Laura G Recommends
Karen Russell is, in my humble opinion the reigning queen of magic realism. Her short stories are each masterpieces in their own right : achingly familiar and yet highly peculiar. Altogether they are absolutely enchanting!
Intense, evocative, and lush. Everything Under shocked me with its lyrical prose and twisting, intricate plot. Johnson explores everything from fate to gender identity in a story haunted by an unknowable monster.
Lyrical, existential, and above all accessible, Alexis' latest novel is filled with enchanted pastoral scenes juxtaposed by violence and death. DAYS BY MOONLIGHT is a joy to read, perfect for lovers of Saša Stanišic's rich provincial worlds or Claire-Louise Bennett's poetic prose. This book has the quiet power of thunder in the distance; echoing, rousing, and inevitable.
This is a stunning novel with quiet, powerful prose to take your breath away. Sopinka flawlessly inhabits the rich inner world of her protagonist. Powerful in a soft way.
This novel takes place in a town that can only be described as "curmudgeonly." Its host of characters ranges in both age and species. Over the course of an evening the sleepy town descends into chaos. Full of a distinctively Eastern European brand of magical realism, this is an enchanting fireside tale.
A postmodern fairytale, dark and enchanting in its simplicity. Set in a crumbling cultural period, this book shows a child’s perspective of an idyllic life during a tumultuous moment in history. Each vignette is an exploration of family, identity, and the loss of innocence.
This French bestseller translates beautifully into a double narrative: one voice young and disillusioned with her bourgeois world, the other old and radiant, yet masked by humble origins. A gently sardonic and bittersweet exploration of philosophy, love, and art. It will remain in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page.
“The circus arrives without warning,” and in a similar manner this book invites you into its world. Rarely are books such an absolute feast – for the senses and the imagination. And I envy you that you are about to read The Night Circus for the first time. Savor it!
Morgenstern dazzles in her latest novel, an intricately wrought tale populated by lovers, mystery, and sumptuous magic. The Starless Sea is an ode to book lovers everywhere, reanimating the excitement as well as the pure possibility we felt when reading books such as Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings for the first time. I am reminded of a famous C.S. Lewis quote: "One day, you'll be old enough to read fairytales again." When that day comes, The Starless Sea will be waiting for you.
Pond is a complete and utter escape on par with a certain other Irish writer’s masterpiece. Contemplative, rich, and an absolute delight – pure aesthetic pleasure.
Enchanting and eerie. The Changeling is a literary classic and cornerstone for writers like Daisy Johnson and Karen Russell. Highly evocative, this book is a force unbeholden to the reader, the writer, or the world.
In 1666 a blind astronomer makes a prediction that at the stroke of noon on June 30th of that year a solar eclipse will cast all of Europe into darkness for four seconds. Is he mad or a visionary? Sachs brings a unique comic and philosophical sense to his debut novel, an intricate fable about understanding ourselves and the world. Perfect for fans of Mark Haber!
Hauntingly beautiful with prose that echo deeper than the ocean. This book is an intimate exploration of youth, love, and the tragedies that can define our lives. A siren song that will entrance you.
A sly beast of a novel, this gothic tale will entrance you! Hypnotic prose, an unreliable narrator, and a spiraling story with no foreseeable end make this book truly haunting. Perfect for a crisp October night!
This gorgeous translated book cuts to the heart of what it is to occupy a female body - the fear, the joy, and the rage. Twelve stories demonstrate a vast range of emotion. At times they are uplifting and peaceful before diving back into the narrative's constantly present, violent underbelly. Haunting, visceral, and so important.
This book is powerful, fraught with an underlying tension that echoes from our modern society. Moss grapples with sexism, "race purity," and classism in her stunningly rich prose. This book brings to the forefront of the reader's mind the subtle yet constant fear minorities and oppressed peoples must deal with ever day. GHOST WALL works to answer one dark and twisted question: has modern man progressed from his primitive self?
Reinhardt's Garden is such a small book, and yet, like a tropical jungle, filled with hidden jewels. Join the narcissistic, cocaine-addict Jacov Reinhardt and his poor, hapless scribe as they search halfway across the world for Reinhardt's lost hero. Haber spins a fascinating tale with writing that gives no quarter to gristle. Ultimately this is a darkly satirical, melancholic journey into Reinhardt's very own heart of darkness.
Never have I read a book that so eloquently captures what my own heart cannot put into words. Paper Houses is a spinning coin of vulnerability, showing the fear and desire for human connection one moment and flipping to create boundaries the next. Fortier's vision of Emily Dickinson is luminous and loving and her understanding of the poet's soul shines through each page. This is a fearless exploration of self, isolation, and the painful hope and hunger for love.
Armfield writes with heart and teeth, weaving a collection of short stories into an eerie, unsettling oeuvre. Perfect for fans of Daisy Johnson, Samantha Hunt, and Carmen Maria Machado, salt slow is beautiful, poetic, and fierce!
Creatures is an ocean tide, enticing the reader then begging them to give chase. Van Meter explores the depths of human pain; the sharp sting of grief and burning despair of loneliness. Inextricably tied to place, this book uncovers a darkly glittering world both above and beneath the waves. Winter Island is a fog coated land unto itself populated by humans who can't help but betray each others' love. Driven by emotion, Van Meter has written a stunning, tactile book. I half expected to taste the sea salt on the page.
Gala is a Cuban literary star, radically combining both fantasy and realism in her English-language debut. The Black Cathedral is a haunting, twisted tale driven by a chorus of dubious narrators. Each voice adds complexity to a story growing as quickly and haphazardly as the cathedral at the center of the plot. At its heart, The Black Cathedral is a tale of race, religion, and fate. The prose are darkly comedic, painting modern Cuban life with a gritty, no holds-barred brush.
A gothic, horrific novel set in the heart of the bayou, The Boatman's Daughter is an exploration of religion, sacrifice, and perseverance. Miranda is a determined young woman with a world of horrors set against her. This is Southern Gothic at its best.
Things in Jars is ambitious, labyrinthine, and entertaining as hell, proving once again that Jess Kidd is at the top of her craft. Bridie is a whip smart detective, determined to solve the case of a precocious young child's disappearance. Her journey through Victorian London is aided by ghosts, giant housemaids, and apothecaries. This is a foggy, gothic mystery blending fact and fairy tale.
Millwood has created a sinister, obsessive parable set in a harsh, arctic Norwegian town in 1617. The Mercies is utterly hypnotic, creating a humble and stark atmosphere strung through with tension and hidden rage. Beguiling and haunting, this is a tale of community, witches, and love in a punishing world.
Eerie, ice-covered, and completely enthralling, The Snow Collectors is a haunting tale of Victorian exploration. Henna's journey takes her to gorgeous atmospheres - crumbling mansions, hidden passageways, and snowy, arctic wastelands. This is a story to sink into, to read by a fireplace on a cold night.
Blackwood is a mythical vine entangling the reader before they know what's hit them. This Southern Gothic novel explores the weight of community, legacy, and justice, all inextricably tied to the deep, rural South. Smith is a master story teller, plotting twists and revelations though every moment.
Sharks in the Time of Saviors is a raw, glorious debut combining ancient gods and modern realities. Kawai Strong Washburn is a lyrical genius, weaving a strange story of family, heritage, and the bonds of grief. Washburn's Hawai'i seeps off the pages; warm, dangerous, and full of mystery.
Hilarious, fierce, and so satisfying, We Ride Upon Sticks is the story of a women's field hockey team that turns to witchcraft to win the state finals. Barry weaves an unforgettable tale rooted in the history of the New England witch trials and 80's nostalgia. This is the feminist/occult mashup you didn't know you needed.
This is a heist novel. The target? Not jewels, not world-changing technology. It's chickens. Barn 8 is philosophical, whimsical, and utterly absurd. Unferth has created another charming masterpiece that belongs on the shelf with Confederacy of Dunces and Catch-22. You will fall in love with this story.
This is the story I've been waiting for, a tale inspired by the real historical Sin Eater figures of English history! Sin Eaters were criminals, marked for their crimes and forced to perform ritualistic food ceremonies to absolve the deceased of their sins. Campisi's novel draws on this rich mythology while adding her own feminist themes. Sin Eater is eerie, intelligent, and fascinating, drawing the reader deep into May's world!
Iseult Wince, a Victorian near-spinster, is convinced that her deceased mother lives in the scar on her neck. And so the haunting, gothic tale begins with echoes from the golden age of gothic, feminist stories such as THE YELLOW WALLPAPER. Pohlig's tale is chilling in its examination of modernity and femininity while enjoying moments of absurd humor. This is a dark, gothic comedy of manners that will keep you entertained and horrified throughout.
YA
This book was absolutely fantastic! A knock-out cast of diverse characters, a complex and layered world, and an ever increasing descent into chaos that left me breathless. Is it too bold to say that this series could be the next Throne of Glass? My only wish is that the second book was here already!
Explosive, intense, and ultimately satisfying, Raasch finishes her best series yet on a powerful high note. THESE DIVIDED SHORES delves even deeper into the complicated history, religion, and politics of Grace Loray as well as the intense and tangled relationships of its people. Lu, Vex, and Ben are drawn into the eye of the tempest as the fight for magic comes to an epic conclusion!
A dark and thrilling take on the epic Beowulf! The characters are powerful and raw, the story bloody and wrenching. Tucholke has given new life to the classic story, creating depth and unlocking meanings previously unknown.
An electric tale of friendship and betrayal, this book fearlessly explores the vicious fierceness that lives buried in all dangerous women. Milla is a beautifully human character: loyal and good, yet plagued by demons, fear, and the rash decisions of youth. Every character is so wonderfully flawed, caught up in a tragedy that seems unstoppable if only because of their nature. This is an excellent story that will leave the reader haunted long after turning the last page.
A fierce and fiery tale of sisterhood and betrayal set in a world rich in magic and deception. In this story there is no one who is wholly good or entirely evil, each person and group is haunted by history and intention. This is an intricately written debut that is sure to amaze fans of Alwyn Hamilton and Sabaa Tahir! Fascinating characters, magic, and world-building, Pau Preto is a name to watch!
Preto continues her fiery CROWN OF FEATHERS series with an explosive sequel! HEART OF FLAMES explores further the fraught history, choices, and motivations of those loyal to the Empire and those sworn to the Phoenix Riders. Veronyka, Tristan, and Sev undergo a trial by fire as they fight for a future that becomes more twisted and improbable every day.
WICKED SAINTS has everything I look for in a book: dark monsters, powerful magic, and a stunning atmosphere that permeates every page. This book is lush and darkly romantic, filled with blood and bones. Perfect for fans of Maggie Stiefvater and Leigh Bardugo, Duncan's thrilling debut explores the ecstasy and heart-breaking tragedy of what it is to love a monster.
Ruthless Gods is a brutal beast of a novel, devouring the reader whole with Duncan's trademark darkly glittering atmosphere. Delve further into the icy, gothic world of Wicked Saints and follow Nadya, Serefin, and Malachiasz deeper into a hell of their own making. Their world will become even more dangerous, filled with teeth sharpened on good intentions. Broken faith, love, and power seep off the page. It will stain your hands and it will stain your mind.
High School senior Emoni Santiago is a single mother who dreams of becoming a professional chef, but circumstance and culture stand against her. Told in short, vignette-like chapters, WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH takes difficult, often disenfranchised issues and makes them easy to empathize with. Printz and National Book Award winner Acevedo is a powerhouse of love, compassion, and raw talent.
Elizabeth Lim's latest novel is completely enchanting! Lim reimagines the tale of Thousandfur in an epic adventure filled with beautiful, rich imagery and a stunning, breathless plot. SPIN THE DAWN reminds readers of the possibilities of stories - the ways they can be reimagined and re-spun into new and fascinating works of artistry.
Sometimes a book is just too good for words - this is one such book. WILDER GIRLS is a raw, speculative debut filled with stunning prose and a brutally fierce story. The atmosphere of Raxter is eerie, permeating every page. Powers is unflinching when looking into the hearts and minds of adolescent girls - their wants, fears, and will to survive. This is exactly the sort of story we need right now.
Davis follows in the footsteps of April Genevieve Tucholke and Tomi Adeyemi with her new, intersectional Western! When Clementine accidentally kills a man she uproots her small band of girls and begins a hunt for vengeance the country of Arketta will only give over its cold, dead body. THE GOOD LUCK GIRLS is bloody, electric, and built with grit. Davis fearlessly shines a light at America's own injustices and navigates a break neck plot with the speed and precision of a bullet.
The world of Sabor is fascinating and complex, the characters are nuanced and powerfully written. Ultimately, this is the enemies-to-allies road trip adventure you've been waiting for! Completely engrossing!
Alaine is now among my favorite heroines. She's whip-smart, humorous, and most powerfully, loving. Told through letters, texts, and journal entries, DEAR HAITI, LOVE ALAINE is an intimate look into the life of a young Haitian American girl. Written by Haitian Americans, the Moulite sisters give personal insight into the life of a second-gen American girl, filling their book with empathy, hilarity, and hope.
Ruby writes with her signature genre-mixing style to create a tale that's part ghost story, part historical, and completely compelling! Watching Frankie grow from an abandoned young girl to a fierce woman is a pleasure, and witnessing the hidden lives of Depression-era Chicagoans through the eyes of a ghost is intimate and magical.
A gloriously epic debut, BLOOD HEIR is a lush, magical story that entrances the reader from the first sentence. Amélie Wen Zhao is a master of both prose and pacing, making me fall in love with writing all over again. Her characters are morally-complex and conflicted. Add in a slow-burn romance and I was completely intoxicated. Zhao is definitely a name to watch!
This is a wholly original, lush story inspired by Bolivian history and politics. No one is without guilt, and every side is haunted by a bloodstained past they'd rather forget. Ibañez weaves her tale with expert precision. Rich details add to her prose and give her story dimension and life.
Fans of Wes Anderson rejoice! A CASTLE IN THE CLOUDS is charming, witty, and edged with danger! When Sophie interns at a grand hotel in the Swiss Alps, she doesn't expect their biggest event of the year to turn into a dastardly, daring adventure! Soon Sophie must navigate a long list of suspects and a convoluted string of clues if she wants to keep her job. Gier is a master of cozy romance as well as playful mystery. CASTLE is a book you will return to over and over again, like a well-loved sweater!
ALL THE STARS AND TEETH is as dangerous as a tempest and sharp as a dagger, filled with non-stop, swashbuckling action! Adalyn Grace delivers a powerful story populated with fierce characters. The culture and history of Visidia are complex and completely enthralling. Just like a riptide, this book will suck you in and won't let go!
"Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it." Foul Is Fair is a primal, savage retelling of Macbeth following one girl out for the blood of her rapists. Capin's prose are seductive, drawing you in before slicing to the quick. This is catharsis at its best and perfect for the #metoo movement!
Bone Crier's Moon is as darkly magical as fog rolling in on a moonlit bridge! Purdie's characters are a tantalizing mixture of flaws and courage. The plot is electric, filled with danger, curses, and fascinating mythology! The romance is luscious with an edge as sharp as a ceremonial knife. Simply put, Bone Crier's Moon fully gripped me. I could not put it down!
This is a darkly comedic tale of six best friends. Alexis is a memorable protagonist - unapologetic, powerful, and inextricably tied to her chosen family. When her coven accidentally kills a boy, they must all deal with the consequences, their guilt, and their fracturing family.
SCIENCE/NATURE
Ambitious and extensive, UNDERLAND plunges the reader into an epic journey below the earth; from sea caves to the catacombs of Paris to fungal networks and beyond. This haunting and lyrical treatise is an exploration of humanity's expansive ties to the subterranean, not only including Macfarlane's travels and observations but those of artists, murderers, and explorers. Macfarlane seeks out the darkness of our world, weaving his findings together in a narrative of mystery, strangeness, and ultimately, brilliance.
STRANGE HARVESTS follows the journey of several natural commodities from harvest to marketplace. It's a fascinating insight into humanity's connections with the natural world, a complex tapestry of first hand narratives, history, and science. Through the book Posnett shows us the subtle harmony of ecology and economy, posing the question: can humanity balance our desire to consume or will we inevitably destroy our harvests?
A fascinating, almost meditative look at one of nature’s most ubiquitous insects. Hanson is a conservation biologist who writes like a novelist. Absolutely fantastic!
The mark of a true genius is one who can explain their field to a lay person. Groth and Nitzberg are certainly touched by genius. The book is easy to follow and the subject is nothing short of fascinating!
As bountiful as the stars in the universe, algae are just as vitally important to our survival - more so, even! Kassinger's book is compulsively readable with delightful anecdotes and fascinating science.
Perfect for amateur mycologists with questionable "morels," Entangled Life is a fascinating look into the world of fungi. Fungi are the mysterious connectors of our Earth, the synapses that connect trees, plants, and us. Sheldrake is unafraid to move in a philosophical direction, using his scientific expertise to consider fungi's implications on our own views of autonomy, community, and society. This is a masterfully written, highly fascinating addition to the compendium of fungal knowledge.
HISTORY/BIOGRAPHY
A remarkable story about the English language’s most important book. Winchester is an excellent writer and the characters are fascinating … also slightly (very) insane. Read for awesome facts that you’ll never be quizzed on but will enjoy knowing anyways!
THE LADY FROM THE BLACK LAGOON is the true story of lost film pioneer Milicent Patrick. Patrick was the artistic and creative genius behind one of cinema's most famous monsters. How do we not know more about this creative and trailblazing woman? Her work was claimed by a jealous male colleague and what should have been a bright career was cut tragically short. With dogged persistence and years of research, horror filmmaker Mallory O'Meara sets out to discover more about this forgotten icon. LADY reads like a detective thriller, captivating and rewarding for those who are willing to explore the sexist culture that has shaped Hollywood to this day.
Award-winning historian Charles King chronicles the life and legacy of Franz Boaz, the father of cultural anthropology. GODS OF THE UPPER AIR connects the views of culture yesterday to today, contextualizing and destroying arguments for racism, especially in our politics today. This is an intellectual adventure with a very real impact on the key moral issues of our times.
Armstrong's latest work is perhaps her most powerful to date, exploring the scriptures of the Bible, Quran, and Torah. Written with the intellect of a theologian and charged with compassion, Armstrong asserts that most people read scripture to confirm their own views, then shows how to read for transformation. This is a vitally important work for believers and non-believers alike.
While the Cold War raged and America and the USSR fought for global supremacy, two zoos in Berlin, one East and one West, battled not over warheads, but over polar bears and pandas. Mohnhaupt chronicles the epic, and often times hilarious rivalry between two head zookeepers and the fallout it caused. This is a charming and riveting history of one of the strangest proxy wars ever fought.
MEMOIR
Olstein writes with eloquence and power. While pain is highly individual, I found echoes of my own chronic pains within her words - all described with a fierce simplicity that I have never been able to achieve. To someone living with chronic pain, this book is pure catharsis, a warm voice in an endless tunnel of dark saying "I hear you. I understand you." To anyone else, this book is the first step toward empathy. PAIN STUDIES must be read by all.