Marissa A. Staff Picks
The author describes this book as "Picnic at Hanging Rock + The Blair Witch Project x lesbians," and I don't think I can make it anymore clear than that.
I listened to the audiobook on Libro.fm and the narrator was fantastic, but the illustrations and footnotes in the physical copy really shine when you're holding it in your hand. I recommend doing a bit of both listening and reading!
-- Marissa
SO FUN! I read this in only a few hours during the COVID-19 lockdown and it was the greatest escape I could ask for. You've got some fantasy, you've got some broken hearts, you've got some hilarious customer service stories, you've got some time-traveling monsters - a little bit of everything!
-- Marissa
In these trying times when those of us Harry Potter fans have to deal with the hateful opinions of the series' author, how about I offer you a spin on the series that reads like something we read on Wattpad/AO3 in middle school? If you know what I'm talking about, you've probably already picked up this book and if you don't understand these niche references, then get ready for a magical journey about a certain famous young wizard and the nemesis he grows exceedingly closer to - all while saving the world, of course.
-- Marissa
From the mind of Lost's J.J. Abrams, so you already know it's strange and frustrating, but so worth it! A book within a book, you'll love this if you're a multi-book reader or if you love picking up used, annotated books. Solve the mystery of 'S'!
-- 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 Inc. 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
The Arthurian legend told through only the eyes of women?! Everything I wanted and more as a teenager! Fairly recently some disturbing news about the author has been revealed, so investiagte yourself and decic\de whether there can be a separation between art and artist.
-- Marissa
How does an expert tell whether a Van Gogh is real and not a forgery? Costamagna takes you through his experience of learning the skills to become an "Eye" in the artworld and how even an expert can be wrong.
-- Marissa
Remember the good ole days when women who were diagnosed with "hysteria" were treated with the newest medical technology, i.e. the vibrator? Dive into this hilarious play that reads like a kooky Victorian sitcom.
-- Marissa
"Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?" was a 1971 essay by Nochlin that was a call to action for feminist art historians. With this collection, Nochlin studies and analyzes women's role as subject in artworks as well as the new methodology that art history should follow to be more inclusive.
-- Marissa
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
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
