Vampire ConquerorCarissa Broadbent

Carissa Broadbent slays again with the latest book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series. Assassins, vampires, and forbidden romance- what more could you ask for?

Recommended by Marcia Retreat: A NovelKrysten Ritter

Con artists and the ultra wealthy. Whoa. I haven’t read a thriller so twisty in quite some time!

Also loved by Jenness!

Recommended by Austin The Antidote: A NovelKaren Russell

Russell’s mastery of the strange is the perfect compliment to unique terrors of the Dust Bowl. Not since Beartown have I fallen in love with and believed so much in the characters of a small town. Uz, Nebraska and its Prairie Witch will live with me forever. As will Russell’s call to action at the end of this expertly researched novel.

Recommended by Katie Just Our LuckDenise Williams

The perfect day begins with dropping by Fox’s Donut Den to snag a donut and then grabbing Just Our Luck before heading to a park to devour both. When Sybil leaves her winning lottery ticket behind after a steamy encounter with a hot baker, Kieran enlists the help of social media to find the girl who came and went. But when the two decide to fake date to capitalize on the story they realize just how sweet things could be.

Recommended by Patsy Jane and Dan at the End of the WorldColleen Oakley

Jane and Dan’s fancy evening out to celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary (perhaps their last for Jane, who’s had enough) is interrupted by a group of eco-warriors. A funny and twisty heist with reflections on motherhood and marriage.

Recommended by Aly Hot Air: A NovelMarcy Dermansky

When a hot air balloon crashes into the pool on Joannie and Johnny’s first date, you think it would be over. What follows is an unbelievable, uncomfortable weekend-long date that had me laughing, cringing, and wanting more.

Recommended by Rae Ann The Jackal’s Mistress: A NovelChris Bohjalian

A woman finds an injured Union soldier left for dead and sees an opportunity to save her husband in this Civil War story. Perfect for fans of Cold Mountain.

NONFICTION & POETRYRecommended by Natalie Everything Is Tuberculosis (Signed Edition): The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest InfectionJohn Green

How is a curable disease also the world’s deadliest? Discover the fascinating history and devastating truth of Tuberculosis. Follow the story of Henry, a TB patient who humanizes a sickness that so many of us believe to be a problem of the past. This book will question and challenge your perception on healthcare, illness, disease, and death.

Also loved by Cat!

Recommended by Tara Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost IdealismSarah Wynn-Williams

An insightful and damning peek behind the curtain into the inner workings at Facebook during former employee Sarah Wynn-Williams’ tenure at the company. Reading about how the algorithm was used during the 2016 election cycle was particularly chilling, and solidified that Facebook execs were in fact the careless people Wynn-Williams portrays them to be.

Recommended by Lindsay Super Gay Poems: Lgbtqia+ Poetry After StonewallStephanie Burt

As advertised these are: 1) poems, 2) gay, and 3) super. They’re super because Stephanie Burt has not only curated an incredible list of poems, but she’s also written beautiful micro-essays to go with each one. If you’re new to reading poetry, this book is a wonderful place to start!

Recommended by Jordan The Portable Feminist ReaderRoxane Gay

Penguin Classics presents an expansive and rich collection of essays on American feminism, both historic and modern with a heavy focus on intersectionality. Edited by Roxane Gay, this collection features a broad range of voices and topics accessible for all learners.

Recommended by Ashby Gateaux: Sweets (Modern French Pastry)Mori Yoshida

There are different types of cookbooks. Some focus on the science…others on weeknight meals…but this one focuses on beauty. Gorgeous pictures make this cookbook an adult picture book that you want to look at over and over. The recipes are not simple but works of art that will take your time and reward you with all things beautiful — beautiful to look at and pop in your mouth.

Recommended by Patsy DogDogsElliott Erwitt

Need something happy? Be transported to another place and time with this collection of dog portraits by the Magnum photographer. Dogs being dogs, all over the world in the last half of last century. Some text by P. G. Wodehouse. True delight!

CLASSICS & BACKLISTRecommended by Katie Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake: A NovelSarah MacLean

One of the greatest tragedies of the book industry is the short shelf life of a mass market romance — there are some absolute bangers you do not want to miss. When I read this book the first time I was on my lunch break and a customer stopped and asked me what book I was crying so hard about. If you aren’t sure where to start in what feels like a daunting genre you will never be disappointed by Sarah Maclean. NEVER.

Recommended by Elizabeth VilletteCharlotte Brontë

This one took me a while, but I’m glad I stuck with it. Charlotte Brontë’s autobiographical novel follows Lucy Snowe’s journey as a boarding school teacher and young woman in search of lasting love. True to Brontë’s other novels, this story powerfully highlights that often shapeless but constant longing within the human heart for purpose, connection, and true partnership throughout life.

Recommended by Kathy Someone: A NovelAlice McDermott

I am on an Alice McDermott kick. After Absolution and The Ninth Hour, I didn’t think she could be topped. However, I went back to this earlier book, and was wowed anew. This is the story of an ordinary woman, living an ordinary life – but told in the most beautiful way. I was nodding my head the whole way as she unfolds the events of her life. If you liked The Stone Diaries, you’ll love this too.

Recommended by Naomi CrushRichard Siken

It’s been years since I first read this collection of poetry, but it remains one of my favorite works of all time. Crush explores identity, self-discovery, heartache, and what it means to be queer through beautiful prose and masterful writing. Richard Siken never fails to rip my heart out, stomp on it, and then stitch it back together.

First Editions Club: April Selection Audition: A Novel

Katie Kitamura

I mean it in the best possible way when I say Audition mislead me. It’s a small book, and it opens with action: an older actress, a younger man, an uncomfortable meeting. The writing is so beautifully clear, every sentence seeming to say exactly what it means without embellishment. And there was intrigue. Clarity and intrigue are a great combination. Something was going on, something more than I could see. Soon, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, but then I had to stop, backtrack, start again. Surely I had missed something. What was happening?

Audition is destabilizing. I can’t think of another word for it. I believed one version of the story completely, but then I believed the other one as well. By the end I hardly knew which way was up. Was this a novel? An audition? What had happened and why couldn’t I stop thinking about it? Were novels allowed to do this? (The answer is yes.) Could I be both confused by it and still completely in love with it? I gave my copy to Elyse, my First Editions Club co-reader. She devoured it. She called me late at night. “I loved it,” she said. “What just happened?”

Neither of us were sure what had happened to the characters, but we also didn’t know what had happened to us as readers. We kept talking about it. What we were sure of is Katie Kitamura’s brilliance, and that other people needed to read this book.

Make sure to start in a comfortable chair. You may be sitting there awhile. If you’re in a book club, tell the other members to go buy a copy. If you’re not in a book club, this may be the time to join. You’re going to want to talk about this one.

Enjoy.

Ann Patchett

More about our First Editions Club: Every member receives a first edition of the selected book of the month, signed by the author. Books are carefully chosen by our staff of readers, and our picks have gone on to earn major recognition including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the PEN/Faulkner Award. Plus, there’s no membership fee or premium charge for these books. Build a treasured library of signed first editions and always have something great to read! Makes a FABULOUS gift, too.

Love, Parnassus: April Selection Crash Landing: A NovelAnnie McQuaid

Piper Adams is completely, totally, one hundred percent over Wyatt, the former love of her life. At least, that’s what she tells herself. After he broke her heart, she stopped taking risks and focused instead on building a perfect—and perfectly safe—life. But bumping into Wyatt at the airport on the way to her best friend’s destination wedding wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was a canceled flight nor Wyatt’s offer of a ride on the tiny plane he’s flying to attend the same event. Desperate to make it on time, she accepts his offer, but things go from awkward to full-blown nightmare when their plane crashes in the Caribbean, stranding Piper on a deserted island with the last person she ever wanted to see again.

At first, rule-following Piper clashes with adventure-driven Wyatt, but as the days tick by, she can see the boy she once loved has grown into a man. A man who makes her laugh, knows his way around a fire, and is annoyingly hot shirtless. A man she could love again. As the chemistry still simmering between them boils over, Piper begins wishing Wyatt was more than just a survival partner. But for their love to survive a second chance, she’ll have to not only trust Wyatt again, but also learn to trust herself and find the courage to let go of her carefully curated life for the chance at something far greater—if they can survive the island long enough for rescue.

The Love, Parnassus box is a monthly subscription box for romance readers curated by the experts at Parnassus Books. Each month you will receive a first edition book (which is sometimes signed), a letter from the author, a custom sticker, and a bookmark to track your reading. The Love, Parnassus selection will focus on debut and new-to-you romance authors. Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite romance reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.

Dreamy Reads: 31 Books for March

New month, new roundup of staff picks! There’s a little something for everyone, plus a reminder about a very exciting event with our March First Editions Club author. Time to get browsing!

FICTIONRecommended by Rachel The River Has Roots

By Amal El-Mohtar

In classic El-Mohtar fashion, every word is beautiful from start to end. The story feels like a long-lost myth, buried in your soul and remembered in a moment of deja vu.

Also loved by RJ!

Recommended by Lindsay Woodworking

By Emily St James

So I recently watched every episode of Somebody Somewhere and my cold dead heart grew three sizes from the representation of queer folks in small town America. I’ve since been looking for something to fill that void and Emily St. John’s Woodworking hits the spot: a teacher in South Dakota confronts her own trans identity after one of her students comes out as trans. St. John’s debut is big-hearted and also hilarious.

Recommended by Jake Dream State

By Eric Puchner

Simultaneously a sprawling saga and a deeply focused, refined look at a trio of richly detailed characters, Dream State represents the very best of what literary fiction can be. Emotionally resonant, witty, insightful, funny, and heartbreaking, Puchner has written a stunning novel that will stick with you long after the final page. A complete masterpiece, Dream State is one of the very best books of the year.

Recommended by Ashby The Talent: A Novel

By Daniel D’Addario

How should a novel about 5 actresses navigating awards season read? Like a movie. It does. Old stars losing magazine covers to young stars on the rise and insecure ones in between facing judgement from everyone around them. One chapter sums it up: Davina, still a star, and Nancy, never quite a star but wants back in, meet for their yearly lunch and bring all the baggage of career and family with them.

Recommended by Cheryl Broken Country

By Clare Leslie Hall

Heartbreaking thriller about doing the right thing. Is a past love stronger than a marriage? Healing comes from helping a child deal with the loss of his dog. This story stays with you.

Recommended by Jordan Show Don’t Tell: Stories

By Curtis Sittenfeld

The one and only Curtis Sittenfeld is back with an engaging collection of short stories that is perfect to get you out of a reading slump. Filled with stories about love and friendship, this collection also includes a follow up to Sittenfeld’s 2005 novel, Prep, centering sound the reunion of beloved characters.

Recommended by Kathy Dream Count: A Novel

By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

10 years in the waiting for a new novel by this elegant writer, she tops herself in the creation of these 4 unforgettable women each struggling to find her place in 2020’s America, all the while dealing with their African roots. I was thoroughly captivated by the beautiful writing in this one.

Recommended by Elizabeth Black Woods, Blue Sky: A Novel

By Eowyn Ivey, Ruth Hulbert (Illustrator)

Eowyn Ivey is back with another beautiful, haunting novel set in the Alaskan wilderness. Birdie, Emaleen, and Arthur’s story will stay with you long after you finish the last chapter, as will the questions it asks about nature and love and how humanity all too frequently mishandles both.

Recommended by Ashby Kills Well with Others

By Deanna Raybourn

Retirement is boring for assassins so the four put on Playboy bunny costumes and come up with elaborate ways of killing: placing peanut oil in a cocktail so the peanut-allergic target has to use an epi-pen laced with poison…but nothing goes as planned. They take a job for an elite assassin organization – an assassin union? – to find the mole and a mysterious Eastern European figure – very 007!

Recommended by Jenness The Queens of Crime: A Novel

By Marie Benedict

Historical crime fiction at its best. Five famous (female) mystery authors unite to solve the murder of a young nurse. Inspired by a true crime, Benedict weaves the lives and talents of these indomitable women – including Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie – into a well-crafted and satisfying mystery. As always, Benedict draws you into the past, reintroduces you to fascinating figures, and makes you want more.

Also loved by Cheryl and Ashby!

Recommended by Rachel The Boyhood of Cain

By Michael Amherst

An intimate look into the mind of a young boy, only the deeper you go, the more you lose sight of reality.

Recommended by Katie First-Time Caller

By B.K. Borison

I am very new to the B.K. Borrison fan club. What have I been doing? Why did I wait? When I finished listening to First Time Caller I immediately texted my work wife, Tara so that we could squeal about this book together. A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in a very cozy Sleepless in Seattle-inspired romance. It’s pretty much perfect!

Also loved by Tara!

Recommended by Tara The Favorites: A Novel

By Layne Fargo

The Favorites takes you into the world of competitive ice dancing told over a series of interviews, making it perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid. This was a dramatic, fast-paced read that had everything I could ask for; mystery, romance, messy relationships. rivalries, and Tanya Harding-level hijinks!

Also loved by Chelsea!

Recommended by Ashby The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea: A Novel

By C.L. Miller

Second in the series; just as gripping as the first. Freya and Aunt Carole leave her antique shop for antique hunting on an antiques cruise. A dead body, a stolen painting, a missing vase, an FBI agent, and an unknown art trafficker: elements for a shipboard mystery.

Recommended by Jennifer The Ragpicker King

By Cassandra Clare

In renowned author Cassandra Clare’s return to the world of Castellane, the stakes grow higher as our favorites are pitted against massive threats— and each other. I truly enjoyed the expansive world building, morally grey characters, and explosive reveals. Can’t recommend enough!

Recommended by Rae Ann Back After This: A Novel

By Linda Holmes

A podcast producer finally gets to host her own show. She commits to going on twenty blind dates set up by her relationship coach, but before the first episode airs, she meets someone. Can she hide this new relationship from her coach, her sister and her best friend? This is a funny novel with a great cast of characters.

Also loved by Jenness!

Recommended by Natalie Scythe & Sparrow

By Brynne Weaver

The conclusion to Brynne Weaver’s Ruinous Love trilogy lives up to the hype that has made this series a viral hit. Equal parts romcom, campy slasher film, and circus escapade, this book is a great addition to the world of dark romance. It’s humor makes it a more lighthearted pick for fans of the genre, however, this book is not for the squeamish. Fionn and Rose have this series most bonkers love story yet.

Recommended by Chelsea I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com

By Kimberly Lemming

When I’m perplexed by the state of the world, I escape to romance, where the ending is promised to be happy. Kimberly Lemming’s latest is hilarious, sexy, and entertaining – everything I could want from a book right now. If you’ve ever wondered how you would deal with being kidnapped by space aliens and dropped on a planet full of other (hot) aliens and dinosaurs, make this your next read.

Recommended by Katie A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke

By Adriana Herrera

This book. This series. It’s perfect. 10/10. No notes. Herrera’s capacity to make a HistRom feel so timely is unmatched. I’m a little obsessed with the world that she has built with her Las Leonas series and while I can rationalize that all good things must come to an end I just want to live amongst these heroines a bit longer.

Recommended by Katie The Love Simulation

By Etta Easton

A passionate vice-principal and a closed-off science teacher partner for a summer long mars simulation. Winner gets 500 grand for their school. Fans of Easton will be happy to return to the Roger’s family as Brianna finds her HEA. A charmingly quirky setting (that I would not survive) with clever dialogue and an FMC so down bad you almost feel sorry for her. It’s giving Gregory and Jeanine on Abbot Elementary vibes.

Recommended by Austin Creep: A Love Story

By Emma van Straaten

A captivating mix of dark, acidic, and embodied. Van Straaten’s debut had me hooked from the moment I opened it.

NONFICTION & POETRYRecommended by Rachel One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This

By Omar El Akkad

If you are living in the 21st century, you must read this book. Many who should still be on this earth are not, and reading this book is one small thing you can do to unlearn many harmful narratives that have caused unthinkable atrocities.

Recommended by Jake The Last Manager: How Earl Weaver Tricked, Tormented, and Reinvented Baseball

By John W. Miller

As one of the most colorful managers ever to set foot on a baseball diamond, Earl Weaver’s bombastic personality was the driving force behind several great Orioles teams and quietly pioneered the modern “Moneyball” style of analytic play. In an era increasingly dismissive of managerial input, The Last Manager is a welcome throwback and easily ranks among the most entertaining baseball books you’ll read.

Recommended by A.J. Propaganda Girls: The Secret War of the Women in the OSS

By Lisa Rogak

You’ve probably heard of kids’ author Betty MacDonald, or Marlene Dietrich, star of the Golden Age of Hollywood–but did you know they, along with two other women, made up the OSS’ top secret propaganda department in WWII? A fascinating topic executed entertainingly, and also, a timely behind-the-scenes view of propagandic rhetoric, how it’s honed, and just how efficacious good propaganda can be.

Recommended by Elizabeth The Fishwife Cookbook: Delightful Tinned Fish Recipes for Every Occasion

By Becca Millstein, Vilda Gonzalez

The glory of tinned fish! Do you love anchovies? Do you want to love mackerel? Here are recipes that will expand and delight your palate. From snacks to entrees to desserts (just kidding), this kaleidoscopic compendium has all of the salty, fishy recipes you could ever want.

Recommended by Chelsea You Didn’t Hear This From Me: (Mostly) True Notes on Gossip

By Kelsey McKinney

I loved every minute of this sociological look at gossip from the host of Normal Gossip, a favorite podcast of mine. McKinney manages to make you think critically while also being entertained by gossip morsels. Plus she narrates the audiobook!

CLASSICS & BACKLISTRecommended by Tara Isabel and The Rogue

By Liana De la Rosa

A must read for any fan of historical romance!

Recommended by Naomi In Memoriam: A Novel

By Alice Winn

Two best friends navigate their changing relationship amongst the atrocities that come with fighting in the first World War. This book is a heavy romance with beautiful commentaries on what it means to live and die. Perfect for fans of The Song of Achilles!

Recommended by A.J. My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy

By Clint Hill, Lisa McCubbin Hill

Clint Hill passed away last month, and while most Americans under a certain age probably couldn’t tell you who he is, you’ve definitely seen his silhouette, his hand, etc. in the corner of countless midcentury political photos. Hill was a Secret Service agent from Ike’s to Ford’s admins., and is best known for jumping on the back of the limo on the day Pres. Kennedy was shot. A beautiful reflection on his time with Jackie; his admiration & respect shine through.

First Editions Club: March Selection 33 Place Brugmann

By Alice Austen

It’s wonderful when we find a debut novel for our First Editions Club pick, but Alice Austen hardly feels like a debut novelist. She’s a screenwriter, producer, playwright, graduate of Harvard Law School and co-founded the Human Rights Watch Journal. That’s just a fraction of her dizzying biography. If her first novel reads more like a very polished fifth novel, I imagine it’s because she’s been writing so many other things and all the while paying careful attention to history and human nature.

33 Place Brugmann is the address of the beautiful apartment building in Brussels where the novel takes place. The story opens just before the Nazi occupation shifts from “something that could never happen here” to something that is about to happen. What each occupant stands to lose is different, as are the lengths each will go to protect his or her neighbor. This is a novel about loyalty, bravery, cruelty and love. It is about the enduring importance of family, friendship and art. And while it would be hard to call this moment in history uplifting, the fact that this novel continually turns towards decency is a balm for the soul. It is also a reminder that many of the lessons from the past apply today.

I look forward to reading many Alice Austen novels in the future.

Ann Patchett

EVENT ALERT: Alice will be at Parnassus on Thursday, March 13 in conversation with our own Lindsay Lynch! Click here to register for free.

More about our First Editions Club: Every member receives a first edition of the selected book of the month, signed by the author. Books are carefully chosen by our staff of readers, and our picks have gone on to earn major recognition including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the PEN/Faulkner Award. Plus, there’s no membership fee or premium charge for these books. Build a treasured library of signed first editions and always have something great to read! Makes a FABULOUS gift, too.

Love, Parnassus: March Selection Something Cheeky: A Novel

By Thien-Kim Lam

Zoe Tran is living her best life, designing plus-size lingerie at her own award-winning clothing boutique, when suddenly her college best friend reenters her life. Derek Bui is offering a tantalizing chance to recapture a forgotten dream: designing costumes for the musical they created together years ago.

Derek has loved Zoe since freshman year but never had the guts to confess his true feelings. Now he’s directing the Vietnamese Cinderella rock musical they dreamed up in college. The stakes are high: it’s the first production with an all-Asian cast and creative team at Washington, D.C.’s largest theatre and if they can make it work, they’ll head to Broadway. But his real goal: get Zoe back in his life.

A proud demisexual, Zoe only ever saw Derek as her best friend, but working on their dream production together brings them closer than ever. Sparks ignite under the hot spotlights. But when the theatre’s artistic director pressures Derek to make the musical “less Asian,” he and Zoe clash on whether to stay true to their vision or compromise to keep the production alive.

Will Zoe and Derek finally let love take center stage or will their creative differences close the curtains on them forever?

Read Katie’s Musing interview with Thien-Kim Lam!

The Love, Parnassus box is a monthly subscription box for romance readers curated by the experts at Parnassus Books. Each month you will receive a first edition book (which is sometimes signed), a letter from the author, a custom sticker, and a bookmark to track your reading. The Love, Parnassus selection will focus on debut and new-to-you romance authors. Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite romance reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.

Dear Bookstore: 11 Reads for the Young & Young at Heart

Barney is showing off a spiffy new bandana, and we’re showing off our favorite reads for the young and young at heart! While all the titles on this month’s list are near and dear to our hearts, one stands out as being extra special to all of us here at Parnassus. Our sweet friend Emily Arrow based her newest picture book, Dear Bookstore, on Parnassus! Even shop dogs make an appearance! We’re so honored that we are part of this delightful, heartfelt book, and we can’t wait to share it with our Sprout Book Club members. Scroll down to learn more about Dear Bookstore and the rest of this month’s picks!

PICTURE BOOKSRecommended by Rae Ann Ruthie Rose’s Big Idea: A Poetry Story

By John Schu, Holly Hatam (Illustrator)

This picture book is a beautiful celebration of ideas, depicting how they grow and expand when shared.

Recommended by Rachel How Do I Wonder?

By Gianna Davy, Brenda Rodriguez (Illustrator)

The perfect picture book for a kid with endless questions! How Do I Wonder? is all about curiosity, imagination, and awe. From rainbow snails to mermaids with wings, the illustrations spark infinite ideas.

Recommended by Rae Ann Good Golden Sun

By Brendan Wenzel

Good Golden Sun celebrates the light of the sun, from sunup to sunset. Brendan Wenzel’s beautiful collage style perfectly complements the dialogue between the animals and people on earth and the sun above in this delightful picture book, perfect for reading aloud.

INDEPENDENT READERSRecommended by Jake Inside the Park

By Andrea Williams

The night before the most important game of the season, 12 year old baseball superfan Pumpsie finds himself locked inside the stadium of his favorite baseball team, the Nashville Wildcats. Living out every kid’s dream, he runs the bases, tests the PA system, and eats all of the concessions he can before he begins to suspect that he might not be alone. Inside the Park is a great read for baseball fans of all ages.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by Rae Ann The Otherwhere Post

By Emily J. Taylor

Maeve’s world burned down (literally) seven years ago. Her father was responsible for the crime. A letter from the past arrives claiming he’s innocent. Maeve practices Scriptomancy, the magic of enchanting letters. She impersonates her way into the only place she can uncover the truth in this atmospheric, dark fantasy.

Recommended by Tara Our Infinite Fates: Deluxe Limited Edition

By Laura Steven

Evelyn and Arden are destined to keep meeting in every life. They not only fall in love each lifetime, but they’re also destined to kill each other. Our Infinite Fates was a book full of gorgeous prose perfect for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.

Recommended by Rachel It’s a Love/Skate Relationship

By Carli J. Corson

The sapphic hockey romance i have been WAITING FOR! This was a joy to read all around! Big heart, great banter, strong friendships, and an epic ice skating girl duo. I read this in one sitting and I’d do it again!

CLASSICS & BACKLISTRecommended by Rae Ann Dragon Hoops

By Gene Luen Yang

Dragon Hoops is the history of basketball and the story of one high school’s pursuit of a championship rolled into one. I’m so glad this YA graphic memoir is finally available in paperback. Perfect for the sports fan or any YA reader!

Recommended by Elizabeth Flipped

By Wendelin Van Draanen

This is (in my opinion) one of the most underrated stories of the promises and perils of young love. Bryce and Julianna grow up together, falling in and out of love spectacularly along the way. Deemed a “romantic comedy of errors,” this story is perfect for any pre-teen/teen reader in search of a love story.

Sprout Book Club: March Selection Dear Bookstore

By Emily Arrow, Geneviève Godbout (Illustrator)

The March 2025 Sprout Book Club selection is Dear Bookstore by Emily Arrow and Geneviève Godbout. A young reader finds a place where her imagination can soar, her neighborhood bookstore. In this delightful book, she meets friendly booksellers and shop dogs in a delightful land of books! 

Early praise for the book:

“A heartfelt tribute to the power of books and bookstores.” – Kirkus

SPECIAL EVENT: Emily Arrow will be at Parnassus for a special storytime on April 26 to help us celebrate Independent Bookstore Day! We hope to see you there.

Sprout Book Club is the book subscription box for picture book lovers. Every month members will receive a first edition picture book.  Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite picture book lover for 3, 6, or 12 months. 

Spark Book Club: March Selection On Thin Ice

By Jessica Kim

The March 2025 Spark Book Club selection is On Thin Ice by Jessica Kim. Twins Phoebe and Dex Bae star in this contemporary novel about sibling relationships and ice skating. Phoebe needs a new figure skating partner after her friend is injured. When her brother is cut from the ice hockey team, he agrees to partner with her for an upcoming competition in return for new skates to help him get back on his team. Can these siblings team up and skate toward victory together?

Early Sparks for the novel:

“An entertaining and reassuring story of discovery, healing, and reconnection.” – Kirkus

Spark Book Club is the first editions club for middle grade readers.  Every month members will receive a first edition middle grade novel — plus a letter written by the author especially for club members. Makes a great gift for the independent reader! Sign ups are available for 3, 6, or 12 months.

ParnassusNext: March Selection The Otherwhere Post

By Emily J. Taylor

The March 2025 ParnassusNext selection is The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor. Seven years before, the Written Doors between worlds were destroyed, a crime committed by Maeve Abenthy’s father. Maeve lives under a false name to protect herself.. When she receives a letter written years before, claiming her father’s innocence, Maeve poses as an apprentice for the Otherwhere Post where she’ll train in the art of Scriptomancy – dangerous magic that allows couriers to enchant letters and deliver them to other worlds. Her handsome mentor knows her secret and time is running out to unravel the mystery.

Early praise for the novel:

“A magically thrilling, gripping, and thoroughly enjoyable read.” – Kirkus, starred review

ParnassusNext is the book subscription box for YA lovers. Every member of ParnassusNext receives a first edition hardcover of each month’s selected book, signed by the author. There is no membership fee to join — and no line to stand in for the autograph. Not only will you have one of the best YA books of the month when it comes out, you’ll have it straight from the author’s hands, with an original, authentic signature! Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite YA reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.

Getting Cheeky: An Interview with Thien-Kim Lam

Thien-Kim Lam is a power-house romance author and sex educator whose Boss Babes series features Vietnamese MCs that smash stereotypes, blaze new paths and still find their happily ever after. Her most recent release, Something Cheeky, featuring two former college best friends who reunite to work together on their dream project — a Cinderella rock musical with an all Vietnamese cast — is our March Love, Parnassus pick. There is just something about a friends-to-lovers that gets me right from the start and I adored Zoe and Derek’s comfortable playfulness and dual pining. Snag yourself a copy (or subscribe to Love, Parnassus) and then quickly work your way through their backlist. Thanks, Thien-Kim!

— Katie Garaby, Parnassus floor manager and Love, Parnassus curator

Thien-Kim Lam

Katie Garaby: While many readers will be familiar with the first two books in the series, this may be the first Thien-Kim Lam romance for others. What would you tell those new readers to expect from Something Cheeky?

Thien-Kim Lam: Get ready for laughter, tender moments, and lots of steam! Something Cheeky is a friends-to-lovers romance that centers around a Vietnamese Cinderella rock musical. Derek’s directing the show they dreamed up together during college and has convinced Zoe — who quit theatre — to design the costumes for the production. Of course they catch feelings and clothes start coming off!

KG: I LOVE that in addition to being an amazing romance author you are also a certified sex educator. Me too! While it feels like a natural progression from sex educator to romance writer (or romance book enthusiast, like myself), tell us a little bit about how you came to writing from sex education.

TKL: I wanted free sex toys! My first foray as a sex educator started in 2001 through home parties where I hawked vibrators and lubes, but it was the pleasure education that I enjoyed the most. Eventually that led to combining my sex ed background with my love for romance to create Bawdy Bookworms, a subscription box where I paired spicy romances with sex toys. After trying to juggle family, an e-commerce business and writing, I closed it in 2023 to focus on writing, teaching, and book coaching.

KG: I imagine it feels a bit like you have your own built-in intimacy coach when it comes to writing sex scenes. How does your background as a sex educator inform these moments in your novel?

TKL: I’ve never thought about it that way, but I am my characters’ intimacy coach in a way. I enjoy writing sex scenes and put a lot of thought into them. Whether it’s their first kiss or rip-off-the-clothes moment, the first thing I consider is how will this interaction change the character’s emotions or how will it change the way they see each other.

Once I’ve figured out the emotional journey part, I consider how they navigate consent, STI protection, and what they’ll do physically. I also consider how a character’s background or body affects the sex scene. For example, Zoe is a plus-size woman so she might have a passing thought about a chair being sturdy enough to ride her partner on. In Full Exposure, Josie, who is Black and has natural hair, puts on a shower cap to protect her hair before hopping into the shower with Spencer.

I teach an online class about writing emotional and more inclusive sex scenes. Join my newsletter for updates on when I teach it again!

KG: Zoe runs her own fabulous plus-size lingerie company, and in your previous books your FMCs all have really bad-ass jobs. How do these non-traditional choices help to strengthen your characters, and was it important to you to have your Boss Babes have unique careers?

TKL: As someone who’s owned multiple businesses, I wanted to showcase women working in sex-positive industries. People would giggle uncomfortably when they learned about my work as a sex educator and sex toy expert. I gave all the Boss Babes fun jobs so they could destigmatize what it means to be a sexual and sensual woman. They’re all working fulfilling careers and don’t need a partner to feel complete. Buuuuut, it’s a romance, so they meet that special someone who brings them joy and love.

I’m also a sucker for the found family trope. The Boss Babes are fun to write. Who wouldn’t love to have friends who are a boudoir photographer, sex educator, male burlesque club owner, and plus size lingerie designer?

KG: Romance readers come to the genre for many reasons, many times for this idea of an “escape.” As a romance reader, I understand that, but I also appreciate that the genre can do the work of weaving in very real issues in a safe way. Derek and Zoe struggle with both racism, sexism, and sizeism in the theatre world. This is so important!  How do you write books that both feel like an escape and also have your characters struggle with very real issues?

TKL: Derek and Zoe are Vietnamese Americans who can’t hide or escape that they look different from the status quo. Like many BIPOC folks, they don’t have the luxury of not dealing with racism, sexism, and sizeism. We don’t let those -isms define us. Neither will my characters. We’re all trying to live our best lives. We deserve to find joy and happiness.

KG: I will never get tired of seeing a plus-size heroine on the cover of a romance novel. It just makes me want to squeal and kick my feet with unfiltered joy. Can you remember the first plus-size heroine you saw on the cover of a romance book? What book was it and how did it make you feel to see that type of representation?

TKL: Olivia Dade’s There’s Something About Marysburg series were the first romances I read with an explicitly plus-size heroine, but it was her cover for Spoiler Alert that made me gasp. April is desirable and sexy—curves, fat rolls, and all. I knew then that it was time for Zoe to shine in her own novel. Cover designer Andressa Meissner and the Avon team did a fantastic job with Something Cheeky.

KG: No one loves a book rec like a romance reader! Who are you reading now that you want to make sure everyone knows about?

TKL: I just started Zora Books Her Happy Every After by Taj McCoy. It’s absolutely delightful, and I’m in love with all the characters already. Wings Once Cursed & Bound by Piper J. Drake taught me about Thai mythology and introduced me to a supernatural chosen family. I highly recommend it!

KG: And lastly, here’s a fun bookstore question: What is your fondest memory of an independent bookstore?

TKL: The first time I walked into Loyalty Books, my local indie bookstore, shortly after they opened a location near me. The owner Hannah Oliver-Depp was working that day and welcomed me with the biggest smile! She had no idea who I was. I wasn’t even published yet. Hannah, Christine, and the Loyalty crew work hard to make their store a welcoming space.

I hope to visit Parnassus soon so I can create more fond indie bookstore memories!

Something Cheeky hits shelves on March 4. Pre-order your copy now, and learn more about our romance subscription box, Love, Parnassus!

Love and Books: 17 Reads for the Young & Young at Heart

Valentine’s Day is almost here, but the love of books is always in the air at Parnassus. We’re back to our regularly scheduled staff pick programming, and our staff has 17 reads for the young and young at heart that they’ve been crushing on recently. Spread the love and grab a book for your Valentine!

PICTURE BOOKSRecommended by Rachel Dragon Dreams

By Roni Schotter, Khoa Le (Illustrator)

A bedtime story that will surely lead to the sweetest of dreams. Dragons are aflight, but they do not come with fire-breath and war, rather, they teach you to imagine a world of peace. Imagine…

Recommended by Ashby The Worry Monster: Calming Anxiety with Mindfulness

By Dr. Catherine Cook-Cottone, Lena Podesta (Illustrator)

For kids? Yes. For adults? YES! We all worry. Our worries can make us go full monster. The 7 Mindful Monster Moves can help all of us, no matter our age, face the “What if’s” that creep into our minds. Everyone needs this!

Recommended by Hannah P. How Sweet the Sound

By Kwame Alexander, Charly Palmer (Illustrator)

This lyrical joyburst is vibrantly illustrated and brimming with references to the greatest musicians in Black American history. It is sure to inspire music lovers of all ages!

Recommended by Marcia Wee Unicorn

By Meg McLaren

A sweet story about Wee Unicorn (who is NOT magic!) and the way she feels when she reacts unkindly to a “monster” much different than any creature she’s ever met before.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by Ashby The Wilde Trials

By Mackenzie Reed

Recipe: an escape room + TV show The Traitors = The Wilde Trials. Like The Rosewood Hunt, Reed’s newest centers on a contest. Chloe is determined to win the prize money for her sick sister teaming up with her ex-boyfriend whose brother died during the trials. Chloe must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to win. Her life?

Recommended by Aly No Place Left to Hide

By Megan Lally

Megan Lally is quickly becoming one of my favorite YA thriller authors. This book is a nonstop thrill ride car chase from start to finish, literally and figuratively. Nobody can be trusted. Not even the narrator.

Recommended by Aly I Am Not Jessica Chen

By Ann Liang

Jenna has spent her whole life being compared to her beautiful, smart, wealthy cousin/friend Jessica. When a wish on a star goes more than a little haywire, she wakes up to find her dreams have come true: she IS Jessica. But where is the real Jessica? And why does nobody remember Jenna?

Recommended by Chelsea A Traitorous Heart

By Erin Cotter

Politics, intrigue, spies, and a little magic imbue the French court in Paris 1572. Jac must somehow navigate it all beside her best friend, the princess Margot. But when a suitor comes calling for Margot and Jac catches his interest instead, Jac is forced to make decisions that will affect her friendship, her future, and even her safety.

Recommended by Aly After Life

By Gayle Forman

It’s nice to know that some things in life can be consistent, and Gayle Forman making me cry is always going to happen. This story is not just about Amber, who died seven years ago but is somehow suddenly back, but about everyone her life and death affected, for the bad and in some ways also the good.

CLASSICS & BACKLISTRecommended by Tara The Ramble Shamble Children

By Christina Soontornvat, Lauren Castillo (Illustrator)

A delightfully cozy story about a group of children who grow to appreciate their home just the way it is. A good reminder for kids and grownups alike.

Recommended by Rae Ann The Midnight Fair

By Gideon Sterer, Mariachiara Di Giorgio (Illustrator)

Animals emerge from the forest after the fairground closes to enjoy the rides and games at night in this beautifully illustrated whimsical picture book.

Recommended by Tara Mama’s Sleeping Scarf

By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Joelle Avelino (Illustrator)

Every night before bed Mama wraps her hair in a scarf to keep it nice and soft. One day when mama is going to work, she gives Chino her sleeping scarf to play with until she comes back home. This book is a celebration of slow moments through the eyes of a child and a beautiful reminder that grownups always come back.

Recommended by Gavin, 8th grade One Piece (Omnibus Edition), Vol. 1

By Eiichiro Oda

The gold standard for what a manga can be and no matter what anyone says it is never going to be nearly enough.

Recommended by Tara Anna and the French Kiss; Collector’s Edition

By Stephanie Perkins

A seminal coming of age love story perfect for the young and young at heart.

Also loved by Cheryl!

Sprout Book Club: February Selection The Hare Who Wouldn’t Share

By Steve Small

The February  2025 Sprout Book Club selection is The Hare Who Wouldn’t Share by Steve Small. Hare is proud of his turnip patch that he grows, tends, and harvests alone. He has no need for the companionship of the rabbits next door. When danger arrives, hare darts into action in this sweet picture book about the joys of unexpected friendships.

Early praise for the book:

“Giving has never been so gratifying.” – Kirkus, starred review

Sprout Book Club is the book subscription box for picture book lovers. Every month members will receive a first edition picture book.  Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite picture book lover for 3, 6, or 12 months. 

Spark Book Club: February Selection Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo

By Philippa Leathley

The February 2025 Spark Book Club selection is Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo. Meticulous Jones (called Metty by her friends) and everyone in her world receive their fate in the form of a magical tattoo on their 10th birthday. Metty’s tattoo alarms her and sends her family into hiding. When her father is captured, Metty’s aunt whisks her away to New London, a place of wonder and magical ink. Danger is on the rise and Metty’s family and her fate may be connected. A magnificent magical debut!

Early Sparks for the novel:

“A page-turning exploration of family ties, self-perception, and the powerful effect of labels.” –Kirkus

Spark Book Club is the first editions club for middle grade readers.  Every month members will receive a first edition middle grade novel — plus a letter written by the author especially for club members. Makes a great gift for the independent reader! Sign ups are available for 3, 6, or 12 months.

ParnassusNext: February Selection The Rose Bargain

By Sasha Peyton Smith

The February 2025 ParnassusNext selection is The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith. Ivy’s family hasn’t been the same since her sister briefly vanished. Ivy suspects her sister made an unfortunate bargain with the Faerie Queen and now she’s not the same. When the Queen announces her son is seeking a bride, Ivy enters the competition, hoping to repair her family’s reputation and finances in this atmospheric fantasy.

Early praise for the novel:

“Familial duty unfolds into an exploration of desires and self-sacrifice in this promising series opener.” – Kirkus, starred review

ParnassusNext is the book subscription box for YA lovers. Every member of ParnassusNext receives a first edition hardcover of each month’s selected book, signed by the author. There is no membership fee to join — and no line to stand in for the autograph. Not only will you have one of the best YA books of the month when it comes out, you’ll have it straight from the author’s hands, with an original, authentic signature! Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite YA reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.

Back from Break: 33 Reads for February

Aaaaaand we’re back! As always, we took a break from our typical staff recs in December and January to give our staff a well-deserved break during the holidays, but you can bet they didn’t stop reading. They have thirty-three recs for your ever-growing TBR pile this month, so get browsing!

FICTIONRecommended by Katie Death of the Author: A Novel

By Nnedi Okorafor

I finished this book a few days ago and I am still thinking about it. DotA follows Zelu, a disabled Nigerian American woman who pens a wildly successful Sci-Fi novel, but as her fame rises, she loses control of the story. Peppered in between Zelu’s story is chapters of her sci-fi novel, Rusted Robot. DotA cannot be contained in one genre and is Okorafor at her best. I am obsessed.

Recommended by Rae Ann The Stolen Queen: A Novel

By Fiona Davis

From the glittering Met Gala, on a night when something goes terribly wrong, to Egypt’s Valley of the Kings in the 1930s, The Stolen Queen is a riveting story of two women searching for a missing antiquity, one running from her past, and another running toward her future.

Also loved by Cheryl!

Recommended by Cheryl Good Dirt: A Novel

By Charmaine Wilkerson

This is a mystery and murder relating to a family heirloom of slave pottery. It is also about broken hearts and acceptance. Our heritage is in us, inescapable even if not knowing ,”knowing” explains behavior.

Also loved by Jenness!

Recommended by Lindsay Mutual Interest

By Olivia Wolfgang-Smith

Oh, how I loved the story of Vivian, her husband Oscar, and Oscar’s husband, Squire–Mutual Interest follows all three as they navigate a lavender marriage and a budding capitalist empire in early twentieth century Manhattan. Told with wit, charm, and a healthy dosage of gossip and historical tidbits, Mutual Interest has converted me to a forever fan of Olivia Wolfgang-Smith.

Recommended by Maddie Sky Full of Elephants: A Novel

By Cebo Campbell

Set in a not-too-distant future in America, one day all of the white people in the world walk into the ocean and drown. What’s left is a world turned upside-down. For one, prisons have been abolished, and our main character Charlie suddenly finds himself a free man. With prose that will grip you from the first paragraph, this story unfolds with unmatched richness. Get ready to meet your new favorite debut author.

Recommended by Elizabeth Tartufo

By Kira Jane Buxton

If you have talked to me in the store, I’ve probably already recommended this book. I’m throwing it around like confetti! Featuring quirky, quarreling villagers (Italians!); an impossible, miraculous find (the world’s largest truffle!); and the sudden spotlight from international investors (Sotheby’s!), this book will make you cheer for small-town Tuscany and, really, all of humanity.

Also loved by Chelsea!

Recommended by Sarah The Rivals: A Novel

By Jane Pek

A fantastic follow-up to one of my favorite mysteries, The Verifiers! If you love great character building, exploration of Big Tech ethics, and a solid murder mystery, this series is absolutely for you.

Recommended by Sydney The Lamb: A Novel

By Lucy Rose

Coming-of-age meets folk horror! Margot is a young girl who lives an isolating existence with her mama and their strays. Focusing on themes of girlhood and true love, The Lamb is a disturbing, yet beautifully written tale about a cannibalistic mother-daughter duo.

Recommended by Ashby The Queen of Fives

By Alex Hay

Con woman Quinn needs money NOW. The 5 steps: the Mark, the Intrusion, the Ballyhoo, the Knot, and All In. It’s not that easy. Her mark? An extremely wealthy Duke. After staging an attempt on royalty and coming to the “rescue” Quinn becomes THE debutante of the season. But nothing is simple. Not the con. Not Max’s family. Hay crafts a gripping plot with mysterious characters set at the turn of the 20th century.

Recommended by Jenness Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

By Grady Hendrix

A Florida halfway home for pregnant teenage girls in 1970 is a bad place to be. Perhaps joining a coven with your three best friends will help? (Spoiler: it does not.)

Also loved by Jordan!

Recommended by Aly Blob: A Love Story

By Maggie Su

Vi cannot get over her ex. Since the breakup, her life has been spiraling hard and fast, until one night outside of a seedy bar she meets, or rather finds, Blob. What she originally believes to be just a blob of goo in the parking lot quickly becomes a pet, then a companion, then a friend, or maybe…more? Could this be a love story?

Recommended by Katie Yin Yang Love Song

By Lauren Kung Jessen

A tender and funny rom-com filled with Chinese traditions and a family curse, a Chinese Herbalist fake dates the bad boy of the classical music world. Jessen’s writing blossoms in her latest book with hilarious banter and crackling tension between her two leads. YYLS is a romance book for all the readers out there who miss the heyday of the 90s rom-com and want to feel deliciously twitterpated again.

Also loved by Tara!

Recommended by Rae Ann The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds

By Jennifer Moorman

Josephine Reynolds wishes she could disappear. When a new door on her family home transports her to 1927, she meets her great-grandmother, a woman running an illegal speakeasy. Josephine tries to repair the past and alters her future, granting her own wish in this time-travel jazz age story.

Recommended by Jennifer Babylonia: A Novel

By Costanza Casati

Semiramis is a commoner who finds herself in the midst of some of the most dangerous rulers of legend. Her rise to power is gratifying and perfect for any lover of mythology.

Recommended by Kathy Gabriel’s Moon

By William Boyd

Calling all fans of John le Carré! Here is his successor! WB has crafted the story of a British travel writer in 1960 who unwittingly becomes an intelligence operative. Period details just right, and this one will keep you guessing.

Recommended by Elizabeth Quickly, While They Still Have Horses: Stories

By Jan Carson

I already cannot wait to reread this collection of short stories. Alternating from absurd to tender, Carson explores family conflict, adolescent confusion, mental illness, and political instability all within the setting of post-conflict Northern Ireland. She is a masterful storyteller. (“Caravan” floored me.)

Recommended by Jordan Beg, Borrow, or Steal: A Novel

By Sarah Adams

Sarah Adams is back with the 3rd book in her When in Rome series (which could also be enjoyed as a stand-alone). After a second grade teacher accidentally sends her spicy manuscript to her principal, she turns to her nemesis to help steal it back. This one is full of charm!

Also loved by Tara!

Recommended by Katie The Relationship Mechanic

By Karmen Lee

Small town sapphic romance? Hot female mechanic/ big city girl with a reputation? GIMME GIMME GIMME. Karmen Lee’s The Relationship Mechanic is pure joy and this sophomore romance will delight readers. I just really really love Vini and Jessica and am ready to pack my bags and visit Peach Blossom, GA. Who is coming with me?

Recommended by Ashby Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love: A Novel

By Marianne Cronin

90 year-old Eddie. 24 year-old Bella. Unlikely friends. Eddie has never been kissed; Bella lost her boyfriend. Eddie sifts through people’s things at a charity shop discovering how little things tell people’s stories. Besides Eddie and Bella, the other characters are vivid from Cronin’s description and dialogue. I love them all, especially Pushkin, the guinea pig. It’s trite but true: you laugh, you cry, and you finish this book feeling warm inside.

Recommended by Aly Water Moon: A Novel

By Samantha Sotto Yambao

On Hana’s first day running her family pawn shop, there is a break-in. That wouldn’t be a huge problem, except that this is a magical pawn shop that trades in memories. Along with a handsome stranger, Hana must venture further into the magical world where her pawn shop resides to find her father and prevent her world from disappearing.

Recommended by Katie The Starlight Heir: A Novel

By Amalie Howard

A bladesmith blessed by the stars. A prince with a dangerous secret. A god bound in shadows. Amalie Howard will cast a spell on you with this stunning new adult romantasy. I gobbled this book up in one sitting and am bereft that I have to wait for the second. This is Howard at her finest. I Suraya and Roshan!

Recommended by Jenness The Three Lives of Cate Kay: A Novel

By Kate Fagan

This energetic debut novel follows Annie/Cass/Cate through decades, friendships, loves, and careers. Her past and her secrets are never far from the front, and the success she’s earned (Best-selling trilogy! Top-grossing movies!) never quite feels real. Kate Fagan’s story sparkles with hope and humanity. I loved it.

NONFICTION & POETRYRecommended by Rachel Bibliophobia: A Memoir

By Sarah Chihaya

A book about the anxiety an intense attachment to reading can cause. Bibliophobia explores mental illness, writing, reading, and the relationship they all have to one another. Each chapter is framed around one of the author’s favorite written works.

Recommended by Mac Memorial Days: A Memoir

By Geraldine Brooks

In Memorial Days, Geraldine Brooks approaches grief with an enviable frankness. A proven master of the language, she puts her words to the act of swimming through the expanse of an after – a life with only impressions left of a loved one. I am grateful for the work Brooks has done in giving us this book with all its weight and imperatives to systematically improve the red tape of mortality.

Also loved by Cheryl!

Recommended by Natalie Women Living Deliciously

By Florence Given

Ladies! You know what I mean. And you know what you need? To read this book! Florence Given’s incredibly relatable take on being a woman will empower you to live loud, large, delicious lives. Perfect for anyone needing some hope, joy, or glittery pink fun.

Recommended by Jenness The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story

By Pagan Kennedy

The fascinating origin story of the medicolegal sexual assault kit – a widely circulated and respected piece of forensic equipment used to bring justice to survivors (or exoneration to suspects). Martha “Marty” Goddard, the true inventor of the kit (though patented under a male detective’s name) was a complicated, tireless, headstrong crusader for victim’s rights and deserves this credit for her vital contribution.

Recommended by Rachel Helen of Troy, 1993: Poems

By Maria Zoccola

A poetic and mythic reimagining of Helen of Troy as a disgruntled Tennessee housewife reaching for agency. Read it, and you will recognize parts of her living within you.

CLASSICS & BACKLISTRecommended by Elizabeth The Snow Child: A Novel

By Eowyn Ivey

Homesteaders Jack and Mabel are new to the unforgiving Alaskan landscape. As they endure their first winter and grieve a marriage drifting apart, a young girl appears seemingly from a child made of snow. Ivey’s poetic prose and exploration of human longing makes for an unforgettable modern folktale.

Recommended by Tara The Switch: A Novel

By Beth O’Leary

If you find yourself trying to justify re-watching The Holiday for the 100th time even though Christmas is long over, this should be your next read. Twenty-something Leena switches places with her 79 year old grandmother, Eileen as they both attempt to switch up their lives and routines. Eileen makes her way to busy London, while Leena camps out at her grandmother’s home in Yorkshire. The Switch is a perfect comfort book.

Recommended by Jake Friday Black

By Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Politically loaded, sharply satirical, and impossible to put down, Adjei-Brenyah has written a deeply disturbing and equally inventive short story collection that will stick with you long after you finish. Seamlessly injecting fascinating worlds and concepts with biting social commentary into a powerful bullet to the senses, Friday Black is the best short story collection I have ever read.

Recommended by Rae Ann  One Plus One: A Novel

By Jojo Moyes

What would you do if your math genius daughter had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you needed help to get her there? This is a funny and tender road trip story full of mishaps and joy.

Recommended by Michelle Finlay Donovan Is Killing It: A Novel

By Elle Cosimano

Nothing is going right for Finlay. She is in the midst of a divorce, struggling with writer’s block, and trying to keep it together for her two kids. When she is mistaken for a contract killer after she’s overheard discussing the plot of her latest book, she unintentionally accepts the offer and finds herself tangled up in a murder investigation.

First Editions Club: February Selection Memorial Days: A Memoir

By Geraldine Brooks

It isn’t often we pick nonfiction for the First Editions Club, but in 2019 we picked Tony Horowitz’s book Spying on the South: An Odyssey Across the American Divide. In it, Horowitz retraces Frederick Law Olmsted’s heroic exploration of the South in the 1850’s, both men trying to decide if we really are still one country. As a writer and a reporter, Horowitz was a smart, funny, fearless soul, always up for a challenge. He was married to Geraldine Brooks, another smart, funny, fearless soul, always up for a challenge. When plans were made for him to come to Parnassus and sign his books, I asked Geraldine if she would fly down and interview him at the store. It was an amazing night.

Five days later, on Memorial Day, Geraldine got the call that Tony had died walking down the street in Washington D.C. He was still on book tour. He was sixty years old.

There are many good books about love and many good books about grief, but none of them touch Memorial Days. Tony and Geraldine are war correspondents, best friends and brilliant writers who settle down and raise two wonderful sons, all the while pushing each other to make the most out of their lives: that means writing and friendship and travel and love. They were two wild individuals who made an extraordinary match. The life they shared is remembered here, but so is its aftermath, the world in which Geraldine has to face her grief alone, a task so enormous and raw, so pushed away by all that must be dealt with after a sudden death, that she finally goes to an island off the coast of Australia to face her loss.

There is not an extra word in this book. Everything you read is essential. Everything you read will stay with you.

Ann Patchett

More about our First Editions Club: Every member receives a first edition of the selected book of the month, signed by the author. Books are carefully chosen by our staff of readers, and our picks have gone on to earn major recognition including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the PEN/Faulkner Award. Plus, there’s no membership fee or premium charge for these books. Build a treasured library of signed first editions and always have something great to read! Makes a FABULOUS gift, too.

Love, Parnassus: February Selection I Think They Love You: A Novel

By Julian Winters

When Denzel “Denz” Carter’s workaholic father and CEO of 24 Carter Gold unexpectedly announces his retirement, the competition is on for who will become his successor. To convince his family members that he’s capable of commitment, Denz impulsively lies about being in a serious relationship.

Now Denz needs to find a fake boyfriend to seal the deal on the CEO position. Denz is forced to turn to the last person he wants to be in a pretend (or any) relationship with: Braylon, the man who broke his heart.

Braylon’s sudden reappearance in Denz’s life turns everything upside down. But, apparently, he needs Denz’s connections to the mayor to win his own promotion. So, they strike a deal. It’s all business until the funny texts and the confusing kisses leave Denz struggling to separate this temporary arrangement from the affairs of his heart.

I Think They Love You is a celebration of love, queer communities, big families—in all their beautiful complications— healing, and, most importantly, falling in love with the person you’re becoming.

The Love, Parnassus box is a monthly subscription box for romance readers curated by the experts at Parnassus Books. Each month you will receive a first edition book (which is sometimes signed), a letter from the author, a custom sticker, and a bookmark to track your reading. The Love, Parnassus selection will focus on debut and new-to-you romance authors. Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite romance reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.

We’re All Ears: 32 Audiobooks to Jumpstart Your Reading

A question we often get: How do you all read so many books? How do you keep up? A key part of our answer: Audiobooks! Our staff loves listening to books just as much as reading physical copies. Whether we’re on our daily commutes, walking the shop dogs, or tidying around the house, being able to listen to books when we can’t sit down with a paper copy is a big reason why we’re able to read so much. Want to jump on the audiobook train this New Year? Check out our friends at Libro.fm! Support indie bookstores with every audiobook purchased. In addition to the Libro.fm playlists we’ve curated, our booksellers have come up with a list of some of our very favorite audiobooks.

FICTIONRecommended by Cheryl The Covenant of Water

By Abraham Verghese

Verghese’s voice adds an extra layer of richness to his novel. He switches dialects so seamlessly that it is easy to separate the characters and their personalities. It forms a movie in your mind as you are listening.

Recommended by Rachel Yellowface: A Novel

By R. F. Kuang

An absolutely genius gem of a novel. Yellowface on audiobook is like a front row seat to witness one woman’s horrific inner spiral to madness. Such an interesting critique of the publishing industry and readers too.

Recommended by Chelsea The Seventh Veil of Salome

By Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Moreno-Garcia proves that she is a true master of writing as she uses multiple viewpoints to tell the story of three women: the biblical princess Salome, the new actress on the lot in 1950s Hollywood Vera Larios, and her jealous rival Nancy Hartley. This is both a nod and indictment of the Golden Age of Hollywood wrapped inside a suspenseful plot. I loved the audiobook production of this!

Recommended by Rae Ann We Solve Murders

By Richard Osman

Solving murders is a family business for Amy Wheeler and her father-in-law Steve. When Amy’s assignment to protect a romance novelist goes wrong, an around-the-world chase is on. This audiobook is a a fun fast-paced mystery and funny, too!

Recommended by Sarah The God of the Woods

By Liz Moore

I wasn’t sure if I should listen to this one or read it in print — would it be too confusing to follow a complex storyline with multiple POVs, jumps in time, and just one audio narrator? I gave the audio a shot, and I’m so glad I did. The story completely drew me in and didn’t let go, and I promptly forgot my concerns about being able to follow along, which speaks to the quality of the writing and the narration. If you’re looking for a literary mystery, this should be at the top of your list.

Recommended by Natalie The Guncle

By Steven Rowley

Two children move across the country to stay with their gay uncle Patrick, A.K.A GUP, after the death of their mother. Through quick wit and humor this trio leads a heartwarming tale of life after loss that can teach us all a thing or two about living. The author doubles as the narrator and excels at bringing these vibrant characters to life.

Recommended by Cat Same As It Ever Was

By Claire Lombardo

Lombardo is a master of the complicated relationship: those we have with our parents, spouses, kids, and ourselves. Told over the course of decades, I was gripped by the story of Julia Ames as she navigates her mid-life and must reckon with her life choices and past selves in all the inner turmoil that comes with daily life.

Recommended by Chelsea The Plot

By Jean Hanff Korelitz

I love books about books, and add a twisty mystery in there, and I couldn’t stop listening. Beautifully narrated, full of twists and turns, and compulsively readable. Once I finished this, I immediately got The Sequel into my ears.

Recommended by Rachel The City in Glass

By Nghi Vo

My favorite fantasy novel of the year. This audiobook is a glimpse into a lost age. Yearning, ambition, hunger, greed, love, and loss. I could listen to this one again and again.

Recommended by Natalie Hexed

By Emily McIntire

This dark reimagining of The Little Mermaid concludes Emily McIntire’s Never After series that has given fairytale villains their happy ending. Fans of this series will be delighted with the intense chemistry and maddeningly drawn out slow burn between the two characters. Both narrators do a great job infusing passion into their reading of this spicy romance.

Recommended by Katie Temple of Swoon

By Jo Segura

Segura is always a delight with perfectly crafted spicy adventure romances. Dr. Miri Jacobs is desperate to prove herself just as good as her mentor by finding a lost South American city. Rafa Monfils is just as committed to ensuring it stays hidden. Sparks fly when the two find themselves on the same side trying to outsmart a common enemy. So much fun!

Recommended by Raegyn  The Dead Cat Tail Assassins

By P. Djèlí Clark

Have you heard about the assassin hired to kill herself? Nasty business. There are three vows among the Dead Cat Tails: accept the contract, kill the contracted, and always finish the contract. Narrator Lynnette Freeman breathes life into the undead as Eveen tries to break an unbreakable vow and escape a fate worse than a second death.

Recommended by Michelle The Blonde Identity

By Ally Carter

Ally Carter does it again! This book has it all. Adventure, grumpy/sunshine trope, spies on the run, and a case of mistaken identity. You won’t be able to stop listening (or giggling).

Recommended by Jenness Havoc

By Christopher Bollen

Our octogenarian, misanthropic narrator is not likeable. Her hobbies include inserting herself into people’s lives and making them worse. When she encounters a fiesty 8 y.o. boy at an Egyptian hotel, things start to fall apart. Havoc is a dark, twisty thriller expertly narrated by Maggi-Meg Reed. You have to listen to the very end!

Recommended by Katie Arsenic and Adobo

By Mia P. Manansala

Winter is the best time to hunker down with a cozy mystery and Manansala’s Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series is a backlist win for me. Full of sharp humor and delicious food (with recipes in the back), Arsenic and Adobo will have you solving mysteries from the comfort of your coziest chair.

NONFICTION & POETRYRecommended by Jenness Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures

By Katherine Rundell

Vanishing Treasures – beautifully narrated by author Rundell and the brilliant Sir Lenny Henry – gives 23 accounts of underappreciated, endangered animals in our world. Filled with surprising/creepy/fascinating facts, the book reinforces the need to help protect these species and their (our) habitats. [Also, a portion of author royalties go towards this conservation effort!]

Recommended by Jordan The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet

By John Green

John Green, known for his young adult fiction, and educational content on YouTube will fill you with delight with this collection of random fascinating deep dives. This is the perfect introduction into audiobooks!

Recommended by Rachel  The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder

By David Grann

Nonfiction audio that reads like an epic adventure tragedy. The Wager is a serious of unfortunate events (and mistakes) that led to the most insane shipwreck story of all time.

Recommended by Jake The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917–2017

By Rashid Khalidi

A sweeping saga of aggression and utterly unnecessary conflict, The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine reflects on the doomed fate that has repeatedly befallen Palestine, told entirely from the perspective of Palestinians. Forgoing myths of righteous reclamation, Khalidi insists on telling the bitter truth of one of the most brutal conflicts in history and creates a fascinating history book in the process.

Recommended by Jordan A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy

By Tia Levings

This memoir by Tia Levings, who was featured in the documentary Shiny Happy People, tells the story of a brave woman’s escape from an abusive fundamentalist marriage and lifestyle. This is the perfect audiobook to listen to while we unpack our religious trauma and fight for our rights

Recommended by Cat The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir

By Kelly Bishop, Amy Sherman-Palladino (Foreword by)

Read by the one and only Kelly Bishop AKA Emily Gilmore, this is the story of one fascinating woman’s life in show business. I loved the way Bishop looked back on a life full of amazing opportunities, luck, and hard work. She has a worldview full of gratitude, which I found refreshing. And the parts about her time on Gilmore Girls are just as delightful as you’d hope!

Recommended by Katie 32 Yolks: From My Mother’s Table to Working the Line

By Eric Ripert, Veronica Chambers

I am an absolute glutton for a food memoir, and 32 Yolks, the memoir of renowned French Chef Eric Rippart, is absolutely delicious and beautifully narrated

Recommended by A.J. Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder

By Salman Rushdie

Already an incredibly powerful memoir in print format, hearing Rushdie recall and reflect upon the brutal and shocking attempt on his life back in 2022 puts it in another echelon entirely. I’m not always a fan of when the author reads the audiobook themselves, but here, it was the perfect choice–I couldn’t imagine it narrated by anyone else.

Recommended by Jordan I’m Glad My Mom Died

By Jennette McCurdy

This is a fantastic memoir to listen to for all young millennials who grew up watching child stars on networks like Nickelodeon and thinking they were living the dream. McCurdy will open your eyes and break your heart as she does not hold back on sharing the ugly truths of childhood fame and the mountains she was forced to climb to please her abusive mother.

Recommended by Cheryl An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s

By Doris Kearns Goodwin

Read by the author it not only frames their relationship with political happenings in the 60’s, but also includes recordings of the speeches given. Brilliant and touching.

Recommended by Paige Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir

By Ina Garten

Read by the Barefoot Contessa herself. If you think you know all there is to know about Ina based on her cookbooks and shows, you’ll be in for a few surprises. I loved learning more about this smart, hardworking legend, and hearing her story in her voice was delightful.

Recommended by Patsy What I Ate in One Year: (and related thoughts)

By Stanley Tucci

Listening to Stanley Tucci read his journal of both simple and elaborate meals in 2023 is pure delight! He says, “It’s about the passage of time through the prism of food.” I loved hearing about his family dinners, meals on set, restaurant visits, and parties. Yummy and comforting all the way around!

INDEPENDENT READERSRecommended by Rachel The Hotel Balzaar

By Kate DiCamillo

Kate DiCamillo’s books have the BEST audio production! Listening to this is like watching a play with your eyes closed. A perfect, winding story of family, heartbreak, and talking parrots.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by Jordan A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

By Holly Jackson

Some of my favorite audiobooks are the ones where the story lends itself to a unique listening experience. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is about the development of a true crime podcast, and the audiobook is a treat full of podcast-like elements.

Recommended by Rachel To the Bone

By Alena Bruzas

A horror novel grounded in historical accuracy. Ellis is an indentured servant in the colonies, a little in love with her beautiful friend Jane. Her employer is not sympathetic to her desires, and the winter that approaches holds evils no one could ever imagine. Inspired by what history remembers as The Starving Time.

Recommended by Tara The Princess Diaries

By Meg Cabot

This story follows our protagonist Mia as she learns that she is actually a princess of a small European country called Genovia. SHUT UP. Whether this book is new to you or a re-read, the audiobook is a must listen since it is voiced by Anne Hathaway herself.

Recommended by Raegyn Sing Me to Sleep

By Gabi Burton

What if your voice could kill—and it’s the only thing that could save the people you love? In a world where sirens are deadly and secrets run deep as the sea, Saoirse must keep her secret hidden while facing blackmail, betrayal, and forbidden love.

Sprout Book Club: January Selection Seven Little Ducklings

By Annette LeBlanc Cate

The January  2025 Sprout Book Club selection is Seven Little Ducklings by Annette LeBlanc Cate. A mother duck searches for her missing babies, but acquires a larger family in the process in this charming picture book.

Early praise for the book:

“Original, laugh-out-loud funny, and awfully sweet—in short, a quackin’ good time.” — Kirkus, starred review

Sprout Book Club is the book subscription box for picture book lovers. Every month members will receive a first edition picture book.  Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite picture book lover for 3, 6, or 12 months. 

Spark Book Club: January Selection Will’s Race for Home

By Jewell Parker Rhodes

The January 2025 Spark Book Club selection is Will’s Race for Home. Will and his sharecropper father set out from Texas to claim their own land during the 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush. Will longs for adventure, but the Wild West has more than he expected.  They encounter a new friend and a few enemies on their journey in this fast-paced adventure story.

Early Sparks for the novel:

“An empowering read that never loses sight of Will’s profound exploration of adolescence.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review

Spark Book Club is the first editions club for middle grade readers.  Every month members will receive a first edition middle grade novel — plus a letter written by the author especially for club members. Makes a great gift for the independent reader! Sign ups are available for 3, 6, or 12 months.

ParnassusNext: January Selection After Life

By Gayle Forman

The January 2025 ParnassusNext selection is After Life by Gayle Forman. Amber’s family is shocked to see her when she arrives home from school. She died seven years before. Why was she given this second chance and what happened to her family and friends in the last seven years?

Early praise for the novel:

“Forman’s ability to capture the voices of teens shines in this heart-wrenching story of Amber Crane’s life, death, and (sort of) undeath.” – Kirkus

ParnassusNext is the book subscription box for YA lovers. Every member of ParnassusNext receives a first edition hardcover of each month’s selected book, signed by the author. There is no membership fee to join — and no line to stand in for the autograph. Not only will you have one of the best YA books of the month when it comes out, you’ll have it straight from the author’s hands, with an original, authentic signature! Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite YA reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.

Love, Parnassus: January Selection Work in Progress: A Novel

By Kat Mackenzie

A warm, sexy, laugh-out-loud rom-com about a woman who, desperate for a fresh start, books a literary bus tour across the UK that consists of a lively group of elderly ladies plus one infuriatingly handsome Scottish driver.

Alice loves a good list. But careful planning didn’t stop her from losing her job and her fiance in one fell swoop. With her dreaded 30th birthday looming on the horizon, Alice makes the first impulsive decision of her life – booking a flight to the UK for a three-week, all-female, literary bus tour. What could possibly go wrong?

Turns out – everything.

Alice arrives to discover that this tour isn’t what she expected. At all. Instead of cool, globe-trotting thirtysomethings with meaningful tattoos, she finds a rickety, antique bus full of fluffy-haired octogenarians. And to make matters infinitely worse, the tour guide makes her blood boil! And that devilish grin of his tells her he’s dead set on making her trip a misery.

But as they travel from castle ruins to cozy pubs, Alice may just find that she’s got it all wrong. The ladies are vivacious. The book club chat is on fire. And damn if that mischievous smile doesn’t threaten to turn her world upside down – and her beloved list right along with it!

The Love, Parnassus box is a monthly subscription box for romance readers curated by the experts at Parnassus Books. Each month you will receive a first edition book (which is sometimes signed), a letter from the author, a custom sticker, and a bookmark to track your reading. The Love, Parnassus selection will focus on debut and new-to-you romance authors. Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite romance reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.

First Editions Club: January Selection Mothers and Sons: A Novel

By Adam Haslett

I started reading Adam Haslett in 2002 when he published his first collection of stories, You Are Not A Stranger Here. That sentence makes it sound like I was way ahead of the curve, finding this brilliant author writing short stories at the beginning of his career, when the truth is lots of people started reading Haslett the same time I did. It isn’t often that a collection of stories explodes, but this one did. Written while he was a law student at Yale, the book became a New York Times bestseller and went on to be a finalist for the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, a feat he replicated with his last novel, Imagine Me Gone. Twenty-two years later, I’m still thinking about the title story in You Are Not a Stranger Here. I’m still buying copies to give to friends.

All of which is to say, Adam Haslett was strong out of the gate and has been strong ever since. His new novel, Mothers and Sons, is a deep meditation on how we can be isolated by the past. Peter is an asylum lawyer in New York. His mother Ann runs a women’s retreat center. I won’t say more than that because you have the book in your hands and it’s beautiful, complicated, and should unfold at its own pace. There are few writers as subtle and deep as Haslett. I wait for his novels, and I love this one. I’m so happy it’s the title to kick off our 2025 First Editions Club selections.

Ann Patchett

More about our First Editions Club: Every member receives a first edition of the selected book of the month, signed by the author. Books are carefully chosen by our staff of readers, and our picks have gone on to earn major recognition including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the PEN/Faulkner Award. Plus, there’s no membership fee or premium charge for these books. Build a treasured library of signed first editions and always have something great to read! Makes a FABULOUS gift, too.

2024 Gift Guide: Last-Minute Gifts Edition

SUBSCRIPTION BOXES

We have 5 subscription boxes for a variety of age groups and interests! Each are available in giftable 3-, 6-, and 12-month installments, as well as month-to-month options. As our own Ann Patchett says, “it’s like the fruit of the month club that doesn’t rot.”

First Editions Club

The perfect gift for the bookworm in your life who seems to have read everything! Each month, members receive a first edition of the selected book of the month, signed by the author. Books are carefully chosen by our staff of readers, and our picks have gone on to earn major recognition including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the PEN/Faulkner Award. Plus, there’s no membership fee or premium charge for these books. Build a treasured library of signed first editions and always have something great to read!

Recent selections: James by Percival Everett, Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar, Long Island by Colm Toibin, Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout

Love, Parnassus

Our newest subscription box! Love, Parnassus is a monthly subscription box for romance readers curated by the experts at Parnassus Books. Each month you will receive a first edition book (which is sometimes signed), a letter from the author, a custom sticker, and a bookmark to track your reading. The Love, Parnassus selections focus on debut and new-to-you romance authors. This subscription includes books that are explicit in nature, so it’s best suited for folks 18+.

Recent selections: The Prospects by KT Hoffman, A Little Kissing Between Friends by Chencia C. Higgins, Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb, I’ll Have What He’s Having by Adib Khorram

ParnassusNext

ParnassusNext is the book subscription box for YA lovers. Every member of ParnassusNext receives a first edition hardcover of each month’s selected book, signed by the author. There is no membership fee to join — and no line to stand in for the autograph. Not only will you have one of the best YA books of the month when it comes out, you’ll have it straight from the author’s hands, with an original, authentic signature! Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite YA reader.

Recent selections: Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson, When the World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson, Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee, This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill

Spark Book Club

Spark Book Club is the first editions club for middle grade readers (typically ages 8-12). Every month members will receive a first edition middle grade novel picked by the expert children’s booksellers here at Parnassus — plus a letter written by the author especially for club members! Makes a great gift for the voracious independent reader.

Recent selections: Ferris by Kate DiCamillo, The Sherlock Society by James Ponti, Faker by Gordon Korman, The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon

Sprout Book Club

Sprout Book Club is the book subscription box for picture book lovers. The club is geared towards kids from birth to age 7, but it can be for anyone! Every month members will receive a new first edition picture book handpicked by the Parnassus team. If you know anyone expecting a new addition to the family, this would make a perfect holiday gift. Help them build a sweet library of modern classics!

Recent selections: My Thoughts Have Wings by Maggie Smith & Leanne Hatch, Dalmartian: A Mars Rover’s Story by Lucy Ruth Cummins, The Girl and the Mermaid by Hollie Hughes & Sarah Massini, The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz

OTHER LAST-MINUTE GIFTSGift Cards

When all else fails, gift certificates make great gifts for the book lover in your life! They can be used online and in-store, so you can give them to a loved one even if they don’t live in Nashville.

Libro.fm Audiobooks

Need a bookish gift for someone who prefers audiobooks? Get them a credit bundle from Libro.fm! Libro.fm is the best way to listen to audiobooks while supporting indie bookstores. With DRM-free downloads, playlists created by experts from indies across the country, and credits that never expire, Libro.fm is the perfect solution for listeners who want to shop local!

See these recommendations and more in our 2024 Holiday Catalog!

2024 Gift Guide: Kids’ & YA Edition

Part 3 of the Musing Holiday Gift Guide is for the young and young at heart! From the littlest readers to fans of YA lit of all ages, we have recommendations for everyone on your list. Have a browse and grab some fantastic gifts! And don’t delay — we highly recommend placing orders that need to be shipped by December 16th. Happy holidays, and happy reading!

PICTURE BOOKSRecommended by Katie Fail-a-bration

By Brad Montague, Kristi Montague

For every parent out there trying to help their kid understand that it’s okay if our first pancake is ugly or to swing and miss at the game. Brad & Kristi Montague’s books are bursting with heart, creativity and laughter, and Fail-a-Bration is such a lovely way to teach our kids to not just make peace with failure but to also celebrate it. I LOVE this book.

Recommended by Lindsay The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn

By Shawn Harris

I read this book and immediately pledged my lifelong fealty to the Teeny-Weeny Unicorn. If you’re with me, we ride at dawn.

Recommended by the whole Parnassus staff! The Verts: A Story of Introverts and Extroverts

By Ann Patchett, Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator)

Ivan and Estie Vert know how to celebrate, each in their own special way in this fabulous new picture book! Ann’s text and Robin’s art give readers a unique celebration full of family, friends, and fun.

Recommended by Jenny A Mischief of Mice

By Christie Matheson

A scurry of squirrels is on the look for their favorite mischief of mice, questioning all the different animals in a snowy wood. A perfect cozy winter tale for all ages!

Recommended by Cheryl Surprise

By Mies Van Hout

The bird illustrations jump out of the page. Wonderful for expecting parents and simply enchanting for children with just one or two words per page.

Recommended by Ashby The Prickletrims Go Wild

By Marie Dorleans, Polly Lawson (Translator)

What’s better? An ordered garden? An overgrown wild patch of earth? The Prickletrims learn to find joy in the unexpected, appreciating the hidden treasures and wonder found in disorder. A wonderful lesson for adults too!

Recommended by Rachel Finnegan Fox

By Katie Gilstrap, Lori Nichols (Illustrator)

My favorite picture book of the year! Finnegan Fox isn’t like his siblings, but that’s okay. Finnegan gains courage in his own time! The scent of raspberries draws him out on a grand adventure.

Recommended by Chelsea I’m Not Small Board Book

By Nina Crews

A great introduction to sizes and comparisons, this delightful board book is so sweet and filled with fun illustrations. Grown ups and kiddos alike will enjoy finding new details on each re-read!

Recommended by Chelsea The Yellow Bus

By Loren Long

This heartfelt picture book is all about finding joy and purpose in every stage of life. Just a few words accompany Long’s detailed illustrations, and readers of all ages will delight at the hopefulness found in these pages.

Recommended by Chelsea Nose to Nose: A Picture Book

By Thyra Heder

Toby is the new dog in town, but when messages get crossed, will he be able to make new friends? A sweet book about being brave, Nose to Nose is full of dogs, dogs, and more dogs. I loved every page.

Recommended by Rae Ann The Dinosaur Next Door

By David Litchfield

A girl is sure her next door neighbor isn’t just an amazing baker. He’s also a dinosaur! When scientists take him away, she realizes everyone is free to live the life they wish in this beautifully illustrated picture book.

Recommended by Aly Cookie Time

By Jessie Sima

Kat and Ari are tired of waiting. Grandpa is making cookies and they want to eat them NOW. With a little help from a time machine, they learn just how sweet waiting can be.

Recommended by Tara The 13 Days of Swiftness: A Christmas Celebration for Fans

By Tiffany Garland, Brooke O’Neill (Illustrator)

The perfect Christmas countdown for Swifties of all ages!

CHAPTER BOOKS & CLASSICSRecommended by Ann Orris and Timble: The Beginning

By Kate DiCamillo, Carmen Mok (Illustrator)

A rat, an owl, a piece of butterscotch candy and a red velvet slipper set the stage for a beautiful and unlikely friendship. Get in on the ground floor of what will be a beloved series. Bonus: it’s dedicated to me.

Recommended by Hannah P. Stella & Marigold

By Annie Barrows, Sophie Blackall (Illustrator)

I loved this hilarious and charming book about the sweet friendship between two sisters. Stella and Marigold have big imaginations and even bigger love for each other. Together, they create adventures and magic that warm your heart, make you laugh, and make you want to go hug your own sister. Perfect for fans of Ivy & Bean and Ramona & Beezus!

Recommended by Cheryl The Secret Garden: An Illustrated Edition of the Classic Novel

By Frances Hodgson Burnett, Kate Lewis (Illustrator)

This children’s classic is beautifully illustrated by Kate Lewis. Her prints on quality paper make this a gift or art book for all ages.

MIDDLE GRADERecommended by Cheryl The Bletchley Riddle

By Ruta Sepetys, Steve Sheinkin

What a team: Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin! By using the real history of Bletchley Park and its value to the winning of the war against the Nazis, the authors give exciting intrigue and smarts to the characters.

Recommended by Rae Ann The Witching Wind

By Natalie Lloyd

Two friends need help finding someone dear to each of them who is lost. When they find out about the Witching Wind, they’re sure it’s responsible. They set out on an impossible mission that’s only possible with friends in this delightful and magical novel!

Recommended by Hannah P. Olivetti

By Allie Millington

I can’t express how much I loved this heartfelt mystery. Told from the perspectives of a forgotten typewriter and a word-obsessed boy searching for his missing mother, this story is brimming with wit, adventure, and emotion. It will stay with you long after you have finished!

Recommended by Jake A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall

By Jasmine Warga

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall follows Rami, a young boy who needs to recover a stolen painting to clear his mother’s name. With the help of a classmate, a ghost, and a turtle, Rami must navigate all of the twists and turns standing between him and the truth. A thrilling, heartfelt mystery, this is also a must-read for anyone who wants to read from the perspective of a turtle named Agatha.

Recommended by Jenness Give Me Something Good to Eat

By D. W. Gillespie

The town of Pearl always comes together to celebrate Halloween, unaware that each year a local witch casts her sinister spell to steal a child and harvest their energy. Only Mason and his friends see what is happening and attempt to stop the spell and set things right again. I loved this creepy, fun, and exciting book!

Recommended by Rae Ann The Ghost Rules

By Adam Rosenbaum

Elwood McGee knows ghosts like coffee and can be nervous when spotted in the wild. He knows because he can see them, and there is one ghost he really wants to see one last time. A charming middle grade debut.

Recommended by Ashby The Sherlock Society

By James Ponti

Read the City Spies series? The first in a new series is an equally action-packed mystery. Four kids start a detective agency with a retired reporter grandfather. Cadillac convertible? Storage unit of cold cases? Buried treasure? Mobster Al Capone? Island in the Everglades? Crooked corporation? See how it turns out…

Recommended by Rae Ann Fowl Play

By Kristin O’Donnell Tubb

Chloe leaves the reading of her uncle’s will with a parrot who spouts words like “Murder” and “Cyanide”. She launches into an investigation with her family that takes them on a journey of discovery and togetherness.

Recommended by Katie The Life-Changing Magic of Baking: A Beginner’s Guide by Baker Joy Wilson

By Joy Wilson, Tatiana Kamshilina (Illustrator), Cliff Wilson

I (like many of you out there, I imagine) ADORE Joy Wilson and I am so excited she is extending her baking magic to the world of children’s books and the lovely “Life Changing” series. In this sweet biographical beginner’s guide, Joy shares some of her most treasured baking memories and tips and techniques she has learned along the way. The perfect addition to you and your kiddo’s kitchen collection.

GRAPHIC NOVELSRecommended by Aly The New Girl: A Graphic Novel

By Cassandra Calin

Perfect for readers of The Baby-Sitters Club. This entirely relatable book takes you into the world of Lia, who moves from Romania to Canada during middle school Can she find any friends and can they help each other make it through?

Recommended by Katie Korgi: The Complete Tale

By Christian Slade

This beloved “silent comic” from former Disney animator Christian Slade is all together in one seriously stunning and insanely adorable compilation. When Ivy and her beloved corgi Sprout wake up one morning, they have no idea about all the adventures they’ll have in Korgi Hollow. A truly all-ages book, Korgi is a delightful ride for everyone.

Recommended by RJ DnDoggos: Get the Party Started

By Scout Underhill, Liana Sposto (Contributions by)

DnDoggos is the start of a new graphic novel series about a group of dog friends playing a tabletop role-playing campaign. Featuring the cutest adventuring party of all time, this story blends table-side antics and in-game action to create a fun, accessible story for young D&D players and beyond.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by Rae Ann When the World Tips Over

By Jandy Nelson

This is the story of the Fall siblings in California wine country. This is the story of a girl who may be an angel. It’s also the story of a family curse and how they’re all connected. A unique and compelling novel.

Recommended by Aly Darkly

By Marisha Pessl

Nothing is what it seems in this book of mystery and murder. As Dia Gannon is chosen as one of the handful of interns for the prestigious Darkly Games company, she can’t help but question everything. Who are these other interns? Who really was the mysterious puzzlemaker, Louisiana Veda? And are they really expecting a bunch of teenagers to potentially solve a murder?

Recommended by Aly The Ballad of Darcy and Russell

By Morgan Matson

Morgan Matson returns to her roots in this beautiful and hilarious story. Darcy believes in true love. That’s why, when she meets Russell at the bus station and borrows his phone charger, she knows it’s fate. But can anyone truly get to know and love someone in just one night?

Recommended by Raegyn Immortal Dark

By Tigest Girma

Twilight had it wrong. Vampires don’t sparkle. Kidan says they lure you with their dark gaze and plump lips until they can taste you. To her, they’re pure evil, and all evil must be purged. When a vampire takes her sister, Kidan vows to do anything to get her back, even if she must become the monster she hates. With enemies-to-lovers, secret societies, and African lore, Immortal Dark is a debut you won’t forget.

Recommended by Rachel Icarus

By K. Ancrum

This is one of those books that makes you hold your breath. An exploration of the Icarus myth with young queer love, poetically short chapters, and art thievery. Icarus stole my heart and won’t give it back.

Recommended by Tara Death at Morning House

By Maureen Johnson

Death at Morning House will keep you on the edge of your seat and flipping pages furiously until the very end. Told in two alternating timelines, it is the breakout ya thriller of the year.

Recommended by Raegyn The Maid and the Crocodile: A Novel in the World of Raybearer

By Jordan Ifueko

Howl’s Moving Castle meets Beauty and the Beast? Ask, and you shall receive. Sade needs a job, preferably as a maid, but that changes when she accidentally binds herself to the Crocodile God: a beast who feasts on the flesh of pretty girls—or so the rumors say. Now, she must break his curse and appease her new employer with her curse-eating power, or else it’s kill or be killed. BEWARE THE CROCODILE GOD!

Recommended by Ashby Such Charming Liars

By Karen M. McManus

Jamie is a jewel thief planning to go straight after one last score. Jamie and her daughter Kat cross paths with Liam and his dad Luke who was married to Jamie for 24 hours a long time ago. Both Luke and Jamie plan to fleece the same woman. Jamie plans to swap a diamond necklace for a perfect fake and Luke plans to marry her and get her money. A murder takes place complicating everyone’s plans.

Recommended by Rachel Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix

By Gabe Cole Novoa

As someone who adores Pride and Prejudice, I am very protective of its main characters, and I am happy to report that Gabe Cole Novoa gave them brilliant new lives in this retelling. My little queer heart was bursting at the seams!

Recommended by Chelsea A Tempest of Tea

By Hafsah Faizal

An orphan with her own agenda of revenge, Arthie is forced to steal from vampire society in order to keep her teahouse and her found family safe. The worldbuilding, the vibes, and the cast of characters are all perfection. Faizal has delivered a twisty page-turner that I haven’t stopped thinking about.

Recommended by Ester Nothing Like the Movies

By Lynn Painter

Liz and Wes are in college now, but the happily ever after we expected isn’t so happy anymore. After a falling-out, Wes is determined to win Liz back and he’s got a foolproof plan. I loved every moment of this– Lynn Painter ate and left no crumbs.

Recommended by Jennifer Heir

By Sabaa Tahir

The world of Ember in Ashes is back, but this time with the descendants of our beloved characters. As the world that Laia and Elias sacrificed falls apart, a prince, a prophet, and a magical tracker must find their own paths to their destiny.

Recommended by Chloe Youth Group

By Jordan Morris, Bowen McCurdy (Illustrator)

If you’re looking for a darker graphic novel with spooks and scares while also being comedic, then this is the book for you. This book is like if The Exorcist became a comedy. It is set sometime in the 90’s so it has a nostalgic feeling to it as well. It features three teens fighting literal demons and figuring themselves out. What more could you want?

See these recommendations and more in our 2024 Holiday Catalog!

2024 Gift Guide: Nonfiction Edition

The countdown is on! Just 20 days until Christmas and the first day of Hanukkah, so it’s time to get those shopping lists finalized. Last week we featured our staff’s favorite fiction of the year. This week, we’re turning our attention to nonfiction — history, sports, biography, poetry, coffee table books, cookbooks, and more! These are all bookseller-approved, gift-worthy titles, so if you need some holiday gift inspiration, look no further!

NONFICTION & POETRYRecommended by Cheryl The Backyard Bird Chronicles

By Amy Tan

Amy Tan started drawing birds in her journal in her sixties after an art class. The result is startling. If you enjoyed The Comfort of Crows you will enjoy this book.

Recommended by Jake The New York Game: Baseball and the Rise of a New City

By Kevin Baker

Owing just as much to Robert Caro as Roger Angell, The New York Game is an engaging two-for-one biography of the game of baseball and the city of New York, persuasively arguing that the two are fundamentally intertwined. Illuminating and frequently fascinating, this book captures the rise of organized baseball from a hobby into America’s pastime, and is a great read even if (like me) you can’t stand the Yankees.

Recommended by Cat The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook

By Hampton Sides

Hampton Sides has the amazing ability to craft a narrative from an array of sources while also bringing the past to life in an engaging way. This is a history of the third and final voyage of Captain Cook, though it is just as much the story of the ensemble cast of crew members and notable people of the day. Cook’s legacy is hotly debated, but the story of this voyage is nothing short of remarkable and fascinating.

Recommended by Jake Miss May Does Not Exist: The Life and Work of Elaine May, Hollywood’s Hidden Genius

By Carrie Courogen

The first biography of the most underrated filmmaker in Hollywood history, Carrie Courogen’s book on Elaine May is a fascinating spotlight on a figure who so often hid in the shadows. Capturing her sketch comedy roots, graduation into film directing, and second life as a script doctor, this book is a stunning insight into a notoriously reclusive living legend. The perfect gift for your favorite film nerd.

Recommended by Hannah P. You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World

By Ada Limón (Editor)

Ada Limón, you’ve done it again. In this diverse collection of striking new poems, fifty writers reflect on our belonging within nature while also encouraging us to rethink our preexisting ideas of both literary and literal landscapes. If you think you already know “nature poetry,” think again. Of course, it is 100% required that you enjoy this while sitting outside on a beautiful day.

Recommended by Rachel Alphabetical Diaries

By Sheila Heti

Sheila Heti took a knife, carved open my chest, and carefully lifted out my heart to preserve it in the pages of this book. The crazy part? It is in alphabetical order, down to the very last letter of the last word. Utterly genius and one of a kind.

Recommended by Jordan A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy

By Tia Levings

This memoir by Tia Levings, who was featured in the documentary Shiny Happy People, tells the story of a brave woman’s escape from an abusive fundamentalist marriage and lifestyle. This is the perfect book to read while we unpack our religious trauma and fight for our rights.

Recommended by Andy The Siege: A Six-Day Hostage Crisis and the Daring Special-Forces Operation That Shocked the World

By Ben Macintyre

Largely forgotten by American, the siege of the Iranian Embassy captivated the world for six days in 1980. The incident helped establish Maggie Thatcher’s reputation as the Iron Lady.

Recommended by Andy The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi

By Wright Thompson

The author of Pappyland provides an in-depth examination of the murder of Emmett Till. Thompson’s family farm is just 23 miles from where the torture and killing of Till took place. This gives him a unique perspective on Mississippi and the crime that changed America.

Recommended by Andy An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s

By Doris Kearns Goodwin

This book is the result of Doris Kearns Goodwin and her husband Richard Goodwin going through 800 boxes of speeches, articles, photos and other memorabilia from their storied careers. A fascinating journey back with two people who witnessed history being made through the Sixties.

Recommended by Andy America First: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War

By H. W. Brands

Pulitzer Prize winner Brands recounts the debate between Roosevelt and the America First movement headed by Charles Lindbergh. The arguments echo discussions being held today regarding the Untied States role in the world.

Recommended by Chelsea All That Glitters: A Story of Friendship, Fraud, and Fine Art

By Orlando Whitfield

This is the meteoric rise and then fall of Inigo Philbrick, a young art dealer who is ultimately convicted of fraud, as told by his friend and one-time business partner. The author holds back nothing, giving the reader a true peek behind the curtain into the sometimes morally gray world of art dealing. This is perfect if you’re shopping for someone who always knows the latest drama.

Recommended by Jake Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball

By Keith O’Brien

The definitive biography of the most controversial figure in baseball history, this is a stunning treatise of Pete Rose as a hero too good to be true, undone by his own hubris. O’Brien also argues that Rose’s betting scandals lead directly into the death of America’s pastime. A fascinating and frequently frustrating examination of the late, great player, Charlie Hustle is one of the best baseball books of the year.

Recommended by Patsy Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent

By Judi Dench, Brendan O’Hea

In this gem of a collection of conversations, Brendan O’Hea explores play by play roles Dame Judi has inhabited over a long career on stage. Interstitial chapters on the company, audience, Shakespeare’s language and more give insight on history, method, costumes. Theater fans and actors alike will delight in the details and humor.

Recommended by Cheryl The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War

By Erik Larson

Once again Erik Larson has written nonfiction that reads like fiction. Fort Sumter may be noted as the beginning of the Civil War but it was not a violent battle but instead a series of miscommunication and misdeeds. Lincoln’s inauguration paralleled the building isolation of the Fort Sumter. troops. It was a small spark that lit a firestorm.

GIFT/COFFEE TABLE BOOKSRecommended by Patsy Bunny Williams: Life in the Garden

By Bunny Williams, Annie Schlechter (Photographs by)

Gorgeous photos of Williams’ NW Connecticut garden with tablescapes and vignettes will delight, transport, and inspire. Perfect for anyone looking for some fresh yet timeless ideas.

Recommended by Lindsay The Work of Art: How Something Comes from Nothing

By Adam Moss

One of my favorite books I’ve picked up this year is The Work of Art, a series of interviews conducted by Adam Moss with writers, artists, musicians, and more about the actual work–the failed attempts, the writing and rewriting, the conversations that opened up a stuck idea, the routines and rituals–that goes into creative work. It’s a beautiful celebration of how our weird little brains can make incredible things.

Recommended by Tara Fashion First

By Diane Keaton, Ralph Lauren (Foreword by)

A must-have book for the fashion lovers in your life. A look back through some of Diane Keaton’s most memorable looks through the decades.

Recommended by Sarah How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History from NPR Music

By Inc National Public Radio, Alison Fensterstock, Ann Powers (Introduction by)

From Celia Cruz to Rihanna, Barbra Streisand to Megan Thee Stallion, How Women Made Music charts the myriad ways women have influenced the trajectory of music and popular culture. This volume combines over 50 years’ worth of work from all of your favorite music writers into one beautiful package. The perfect gift for any music lover!

Recommended by Maddie Taylor Swift Style: Fashion Through the Eras

By Sarah Chapelle

Out of all the books that have come out on Taylor Swift this year, this is the one that has my full Swiftie stamp of approval. Sarah Chapelle is a long-time fashion writer and reporter whose Taylor Swift Style blog I have been following for years. I was so excited when I saw she was coming out with this book, and just in time for it to make a perfect holiday gift for the Swifites in your life!

Recommended by Sydney Leaf, Cloud, Crow: A Weekly Backyard Journal

By Margaret Renkl

The beloved Margaret Renkl is back at it again. Leaf, Cloud, Crow is the prettiest guided journal I’ve ever seen, and would be a great choice for anyone who finds themselves enjoying nature. Interspersed with writings from Margaret, this journal has plenty of insightful and poetic prompts awaiting!

COOKBOOKSRecommended by Cat Zaytinya: Delicious Mediterranean Dishes from Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon

By José Andrés

Get this for the José Andrés fan in your life (who isn’t?!) or that person who is always looking for new flavors to experiment with. The recipes here range in effort level from approachable to a Big Weekend Challenge so there’s something for everyone!

Recommended by Cat The King Arthur Baking Company Big Book of Bread: 125+ Recipes for Every Baker

By King Arthur Baking Company

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a person in possession of a desire for bread, must be in want of King Arthur flour. This is THE baking book for experienced bread bakers and novices alike and makes the perfect gift for anyone whose dream is to make the perfect loaf of sourdough.

Recommended by Ashby The Vibrant Hong Kong Table: 88 Iconic Vegan Recipes from Dim Sum to Late-Night Snacks

By Christine Wong

A bus tour of Hong Kong. At once memoir, travel journal, photo album, gardening how to, and vegan cookbook. I was charmed from the first pages. Want to grow bean sprouts? There’s a how to and why. The food pictures are indeed vibrant and enticed me to try several recipes including steamed eggs which produced the creamiest eggs I have ever eaten. Flipping through was a journey of sights, sounds, smells, and tastes.

Recommended by Chelsea Matty Matheson: Soups, Salads, Sandwiches

By Matty Matheson

Who doesn’t love Matty Matheson? Who doesn’t love soups, salads, and sandwiches? Filled with gorgeous food pictures and Matty’s hilarious personality, this cookbook makes a perfect gift for anyone.

Recommended by Patsy Pass the Plate: 100 Delicious, Highly Shareable, Everyday Recipes

By Carolina Gelen

Wildly popular blogger and viral recipe creator Carolina Gelen presents 100 crowd-pleasing, effortlessly delicious recipes that showcase her simple-but-sophisticated style.

See these recommendations and more in our 2024 Holiday Catalog!