Samantha, our newest team member, loved "The Measure" by debut author Nikki Erlick.
The Celestial Wife by Leslie Howard
In 1964, 15-year-old Daisy is told who she'll marry in her strict Mormon community in B.C. As she secretly explores art, music, and independence, she questions her fate. Escaping to the Okanagan, she embraces the hippie culture, picks fruit, and makes new friends while confronting the harsh realities of polygamy. "The Celestial Wife" is an intense, gripping, and empowering historical fiction about growing up in a religious cult. Highly recommended for fans of the genre. - Jennifer D
Kitchen Party: Effortless Recipes for Every Occasion by Mary Berg
Not only are these recipes truly effortless, but they are delicious, too! My family has added several of them to our rotating meal plan. It’s great to have really delicious meals that don’t feel like a chore to get to the table, whether it’s for my family of three or whether I’m having the in-laws over and looking for something a bit more impressive. The recipes are real crowd pleasers but still let me have lots of time for visiting and chatting when company comes over. And my toddler loves them, too! We all know it’s not the in-laws you need to impress at dinner, it’s your toddler! - Mary
The Measure by Nikki Erlick
"The Measure" by Nikki Erlick is a fictional story that changes the lives of adults all over the world, seemingly overnight. When people are faced with the shocking question of whether or not they choose to know the number of years until their own fate, there is a mixture of panic, hope and in many cases ultimate divide. Follow eight characters through this story of love, friendship and hardship in this thought-provoking debut novel. - Sam
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
"The Night Circus" is a magical tale of a mysterious travelling circus that appears without warning and is only open at night. Within the circus are two illusionists, Celia and Marco, bound in a fierce competition, a battle of imagination and will. As they create enchanting displays, they fall in love, complicating their fate in a game with unseen consequences. This is a slow-paced book, but the writing is so atmospheric and enchanting it is easy to lose yourself in the world. A great debut novel! - Natashia
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
This debut novel is a Southern gothic murder mystery. The story follows a journalist who returns to her rural hometown to write about a local murder, while also confronting her troubled past and toxic family. The novel delves deep into dark themes of family trauma, self-harm, and twisted relationships. Flynn’s writing is sharp and kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s a book that isn't easy to read, it's uncomfortable, disturbing, and filled with dark content - but I couldn’t put it down. This book is a page-turner and the unexpected twist at the end demonstrates that Flynn is the queen of the plot twist. The HBO series adaptation is equally gripping. While "Sharp Objects" may not be for everyone, it’s an absolutely gripping read for fans of dark thrillers. A twisted, psychologically complex narrative that will stay with you long after the final page. - Emma
Wicked by Geoffrey Maguire
"Wicked" is a dark, complex retelling of "The Wizard of Oz", focusing on the backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, and her unlikely friendship with Glinda the Good Witch. The novel paints Elphaba as a misunderstood misfit, far from the malevolent character depicted in the classic. In contrast, Glinda is portrayed as shallow and self-serving. The book offers a much more somber and intricate story compared to the more lighthearted Broadway musical or the movie. - Elisa.