LOST LAMBS

by Madeline Cash

The five members of the Flynn family (father, mother and three teen daughters) are all a bit lost. Each struggles with their identity in a unique, oddball way reminiscent of The Royal Tenenbaums meets Lena Dunham. This debut had me rapt from page one. The writing, the characters, the humor, satire, and humanity of it all was unlike any novel I've read before. Madeline Cash will be a name you recognize for years to come! Give Lost Lambs a read and you'll be introduced to one of your new favorite authors.

-Katie

GOOD PEOPLE

by Patmeena Sabit

A riveting debut framed as an oral history focusing on a wealthy Afghan refugee family in Virginia dealing with the suspicious death of their daughter.

-Kathy

KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN

by Sadeqa Johnson

I picked up Keeper of Lost Children on a whim, and am so glad I did. This beautifully written novel tells the story of abandoned mixed-race children born to Black American soldiers and German women during the post-WWII occupation years. Born out of wedlock, these children were often deemed “unwanted.” Enter Ethel Gathers (based on an actual person), who takes an interest in an orphanage filled with bi-racial children and ultimately changes the course of history for many of them. Interesting side fact: Rob Pilatus of “Milli Vanilli” was the son of a Black service man and German mother who spent his first four years in a Bavarian orphanage. I recommend this book--it was both moving and educational.

-Morley

FOOTBALL

by Chuck Klosterman

Football by Chuck Klosterman offers a fascinating take on America’s game. Written by pop-culture critic and admitted football fanatic Chuck Klosterman, Football is much more complex than its name suggests. It’s not a love letter to the game, nor an expose of its faults; rather, it’s a layered take on how football uniquely permeates every aspect of American life, and what that means for the present and future of the game (and us). I highly recommended Footlball for Klosterman fans, fans of diving deep into sports and culture, anyone who regularly reads The Ringer, pop culture fans, and football fans (though it may be more than they expect).

-Ted (guest reviewer/bookseller husband)

A GOOD ANIMAL

by Sara Maurer

(releases 2/24/2026)

This debut novel set in the UP is a coming of age/first love story. Everett, who wants to raise lambs like his parents, meets Mary, the new girl who wants to go to California after high school. With vivid descriptions of farm life, the pacing of this story is similar to Wild Dark Shore. This would make a great book club book!

-Martha

BEFORE I FORGET

by Tory Henwood Hoen

Although heartbreaking, this book is funny, touching and beautiful. After years of avoiding her grief, her past and her family “camp” in the Adirondacks, Cricket returns home in her twenties to care for her father who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. She has no expectations, and she is forced to confront the memories that she holds as well as those her father is losing. Does he have a rare gift? Read this wonderful book about connection, forgiveness and strength to find out for yourself. I absolutely loved this unique story!

-Di

LITTLE ONE

by Olivia Muenter

After reading her debut novel, Such a Bad Influence, I was eager to get my hands on this new release! Catharine's story begins on a cult-like family farm, where her father's control over his family and the newly adopted community members reveals his psychological grip. Told in alternating "Then" and "Now" chapters, the plot follows a reporter investigating what happened to Catharine and the missing members. I highly recommend it!

-Diana

THE FOUND OBJECT SOCIETY

by Michelle Maryk

Greta Davenport is the kind of protagonist you don’t like—and can’t stop watching. A wealthy heiress living what she calls a “louche” life of excess and recklessness, Greta’s selfishness masks a suffocating guilt over her parents’ death. When a mysterious invitation arrives—offering membership in the clandestine Found Object Society, where one can experience the moment of another person’s death—the novel tilts from sharp social satire into something far darker and more compulsive. I genuinely could not put this book down!

-Karina

A WORLD APPEARS

by Michael Pollan

(releases 2/24/2026)

Michael Pollan, author of How to Change Your Mind, takes a “Journey into Consciousness” in

his latest work. I would liken his adventure to Dorothy’s in The Wizard of Oz. His companions on his journey are not a lion, a scarecrow or a tin man; rather, an amazing cast of brilliant minds in a variety of fields-neurologists, bioneurologists, robotic engineers, philosophers, psychiatrists,

psychologists, and anthropologists. He also considers some of the great writers, present and past. Pollan’s adventure gets into the weeds of brain function, machine learning...and yes, as I said at the beginning of this sentence, into the weeds! Those are the “aha” and “no way” moments of the book that make it a page turner. After all the research, all the interviews, all the cave floor sweeping (you have to read the book), Pollan’s take away is “the miracle!--that in this universe of rock and fire and ice and infinite space, we are somehow not only here but aware.” Guess there really is no place like home!

-Anne

COOKBOOK SUGGESTIONS

EVERYTHING'S GOOD

by Toni Chapman

Feel good recipes you want to make now while cozying up at home. Don’t miss Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde—perfect to make or bring to a friend.

-Diana

BIG BITES: TIME TO EAT!

by Kat Ashmore

I first discovered Kat a few years back through her Instagram account “Kat Can Cook” and now she has released two cookbooks. Her latest is a wonderful collection of family recipes that take an hour or less. On these gray, dark days, it’s always a good idea to cook and we’ve made Roasted Red Pepper Pasta, Ramen Noodle Soup, and (to rave reviews from friends) the Vegetarian Tortilla Soup. Next up is Broccoli and Farro Salad. Easy and delish! 

-Di

TRUST YOUR GUT

by Jennifer Fisher

Easing into February with a week’s worth of anti-inflammatory cooking with my new, go-to cookbook for 2026. My family loved the Egg Salad, NYC x LA Chopped Salad and Crunchy Korean Beef Wraps.

-Diana