December 2022
Amy's Picks
The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron (2022)
An absorbing historical fiction, based on true accounts of a fake illness, which was part of an elaborate hoax contrived by hospital staff to rescue Jews from Nazi soldiers in Rome during World War II. Dual timelines increase the suspense as British dancer Julia (1943) is drawn into the scheme to hide Italian Jews, and Delaney (present-day) uncovers her grandfather's hidden past.
Laura's Picks
Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell (2021)
A murder mystery, a high-stakes political intrigue, a slow-burn queer romance, an intergalactic thriller-this book has it all and more. Especially recommended for fans of The Goblin Emperor.
A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows (2022)
A Strange and Stubborn EnduranceA high-stakes political intrigue, this time set in a fantasy world. Another slow-burn queer romance that sets a high standard, paired with exquisite meditations on trauma and healing.
Jenna's Picks for Teens
Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus (2022)
Are you looking for a fast-paced mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end? Look no further! Karen McManus (One of Us is Lying) is back at it with a teen thriller set at a prestigious private school. Brynn has recently moved back to her hometown and is set on uncovering the truth behind the unsolved murder of a favorite teacher while working an internship at a popular true-crime show. Will she be able to survive as all the secrets of her friends, family, and classmates slowly emerge? Check out our copy to find out!
Drizzle Dreams, and Lovestruck Things by Maya Prasad (2022)
Drizzle DreamsPerfect for fans of popular author Jenny Han (To All the Boys I've Loved Before), this young adult debut is the ideal cozy winter read. It follows the four Singh sisters, Nidhi, Avani, Sirisha, and Rani as they navigate grief, love, life, and family at their father's Songbird Inn located in the dramatic landscape of the Pacific Northwest. While the sisters all have their own individual personalities, all four are in for a shake-up when the Songbird Inn is named the Most Romantic Inn in America. This heartfelt book will have you rooting for the diverse and relatable cast of characters through all the ups and downs.
John's Picks
So Beautiful or So What by Paul Simon (2011)
The twelfth studio by Paul Simon and his highest charting record debut at the time. Containing diverse musical elements similar to 1986's Graceland, many consider this his finest work in the past thirty years. With a combination of religious and somber themes, it's an album that deserves multiple listens.
A Hot Night in Paris by Phil Collins Big Band (1999)
The only album released of this short-lived side project conceived by Phil Collins. It served as a tribute to the big band influences that Collins grew up on such as Buddy Rich. There is no singing on the album, but rather it is a collection of Phil Collins and Genesis hits reinterpreted for a big band ensemble. It is also a live recording, which only serves to elevate its musicality.
Me by Elton John (2019)
The autobiography of Sir Elton John. There's not too much I can really say about it. It's a complete history of Elton's life and music up to that point from a first-person perspective. Additionally, it contains many anecdotes from Elton's life that I was previously unaware of, making it an enjoyable read for fans of all types.