October 2024 Staff PicksLike this list

13 items

• Banal Nightmare

  a Novel

  Butler, Halle,

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  Moddie has spent the last ten years of her life in Chicago with her long-term partner, Nick, with a stable career and a home of her own when she realizes that she cannot go on the way she is anymore. In a self-destructive whirlwind, and with little…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Book Swap

  a Novel

  Bickers, Tessa,

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  Erin knows that she's letting life happen to her. Determined to take charge, she starts by cleaning her apartment. Unfortunately, she accidentally puts her most treasured book, a heavily annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, into a little free…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Colored Television

  Senna, Danzy,

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  In Senna's uproariously funny novel, Jane, a struggling mixed-race writer, her artist husband, and her two young kids are encamped at a swanky LA residence that belongs to a friend who is temporarily abroad for work. On sabbatical from her teaching…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Creation Lake

  a Novel

  Kushner, Rachel,

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  In this irresistible noir novel (Booker-shortlisted), mercenary agent "Sadie" is hired to infiltrate Le Moulin, a group of back-to-the-land activists living on a commune in the French countryside. Group founder Bruno Lacombe, who lives in a cave on…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Full Moon Coffee Shop

  a Novel

  Mochizuki, Mai,

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  A quirky little novel at the intersection of romance, fantasy, and astrological primer, where talking cats ("though this isn't our real form, either," hints one) serve up celestial treats and starry guidance. The pop-up café appears - on the bank of…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Grown Women

  a Novel

  Johnson, Sarai,

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  Johnson's debut novel dives into the complicated relationships between four generations of mothers and their daughters. The effects of generational trauma are explored through a timeline that shifts between characters – Evelyn, Charlotte, Corinna…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Intermezzo

  a Novel

  Rooney, Sally,

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  Peter, a Dublin lawyer in his early 30s, is still hung up on his ex, Sylvia, and can't quite commit to the college student he's been hanging out with, Naomi, who makes extra money as a cam girl. Peter's brother, Ivan, is already, in his early…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Nicked

  Anderson, M. T.,

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  In the middle of the Middle Ages, the Italian city of Bari is plague-ridden. Brother Nicephorus, a monk, dreams one night about St. Nicholas. Soon after learning of this dream, the archbishop orders Nicephorus to join a mission that is being…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Playground

  a Novel

  Powers, Richard, 1957-

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  Powers is well-known for marrying exciting science and technology topics with memorable characters and plotting on a grand canvas. His books always seem to land with perfect timing, exploring ideas that his readers are most excited and curious…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Small Rain

  a Novel

  Greenwell, Garth,

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  An unnamed poet struggles with intense pains, resisting his partner's urgings to go to the hospital, preferring to wait it out. But when the situation worsens, he relents. It's the early pandemic, and going to the hospital is a more daunting…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Sunny Place for Shady People

  Stories

  Enriquez, Mariana,

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  Enriquez's latest book of short stories is horror at its finest. Each story in this collection takes place in Buenos Aires, which is described in a gritty realistic way. These stories follow people experiencing addiction, disability and poverty, but…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• This Cursed House

  Sandeen, Del,

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  Jemma is plagued by restless spirits. Since childhood she's carried the burden of being able to see those who have died and been unable to pass on. And the place she's headed is a hotbed of spiritual activity. She's on her way to New Orleans to take…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Why Animals Talk

  the New Science of Animal Communication

  Kershenbaum, Arik,

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  Kershenbaum, a distinguished zoologist, explores the fascinating wild world of animal communication, dedicating each chapter to one of six extraordinary animals: wolves, dolphins, parrots, hyraxes, gibbons and chimpanzees. Each one provides a unique…Read moreRead more of this annotation