Staff Picks: The Best Books We Read in April 2024Like this list

25 items

• The Other Valley

  a Novel

  Howard, Scott Alexander

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  Odile is a smart and shy teenager living in a town with a heavily fortified border. The town in the valley to the west is ALSO her town - 20 years in the past. Odile is taking tests to become part of the town's Conseil, a group that decides who…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• 50 Oscar Nights

  Iconic Stars & Filmmakers on Their Career-defining Wins

  Karger, Dave

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  Do you love movies? Check out this title, compiled by Turner Classic Movies and Dave Karger. The author interviews 50 Oscar winners – including behind-the-scenes roles like Sound Mixing and Production Design, all the way through Best Picture and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Secret Life of Hidden Places

  Concealed Rooms, Clandestine Passageways, and the Curious Minds That Made Them

  Bachmann, Stefan

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  If you have ever wanted a secret room or stairway in your house, you will likely enjoy this book. Entries are short and include pictures.

• The Finishing School

  a Novel

  Goodman, Joanna

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  An accident occurred twenty years ago at the Swiss boarding school that Canadian Kersti Kuusk attended. Her friend was found with life altering injuries caused from a fall from a fourth floor balcony. Was it truly an accident or was it attempted…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Unnatural Ends

  a Novel

  Huang, Christopher

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  Sir Linwood has been found murdered in his locked study and whichever of his three adopted children solves the case will inherit his prosperous estate, but they each discover mysteries of their own. Set in the Yorkshire countryside of the 1920's,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Murder Road

  a Novel

  St. James, Simone

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  Canadian spooky queen Simone St. James hits it out of the park again with this paranormal thriller. It is July 1995 and a newly married couple have taken a wrong turn down an abandoned road, which leads to them having to clear their names for a…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Light We Carry

  Overcoming in Uncertain Times

  Obama, Michelle, 1964-

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  Full of warmth, wisdom, and insight. An inspiring book about recognizing personal strengths and overcoming challenges along the way.

• Njuta

  (enjoy, Delight In) : the Swedish Art of Savoring the Moment

  Brantmark, Niki

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  Njuta roughly translates to savoring the moment. Author of the popular blog My Scandinavian Home, Brantmark provides a gentle reminder to take care of your mental health. This book will have you planning a trip to Sweden for lagom (balance) and fika…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Familiar

  a Novel

  Bardugo, Leigh

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  Bardugo’s first foray into historical fiction blends history and fantasy in a page turning novel. A young servant girl in Madrid has learned to keep her head down, and her small acts of magic to herself. But when her mistress discovers her magic, it…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop

  a Novel

  Bo-Reum, Hwang

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  This story follows the journey of Yeongju as she aspires to follow her dream of opening up a bookstore in Korea. Cozy up with this heartwarming novel.

• The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

  a Novel

  McBride, James, 1957-

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  A character-driven saga set in a Jewish and Black neighbourhood, this is a tale of love, friendship, redemption and justice as the community works together to keep a young deaf child from being institutionalized in an horrific insane asylum. This…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Wandering Stars

  a Novel

  Orange, Tommy, 1982-

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  A multi-generational tale of the Indigenous American experience told through the lens of one family. Simultaneously a prequel and a sequel to Orange’s excellent There, There this beautifully written book will break your heart.

• Antarctica

  Keegan, Claire

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  Antarctica is a collection of 16 short stories by the acclaimed Claire Keegan. Dark, unsettling and clever, these stories linger and leave you wanting to devour everything Keegan’s ever penned. I was particularly taken by the story Sisters.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Great Country

  a Novel

  Gowda, Shilpi Somaya

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  This was a fast-paced and thought-provoking story. I enjoyed that there were a couple of different plot lines going on simultaneously. I highly recommend this powerful read!

• Pathogenesis

  a History of the World in Eight Plagues

  Kennedy, Jonathan

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  A fascinating look at how death and disease have shaped human civilization from the very beginning of time, showing just how lucky, or in some cases not, humanity has been. Easy to read (or listen to) this book will re-contextualize your view of the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Heiress

  a Novel

  Hawkins, Rachel, 1979-

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  Camden McTavish has never been accepted by his adopted mother’s family, particularly since her fortune and family estate were left to him following his mother, infamous millionaire Ruby McTavish’s death. Ten years later Camden returns home with his…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Empire of the Damned

  Kristoff, Jay

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  This sequel to my beloved Empire of the Vampire was epic, engaging, and near impossible to put down. I love these characters and this story is stunning, I highly recommend to any fantasy fans.

• Here We Go Again

  a Novel

  Cochrun, Alison

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  A road trip story full of joy, friendship, and a good-old friends-to-enemies-to lovers plotline. This story is absolutely perfect for anyone who loved their English teacher just a little bit too much.

• Orphia and Eurydicius

  John, Elyse

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  A gender-swapped feminist retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice, one of my absolute favourite Greek myths. This book had stunning prose and a feminist viewpoint, I read it in one day!!

• The Day Tripper

  a Novel

  Goodhand, James

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  Have you ever read a time travel novel that takes you on a different path? Are they all the same? Try Day Tripper. Alex wakes every morning on a different day in his life. One day, it’s 2014, another, it’s 1996. He never knows when he’ll end up. He…Read moreRead more of this annotation