If there is anything we love more than reading books... it's talking about them! Scroll down to see what books we are raving about this month.
For more recommendations, check out our full Staff Picks Page.
"A family history, an exploration of spiritual practice, and a deeply personal memoir of trauma and survival, Red Paint blends a devil-may-care, punk rock aesthetic with the deeply-rooted, cultural traditions of the Upper Skagit and Nooksack people. This sweepingly lyrical, personal saga chronicles the troubled and triumphant life of a rebel girl and the tangled odyssey of the women who brought her to life." -Steven
"This memoir is a masterpiece. Quiara Algería Hudes uses every inch of this book to embrace her wholeness in a world hostile to her nuances. Recounting her childhood, Hudes invites the readers alongside her journey to find language to encapsulate the many dimensions of her identity. Her deeply bonded maternal family grounds her and empowers her search for her truth. Her mother, a practitioner of Santería, fosters Quiara’s curiosity, self-confidence, and ambition. Her tias and cousins expand her world and provide ballast when seas are rocky. Her neighborhood offers community, connection, and courage. Hudes is a gifted storyteller and I was struck by the richness of her language, especially in a book ostensibly dedicated to its “brokenness.” She seamlessly intertwines cultures, dialects, and slang across seemingly disparate groups — a skill honed as she grew into a Pulitzer-winning composer and playwright. Hudes commits to telling her story honestly but not tragically. She doesn’t dwell on the hardest parts of her life. Instead, she acknowledges them plainly but spends much more energy celebrating the Perez women in all their diverse, indefatigable glory. I so deeply recommend this read." -Holly
"Newly reissued after going viral on social media! If you're in the mood for the perfect light cozy read grab a copy and settle into your favorite café chair, latte and snack nearby. A great story about reinvention and pursuing a dream with a touch of romance on the side." -Will
"This epic follows a family of Tibetan refugees from their flight to Nepal during China’s Cultural Revolution through to Vancouver in 2012. The structure of this novel is creative with sections delineated by relational groupings (daughters, sisters, lovers, etc). The story goes back and forth from the 50s until nearly present day, converging to bring the whole story into focus. The writing is truly exceptional; several passages bowled be over with poetic, insistent prose determined to scrub away grit from a window and reveal beyond wise, hard-earned truths. Great for folks who liked The Island of Sea Women or Against the Loveless World." -Holly
"Happy NaNoWriMo! Natalie Goldberg believes in you. Goldberg approaches writing as a Zen practice, filling a journal every month and gifting her favorite obsessions a thousand literary lives. Funny and practical, your new professor wants to see you commit to your craft and communicate the memories that matter to you." -Aly
"A lovely book that travels forward and backward through time and place as the narrator, on a plane from Bilbao to New York, attempts to unravel his family history and how it intersects with the Basque geography. I'll admit, parts of this book sometimes went over my head, but when that happened I just let the gorgeous language and imagery wash over me and I never felt adrift." -Amanda
"A father takes his two children on an unbelieveable, exciting voyage into space. The journey involves taking a look back at Earth and the conflicts that have taken place since the beginning of time. I appreciate children's books that provide the reader and the listener a chance to have open discussions and this book does just that. Not only are the illustrations uniquely beautiful but the story gives the reader open opportunities to discuss space, the future and the past. The greatest message of the book - what brings us together matters more than what sets us apart. A fantastic book to have in your library and can be enjoyed by younger and older children." -Nicole
"This collection of poems is delightful, insightful, and touches the heart. Tibble modernizes and puts mainstream media into the perspective of a young, indigenous woman discovering herself. Using unique narrative, prose and rhythm, stereotypes and generalizations are dissected and put under a scrutinizing spotlight. While I think everyone could benefit from this read, I highly recommend it to those who are on the journey of finding themselves." -Sarah