One of my favorite parts about working at a book store is recommending books. One of the most rewarding parts, is when people tell me how much they love said books and then we get to fangirl/boy over them together! Below are some that I’ve picked for those two biggest reading seasons, summer and the winter holidays.

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Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain

Medium Raw is probably one of my all time favorite nonfiction books – and as it’s been a year since we, the people of the world lost our dear Tony, it felt like a good time to remind people of his brilliance. While many have commented in the store that Kitchen Confidential would be the “normal” pick, Medium Raw is my favorite of all of his books.

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City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte

City of Dark Magic is probably my favorite fiction books – the perfect escape for a quick and light-ish summer read with a little bit of history, magic, and… smut.

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The Lost Queen by Signe Pike

And last but not least, The Lost Queen is my newest obsession, and the book I’m currently reading. It’s a sweeping historical novel set in Arthurian-era Scotland. After my recent trip to the country, it seems to be all I want to read about!

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Previous Summer Picks

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

I think Mary Ann and Annie pull off their epistolary novel magnificently, and, like our protagonist/primary letter writer Juliet, I found myself fully immersed in the story of the one member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society who is not still on the island in 1946, the year the letters are all exchanged. It is definitely worth a read, or a listen, and takes the tried and true WWII novel and gives it an interesting spin.

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Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened is the memoir of a not so ordinary woman growing up and living her life by her terms with lots of humor. An instant bestseller when it was first released, Jenny lawson’s first memoir has a story in it that just about anyone can relate to. And you love it, try her second book, Furiously Happy, and her latest, Broken, is out in April 2021!

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A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

An oldy but goody, A Discovery of Witches is a romance and history-inspired story between two Oxford researchers, one a witch, one a vampire. While it does get a little trope-y, it has the benefit of being written before most other witch/vampire romances making it all the more unique!

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The Little Shop of Happy Ever After by Jenny Colgan

The Bookshop on the Corner is the perfect lighthearted read. I love reading books about books and bookstores and booksellers. Nina, our protagonist, is certainly a new favorite heroine with a distinct air of Austen about her. And a bonus! There’s an homage to Pride & Prejudice in the book and characterizations, and it’s a tear-free read!

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Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett

Good Omens is a wonderful treat and a hystical fantasy masterpiece from two powerhouse authors. From the very first page where each of the many characters are introduced, the wit and humor is evident. So join Crowley and Aziraphale as they search for the missing anti-Christ and save the world!

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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

The book that launched Sarah into the masses, A Court of Thorns and Roses is for many, a must read. I love the rest of the series more, but if you’ve ever wondered where the diehard fans’ obsession began, it’s right here.