Every month we let you know what we’ve been reading and our monthly recommendations. You’ll get to see new titles with fabulous reviews from the Bay Books team. We’re sure you’ll love these fantastic books just as much as we do. We recommend a wide range of genres and themes. So get ready to explore more books!
Tina’s Picks
Titanic Survivors Book Club by Timothy Schaffert
As an apprentice librarian for the White Star Line, Yorick’s job was to curate the ship’s second-class library for the passengers of the Titanic. He decides to populate it with books that are considered ‘banned’ but that he recognizes as great literary works. When he is found out, he is discharged without ever having boarded the Titanic.
After he learns of the ship’s sinking, he takes this twist of fate as a sign to follow his lifelong dream of owning a bookshop in Paris. It’s at his shop that he receives an invitation to a secret society of survivors where he encounters other ticket-holders who didn’t board the ship. Haunted by their good fortune, they decide to transform their group into a book society, where they will read the books that were banned on the Titanic, and also forge deep emotional bonds with each other that reveal their inner selves. Isn’t that what true friends do? A very enjoyable read—bonus! You get to see Yorick’s list of books to inspire your own reading.Historical Fiction, Fiction, LBGTQ+
The Modern Fairies by Clare Pollard
Not fairy tales but a historical novel about the people who told them. This novel is set in the Parisian salon of Marie-Catherine d’Aulnoy during the reign of Louis XIV, where intellectuals gathered to share literary stories, primarily literary elaborations of folktales and sometimes, their own inventions. What an interesting way to poke fun at the Sun King and perhaps the safest way to express your opinions, cleverly disguised as ‘fairytales’. Clever and fascinating, this novel represents the court at that time as well as the stories. Loved it! Historical Fiction, Fiction
Karin’s Picks
Is A River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane
To answer his question, Macfarlane endures hard travel to these beautifully still-wild places to experience them before they are lost forever. He explores three vastly different rivers: the Rio Los Cedros in the Ecuadoran Cloud Forest, the creeks and estuaries near Chennai, India, and the Magpie River, six hundred miles northeast of Montreal. In each location, along with fellow adventurers and residents, he ponders his essential question: Is A River Alive? These expeditions provide a resounding answer!
Becky’s Picks
North of Tomboy by Julie Swanson
Very local, as the author Julie Swanson grew up in Leelanau County, the setting for this Young Adult story. Through the voice of a nine year old girl, Jess Swanson recreates her life as a tomboy who often felt out of place and misunderstood by adults. Jess is determined to make the world see her as she really is. The gift of another dreaded doll for Christmas turns out to be just the answer, as Jess transforms the doll into the brave boy she has always wanted to be. As her doll, Mickey, becomes her alter ego, Jess struggles to find her own identity.
Wendy’s Staff Picks
A mysterious but affable stranger lands in the charming southern town of Golden. Upon arrival, he visits the local coffee shop and discovers nearly 100 framed portraits on display – each one depicting a local resident. Theo is inspired to purchase each of the portraits and gift them to the rightful owner. He meets with individuals to pass the portraits along and friendships are formed, and good works are initiated. This lovely, beautifully crafted story reminds us of the importance of human kindness, quiet generosity and the power of paying it forward. This is the feel-good read you need right now.
