The 12 Books of Christmas
We asked 12 of our staff members at random to pick their favorite book of 2018. We've assembled them below in alphabetical order of the Bookie who picked them. If you would like to know more, you can come into the store or click on the title or picture of the book to go to our website.
Do you like to cry? Well, you had better, because this picture book is a real tearjerker - but honestly, it contains within its pages one of the most profound messages anyone can hear. Sure, it's for children, but it's also a lesson for parents, teachers, and all other adults.
The holidays are all about giving, but we'll be honest, there was almost a fight over who got to put this one on their list. Easily one of our most popular books of the year, everyone loves this baby and his lack of pants!
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#3 Bookie Charlotte
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Animalphabet
One of the loveliest alphabet books you'll ever find. Breathtaking art combines with ingenious holes in the pages to form endless amounts of discovery for young and old alike. It's really hard to describe exactly what makes this special, so the next time you are in our store, ask to see a copy, but be warned... We will ask you to say the title correctly in exchange.
No list could be complete without the breakout hit of our year. Jayne is not only a respected educator and beloved employee of The Bookies, she was host to our biggest book launch of the year and the author of one of our biggest sellers. A perfect book about overcoming bullying, finding your strength, and showing your heart. From all of us at The Bookies, thank you Jayne for creating this amazing story and letting us be a part of it.
Another huge hit for us and as fun a story as you'll find on this list. A picture book all about a little dino who is nervous about school and how that spells a lot of trouble for her and her classmates... Her delicious, delicious classmates.
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#6 Bookie Larry
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We'll let Larry's words speak for themselves.
"One book? Without hesitation, Small Moving Parts. I call this the unsung gem of the store. It's set in the modern West and it's about family and violence and heart and race and in the end, I was proud to be a human being."
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#7 Bookie Luke |
There There
Picked as a 'Top Ten Best Books of 2018' by the New York Times, this is a tough but important read. While the story itself is set around a fictional robbery of a modern powwow, the characters are so richly created and the recounting of the violent history of the Native American experience so masterfully done that it reads like non-fiction. You will leave this book knowing more than you went in, but what you do with that knowledge will be up to you.
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#8 Bookie Midge
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This is a vibrant and lively non-fiction book by a Pulitzer winner who has forgotten more about the four Presidents profiled - Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, and LBJ - than most people will ever know. Still not sure this is for you? This is the book our beloved and respected Bookie Midge picked for this list. That should be all you need to know!
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#9 Bookie Steve
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Thunderhead
The only sequel to make it on our list is this one. A sci-fi thriller that is endlessly readable and a worthy addition to the Shusterman library.
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#10 Bookie Susan T.
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Prague Spring
A spy thriller set against real events of late 60's Prague. This paperback was at the top of multiple lists and Bookie Susan T. tapped it as her favorite of the year.
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#11 Bookie Tracy
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The Nightingale
Before we could even finish the question, Bookie Tracy already had THE NIGHTINGALE off the shelf and in front of us as her book of the year. Set in WWI, it revolves around two sisters and their separates fights in German-occupied France. You won't be able to put it down and it will stick with you long after you finish.