Category: Staff Picks

Black Cake – Charmaine Wilson

In this case, you can judge a book by it’s cover. It’s the whole package: good writing, strong plotting and relatable characters. Twisty, fun and moving. “She said that you had to love the sea more than you feared it. You had to love the swimming so much that you would do anything to keep on going.” His mother looked out the car window. “Just like life, you know?” 

Robin (Staff)

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Trespasses – Louise Kennedy

Cushla Lavery’s affair with a married man and motherly relationship with her young student Davey will have disastrous results for all three families. The divide of Catholic and Protestant beliefs in Northern Ireland in the 70’s comes to everyday life with Kennedy’s well drawn characters. If you love Derry Girls read this! P.S. You’ll want to smoke a cig!

Allison (Staff)

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Girly Drinks – Mallory O’Meara

This is a fun, feminist exploration of alcohol’s production and consumption throughout the ages. From Alewives to Japanese sake brewers, from African sorghum beer to bootlegged rum, “Girly Drinks” perfectly captures how women have impacted drinking culture and society as a whole. Curl up with your favorite beverage of choice and dive in!

Rio (Staff)

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Lark Ascending – Silas House

Lark, an American climate refuge in Ireland, Seamus, one of the last domesticated dogs, and brave, mysterious Helen, set off for Glendalough, an Irish haven of personal freedom in a world decimated by climate catastrophes and ruled by radical religious conformists where compassion, humanity and empathy are as endangered as humankind.

Lori (Staff)

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The Girls – Emma Cline

The Girls is a coming of age story line one other. Set on the backdrop of the Manson murders, don’t let that scare you off. The focus & power of the book comes more from the main character, Evie. She incubuses all of the awkwardness, pain and excitement of being a 14 year old girl, and the tragic effects that innocence can have in the wrong hands.

Emily – B&B Staff

Cork Dork – Bianca Bosker

Wine is one of my favorite indulgences, and this book made me love it even more. Bianca Bosker gave herself the near impossible goal of passing the sommelier exams, and she gave herself one year to do it. This book is hilarious, illuminating and delicious. Cheers!

Mia – B&B Staff