Shanna recommends:

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger

William Kent Krueger gives us another very readable literary mystery in his third stand-alone book outside of the Cork O’Connor series. The small town of Jewel, Minnesota is turned upside down after the murder of a prominent citizen in the post-WWII era. With Sheriff Brody Dern at the helm of the investigation and a cast of characters including a war widow and her adolescent son, a female lawyer, and a nosy newspaperman, Krueger addresses PTSD and racial discrimination against people of Native American, German, and Japanese descent in 1950s America. His writing describes the power of nature with the river that runs through town as a central character, and he once again delivers a love song to the landscapes of Minnesota. 

Jerry recommends:

A Man of Two Faces by Viet Thanh Nguyen

publishes October 3rd

Viet Thanh Nguyen has created an unforgettable, at times uncomfortable look at his life, his family origins and his place in both family and society. As a refugee from Vietnam he recalls growing up in the 1980s in San Jose and, later, LA with brutal honesty, especially as he recounts his relationship with his parents and their own histories, both in Vietnam and America. His pointed emphasis on the meaning of words and language within the American immigrant experience is truly thought-provoking. At times angry, painful, political, hilarious but always brilliant, with a keen focus on the treatment of “others" in America, this memoir is a true introspection of one man’s life journey as he comes to terms with his own Defiant/Quiet set of two faces.

Ashleigh recommends:

After the Forest by Kell Woods

publishes October 3rd

One of my 2023 favorites! This stunning debut tells the story of Greta and Hans years after their legendary kidnapping by the gingerbread house witch. It beautifully grapples with PTSD, discovering truths amongst myths and secrets, allowing for growth in spite of trauma, and lots of found family. It is dark, ambient, moody, and gloriously written. I adore books with setting-as-character, and After the Forest is perfection with its 1650s Bavarian mountain village setting. Perfect for fans of Hannah Whitten, Naomi Novik, Katherine Arden, and Shelley Parker-Chan.

Kali recommends:

Pigs Can't Look Up by Vincent D'Onofrio & Shelly Cunningham

In this delightful picture book, we follow a young girl as she sets out on a mission to share the wonder of the stars with the family pig, who has never seen them before, as she cannot look up. This tale highlights the joys of kindness and how helping others will only bring you closer together. A heartwarming tale that is sure to capture the imagination of readers of all ages!