Jittery June Staff Picks

Of Women and Salt

“This is a story about women—mothers, daughters and how history shapes a life. Gabriella Garcia, a Cuban American, tells two immigration stories—one from Cuba, and the other from El Salvador—and how the past impacts decisions in their own lives. Garcia’s sentences and word choice ring with purpose when you listen to the story as an audiobook. I would recommend this story, and be on the lookout for more from Garcia.”

Leah, Birch Tree Books

A riveting debut novel set in contemporary Seoul, Korea, about four young women making their way in a world defined by impossible standards of beauty, after-hours room salons catering to wealthy men, ruthless social hierarchies, and K-pop mania
 
“Powerful and provocative . . . a novel about female strength, spirit, resilience—and the solace that... Read more »

Morningside Heights

“I loved this book! The writing is beautiful, and the character development is phenomenal. I was moved by all of the characters in the story, but quirky Arlo stands out as a favorite. I also shed a few tears, so this book has it all. It’s a winner with so much heart! I highly recommend it.”

Sarah Fox, Titcomb's Bookshop

How Much of These Hills Is Gold

“In post-Gold Rush California, a Chinese-American family struggles to make money to improve their lives. When bad things get even worse, 10 and 11-year old Lucy and Sam take off on a stolen horse and head east, living off the land. Sam takes off on her own, and Lucy ends up in a town but never feels really at home. The two sisters meet up again several years later and decide to try to fulfill their mother's dream—traveling to China where they might finally find Home. With lyrical style that cloaks the narrative of a chain of miserable events in a dream-like quality, Zhang's writing evokes the real sense of alienation that many immigrants and displaced people feel as they search for a place to belong. The writing is beautiful. Recommended.”

Alice, Blue Willow Bookshop

Local Woman Missing

“This domestic thriller has serious true crime vibes, introducing a cast of well-rounded characters (some of whom are, or were, missing women). Kubica crafts multiple strings of mystery and ties them up perfectly. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of a lesbian couple in the main cast, as the thriller genre rarely features queer people whose stories aren't directly related to their queerness. The first chapter will absolutely hook you and the following events will refuse to let you go.”

Sam, Phoenix Books

Hour of the Witch

“Mary Deerfield is married to a cruel and violent man who outwardly appears to be a pillar of the Putritan Boston community of 1662. She tries to divorce miller Thomas, but during the trial she runs up against suspicions of witchcraft, a hanging offense. ”

Pat, Village Square Booksellers

The Anatomy of Desire

“This is a great modern retelling of An American Tragedy!I thoroughly enjoyed the format. It reads like an episode of Law and Order. Social media has made an indelible mark on our modern landscape, including even...crimes of passion. I listened to the audio version. It’s a veritable ‘who’s who’ of audible superstars. Fans of audio books will recognize a narrative voice (or three)! ”

Kathy, The Well-Read Moose

The Photographer

“Mary Dixie Carter’s debut is a standout psychological suspense! With excellent pacing and a completely addictive style, The Photographer is exactly the kind of book you want to read in one sitting. This is a sneaky and unsettling read that’ll leave you guessing from start to finish.”

Becky LeJeune, BookBar

The #1 New York Times bestselling WORLDWIDE phenomenon

Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction | A Good Morning America Book Club Pick | Independent (London) Ten Best Books of the Year

"A feel-good book guaranteed to lift your spirits."—The Washington Post

The dazzling reader-favorite about the choices that go into a life well... Read more »

One Last Stop

“What a magical and creative tale, an addictive read that I did not want to put down. A fun and diverse cast of characters took this story to the next level. With such wide appeal, I know I will be able to put One Last Stop into the hands of almost any customer this summer.”

Cori Cusker, Bright Side Bookshop

One woman learns that the price of belonging is often steeper than expected in this heart-wrenching yet hopeful romantic novel and first in the Seoul duology by USA Today bestselling author Jen Frederick.

As a Korean adoptee, Hara Wilson doesn’t need anyone telling her she looks different from her white parents. She knows. Every time Hara looks... Read more »

A New York Times Bestseller

A Washington Post Notable Nonfiction Book of 2020

Named a Best Book of 2020 by NPR
 
“A fascinating scientific, cultural, spiritual and evolutionary history of the way humans breathe—and how we’ve all been doing it wrong for a long, long time.” —Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Big Magic and Eat Pray Love

No matter what you... Read more »

A “beautiful and astonishing” (Walter Isaacson, # 1 New York Times bestselling author of The Code Breaker) narrative that examines the many ways to be fully human, told by the first young adult with autism to attend Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.

As a child, Jory Fleming was wracked by uncontrollable tantrums, had no tolerance for... Read more »

The Hero Code

“Perfect for those with those needing a shorter audiobook! Hero's Code is narrated by the author and provides a wonderful four hours of literature that is humorous, exciting, and incredibly thought provoking. If you loved Make Your Bed, Hero's Code continues McRaven's old school way of thinking. If you are just listening for the first time McRaven's even tone is sure to please!”

Sarah, Oregon Books & Games

"Narrator Ali Ahn gives this young adult rom-com fun doses of personality and sass...Ahn's accents and Japanese pronunciations ring true as she clearly differentiates characters of different ages and nationalities." -- AudioFile Magazine

A REESE WITHERSPOON x HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB YA PICK!

The Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians in Emiko...

Home Is Not a Country

“I'm not even finished with the book and already know it is a standout of the year. The fresh, tender, unique way that Nima struggles to find a place to call home within herself is so much more than a coming-of-age novel or an immigrant story. Through the surreal exploration of who she could have been, Nima tells a wrenchingly real, oh-so-human story that transcends genre. This is a novel that asks readers of any age 'what will you do with your one, wild and precious life?.' ”

Summer, Books Inc.

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“So surprising and moving and true that I became completely unstrung.” – The New York Times

Named a best book of the year by: The New York Times, NPR, TIME, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Entertainment Weekly, Southern Living, Publishers Weekly, BookPage, A.V. Club, Bustle, BuzzFeed, Vulture, and many... Read more »

The new face of big evil is a little . . . small. Dastardly deeds aren't exactly the first things that come to mind when one hears the name "Clementine," but as the sole heir of the infamous Dark Lord Elithor, twelve-year-old Clementine Morcerous has been groomed since birth to be the best (worst?) Evil Overlord she can be. But everything... Read more »