Farcical February Staff Picks
Fancy a flippant, phantasmagorical, favorite fiction? Check out our staff's favorite books of February!
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Two espionage agents, equal in skill, operating on opposite sides of a time war, skim up and down the temporal threads of the universe, until Red finds an unlikely letter from her counterpart, Blue, left on a ruined battlefield. What follows is a study in the universal power of human connection and the enduring power of love. You wouldn’t think that reading fictional letters about everything from political theory to ‘do you enjoy eating’ between two agents of opposing fascist sects would be touching, but they spoke deeply to me. It was funny, thought provoking, and unerringly beautiful in turn. I’ll be giving this to the same people I’d point toward Ursula K Le Guin. It’s science fiction and will certainly appeal to devoted readers of that genre, but the terrific writing and beating human heart of this novel will absolutely appeal to any reader. This is one book that I can safely say will live in my psyche forever.
-Jenna
I have just had a glimpse of a treacherous, sad part of history I was unfamiliar with. This book has taught me so much about the vicious 30 year Sri Lanka Civil War, where the government Sinhales and Indian Peacekeepers committed unconscionable acts of genocide on the Tamils, an ethnic minority. The heartbreaking story is told by 17 year old Sashi, who was not born to fight for a political cause. She was a civilian, but the soldiers, peacekeepers and militant groups turned her into someone else, making this a planet Sashi no longer wanted to live on! This powerful story is a must-read for those who are interested in world history and inhumanity. This emotional history delivers knowledge and much food for thought!
-Virgie
When February rolls around and love is in the air, there are no star-crossed lovers I’d rather return to than plain Jane Eyre and broody Mr. Rochester.
This classic clicked with me instantly when I first read it - forgettable Jane Eyre, friendless and without family yet determined to forge her own path in life, takes up a governess position for Mr. Rochester’s young ward at his grand estate in the English countryside. Rumors abound about the reclusive Mr. Rochester (most of which Ms. Eyre is too sensible to believe). When the two finally meet, they recognize a part of themselves in each other - each grievously betrayed by their families, loners who find little use for the trappings of society but find themselves bound by convention nonetheless.
Jane Eyre is the standard against which I now hold every love story I read. If you’ve never picked up this classic, this is your sign to put it on your TBR list!Megan
The National Book Foundation got it right when they selected Jason Mott’s Hell of a Book the winner in the fiction category of the National Book Award in 2021. Jason Mott got it right when titling his novel Hell of a Book. The characters he draws, particularly the alternating narrators, present the complicated main topic of this book, being Black in America, in a way that is engaging and accessible without minimizing any of the gravity the topic deserves. The power of this book also lies in its exposition of secondary topics like love, family and art.
-Mike
A new pandemic is sweeping across the world. The folks who don't die from it are left with a need for blood or brains. Sister, Maiden, Monster follows 3 women living through this new and horrific plague. Erin acquires a newfound taste for women and brains (human or cow) after her stint in the hospital. Savannah finds immense satisfaction in deadly hobbies that serve her new dark gods. Mareva's chronic tumors make her a perfect host for this new world's spawn.
If body, cosmic, or Lovecraftian horror is your thing, this book is for you. If you just really need to feel something with intensity, this is the book for you. I could not put Sister, Maiden, Monster down, no matter how deliciously uncomfortable it made me.
-Izzy
I was wholeheartedly delighted by this lovely story full of faeries, homey northern sceneries, and witty remarks! It is truly a perfect tale to enjoy in these darker winter months. Not only is this read as a low-stakes cozy fantasy, it also has extremely loveable characters, a spooky mystery to be solved, and light romance throughout that had me glued to the pages. I highly recommend it to those who are interested in the fae folk of the world and anyone who loves the character Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle!
-Isabella
I fell in love with vulnerable Maddie (Maame), a young British Ghanaian woman, who feels lost but is trying to make her way in the world. She belongs to an unconventional family, lacking any kind of support. It was painful to watch Maddie as an insecure loner, needing to Google every question she has about life. The conversations she holds in her head attest to her insecurity and loneliness. As she grapples with family dynamics, it’s refreshing to watch Maame slowly emerge into the person she is, and not who her family expects her to be! If you’re looking for a story that reads like a friend, then this is the book for you!
-Virgie
Hermes and Apollo make a bet, as Gods tend to do, about the blessing or curse of consciousness. Could animals live and be happy if they had the cognitive and verbal abilities of humans? To settle this, they imbue 15 dogs with human reasoning and language to see if any of them could die happy.
Fifteen Dogs is a masterful examination of what it means to be conscious. Beautifully written prose leads the reader through the very question of existence.
-Izzy
Originally written in 1984, William Gibson executed an uncannily prophetic vision of the future that so many sci-fi authors seem to be endowed with. Redefining what it means to tell a story “at breakneck pace” Neuromancer takes place on Earth sometime in the distant future, where cybernetic body modifications and hypnagogic data hacking rule the known world. Case, a drug-addicted fence, treads heavily through the sordid underground of The Sprawl, wishing to find his death in its neon-soaked streets. When a mysterious woman named Molly with mirrored lenses implanted over her eyes appears in Case’s coffin hotel room, he is thrust back into the life of “punching disk” that he thought he had left behind for good. Allied with the cyber-consciousness of a dead man, off-planet Rastafarians, a schizophrenic ex-colonel kept alive by a sentient AI, and the power of synthetic beta-phenethylamine, Case and his motley crew must hack (digitally) and slash (physically) in order to achieve a goal nobody one-hundred percent understands. For what it’s worth, I devoured this book within four hours and loved every second of the rollicking alternate reality that Gibson created.
(Book one of three of The Sprawl trilogy)
-Bryce
The 1974 court order to desegregate the Boston schools inspired author Lehane to write this novel. As a terrified nine year old, Lehane found himself amidst community rage, when his father took a “wrong turn” on a family road trip. As an adult he was compelled to research and create a story around this incident.
When the death of a Black man occurs on the eve of Boston’s controversial desegregation of two public high schools, violent protests occur. What first appears to be an accident, soon looks to be a hate crime, perpetrated by four teens from the “white” side of Boston. This novel shines a light on racism, drug trafficking and how kids can be influenced to become “hand grenades” of hate and ignorance.
-Virgie
I watched Hugh Jackson and Kate Beckinsale in the 2004 cinematic masterpiece ‘Van Helsing’ and ever since I’ve never been able to resist a good Dracula story. In this case you’re seeing the story of the world’s most famous vampire through the eyes of his first wife, Constanta, pulled off a battlefield and back from the brink of oblivion by a mysterious otherworldly power. This book really is a love letter to the resilience of women under extraordinary circumstances. You fall in and out of love with Constanta’s husband with her over the course of hundreds of years. Experience the ecstasy and apathy of immortality as Constanta struggles with the consequences of her existence. I loved everything about this book. The atmosphere, characterizations, and pacing were top notch. It has moments of swoon-worthy romance and terrifying beauty, abject terror and inconsolable sorrow. I sat down to start it and stood up a few hours later with a finished book in my hands, wishing I could read it for the first time again.
-Jenna
This sapphic rivals-to-lovers story is the second installment of the Bright Falls novels! Astrid Parke, (her disastrous engagement and failing design business aside) is absolutely perfect. At least, she tries to be. It feels like her whole life is falling apart, and she feels like she has to prove to her disapproving (and totally toxic) mother that she isnt a complete failure. When the opportunity comes to design a historic Victorian Inn for a TV Show, Astrid jumps at the chance to turn her career around. Enter Jordan, a talented carpenter, brought home after a failed marriage to renovate her grandmother's inn. Add in lots of tension and spice, a sprinkle of annoyance, and a pinch of competition, and you have the perfect recipe for a hilarious and heartfelt queer romcom. I loved revisiting Astrids fiery friend group, and I really enjoyed the will-they-won’t-they energy of this book. It was a fast and easy read, perfect for a cozy afternoon!
-Annali
I only had to read the first few pages of this book to know it was going to be a good one! This is a WWII story about saboteurs and the people they sought to rescue, but provides a different perspective of this godforsaken time in history! The Sapphire Line, a resistance group led by a 23 year old woman, involves rescuing airmen shot down in Belgium across four borders, seven occupied zones, with three languages and four currencies.There was no room for mistakes! When the operative tries to help Belgium Jews from being deported, one must ask; When you are certain that death awaits you, do you give up, give in, or take unbearable risks, even if the plan seems preposterous. Jenoff, author of The Lost Girls of Paris has given us another fast-paced, intriguing story!
-Virgie
It wouldn’t be a staff pick newsletter if I didn’t recommend a poetry collection. This new collection is a stark reminder of our shared humanity. I love the variety of lyrical and prose styles. This is a great next choice for people who were reintroduced to the beauty and truth of poetry by Rupi Kaur in the last couple years!
-Jenna
Your favorite comedians have gathered together to create a collection of Haikus for the burn out age. Each poem is an encapsulation of the weird weird vibes of this era. These comedians bring all their wit and comedy smarts to each haiku. Every page is chuckle worthy.
-Izzy
I never should have put off reading this book as long as I did. Art is a difficult, counter-intuitive practice that for some of us is as essential as breathing, and the struggle to produce that work in a world that demands our time, money and attention is profound, if not surprisingly common struggle. Bringing a blunt honesty and profound tenderness to the subject, Beth walks through some of the most common pitfalls that keep us from working, giving therapeutic advice every step of the way. Overall this left me feeling better about my practice, and generally holding a better perception of creation, and why we even do it in the first place.
-Ryan
This book made me laugh out loud! This is the memoir of Wendi Aarons, an incredibly talented humorist and writer, about the changes women go through in midlife. Though that might be the essence, this book was so much more than that! Through sharing her own anecdotes of beginning to feel invisible in a society that doesn't value older women, she navigates a world where she discovers the importance and necessity of absolutely not giving a f*ck. My favorite aspect of this book was the empowerment that Wendi gives her reader that no matter what our culture and society says, there is no “right” timeline for how to live your life. Such a heartwarming book that reminds you to not take life too seriously, be passionate and fight for your beliefs, and not to waste too much time worrying about what others think about you.
-Annali
A timeless tale reimagined into a perfect blend of mystery, action, fantasy , romance , and suspense. Juliette Cai, heir of the Scarlet Gang, will do anything for her city and her gang. Even if that means going against her fathers wishes and teaming up with Roma Montagov heir to the White Flowers. The pair are determined to find the source of a disease that is terrorizing their city. Little do they realize that something is watching them from the murky depths of the Huangpu river. An amazing story filled with politics, feuds, rivalries and a secret that could destroy them all. This book is followed by These Violent Ends which I would recommend you have ready so you can jump right in after this book.
-Eva
I love that so many webtoon publications are getting the paperback treatment! Cursed Princess Club is such a fun twist on the traditional princess story, with quirky and loveable characters from top to bottom. It’s nothing if not a fun frolic through an (only mildly spooky) forest. You never know who’s waiting for you in the pages of this story, and if along the way you learn a couple of valuable life lessons? Great! This graphic deserves all the hype, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s absolutely bingable. A totally enjoyable ride for anyone who picks it up!
-Jenna
Two time Newbery Award Winner Lois Lowry has written a captivating historical fiction for young readers, which really sets the “brain gears”on fire! This story is inspired by the 1952 discovery of the Windeby Child, whose remains were well preserved in a German bog. What we know at the outset is that the body lived in the 1st Century AD, during the Iron Age. What we don’t know is the “story” of this 16 year old child, and this is where Lowry merges factual history with her creative “his story.” Actually there are two versions of the story. Elstrid’s account is that of a young woman, discontented with the roles of women at that time. Varick’s account is that of a young, disabled man who finds it difficult to complete his “manhood ritual.” If only Estrild and Varick had lived during a later century, their fates would not have been so dire! Lowry’s story-telling is brilliant! I can imagine The Windeby Puzzle being nominated for this year’s Newbery Award. I highly recommend this book for young readers who enjoy history, science and a desire for learning about the past.
-Virgie
This graphic novel for kids is a great throw back to the original Captain America comics! I loved reading through this return to Steve Roger’s roots, and being introduced to beloved characters all over again. This adventure has all the action and adventure you’d expect from Captain America, but doesn’t sacrifice the heart of the story for the sake of a solid right hook. Alan Gratz and illustrator Brent Schoonover don’t let their reader forget that Captain America is a soldier for the downtrodden and a seeker of justice.
-Jenna
If you were a lover of the Little House on the Prairie books, you will enjoy reading this book aloud to a young person in your life. The main character, Sissy, lives in the western slope of Colorado in the late 1800s. She is raised by her father, who is the local doctor for a small mining town, after her mother died when she was young. Now, in this coming of age book, Sissy is starting to understand the world outside her loving home as she helps her father tend to mining accidents, child abuse victims, laboring mothers and newborn babies. This book gives us a glimpse of the beauty and harshness and hope of life in the mountains of Colorado nearly 150 years ago.
-Danielle
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Are you looking for some tips to help lure your kids away from their screens? This just might be the “Bible” you’re looking for!Divided into four seasons, this book provides creative activities for kids to engage in OUTSIDE. The activities are fairly simple, but oh, so much fun! Just watch your kids' imaginations soar! I bought this book to use when I’m with my grandkids. I just might become the “coolest grandma ever!”
-Virgie
Child of the Flower-Song people is the story of Luz Jimenez, the spirit of Mexico. Her work as a model, storyteller, and teacher made sure that Aztec traditions were remembered and carried forward in Mexico. This book is a visually stunning exploration of her life and her impact on Mexico.
-Izzy
Bix and her family live the dream in a futuristic city where everything is monitored and their every need is taken care of. They are fed, washed, and read to by the system that runs their society. But one day Bix falls into a hole and finds herself in the ruins of the city beneath her city. A jaunt through these new places lands her in a magical building where she discovers the tools to teach herself how to read words for herself. As Bix reads everything she can get her hands on, she comes to realize that everything in the above world is not as idyllic as people think. This book is a very cool homage to the power of knowledge and our responsibility to keep reading! I loved the references to the New York Public Library within the illustrations. This is absolutely a book for book lovers but the adventurous story will also draw in the reluctant reader.
-Jenna
Attention Grandparents! This book is for you! I love when my grandkids come for a sleep-over, and this story is precisely about all the fun things that can be shared on such a night. It’s a way to get moovin’ and groovin’ with the kids! I could add a few ideas to this fun book, and maybe the story can be a catalyst for kids to add their ideas also!
-Virgie
Another fabulous book from this incredible duo! John Jory and Pete Oswald bring to you… The Sour Grape! This unhappy fruit carries a grudge against all of his friends, for any reason he can come up with. But what do you do when a friend holds a grudge against YOU? Sour grape has to learn that maybe holding a grudge without any reason isn't a very nice thing to do!
The wonderful illustrations and important moral make this a book for all ages. We can all appreciate the importance of kindness and understanding, and how it makes the world a better place. The addition of good food puns make this book even more enjoyable.
This is the perfect book for a family read along!
-Annali
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Merely looking at the stars on a dark, moonless night, gives a feeling of awe. This folktale for kids explains how the stars came to be. The story is quiet, and the artwork gives an almost reverential feeling to the starry night. I bought this book for myself! Of course I will share it with my grandkids, but it is one of those books that make me feel like I’m praying!
-Virgie
This is a fantastic book for any curious child who loves to look around and learn about the world. Filled with beautiful illustrations, math, french, and nature facts, One Million Trees tells Kristen Balouch’s tree planting story. One day, her parents tell her to pack a bag! They are going up to Canada to plant one million trees!
-Izzy
