Montell looks at the language cults and cult-like groups use, from Waco and Scientology to Trump and Peloton. She also gives tips on language and markers to look out for. Very of-the-moment.

Is this the last in Lyssa‘s fun romcom series? The Russian must woo his wife in the latest. The book club comes to the rescue with great advice. This is what men should aspire to and what they should be reading.

Paris ballerinas are pitted against each other even as they build friendships. Add a main character who struggles with showing up for others and #metoo. An enjoyable read.

Vikings, game of thrones, shifting allegiances. So fun!

TRY THIS ONE IF YOU‘RE IN THE MOOD FOR A CULT HORROR NOVEL

This is the first of the Moomins books and I feel like Tove doesn‘t quite have the characters down yet. The illustrations are still spectacular. Her color palette is amazing.

I loved this apprentice story. The plot structure pulled me in, and the characters were amazing. I was completely enthralled with this book.

Historical fiction meets Nordic Noir in this Swedish WWII book. I loved all the different threads . . .

Once in a while, a book comes along and speaks deeply. This is such a book. It comes out in September and will be cherished and reread when I need a book that matters. It‘s about taking caring of each other, about the meaning of things, and the struggle to move forward. It also has a lot to say about books and stories and Walter Benjamin.

In this collection of essays, Green rates a variety of topics on a 5⭐️ scale while mixing history, personal experiences, and observations. From Dr. Pepper and Monopoly to mental health and grieving, Green approaches all topics in thoughtful, interesting ways. 4 1/2 stars.

A fun beach read about an apothecary that deals in poisons meant for men who treat women badly.

Family saga set mostly in Jamaica. Fans of 100 Yrs of Solitude (so, basically, everyone) will love it.

A wonderful book examining the The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album. I loved the enthusiasm in which Morgan took on this topic, which is dear to my heart.

Love the Shakespeare scenes, hated the main character. Of course, he is supposed to be plummeting. Still, I wanted to like the Ethan Hawkeish character.

Love this Gatsby redo from Jordan‘s perspective (with a dash of magical realism). So many beautiful passages, so many great new looks at classic scenes.

Memorable characters. A solid book club pick about a teacher and the family she creates in her town.

Great environmental fiction. This starts out like a Kate DiCamillo book but ends up with a science fiction/fantasy blend that will sift through your brain for years.

Love this graphic novel. Good pandemic reading. RDJ and his wife produced the Netflix show based on this series, which starts next month.

Important reading: The wealthy use race wars to keep their power. Here‘s how they have been doing it on multiple issues. Now, let‘s band together and topple their ivory towers.

Hazel is quirky but can she find someone who will not be embarrassed by her eccentricities? Sweet and sexy.

Eric Dregni and his son search for why Norwegians are so happy. Is it the oil? More equitable standards of living? Closer ties to nature?

I loved this book about a girl who won‘t be defined by others. She knows she has the stuff to be a warrior. Also, I was so happy to open up the book and see it was purchased with funds from a grant from the Women‘s Giving Circle that I am a part of!

A psychological take on a grown up Wendy and her grapplings with Peter Pan. Interesting take on racism. No Tinkerbell.

Lots of action in this book about a slave wife to a slave jailer. I could only listen to it in batches. It was hard to listen to for too long. I really like how the author came to the story and what she did with it.

I love this series so much. Esther and Daisy graduate and get their first jobs but they still struggle with the crazy drama only their friends can draw them out of.

Stone has led an interesting life. Her relationship with her mother is front and center even as she deals with life events that her mother isn‘t present for. Her producer moves on The Quick and the Dead were particularly fascinating as Stone clearly has an excellent eye for talent.

I slowly started this book and wasn‘t quite hooked. I am very glad I persevered! This is a rich tale of The Trojan War and its aftermath from the point of view of the women. And, I agree, Natalie Haynes—I would not give up my owl for a trophy. :)

A prequel to the Queen of the Tearling series, which I love. This one has a large cast of characters that all put into play the series books. I need more books from this author.

A suffragette romances a duke, who comes to care about her cause. Sweet.

What a delight! Two strangers head out to New Caledonia in search of a beetle, with murder, crime, and jealousy trailing behind them. I loved this female bonding book.

A tough read. It breaks my heart to see victim after victim being dismissed.

It took 6 years for me to finish this short little book. The language is so academic that I kept sneaking in other books. Then I would return it to the library unfinished. Then I would be drawn to it again, start from the beginning, and the cycle would continue. This time I did finish and it did get me thinking more about the role of stories in our lives. To finishing more books in 2021!

I love this cover. I liked the premise—Greek gods work behind the scenes of WWI romances, but I wanted more god interventions. Still loved the story though.

This was one wild story after the next. True crime fans will savor each story of female con artists spanning centuries and continents.

A one-volume biography of Eleanor Roosevelt. I love her so much, even when she disappoints me.

This is a search for roots, a search for identity, more than Jason (Timbuktu) retelling his life story. I expected to learn about the Swedish rap game, but learned more about what it feels like to grow up without a group to identify with and a family history of people trying to break the cycle of poverty and self hatred. A compelling read.

A surprisingly exciting history of Shakespeare performances at major turning points in American politics/culture. I completely binged the audiobook.

Hahahahaha! I‘m still laughing.

A look at organizing strategies and a community organizer memoir wrapped in one, written by one of the co-founders of the #blacklivesmatter movement.

This is my favorite of the series thus far! A tech whiz and a baker/community organizer romance it up.

I haven‘t read Morrison in the past 20 years. It was wonderful to revisit her work as part of #blwnl week. This is the part of librarianship I do not like—the pressure to always be reading new releases. We miss out on the great works—which we‘re the only books I read before I entered the profession. I loved it.

A dishy book about André‘s relationships in the fashion industry as well as his thoughts on race as it applies to his experiences in the fashion industry. He values luxury, loyalty, and kindness.

Apparently I am into Green Gables fan fiction with steamy Anne and Gilbert scenes.

Love everything about this.

Loki‘s witch wife‘s tale. She helps foretell and bring about Ragnarok. Circe fans are going to love this. Loki fans are going to love this. This is a Norse mythology triumph.

Sometimes I so fear spoilers that I don‘t know what a book is about. I just know the cover and that it has a lot of buzz. I had hoped this was about Shakespeare and was so happy when it was true. An incredible book, full of intriguing scenes, surprises, and what an ending!

The second in this series is a #metoo revenge story. Fun and progressive.

A new mother finds her husband dead in their bed. A novel but based on the author‘s real experiences. Grief and struggle and love and guilt in the wake of tragedy. A tough read.

Over the top cruelty but troller culture is real. A plus size Bachelorette competes for love and respect from her suitors, which is usually the other way around.

I guess I forgot to add this one. Full of McCarthyism, Communist spies, and Broadway. Not The Americans, this one deals more with friendships than assassins. An enjoyable, light read. The narrator is wonderful.