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General Recommendations

Book of the Week 2020-2022

By:

PPL_CityOfReaders

Portland Public Library

Staff-created list

Our snapshots from the stacks are shared every Monday by our Reader's Advisory Staff. We'll highlight new nonfiction and fiction, classics, and hidden gems! This booklist shares all of the books we've chosen for book of the week so far, and we'll add to it as we go. For a link to our Book of the Week list from 2018-2020, see below. This is our new list.

By:

PPL_CityOfReaders

Portland Public Library

1-25 of 57 items

1-25 of 57 items

Ghost Forest

Ghost Forest

A Novel

by Fung, Pik-Shuen

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, March 7: “At home, I practiced painting starry nights, while my sister drew fat multicolor cats. The floor rippled with paints and paste...Show more Book of the Week, March 7: “At home, I practiced painting starry nights, while my sister drew fat multicolor cats. The floor rippled with paints and pastels. The walls danced with our art.” Pik-Shuen Fung’s Ghost Forest is a luminous new novel written in short chapters: “My Beautiful Nose,” “My Mom Calls From Canada While I’m In Hong Kong,” “Lunar New Year,” “Starry Night,” “Things My Dad Liked.” The narrator is an artist writing about her sister, mom, dad, and grandma. Tender, funny, lively, and wise, this book is a true gem. Show less

Book of the Week, March 7: “At home, I practiced painting starry nights, while my sister drew fat multicolor cats. The floor rippled with paints and paste...Show more Book of the Week, March 7: “At home, I practiced painting starry nights, while my sister drew fat multicolor cats. The floor rippled with paints and pastels. The walls danced with our art.” Pik-Shuen Fung’s Ghost Forest is a luminous new novel written in short chapters: “My Beautiful Nose,” “My Mom Calls From Canada While I’m In Hong Kong,” “Lunar New Year,” “Starry Night,” “Things My Dad Liked.” The narrator is an artist writing about her sister, mom, dad, and grandma. Tender, funny, lively, and wise, this book is a true gem. Show less

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Queer Love in Color

Queer Love in Color

by Jordan, Jamal

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, February 14: “I interviewed close to two hundred people for this project, and I will never take for granted the immense privilege of sim...Show more Book of the Week, February 14: “I interviewed close to two hundred people for this project, and I will never take for granted the immense privilege of simply seeing so many queer people of color, people who looked like me, in love.” -Jamal Jordan Documentarian Jamal Jordan’s beautiful book of portraits and interviews, Queer Love in Color, is our Book of the Week. Dozens of stories of joy, support, and togetherness fill the book, along with about 100 portraits. When Jordan asks one couple, Mike and Phil, what detail he should be sure to share about them, Phil says, “Remember to mention that we’ve spent every night together for over forty years.” When Tzu-Yung talks about falling for Briyana, they say, “I started to allow myself to be silly and fun and airy like I am now.” Lady Phyll writes, “In each other’s arms we create a world of possibilities, tenderness, and empowerment.” And Jamal Jordan muses, “Perhaps the most transformative thing we can do is take the love that we have for others and turn it inward, towards ourselves.” Show less

Book of the Week, February 14: “I interviewed close to two hundred people for this project, and I will never take for granted the immense privilege of sim...Show more Book of the Week, February 14: “I interviewed close to two hundred people for this project, and I will never take for granted the immense privilege of simply seeing so many queer people of color, people who looked like me, in love.” -Jamal Jordan Documentarian Jamal Jordan’s beautiful book of portraits and interviews, Queer Love in Color, is our Book of the Week. Dozens of stories of joy, support, and togetherness fill the book, along with about 100 portraits. When Jordan asks one couple, Mike and Phil, what detail he should be sure to share about them, Phil says, “Remember to mention that we’ve spent every night together for over forty years.” When Tzu-Yung talks about falling for Briyana, they say, “I started to allow myself to be silly and fun and airy like I am now.” Lady Phyll writes, “In each other’s arms we create a world of possibilities, tenderness, and empowerment.” And Jamal Jordan muses, “Perhaps the most transformative thing we can do is take the love that we have for others and turn it inward, towards ourselves.” Show less

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Words to My Life's Song

Words to My Life's Song

by Bryan, Ashley

Book - 2009

Book of the Week, February 7: “A shower! Never mind. And see, now a rainbow arches its band of colors from the mountains to the ocean. No matter how ofte...Show more Book of the Week, February 7: “A shower! Never mind. And see, now a rainbow arches its band of colors from the mountains to the ocean. No matter how often I see this, I gasp in wonder, time and time again.” We celebrate and honor the light, life, and legacy of iconic Maine writer and artist Ashley Bryan with Words to My Life’s Song, our Book of the Week. As he takes us along with him for a walk on Little Cranberry Island, encouraging us to gather sea glass and seashells to share with others, he tells his life story. We travel from his parent’s bird-and-song-filled home in the Bronx to his days at school, in church, as a nineteen-year-old soldier at Omaha Beach on D-Day, and as an artist in New York, Europe, Antigua, and Maine. He shares the poetry, African folktales, folk art, music, and more that inspired his life’s work. The pages of this beautiful book are set aglow by the deep, bright colors of photographs, words, and his visionary stained glass, paintings, illustrations, puppets and cut paper art. There aren’t enough words to be able to share all the joy and memories and tributes that have been pouring out of writers and artists and teachers and readers and library workers this week, so we’ll stop here, and leave you with Ashley Bryan’s own thoughts as the sunset turns to stars: “It’s evening. I’ve enjoyed walking the island with you, telling my story. My studio window gives us a perfect view of the sunset moving from one breathtaking moment to another as the first stars appear. The night continues as the day had—full of possibility.” Show less

Book of the Week, February 7: “A shower! Never mind. And see, now a rainbow arches its band of colors from the mountains to the ocean. No matter how ofte...Show more Book of the Week, February 7: “A shower! Never mind. And see, now a rainbow arches its band of colors from the mountains to the ocean. No matter how often I see this, I gasp in wonder, time and time again.” We celebrate and honor the light, life, and legacy of iconic Maine writer and artist Ashley Bryan with Words to My Life’s Song, our Book of the Week. As he takes us along with him for a walk on Little Cranberry Island, encouraging us to gather sea glass and seashells to share with others, he tells his life story. We travel from his parent’s bird-and-song-filled home in the Bronx to his days at school, in church, as a nineteen-year-old soldier at Omaha Beach on D-Day, and as an artist in New York, Europe, Antigua, and Maine. He shares the poetry, African folktales, folk art, music, and more that inspired his life’s work. The pages of this beautiful book are set aglow by the deep, bright colors of photographs, words, and his visionary stained glass, paintings, illustrations, puppets and cut paper art. There aren’t enough words to be able to share all the joy and memories and tributes that have been pouring out of writers and artists and teachers and readers and library workers this week, so we’ll stop here, and leave you with Ashley Bryan’s own thoughts as the sunset turns to stars: “It’s evening. I’ve enjoyed walking the island with you, telling my story. My studio window gives us a perfect view of the sunset moving from one breathtaking moment to another as the first stars appear. The night continues as the day had—full of possibility.” Show less

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This Long Thread

This Long Thread

Women of Color on Craft, Community, and Connection

by Hewett, Jen

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, January 31: “Humans have employed stitches throughout history. The stitch is made with a thread that encircles the globe. It travels th...Show more Book of the Week, January 31: “Humans have employed stitches throughout history. The stitch is made with a thread that encircles the globe. It travels through continents, cultures, and eras. I am just another hand that touches this long, long thread.” —Cecile Lewis. “My friends would say, ‘You’re the only person I know at twenty-two years old that is skipping law school classes to go quilt with grandmas.’ I was like, ‘Yes, honey. And I love every second of it.’” –Vanessa Vargas Wilson. “I knit, crochet, spin, weave, and design—I will try anything else that looks shiny…I’m crafting and realizing bits of a dream, a collective dream of a decolonized, sustainable, and liberated world.” –Shanel Wu. “This is why I created Black Women Stitch: I would never again sew with anyone who did not believe that Black lives matter.” –Lisa Woolfork. “Knitting’s a love language for me.” -Dana Williams-Johnson. “Right now, I love mustard, blush, navy blue, seafoam, and burnt-orange-pink. They are happy colors that remind me of the sun on my face.” -Raquel Busa. Are you a knitter, weaver, or quilter? Jen Hewett’s collaborative gem This Long Thread: Women of Color on Craft, Community, and Connection is our Book of the Week. Hear from women and nonbinary people of color in the fiber arts and crafts community as they share their experiences in interviews, essays, and artist profiles. Show less

Book of the Week, January 31: “Humans have employed stitches throughout history. The stitch is made with a thread that encircles the globe. It travels th...Show more Book of the Week, January 31: “Humans have employed stitches throughout history. The stitch is made with a thread that encircles the globe. It travels through continents, cultures, and eras. I am just another hand that touches this long, long thread.” —Cecile Lewis. “My friends would say, ‘You’re the only person I know at twenty-two years old that is skipping law school classes to go quilt with grandmas.’ I was like, ‘Yes, honey. And I love every second of it.’” –Vanessa Vargas Wilson. “I knit, crochet, spin, weave, and design—I will try anything else that looks shiny…I’m crafting and realizing bits of a dream, a collective dream of a decolonized, sustainable, and liberated world.” –Shanel Wu. “This is why I created Black Women Stitch: I would never again sew with anyone who did not believe that Black lives matter.” –Lisa Woolfork. “Knitting’s a love language for me.” -Dana Williams-Johnson. “Right now, I love mustard, blush, navy blue, seafoam, and burnt-orange-pink. They are happy colors that remind me of the sun on my face.” -Raquel Busa. Are you a knitter, weaver, or quilter? Jen Hewett’s collaborative gem This Long Thread: Women of Color on Craft, Community, and Connection is our Book of the Week. Hear from women and nonbinary people of color in the fiber arts and crafts community as they share their experiences in interviews, essays, and artist profiles. Show less

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Small Things Like These

Small Things Like These

by Keegan, Claire

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, December 20, 2021: “He found himself asking was there any point in being alive without helping one another?” Claire Keegan’s luminous...Show more Book of the Week, December 20, 2021: “He found himself asking was there any point in being alive without helping one another?” Claire Keegan’s luminous novel Small Things Like These takes place in a small, snowy Irish town at Christmastime, 1985. Bill Furlong is out delivering wood and coal when he stumbles across the terrible truth of the Magdalene Laundries and wonders what to do. This powerful glimpse into one person’s life–and what it means to choose to help one another–is an electric, unforgettable winter’s tale. Show less

Book of the Week, December 20, 2021: “He found himself asking was there any point in being alive without helping one another?” Claire Keegan’s luminous...Show more Book of the Week, December 20, 2021: “He found himself asking was there any point in being alive without helping one another?” Claire Keegan’s luminous novel Small Things Like These takes place in a small, snowy Irish town at Christmastime, 1985. Bill Furlong is out delivering wood and coal when he stumbles across the terrible truth of the Magdalene Laundries and wonders what to do. This powerful glimpse into one person’s life–and what it means to choose to help one another–is an electric, unforgettable winter’s tale. Show less

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Field Study

Field Study

Meditations on A Year at the Herbarium

by Humphreys, Helen

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, December 13: “A rafter of wild turkeys in the woods; deer browsing in the underbrush; a glittering, icy pond fringed with rushes; and o...Show more Book of the Week, December 13: “A rafter of wild turkeys in the woods; deer browsing in the underbrush; a glittering, icy pond fringed with rushes; and once, a fox nose down, snouting the snowy furrows of a winter field.” What story does a year tell? Helen Humphreys journeys to an herbarium in winter, spring, summer and fall to pore through plants and flowers. She’s seeking a wilderness in the library but finds solace instead, sharing her findings in Field Study, a quiet, meditative book full of wonder and curiosity. The herbarium comes alive on the page with beautiful images of pressed plants, sketches, and notes from botanist’s journals throughout. A lovely book for a new year and for plant-lovers looking for life and light in winter. Show less

Book of the Week, December 13: “A rafter of wild turkeys in the woods; deer browsing in the underbrush; a glittering, icy pond fringed with rushes; and o...Show more Book of the Week, December 13: “A rafter of wild turkeys in the woods; deer browsing in the underbrush; a glittering, icy pond fringed with rushes; and once, a fox nose down, snouting the snowy furrows of a winter field.” What story does a year tell? Helen Humphreys journeys to an herbarium in winter, spring, summer and fall to pore through plants and flowers. She’s seeking a wilderness in the library but finds solace instead, sharing her findings in Field Study, a quiet, meditative book full of wonder and curiosity. The herbarium comes alive on the page with beautiful images of pressed plants, sketches, and notes from botanist’s journals throughout. A lovely book for a new year and for plant-lovers looking for life and light in winter. Show less

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Nadiya Bakes

Nadiya Bakes

by Hussain, Nadiya

Book - 2020

Book of the Week, December 6: ‘Tis the season for…bakes! Mango and coconut yogurt cake! Coffee meringue bark! Chocolate orange vegan mousse! “Chocolate,...Show more Book of the Week, December 6: ‘Tis the season for…bakes! Mango and coconut yogurt cake! Coffee meringue bark! Chocolate orange vegan mousse! “Chocolate, orange, and a hint of thyme—what’s not to love?” Tuck into Nadiya Hussain’s great bakes—including Earl Grey sticky toffee pudding—in our Book of the Week, Nadiya Bakes. This star baker shares her sweet and savory favorites in beautifully photographed recipes with easy-to-follow directions. Show less

Book of the Week, December 6: ‘Tis the season for…bakes! Mango and coconut yogurt cake! Coffee meringue bark! Chocolate orange vegan mousse! “Chocolate,...Show more Book of the Week, December 6: ‘Tis the season for…bakes! Mango and coconut yogurt cake! Coffee meringue bark! Chocolate orange vegan mousse! “Chocolate, orange, and a hint of thyme—what’s not to love?” Tuck into Nadiya Hussain’s great bakes—including Earl Grey sticky toffee pudding—in our Book of the Week, Nadiya Bakes. This star baker shares her sweet and savory favorites in beautifully photographed recipes with easy-to-follow directions. Show less

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Cheeky

Cheeky

A Head-to-toe Memoir

by Elovic, Ariella

Graphic Novel - 2020

Book of the Week, November 29: Hooray for bodies! For each hair, mole, and belly roll! Our Book of the Week is Ariella Elovic’s graphic novel Cheeky: A ...Show more Book of the Week, November 29: Hooray for bodies! For each hair, mole, and belly roll! Our Book of the Week is Ariella Elovic’s graphic novel Cheeky: A Head to Toe Memoir. “This past year,” Ariella Elovic writes, “I’ve been invested in a pretty big project: to accept and love my body and myself more wholly. I think six was my peak self-love year, and I’ve been on a mission to reclaim at least some of that confidence, feistiness, and joy.” Cheered on dear friends who have dubbed themselves “The Yentas,” Elovic draws frank, funny, and fantastic portraits of her body and her journey. “We have built a community by sharing, laughing about, and taking pride in the grossest, stickiest, funniest, most mysterious, most frustrating, and most human aspects of ourselves.” Cheeky is available in print at PPL and as an eBook in the cloudLibrary. Show less

Book of the Week, November 29: Hooray for bodies! For each hair, mole, and belly roll! Our Book of the Week is Ariella Elovic’s graphic novel Cheeky: A ...Show more Book of the Week, November 29: Hooray for bodies! For each hair, mole, and belly roll! Our Book of the Week is Ariella Elovic’s graphic novel Cheeky: A Head to Toe Memoir. “This past year,” Ariella Elovic writes, “I’ve been invested in a pretty big project: to accept and love my body and myself more wholly. I think six was my peak self-love year, and I’ve been on a mission to reclaim at least some of that confidence, feistiness, and joy.” Cheered on dear friends who have dubbed themselves “The Yentas,” Elovic draws frank, funny, and fantastic portraits of her body and her journey. “We have built a community by sharing, laughing about, and taking pride in the grossest, stickiest, funniest, most mysterious, most frustrating, and most human aspects of ourselves.” Cheeky is available in print at PPL and as an eBook in the cloudLibrary. Show less

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The Seed Keeper

The Seed Keeper

A Novel

by Wilson, Diane

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, November 22: “The seeds Darlene had given me were saved by generations of women who believed their work was essential to their families...Show more Book of the Week, November 22: “The seeds Darlene had given me were saved by generations of women who believed their work was essential to their families’ survival. Not just as food, but as an expression of who they were. …Just think of the stories these seeds are carrying.” Diane Wilson’s novel The Seed Keeper is our Book of the Week. Four women—Rosalie Iron Wing, Gaby Makespeace, Marie Blackbird, and Darlene Kills Deer—share stories of Dakhóta history, water, family, and land. “I rolled a few seeds on my wrinkled palm as if I held precious stones. Lavender and rose corn, red-and-white speckled beans, and teardrop-shaped white squash. I passed the seeds to the girls to hold.” Diane Wilson is the Executive Director for the Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance, a national coalition of tribes and organizations working to create sovereign food systems for Native people. Wilson is a Mdewakanton descendent, enrolled on the Rosebud Reservation. Show less

Book of the Week, November 22: “The seeds Darlene had given me were saved by generations of women who believed their work was essential to their families...Show more Book of the Week, November 22: “The seeds Darlene had given me were saved by generations of women who believed their work was essential to their families’ survival. Not just as food, but as an expression of who they were. …Just think of the stories these seeds are carrying.” Diane Wilson’s novel The Seed Keeper is our Book of the Week. Four women—Rosalie Iron Wing, Gaby Makespeace, Marie Blackbird, and Darlene Kills Deer—share stories of Dakhóta history, water, family, and land. “I rolled a few seeds on my wrinkled palm as if I held precious stones. Lavender and rose corn, red-and-white speckled beans, and teardrop-shaped white squash. I passed the seeds to the girls to hold.” Diane Wilson is the Executive Director for the Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance, a national coalition of tribes and organizations working to create sovereign food systems for Native people. Wilson is a Mdewakanton descendent, enrolled on the Rosebud Reservation. Show less

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Light From Uncommon Stars

Light From Uncommon Stars

by Aoki, Ryka

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, November 15: “Donut Lady smiled. And Shizuka felt herself fall into a field of stars.” Violins! Donuts! Starships! Love! Our Book of the Week sings. Ryka Aoki’s Light From Uncommon Stars is a tender, dazzling sci-fantasy. Book of the Week, November 15: “Donut Lady smiled. And Shizuka felt herself fall into a field of stars.” Violins! Donuts! Starships! Love! Our Book of the Week sings. Ryka Aoki’s Light From Uncommon Stars is a tender, dazzling sci-fantasy. Show less

Book of the Week, November 15: “Donut Lady smiled. And Shizuka felt herself fall into a field of stars.” Violins! Donuts! Starships! Love! Our Book of the Week sings. Ryka Aoki’s Light From Uncommon Stars is a tender, dazzling sci-fantasy. Book of the Week, November 15: “Donut Lady smiled. And Shizuka felt herself fall into a field of stars.” Violins! Donuts! Starships! Love! Our Book of the Week sings. Ryka Aoki’s Light From Uncommon Stars is a tender, dazzling sci-fantasy. Show less

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The Art of Gouache

The Art of Gouache

20 Fun and Creative Painting Projects for Everyone

by Semjonova, Viktorija

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, November 8: Brighten up your fall with our Book of the Week! The Art of Gouache shares 20 fun and creative painting projects for beginn...Show more Book of the Week, November 8: Brighten up your fall with our Book of the Week! The Art of Gouache shares 20 fun and creative painting projects for beginners, with step-by-step instructions for working with easy, vibrant gouache. Artist Viktorija Semjonova kicks off with a “Fruity Pattern,” then builds your skills as she walks you through cheery and playful projects. Favorites are “Leaf and Berry Pattern,” “Night Sky and Stars,” and “Portrait of Two Friends.” This is a delightful book for budding artists. Show less

Book of the Week, November 8: Brighten up your fall with our Book of the Week! The Art of Gouache shares 20 fun and creative painting projects for beginn...Show more Book of the Week, November 8: Brighten up your fall with our Book of the Week! The Art of Gouache shares 20 fun and creative painting projects for beginners, with step-by-step instructions for working with easy, vibrant gouache. Artist Viktorija Semjonova kicks off with a “Fruity Pattern,” then builds your skills as she walks you through cheery and playful projects. Favorites are “Leaf and Berry Pattern,” “Night Sky and Stars,” and “Portrait of Two Friends.” This is a delightful book for budding artists. Show less

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The Fox's Tower and Other Tales

The Fox's Tower and Other Tales

by Lee, Yoon Ha

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, November 1: “You must be lonely,” the fox said, “if you are talking to a fox.” The Fox’s Tower and Other Tales is a delightful, uplift...Show more Book of the Week, November 1: “You must be lonely,” the fox said, “if you are talking to a fox.” The Fox’s Tower and Other Tales is a delightful, uplifting collection of short tales for adults. Here is magic, gentle humor, and adventure—a place where foxes fall in love, robots build dragons, witches celebrate birthdays, and queer romances abound. Yoon Ha Lee’s heartwarming storytelling brings a bright glow to any nighttime book pile. Show less

Book of the Week, November 1: “You must be lonely,” the fox said, “if you are talking to a fox.” The Fox’s Tower and Other Tales is a delightful, uplift...Show more Book of the Week, November 1: “You must be lonely,” the fox said, “if you are talking to a fox.” The Fox’s Tower and Other Tales is a delightful, uplifting collection of short tales for adults. Here is magic, gentle humor, and adventure—a place where foxes fall in love, robots build dragons, witches celebrate birthdays, and queer romances abound. Yoon Ha Lee’s heartwarming storytelling brings a bright glow to any nighttime book pile. Show less

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The Tangleroot Palace

The Tangleroot Palace

by Liu, Marjorie M.

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, October 25: The Tangleroot Palace spins seven gothic short stories of dangerous women and dangerous magic, perfect for Halloween and fal...Show more Book of the Week, October 25: The Tangleroot Palace spins seven gothic short stories of dangerous women and dangerous magic, perfect for Halloween and fall's dark nights. Monsters lurk in the woods...an apprentice witch hatches a daring plan...a princess sets out on a journey...plus vampires, steampunk warriors, and giant worms! Marjorie Liu is the intrepid author of our Book of the Week and the bestselling comics series Monstress. Show less

Book of the Week, October 25: The Tangleroot Palace spins seven gothic short stories of dangerous women and dangerous magic, perfect for Halloween and fal...Show more Book of the Week, October 25: The Tangleroot Palace spins seven gothic short stories of dangerous women and dangerous magic, perfect for Halloween and fall's dark nights. Monsters lurk in the woods...an apprentice witch hatches a daring plan...a princess sets out on a journey...plus vampires, steampunk warriors, and giant worms! Marjorie Liu is the intrepid author of our Book of the Week and the bestselling comics series Monstress. Show less

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The Library of the Dead

The Library of the Dead

by Huchu, T. L.

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, October 18: The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu is our Book of the Week! Ropa Moyo can talk to ghosts—if you pay her. Ropa ferries me...Show more Book of the Week, October 18: The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu is our Book of the Week! Ropa Moyo can talk to ghosts—if you pay her. Ropa ferries messages between the living and the dead in a gloomy, ghoulish, haunted Edinburgh. And now she has a grisly mystery to solve. With Zimbabwean magic, Scottish history, some “proper geekiness,” a wonderful cast of characters, plus a Library. Of. The. Dead. What more could you ask for? Show less

Book of the Week, October 18: The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu is our Book of the Week! Ropa Moyo can talk to ghosts—if you pay her. Ropa ferries me...Show more Book of the Week, October 18: The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu is our Book of the Week! Ropa Moyo can talk to ghosts—if you pay her. Ropa ferries messages between the living and the dead in a gloomy, ghoulish, haunted Edinburgh. And now she has a grisly mystery to solve. With Zimbabwean magic, Scottish history, some “proper geekiness,” a wonderful cast of characters, plus a Library. Of. The. Dead. What more could you ask for? Show less

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Iwígara

Iwígara

American Indian Ethnobotanical Traditions and Science

by Salmón, Enrique

Book - 2020

Book of the Week, September 27: “Every fall, with keen anticipation, I watched my mother pour some olive oil into one of our large cast iron skillets in ...Show more Book of the Week, September 27: “Every fall, with keen anticipation, I watched my mother pour some olive oil into one of our large cast iron skillets in preparation of making calabacitas…” Squash and sweetgrass, milkweed and mesquite, wild rice and wild rose. In Iwígara, our Book of the Week, ethnobotanist Enrique Salmón explores Indigenous knowledge of and kinship with 80 important plants. These plants are food and medicine; they are part of ceremonies and conservation work; they live at the heart of myths and stories. With writing that shines, Iwígara is a beautiful, vital book for any plant person. Dr. Salmón is a Rarámuri (Tarahumara) and head of the American Indian Studies Program at Cal State University. Show less

Book of the Week, September 27: “Every fall, with keen anticipation, I watched my mother pour some olive oil into one of our large cast iron skillets in ...Show more Book of the Week, September 27: “Every fall, with keen anticipation, I watched my mother pour some olive oil into one of our large cast iron skillets in preparation of making calabacitas…” Squash and sweetgrass, milkweed and mesquite, wild rice and wild rose. In Iwígara, our Book of the Week, ethnobotanist Enrique Salmón explores Indigenous knowledge of and kinship with 80 important plants. These plants are food and medicine; they are part of ceremonies and conservation work; they live at the heart of myths and stories. With writing that shines, Iwígara is a beautiful, vital book for any plant person. Dr. Salmón is a Rarámuri (Tarahumara) and head of the American Indian Studies Program at Cal State University. Show less

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The Colors of Fall Road Trip Guide

The Colors of Fall Road Trip Guide

25 Autumn Tours in New England

by Monkman, Jerry

Book - 2017

Book of the Week, September 20: Fiery orange! Shining yellow! Cinnamon…and scarlet. What will the birch trees and maples of Maine have in store for us th...Show more Book of the Week, September 20: Fiery orange! Shining yellow! Cinnamon…and scarlet. What will the birch trees and maples of Maine have in store for us this fall? If you’re scouting bright places to visit, try the Colors of Fall Road Trip Guide, our Book of the Week. You’ll discover 25 of the best spots to hit up the hues of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and the rest of New England. Jerry and Marcy Monkman have packed this great guide with routes, maps, and hikes along with bold photos of covered bridges, waterfalls, forests and hayfields to help you pick a path. Add Lonely Planet’s New England Fall Foliage Road Trips and you’ll be ready to hit the road! And if you stay very local instead, we suggest Portland’s own Evergreen Cemetery as a beautiful spot to see the most brilliant colors. Show less

Book of the Week, September 20: Fiery orange! Shining yellow! Cinnamon…and scarlet. What will the birch trees and maples of Maine have in store for us th...Show more Book of the Week, September 20: Fiery orange! Shining yellow! Cinnamon…and scarlet. What will the birch trees and maples of Maine have in store for us this fall? If you’re scouting bright places to visit, try the Colors of Fall Road Trip Guide, our Book of the Week. You’ll discover 25 of the best spots to hit up the hues of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and the rest of New England. Jerry and Marcy Monkman have packed this great guide with routes, maps, and hikes along with bold photos of covered bridges, waterfalls, forests and hayfields to help you pick a path. Add Lonely Planet’s New England Fall Foliage Road Trips and you’ll be ready to hit the road! And if you stay very local instead, we suggest Portland’s own Evergreen Cemetery as a beautiful spot to see the most brilliant colors. Show less

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The Carrying

The Carrying

Poems

by Limón, Ada

Book - 2018

Book of the Week, September 13: “Look, we are not unspectacular things. / We’ve come this far, survived this much. What / would happen if we decided to...Show more Book of the Week, September 13: “Look, we are not unspectacular things. / We’ve come this far, survived this much. What / would happen if we decided to survive more? To love harder?” Ada Limón is a poet to return to again and again—for her wisdom, her tenderness, her careful eyes on nature and the world and her blazing words. Every single poem sings. Find Limón’s beautiful poetry in The Carrying, our Book of the Week. “They call the beetle’s conspicuous / bioluminescence ‘a cold light,’ but why then / do I still feel so much fire?” Show less

Book of the Week, September 13: “Look, we are not unspectacular things. / We’ve come this far, survived this much. What / would happen if we decided to...Show more Book of the Week, September 13: “Look, we are not unspectacular things. / We’ve come this far, survived this much. What / would happen if we decided to survive more? To love harder?” Ada Limón is a poet to return to again and again—for her wisdom, her tenderness, her careful eyes on nature and the world and her blazing words. Every single poem sings. Find Limón’s beautiful poetry in The Carrying, our Book of the Week. “They call the beetle’s conspicuous / bioluminescence ‘a cold light,’ but why then / do I still feel so much fire?” Show less

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The Eternal Audience of One

The Eternal Audience of One

by Ngamije, Rémy

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, August 31: “Are we getting ourselves into some sort of mischief tonight?” The sensational Séraphin Turihamwe (crafter of playli...Show more Book of the Week, August 31: “Are we getting ourselves into some sort of mischief tonight?” The sensational Séraphin Turihamwe (crafter of playlists for all occasions, lover, fighter, intrepid essayist and teller of tales) is at the beating heart of a bawdy, electric group of friends at university in Cape Town. But how will Séra find his own path? The Eternal Audience of One is a lively, lyrical, insightful look at relationships, family, history, and culture by brilliant debut novelist Rémy Ngamije. Show less

Book of the Week, August 31: “Are we getting ourselves into some sort of mischief tonight?” The sensational Séraphin Turihamwe (crafter of playli...Show more Book of the Week, August 31: “Are we getting ourselves into some sort of mischief tonight?” The sensational Séraphin Turihamwe (crafter of playlists for all occasions, lover, fighter, intrepid essayist and teller of tales) is at the beating heart of a bawdy, electric group of friends at university in Cape Town. But how will Séra find his own path? The Eternal Audience of One is a lively, lyrical, insightful look at relationships, family, history, and culture by brilliant debut novelist Rémy Ngamije. Show less

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The Wild Fox of Yemen

The Wild Fox of Yemen

Poems

by Almontaser, Threa

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, August 23: “Her bold poems convey the spaciousness afforded by freedom and truth-telling. They keep moving, and we try to keep pace.”—R...Show more Book of the Week, August 23: “Her bold poems convey the spaciousness afforded by freedom and truth-telling. They keep moving, and we try to keep pace.”—Rachel Hadas The Wild Fox of Yemen is full of poet Threa Almontaser’s fiery tenderness, wisdom, transformations and truths: these cutting, dazzling poems dance on the page. Show less

Book of the Week, August 23: “Her bold poems convey the spaciousness afforded by freedom and truth-telling. They keep moving, and we try to keep pace.”—R...Show more Book of the Week, August 23: “Her bold poems convey the spaciousness afforded by freedom and truth-telling. They keep moving, and we try to keep pace.”—Rachel Hadas The Wild Fox of Yemen is full of poet Threa Almontaser’s fiery tenderness, wisdom, transformations and truths: these cutting, dazzling poems dance on the page. Show less

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Goodbye, Again

Goodbye, Again

Essays, Reflections, and Illustrations

by Sun, Jonny

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, August 16: “Even when our prayer plant started dying, when I would fail to keep it alive, each leaf furling and turning crisp then fa...Show more Book of the Week, August 16: “Even when our prayer plant started dying, when I would fail to keep it alive, each leaf furling and turning crisp then falling off, it would still welcome every day with the opening of its remaining leaves, and would still say good night by closing up with what it had left. Eventually, the plant became just one single leaf, a symbol of my own failings to keep it alive, and still, this one leaf would bend forward every morning, looking less like an opening up but more like a bowing down, gracious for the light, grateful to still be here for another day.” Goodbye, Again by Jonny Sun is a small wonder of a book, with quiet, reflective writing and illustrations. Here there are thoughts on the lives of houseplants and our lives; illustrations of small cats and birds as metaphors; an homage to dim sum restaurants as sanctuaries; stories about buttery popcorn buckets and love; a beautiful essay about eggs and family; thoughts about friendship and time alone; and more brief reflections about happiness and sadness and how to heal and how to rest. Show less

Book of the Week, August 16: “Even when our prayer plant started dying, when I would fail to keep it alive, each leaf furling and turning crisp then fa...Show more Book of the Week, August 16: “Even when our prayer plant started dying, when I would fail to keep it alive, each leaf furling and turning crisp then falling off, it would still welcome every day with the opening of its remaining leaves, and would still say good night by closing up with what it had left. Eventually, the plant became just one single leaf, a symbol of my own failings to keep it alive, and still, this one leaf would bend forward every morning, looking less like an opening up but more like a bowing down, gracious for the light, grateful to still be here for another day.” Goodbye, Again by Jonny Sun is a small wonder of a book, with quiet, reflective writing and illustrations. Here there are thoughts on the lives of houseplants and our lives; illustrations of small cats and birds as metaphors; an homage to dim sum restaurants as sanctuaries; stories about buttery popcorn buckets and love; a beautiful essay about eggs and family; thoughts about friendship and time alone; and more brief reflections about happiness and sadness and how to heal and how to rest. Show less

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The Space Between Worlds

The Space Between Worlds

by Johnson, Micaiah

Book - 2020

Book of the Week, August 2: “They say hunting monsters will turn you into one. That isn’t what’s happening now. Sometimes to kill a dragon, you have to...Show more Book of the Week, August 2: “They say hunting monsters will turn you into one. That isn’t what’s happening now. Sometimes to kill a dragon, you have to remember that you breathe fire too. This isn’t a becoming; it’s a revealing. I’ve been a monster all along.” A love story. A mystery. A thriller. A sci-fi wonder. Our Book of the Week has it all! Imagine there are hundreds of Earths, and you can move between them in the blink of an eye–but how long can you survive with danger waiting on every world? Cara lives by her wits as she hops worlds, uncovers secrets, plots against her enemies and fights for her loved ones. The Space Between Worlds is a dazzling debut for fans of sci-fantasy, full of plot twists to keep you guessing and characters you’ll love from Micaiah Johnson. Show less

Book of the Week, August 2: “They say hunting monsters will turn you into one. That isn’t what’s happening now. Sometimes to kill a dragon, you have to...Show more Book of the Week, August 2: “They say hunting monsters will turn you into one. That isn’t what’s happening now. Sometimes to kill a dragon, you have to remember that you breathe fire too. This isn’t a becoming; it’s a revealing. I’ve been a monster all along.” A love story. A mystery. A thriller. A sci-fi wonder. Our Book of the Week has it all! Imagine there are hundreds of Earths, and you can move between them in the blink of an eye–but how long can you survive with danger waiting on every world? Cara lives by her wits as she hops worlds, uncovers secrets, plots against her enemies and fights for her loved ones. The Space Between Worlds is a dazzling debut for fans of sci-fantasy, full of plot twists to keep you guessing and characters you’ll love from Micaiah Johnson. Show less

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Swimming to the Top of the Tide

Swimming to the Top of the Tide

Finding Life Where Land and Water Meet

by Hanlon, Patricia

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, July 19: “We made a pact with each other to swim every time we possibly could. After a summer idyll of blue skies and marshes as lush...Show more Book of the Week, July 19: “We made a pact with each other to swim every time we possibly could. After a summer idyll of blue skies and marshes as lush as Kansas cornfields, we swam later and later into the fall, matching the dropped temperatures with wetsuits, boots, and gloves…” Do you have a favorite swim spot? (Pemaquid Beach or Echo Lake? Range Pond or Rattlesnake Pool?) Did you ever dive into the icy waters of winter? Our Book of the Week is Patricia Hanlon’s love letter to the Great Marsh in Massachusetts. One July she jumped in—and spent a year Swimming to the Top of the Tide. Show less

Book of the Week, July 19: “We made a pact with each other to swim every time we possibly could. After a summer idyll of blue skies and marshes as lush...Show more Book of the Week, July 19: “We made a pact with each other to swim every time we possibly could. After a summer idyll of blue skies and marshes as lush as Kansas cornfields, we swam later and later into the fall, matching the dropped temperatures with wetsuits, boots, and gloves…” Do you have a favorite swim spot? (Pemaquid Beach or Echo Lake? Range Pond or Rattlesnake Pool?) Did you ever dive into the icy waters of winter? Our Book of the Week is Patricia Hanlon’s love letter to the Great Marsh in Massachusetts. One July she jumped in—and spent a year Swimming to the Top of the Tide. Show less

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Thirsty Mermaids

Thirsty Mermaids

by Leyh, Kat

Graphic Novel - 2021

Book of the Week, July 12: “Mermaids, huh?…So does that mean y’all’ve never had an omelette before?” Spoiler alert: mermaids love omelettes. Looking ...Show more Book of the Week, July 12: “Mermaids, huh?…So does that mean y’all’ve never had an omelette before?” Spoiler alert: mermaids love omelettes. Looking for a fun, gorgeous graphic novel (for adults) with sweet summer vibes to stash in your beach bag? Thirsty Mermaids is our Book of the Week. Three fiercely bonded mermaids get legs, befriend a bartender, and seek the sea again in this rollicking tale of discovery and true friendship. With dreamy art, bold humor and a splash of depth from Kat Leyh of Lumberjanes and Snapdragon fame. Show less

Book of the Week, July 12: “Mermaids, huh?…So does that mean y’all’ve never had an omelette before?” Spoiler alert: mermaids love omelettes. Looking ...Show more Book of the Week, July 12: “Mermaids, huh?…So does that mean y’all’ve never had an omelette before?” Spoiler alert: mermaids love omelettes. Looking for a fun, gorgeous graphic novel (for adults) with sweet summer vibes to stash in your beach bag? Thirsty Mermaids is our Book of the Week. Three fiercely bonded mermaids get legs, befriend a bartender, and seek the sea again in this rollicking tale of discovery and true friendship. With dreamy art, bold humor and a splash of depth from Kat Leyh of Lumberjanes and Snapdragon fame. Show less

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The Rock Eaters

The Rock Eaters

Stories

by Peynado, Brenda

Book - 2021

Book of the Week, July 5: “You haven’t truly seen a kite fly until you’ve seen an alien fly one.” Brenda Peynado’s electric story collection The Rock Eat...Show more Book of the Week, July 5: “You haven’t truly seen a kite fly until you’ve seen an alien fly one.” Brenda Peynado’s electric story collection The Rock Eaters is our Book of the Week. A kite maker seeks forgiveness from aliens. Families fly. Ghosts sing. Swimming pools are full of dazzling danger. Lovers dance by bonfire in a dreamy night. These searing, achingly beautiful sci-fantasy stories are full of love and magic, opening up new worlds: stunning, marvelous, each one a haunting gem. “Aren’t we all beautiful here?” Show less

Book of the Week, July 5: “You haven’t truly seen a kite fly until you’ve seen an alien fly one.” Brenda Peynado’s electric story collection The Rock Eat...Show more Book of the Week, July 5: “You haven’t truly seen a kite fly until you’ve seen an alien fly one.” Brenda Peynado’s electric story collection The Rock Eaters is our Book of the Week. A kite maker seeks forgiveness from aliens. Families fly. Ghosts sing. Swimming pools are full of dazzling danger. Lovers dance by bonfire in a dreamy night. These searing, achingly beautiful sci-fantasy stories are full of love and magic, opening up new worlds: stunning, marvelous, each one a haunting gem. “Aren’t we all beautiful here?” Show less

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Butter Honey Pig Bread

Butter Honey Pig Bread

A Novel

by Ekwuyasi, Francesca

Book - 2020

Book of the Week, June 28: “The idea of keeping bees, with gorgeous raw honey as a reward, filled her with a delicate kind of optimism, a tender, pearl...Show more Book of the Week, June 28: “The idea of keeping bees, with gorgeous raw honey as a reward, filled her with a delicate kind of optimism, a tender, pearlescent sort of threshold to joy.” Still searching for a 2021 Reading Challenge Book with Multiple Narrators? A Lambda Award Winner or Nominee? A Book with an Animal in the Title? Our Book of the Week checks all the boxes. This remarkable debut novel takes us from Montreal to Lagos to London, weaving together the stories of two twin sisters and their journeys through childhood trauma, love, and healing, with plenty of recipes shared along the way. If you’re looking for a moving family saga told with honesty and warmth, try Francesca Ekwuyasi’s Butter Honey Pig Bread this summer. Show less

Book of the Week, June 28: “The idea of keeping bees, with gorgeous raw honey as a reward, filled her with a delicate kind of optimism, a tender, pearl...Show more Book of the Week, June 28: “The idea of keeping bees, with gorgeous raw honey as a reward, filled her with a delicate kind of optimism, a tender, pearlescent sort of threshold to joy.” Still searching for a 2021 Reading Challenge Book with Multiple Narrators? A Lambda Award Winner or Nominee? A Book with an Animal in the Title? Our Book of the Week checks all the boxes. This remarkable debut novel takes us from Montreal to Lagos to London, weaving together the stories of two twin sisters and their journeys through childhood trauma, love, and healing, with plenty of recipes shared along the way. If you’re looking for a moving family saga told with honesty and warmth, try Francesca Ekwuyasi’s Butter Honey Pig Bread this summer. Show less

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