Nebulous November Staff Picks

“One of the most perfect fall books I've ever read! Plain Bad Heroines follows 2 intertwines stories, one of a cursed New Hampshire boarding school for young girls, the other a modern film crew shooting a film based on the events of the first storyline. The action is spooky but not scary, creepy & deadly without being gory. The author deftly moves between timelines, teasing out more clues as she deepens the mystery and the narrator's deep, honied voice has just the right tinge between old fashioned and modern”

“Another terrific novel by Lisa Jewell. I loved listening to the different voices of the characters as the novel is told from several points of view. I knew nothing about the book before I started and I really think that helped amplify my enjoyment as I kept trying to guess which character was really telling the truth and which was the victim and which was the bad guy/gal. Each of the characters in the book had very interesting back stories and they all came together after lots of twists and turns in a very satisfying ending.”

“The gorgeous writing, vivid setting, compelling characters, and engrossing story aren’t even the best parts of this novel. Instead, I just keep marveling at how Jess Walter takes events from history to illuminate our present while keeping them rooted in their own time, from the labor movement to class, race, and gender equality and civil rights issues, to protests and freedom of speech. The northwest in 1909 has never been so relevant. Beautiful Ruins was a hard act to follow but, amazingly, Walter manages it with aplomb.”

“October, the month to read mysteries, horror, and suspense... but how about a fantasy novel with a little bit of all of the above? That is definitely my preference and New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Resistance Reborn, Rebecca Roanhorse, wrote just the right book. If you are a fan of fantasy you shouldn't let this one pass. It has a great and original storyline, compelling characters, and the world building was done really well. It is also a great read for this time of the year if horror is not something you can stomach but you still want a book with an edge this Halloween.”

“I loved this book so much. It's great both written and as an audio. Wry, irascible El is such a fantastic narrator who you can't help but to cheer for. Sets up nicely for book two without leaving the plot unfulfilled. ”

“Alix Harrow’s The Ten Thousand Doors of January was my favorite book last year, so I had incredibly high expectations when I picked up The Once and Future Witches. This book is very different, but I adore it just as much! Set in the late 1800s in a world with a slightly alternate history from ours, women are fighting for the vote and losing. Three wayward sisters decide to challenge the patriarchy by bringing back witchcraft. Told through familiar stories twisted in new ways, this book is incredible. You will not be able to put it down, from the beautifully written introduction to the pulse-pounding ending!”

“Jacqueline Woodson’s practiced hand gracefully pens the story of a son watching his father change with the seasons. A beloved professional football player, ZJ’s dad is sidelined when he suddenly begins to experience serious neurological issues. It’s hard for ZJ to understand why his dad’s excruciating headaches won’t let up, what he’s thinking as he stares out the window for hours, how he could possibly be unable to recognize his own son. ZJ hangs onto the memory of his dad by the strings of his guitar—when they sing or rap together, it’s just like it was before the ever after. A stunning story of the consequences of an American obsession, beautifully read by Guy Lockard.”

“ This is the ultimate adventure book!! I loved this book!! The author does a wonderful job of bringing OR-7 (aka Journey) to readers in a way that makes animals easier to understand. Her descriptions of his senses, hear/smell and his wag. The things that he has to learn as a pup really makes this book about family and the circle of life.”