This sci-fi reimagining of the Greek tragedy Antigone is a great read! Profoundly moving, at times heartbreaking but hopeful in the end. I didn’t want it to end and was left wondering what next?! – Gina (Staff)
Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth
Category: Staff Picks
Secret Lives of Church Ladies – Deesha Philyaw
This book explores the passions, vulnerabilities, sensuality, and raw emotions of four generations of black women who want – and desperately need – to be so much more than “good” church women all their lives. It’s raw and very relatable to a former church girl like me. – Lori (Staff)
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)
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)
Signal Fires – Dani Shapiro
This stunning novel is about family secrets and how they can dominate your life – But there’s so much more. It left me thinking about life and loss and what matters. It is wise and hopeful and a fabulous read. I couldn’t put it down.
Judy B (Staff)
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)
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)
Prisoners of Geography – Tim Marshall
A primer on the key geopolitical hot spots of the world. Donald Trump NEEDS to read this. You should too.
George – B&B Founder & Staff
Eligible – Curtis Sittenfeld
A fresh, funny take on Pride and Prejudice set in modern day Cincinnati. So entertaining you won’t want to put it down. Perfect summer reading!
Judy Blume – B&B Founder & Staff
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