The atmosphere of the Bog Wife is damp, oppressive, and ever present in the drama surrounding family history, tradition, and obligation with a specter of the supernatural haunting the periphery. The layers of metaphor stack upon each other like the sphagnum moss that layers the bog to become a rich peat. —Obadiah, Sherwood Bookstore, Sherwood, …
A coming-of-age story meets the cabin-in-the-woods cannibalism trope. The senses are engaged for a moody, atmospheric ride spattered in blood and rot as Margot makes sense in a world of neglectful trauma and relative isolation. —Danielle Smith, Auntie’s Bookstore, Spokane, WA Talk about a shocking Mother’s Day read! When you want to read daringly, ask …
You will be wholly moved as you journey along with Leigh, gaining an intimate understanding of her soul and appreciation for those around her who help her see the truth and beauty in herself. The focus isn’t her trauma; yes, her trauma informs her life in indelible ways, and still, she grows greatly just like …
Cornejo Villavicencio talks to day laborers, a man seeking sanctuary, as well as some of the Ground Zero cleanup crew made up mostly of immigrants about their declining health after helping a country that doesn’t want to help them. She ties the informative with the personal without being dry or sentimental. (Read this then read …
Because of the big news about the Pacific Northwest Book Awards last week, we missed our usual Thursday Themes analysis of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Bestseller List. But we still have something fun to share, even though it’s Monday: Dungeon Crawler Carl by WA author Matt Dinniman topped last week’s paperback fiction bestseller list …
Island Books of Mercer Island, WA, did a list of staff favorites during the holidays for Advent. We got a chortle out of this recommendation: Brad says, “Wait!?!? This is on Brad’s list? Yes, yes, it is. You see, I love ponies, and I especially love cranky ponies. And when cranky ponies set off to …
First, this is exhaustively researched, brilliant, and eloquent, both (in the author’s words) as “a brief history” and “a civics primer.” Second, it will pair nicely with the 2026 celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, helping to inform our interpretations of that document, its historical context, and its continuing relevance. And …
Abandoned by their mother, adult siblings Salim and Sara rarely leave their house, while their father continuously pops in with bizarre advice as their grandmother lies dying. Funny, slightly insane, and completely absurd, The Endless Week by Laura Vazquez and translated by Alex Niemi has a place on my shelf of perfectly weird fiction. Think …
A staff pick from Maris at Country Bookshelf, Bozeman, MT: In the year 4 BCE, an ambitious courtier is called upon to seduce the young emperor—but quickly discovers they are both ruled by blood, sex and intrigue. In 1740, a lonely innkeeper agrees to help a mysterious visitor procure a rare medicine, only to unleash …
A mutual friend goes missing and twin sisters Frankie, a young teen on the spectrum, and popular Tess try to solve the mystery. The loyalty of sisters, friendship, and acceptance all come into play in this well-written and engaging book. — Marlene Craig, The Well-Read Moose, Coeur d’Alene, ID Discover overlooked gems at The Well-Read …
