Patrick Recommends

The War for Gaul is a fantastic account of Julius Caesar’s campaigns of Gaul written by Julius Caesar himself! Through this book, you get to peek into the mind of one of the most faascinating figures in history. It is a great read and it gives a great insight into what was like during this time.

Kindred is a great story about a woman caught between two times. She lives a normal life in the modern times until she is spontaneously transported to the Antebellum South. Octavia Butler is an incredible author and this book is my favorite of hers. She gives a commentary on race, culture, and society that is profound to this day.

The Poisonwood Bible is a book about a family undergoing change. Their journey is powerful, heartwarming, and leaves an impact on the reader that is hard to forget. I recommend this book to anyone who craves a genuine story that can move people.

Dune by Frank Herbert is an absolute science fiction classic. The scope and scale of the story is immense and it has inspired countless works of science fiction. Trust me, you will never forget your first trip to Arrakis!

In this fantasy novel, a devestation has wrecked a proud and powerful city, and for the past ten years people have been contracting a mysterious disease. Sanderson weaves a fantastic tale about the fate of these people and this ruined city. The world-building is imaginative and the plot is gripping and very well thought out.

A wickedly funny story set in a world where the board game Scrabble has become one of the biggest sports around. However not everything is sunshine and daisies. The infamous Scrabble Mafia, the "Scraffia," is out there and they are after our main characters.

The strange world of Mordew is imaginative, disturbing, and hard to look away from. In this fantasy story you follow a boy named Nathan as he discovers the truth about the world and himself. I highly recommend this book. Pheby has created a unique world that I have not seen anything else like.

This beautiful, heartwarming story is about a cafe that allows people to travel back in time. it is a simple premise but it's executed so well. It is very emotional. I cried severaal times throughout my reading (in a good way).

A genderless and racially ambiguous person is found sleeping on a church pew. The community tries to take care of them, but as this person doesn't respond to their "help," the community turns to suspicion and resentment. It's a story about identity and conformity that you can't put down.

A man saves a random stranger from drowning, but that is only the beginning. As their lives become more and more intertwined, everything rises in intensity until it reaches an unforgettable climax. It is written beautifully and the pages bleed into each other. This book is breathtaking.
A young vampire moves out on her own for the first time. Finally away from her mother, Lyd tries to balance her life of internships, relationships, and the constant desire to drink blood. A beautiful, contemplative book full of life (and death).

Told through the endless letters of recommendation he writes, the book follows an English professor as he goes throughout a school year. You see his few successes and many failings. It's a quick read, full of wit and humor.

A haunting fantasy filled with intrigue, magic, and adventure. Book one of The First Law trilogy is perfect for fans of Game of Thrones. From start to finish it is a brutal good time.

What else can be said about 100 Years of Solitude that hasn't already been said? This book feels alive and has a breath to it. There is a magnetism to this book that pulls you in and doesn't let go. A necessary read!

While working from home, a man accidentally gets stuck in the company's Slack Chat. Nobody believes that he is trapped in a virtual message board, so he just keeps working. It's witty, fun, and a perfect mix of workplace drama and absurdity.

A collection of moving speeches from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. In his words you see the history and identity of Ukraine, as well as a call to action in the defense from Russia's invasion.