Recommendations and Reviews

Did you set any reading goals for the year? To try out a different genre, maybe, or to read a certain number of books? You're in luck — we've got a new wave of rom-coms, thrillers, page-turners, and more that will help you start the year off right. The publishing world is off to a hot start in 2023, and we'd love to steer you towards your ideal read. Scroll through the list below to see our latest and greatest staff picks — or give us a call for a personalized pick. Either way, read on!

It may be a new year, but here at the shop we're up to all of our same old tricks. Namely, we're reading tons of great books and probably causing lots of future problems for your available shelf space. Here, we've compiled a great collection of early-January releases that we think will fit right in to your existing TBR pile. We've got a lovely picture book, thoughtful middle grade, and a quintet of novels in different genres. What are you in the mood for? Read on to find the perfect fit!

You know the old saying: New year, new precariously high TBR pile. We can help with that! New books bring new laughs, tears, comforts, twists, and aha moments — there's nothing better. Check out our round-up of some soon-to-be-released favorites we know will earn a treasured spot on your shelf. Whether you’re in the mood for a loving picture book, a coming-of-age story, a thriller, historical fiction, or more, you’ll find something to suit you in our list below. Happy reading!

Everyone knows that books make the best gifts, so it follows that booksellers make the best gift-givers. This year, we've asked a few of our staffers which books (or games or fun bookish merch!) they're gifting this holiday season. Browse through their picks for some festive inspiration. Need help with a personalized recommendation for someone on your list? Give us a call or stop by the store — we'd be happy to help you find (and wrap!) the perfect present.

It's the time of the year for family gatherings, cherished friends, and cozy afternoons snuggled up with a good book. Our shelves are brimming with great new reads, and we know that one of them is the perfect fit for you, no matter your literary taste. Cozy read-aloud? Historical fiction? Coming of age, clever mystery, or tear-jerker? We've got 'em all, with a fun holiday rom-com thrown in, to boot. Discover you next favorite below — read on!

The holidays are fast approaching, and many of us are making plans to gather with family and friends in the weeks ahead. That means lots of nice things, but let's face it: One of the things we're looking forward to most is the food. This week, we're spotlighting seven of our favorite cookbooks that came out this year — a baker's half-dozen of wonderful titles that will reinvigorate your meal planning and wow your guests. Whether you're planning a large gathering or just want to steal the show with a sensational side, you'll find plenty of inspiration within these pages. Dig in! 

The year is winding down, and the holiday shopping season is starting here at the shop. We can all agree that books make the best gifts, right? We suggest that you treat the reader in your life (or, hey, yourself) to some of the new releases featured below — they include great new books by lots of old favorites, plus one or two debuts that we know will cast a spell on you. Hungry for more? You can always check out the staff's favorite books of the year, too. Sorry, folks — your bookshelves don't stand a chance.

Can it really be that time already? The days are growing shorter, the calendar is running out of pages, and it's once again time to share our favorite titles from another banner year in books. We're very excited to welcome you to our annual "Best Books" list — 30 books we loved in 2022, for readers of all ages and interests.

You can scroll through the whole list below, from Picture Books down to Cookbooks, or use the links in the post to jump straight to the area of your interest.

Finally, a friendly holiday shopping reminder: Once again this year, many popular titles will be scarce due to ongoing supply chain disruptions. If you'd like to give one of these books as a gift, we encourage you to buy it now. And if you can't find the one you're looking for, ask us for personalized recommendations! We have plenty of wonderful books on the shelf that we're eager to share.

Happy reading, friends.

Have you been enjoying the cool morning air as much as we have? We're so excited that October is here — it's always one of our favorite months here at the shop, even as it's usually packed to the gills with author events and big-ticket book releases. This year's shaping up to be no exception to that trend, with a dazzling number of store-favorite authors contributing new books early in the month. If you're a middle grade fan, how about new books from Jasmine Warga and Alan Gratz? YA lovers, are you ready to revel in the new Adam Silvera? And if you're looking for some adult fiction, it doesn't get much better than Celeste Ng, Jess Kidd, and Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan. Dig in!

We’re capping off an extraordinary month in publishing with another round of new staff picks for readers of all ages and persuasions. We’ve shared more than forty great titles with you since the calendar flipped to September, and while we’re a little sorry for the strain we’ve probably added to your bookshelves, we’re mostly just excited to have someone to talk to about some of these great new releases. Stuck in a reading rut? Just check out the list below or stop in and see us — as the old saying goes, “If you're lost, you can look, and you will find books... tome after tome.”