Marissa A. Staff Picks
A 14th century monastic murder mystery set in NOrthern Italy that wonderfully explores the medieval inquisition era with intrigue and close historical accuracy. Throw in a Sherlockian monk and a mysterious Borges-inspired library to draw you in even more!
-- Marissa
If you're both a nostalgic & spooky person like me, then you'll love this book! Imagine a crew very much like Scooby-Doo's Mystery Incorporated but all grown up and dealing with the traumas of their teenage adventures. It's funny, tragic, and heartwarming all in one. Also, ever 'shipped Daphne and Velma? Cantero definitely did, too.
-- Marissa
Goldin has an eye for capturing raw emotion that jumps out at you from the page and beats you all over, leaving you just as bruised as some of her subjects. There is an obvious connection between the artist and those she captures, her "tribe" of friends and family, and this passion is harsh, complicated, and extremely human.
--Marissa
"I initially had this on my TBR list to bring a bit of home with me while I study in Italy for a year, and now that I'm a few stories in I realize that Lauren Groff totally gets me and my home-state. She has an uncanny way of linking her characters' simmering anguish with the lurking Floridian wildlife, ready to spring forth at any moment. Within my reading only a few sentences into the first story, the surrounding humidity went up 40% and I swear mosquitoes started swarming in my room. It's just like Jumanji, Groff's descriptions of the Sunshine State came to life around me and reminded me exactly why I moved up north as soon as I could (mainly running away from all the snakes)."
-- Marissa
Where my witches at?! Grab your familiar (probably your cat) and cuddle up with Madeline Miller's new epic about the most infamous witch in Greek mythology. You might remember her as the woman who turned all of Odysseus' men into pigs, but after reading this classical re-imagining, you'll realize Circe is so much more! Beautifully written character development is the star here, slowly building to an epic and empowering end that will have you applauding from your couch/nook/coffee shop table.
-- Marissa
If you love "The Princess Bride" but are completely useless in your social relationships, then this book is for you! If you have loving and wonderful relationships, you should still read this book, and if you say you don't love "The Princess Bride" then you're wrong, go re-watch the movie and then read this book. You'll breathe better afterwards. (No, really, Nichtern will teach you.)
-- Marissa
I like when a title explains everything you need to know about a book before you even crack the spine, no poetic metaphors or tricks of language. If you've daydreamed that a "Die Hard" scenario would happen at your day-job or if you've ever wanted a robotic arm, pick up this book now!
-- Marissa
