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, and we’re sure you’ll love these fantastic books just as much as we do. We recommend a wide range of genres and themes.
Tina’s Picks
Isabela’s Way by Barbara Stark-Nemon
It’s early in the 17th century, and the vengeance of a Catholic priest for those who are ‘conversos’, Jews who have converted to Christianity, is murderous and relentless. This historical novel, taking place during the Inquisition, follows the journey of a group of them trying to escape to the Protestant north and a more tolerant society. Historically accurate with strong characters and plot, Stark-Nemon writes this story of intolerance and also heroics that should not be forgotten ever. I found fascinating how secret codes, announcing safety, danger, friend or foe, could be communicated through embroidery! Another fine piece of fiction by local author, Barbara Stark-Nemon.
Ends of the Earth by Neil Shubin
We know the ice caps are melting, but do we really understand how? Science writer Shubin describes our two best natural laboratories, the Arctic and the Antarctic, and the surprises to discover in both places, particularly with glacier melt.
He takes us under the Southern Ocean to see how glaciers melt from below, how the bottom currents affect this, and the diversity of viruses and bacteria that are thawing out with the ice which will spill over to local plant and animal hosts. He also describes the surface of these vast areas and what they can tell us as well. Fascinating reading for everyone.
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman
Despite its title, this Newberry Honor book has a great story to share that is full of hope and friendship. This little fox has a mission to guide animal souls to the afterlife but when he meets a badger soul that can’t cross over, he has a mystery which has to be solved. A great story of friendship, self love, humor and a little grief. For middle grade readers.
Becky’s Pick
Jodi Picoult does not disappoint as she once again focuses on a social issue, with her characters making complicated choices with lots of twists. The topic is PPP (postpartum psychosis) which she handles carefully and honestly, while highlighting the trauma that can be inflicted.
Molly lives in the shadow of a mother she never knew. She is raised in a happy household by her father and stepmother but always felt the emptiness of her mother’s absence. Losing her mother 25 years ago on 9/11, brings a complicated level of trauma to her life. Anxiety about disasters draws her to her job as head of a Department for Emergency Preparedness, mapping out ways to save people during storms and airplane crashes.
When Molly becomes pregnant with her first child, she is not prepared for what comes next.
What is the length one would go to protect their own child?
(And the cover of the book is brilliant.)
Wendy’s Pick
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower
Feeling the heaviness of the world and in need of a delightful escape? Dive into this charming and quintessentially British series. It has acquired a cult following for a reason. Set in London, 1883, the journal entries unfold as Emma has returned to her ancestral home in the village of St. Crispian’s plagued by some daunting life challenges; she is an orphan, penniless, recently sprung from a disappointing boarding school education, and is now under the thumb of her loathsome Cousin Archibald and her controlling Aunt Eugenia. And…there are MICE in her cramped (and worse: bookless!) living quarters. Despite these hurdles, spunky Emma bravely and cleverly plows forward to attain her goal of full independence as a young woman in Victorian England. Book lovers will enjoy the installment at the end of each volume that lists Emma’s growing personal library. Each novella contains journal entries covering a 2-month time span. Volumes 1 – 8 are currently available and the author plans 24 books for the series. These witty, historical fiction books are truly a pleasure – highly recommend reading them while curled up in front of a fire/candle, under a cozy throw blanket, with a cup of tea and perhaps a fuzzy pet settled on your lap. You’re welcome.
Karin’s Pick
May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry
A curator, whose specialty is recreating historically accurate rooms in medieval palaces, is transported imaginatively back in time into the realm of relatively unknown king. She is a researcher and yet she speculates on what life would have been like for such a king. She asks herself and others, “what can we really know about what happened in the historical past?” And what might objects from that time truly have to tell us?
