Volume IV, Issue II

October 2024

Vampires of El Norte

by Isabel Cañas

Vampires and vaqueros in Mexico! A supernatural western! Isabel Cañas once again writing the gothic tale of my dreams! So many exclamation points because it deserves it!!! This was an achingly beautiful book. It’s set in 1840’s Mexico, and follows Nena and Néstor as they face attacks from the U.S. and sinister vampires. This has tension, angst, suspense, and Cañas’ signature beautiful prose. I’m in awe of how she is able to write these haunting, dark, and atmospheric tales containing the most epic characters and plot lines. This has a love story for the ages that left me reeling and feeling everything possible. A thrilling, emotional gothic novel! Please read. And, if you haven’t yet, check out her other novel, The Hacienda this month too! 

–– Mirna

Boy Island

by Leo Fox

I found myself quickly enraptured by the quiet profundity in this graphic novel. Leo Fox tells a moving, kaleidoscopic tale of finding oneself, demonstrating the peril and scrutiny one is subjected to in pursuing it. With a slight crust-punk aesthetic, Fox’s illustrations are mesmerizing and a little overwhelming! And, within his psychedelic art, Fox presents an intimate story, picking apart worry and its reasoning relative to conservative panic around gender and its performance. Moreover, he illuminates its power and its weakness in the lives of queer and trans people––and for the folks in general who know what it’s like to be silenced by conformative idealism. There is an artful compassion in Fox’s storytelling, where––even if you do not essentially relate to Lucille’s journey––a warmth rests, taking you to a bigger world.

–– Nick

God of the Woods

by Liz Moore

This one took me by surprise. It is a little outside the scope of what I tend to gravitate towards when it comes to novels, but I loved it! At a summer camp in the Adirondacks one of the teenage campers goes missing. Her older brother also went missing fourteen years prior and was never found. Throw into the mystery that the missing campers parents are the wealthy owners of the summer camp and employ a majority of the small town's residents and you've got a juicy, page-turner. Moore tells the story from several different perspectives that creates a web of secrets to be revealed and a propulsive tempo to keep you on your toes. This is a great read if you want something riveting to submerge yourself in this fall.

–– Megan

Available October 1st

The Dagger and the Flame – Catherine Doyle: One of my most anticipated young adult fantasy novels of the year! Two assassins from rival groups are pitted against each other in a game of revenge. I’ve absolutely been loving this fresh new wave of incredible YA series in the past few years, and this one is definitely being added to that list. This is an enemies-to-lovers story that actually lives up to its name! ORDER

The Wild Huntress – Emily Lloyd-Jones: I’m so happy there’s a new Emily Lloyd-Jones book for this autumn season! She writes the most magical, fun stories. Her other two books, The Bone Houses and The Drowned Woods, are two of my picks here at the store, and this one is just as amazing. This follows a trickster, a prince, and a wild huntress as they team up and take part in their kingdoms’ Wild Hunt competition. It’s engaging from the very first page, beautifully written, and a wonderful, magical fantasy story. Highly recommend picking this up, as well as her other works. ORDER

Fang Fiction – Kate Stayman-London: A completely original, engaging, and incredible paranormal vampire romance novel. I loved the story-within-a-story in this, and I think the mini world the author created with Blood Feud was so, so fun; it made the book that much more unique. I also loved how much drama, chaos, and excitement the vampires brought to this story. They were so fun to read about, and it made the experience that much more enjoyable. I especially loved the main character in this! I think that the author did an incredible job at writing her as a complex, layered character, and that she handled her trauma with the care it needed and deserved. ORDER

The Crescent Moon Tearoom – Stacy Sivinski: Sivinski really went and wrote the cozy fantasy novel of the year with this one!! If you want a charming story filled with enchanting magic, witches and covens, beautifully written relationships, and a plot that hooks you in from the very beginning, this is for you. This was written so beautifully. I’m obsessed with the writing style, and how easy it was to fall in love with the sisters and each of their storylines. I especially enjoyed how it lets you escape the real world for one that is much more whimsical and enchanting, and isn’t that what we all want this time of year? ORDER

Window Shopping – Tessa Bailey: This is THE holiday romance novel. To say it’s a delight would be an understatement, and I think it’s Bailey at her very best. It’s tooth-rotting sweet, incredibly fun, steamy, and hooks you in from the very beginning. This is the perfect amount of holiday humor and heartwarming sentiment. I loved how endearing it was, while also being lighthearted and sweet. I also loved the holiday in the big city vibes, especially since I am very much in the suburbs of California and needed that escape. And the romance!!! It’s the kind of sweet and spicy relationship that Bailey writes best. If you’re a romance reader, this is one you definitely have to pick up. ORDER

Heir – Sabaa Tahir: This is probably one of the most anticipated books in fantasy corner spaces right now. And for good reason, because it’s just as incredible as people are expecting it to be. It follows Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil as they grapple with the burdens of power, the treachery of love, and the consequences of vengeance. It’s incredibly well-written, complex, and has an amazing fantasy world to match. Highly, highly recommend for any fantasy readers out there looking for a new series to start! ORDER

Available October 8th

The Nightmare Before Kissmas – Sara Raasch: What a JOY this was to read. I seriously had the best time escaping into this wonderful holiday-themed universe. This had so much charm, wit, and humor in it. I have no idea how Raasch came up with all of these puns and jokes, but it was so well written that it had me laughing almost every page. The dedication in the beginning even mentions this being for readers who need some joy in their life, and I think this definitely delivered. If you want some happiness in a book, pick this up! PREORDER

The Witches of El Paso – Luis Jaramillo: Oh, this book has my entire heart! An incredible story with culture, magic supernatural forces, and familial bonds. This book captured me from the first page all the way to the last. I’m particularly fond of witchy reads, and, as a Hispanic, I absolutely loved how this combined folklore with Hispanic culture and lore. It felt so rich and vivid. I’m in awe of Jaramillo’s writing style. This has beautiful writing while also creating a plot that’s complex, layered, and full of suspense. I think this is perfect for anyone who loves historical, mystical, and women-centered stories. PREORDER

The Last One at the Wedding – Jason Rekulak: I was so happy to see that Rekulak was coming out with another book this year, and this did not disappoint! Hidden Pictures was one of my top books of 2022, and this left me reeling, too. I tend to get burnt out from mystery/thriller stories, but so far Rekulak has managed to write books that have me second-guessing and feeling suspense the whole way through. This is classified on the horror side, and is perfect for anyone wanting a scary, dark, and twisty story. PREORDER

The Stone Witch of Florence – Anna Rasche: This is a perfect spooky time read! It follows Ginevra, who harnesses a strange, ancient magic of gemstones and begins to investigate a series of crimes in plague-stricken Florence. This is for anyone who loves historical books about witchcraft, magic, dark tales, and a story that is as complex as it is haunting. There might be a lot of witch stories out there, but this one definitely felt unique and intricate in its own right. PREORDER

A Dark and Secret Magic – Wallis Kinney: This novel was penned as a celebration of the Halloween season, and I fully believe it succeeded. It has witches, an annual Halloween festival, dark and forbidden magic, and an enticing love story. It’s essentially a gateway into the most magical time of the year. If you want to escape the sunny weather into one that’s more autumnal, reading this would be a perfect way to do that. PREORDER

The Wedding Witch – Erin Sterling: I’m so happy that Sterling is coming out with another witchy romance novel this year! She’s one of the quintessential authors for me in autumn, and I find her stories to be so charming and dependable for this time of year. This is one of the easiest books to rave about. It’s charming, cozy, and reminds me of how much fun reading can be. It’s a perfect combination of spooky Halloween vibes with an endearing love story to match. A must read for this time of year! PREORDER

Taylor Swift Style – Sarah Chapelle: If you didn’t know already, I’m a Taylor Swift fan in a totally normal, average, cool, calm and collected way. I’m very chill when it comes to her art and music. Very chill. Super chill. But, honestly, I am not very chill at all, and I’m actually so beyond excited for this to come out! I’ve followed Sarah for years and years, and highly trust her expertise when it comes to Taylor’s fashion. It’s well researched, wonderfully written, and so well done! If you want to think ahead for holiday gifting, I highly recommend picking this up now for anyone you know who’s a big Taylor fan, as the first edition comes with special edition features! PREORDER

Available October 15th

Sorcery and Small Magics – Maiga Doocy: A debut cozy fantasy that has everything I could ever love in a story! This follows a sorcerer and his rival as they go in search for a counter-spell that can break the curse between them. But, alas, they might just discover that magic isn’t the only thing pulling them together (hint: it’s probably, most likely romantic attraction. Cue the gasps of surprise). This is *chefs kiss*. It’s good old fashioned fun, a charming novel to escape into, and a slow burn love story that will hook you right in. PREORDER

Available October 22nd

The Children of Jocasta – Natalie Haynes: Listen, I was a Greek mythology kid through and through. Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series raised me and molded me into the reader I am today. So getting to read Greek mythology retellings as an adult has been a real treat. Haynes is one of the few authors I trust to do right by the mythology and turn it into a worthwhile read. Especially after she released a non-fiction book, Divine Might, that takes a look at goddesses in Greek myth. I appreciate that her knowledge of Greek mythology is so vast and well researched. This new novel is a retelling of Oedipus and Antigone, but from the perspectives of the women the myths overlooked. I really appreciate Haynes's approach to writing about women in her stories, and this one solidifies her as an author I trust to handle it well. PREORDER

Lifeform – Jenny Slate: New Jenny Slate!!! I repeat!!! New!! Jenny!! Slate!!! However many positive adjectives there are in the English language, I could use them all and they wouldn’t do this book or author justice. This was a charming, magical, vulnerable, and heartwarming journey into motherhood. Slate’s writing and perspective is so, so unique and so unlike anything else I’ve ever read. It’s a joy to read and to experience. I highly, highly recommend picking this up, and Little Weirds too if you haven’t yet! PREORDER

Together We Burn – Isabel Ibañez (re-release): Another very anticipated paperback release with a newly-designed cover! Ibañez is an author you definitely need to be reading if you haven’t yet. Her newest duology, What the River Knows and Where the Library Hides, is one of my favorite book series of all time. One thing I especially love about her work is how meticulous, well-researched, and well-developed her stories are. You can tell she took the time and care to make her stories as complex and layered as possible. I saw it in What the River Knows with her knowledge and expertise of Egyptian history, and I also see it here. This is an enchanting fantasy novel inspired by Medieval Spain. It’s romantic, adventurous, and a stand alone for anyone that prefers reading one book over a series! P.S. One more month until Where the Library Hides releases! PREORDER