MPIBA 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

You Should See Me in a Crown

“You Should See Me in a Crown is a quintessential prom story with some twists—namely that the protagonist is a queer Black girl. Liz Lighty dreams of following in her late mother’s footsteps and attending Pennington. But she can’t go to college without financial aid, and the music scholarship she was counting on fell through. She has no other choice but to run for prom queen in the tiny Midwestern town where she’s never fit in, fighting for the cash prize like her future depends on it. Campaign sabotage eventually forces her to stand up for herself and her values, because fairytales aren’t just for white heteros. Read on for Black joy and queer romance!”

Mary, Raven Book Store

This program is read by Michael J. Fox.

A moving account of resilience, hope, fear and mortality, and how these things resonate in our lives, by actor and advocate Michael J. Fox.

The entire world knows Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, the teenage sidekick of Doc Brown in Back to the Future; as Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties; as Mike Flaherty in Spin... Read more »

Migrations

“Set in a world that is possibly our near future, where animals, birds and fish have been driven to extinction by global warming and human consumption, Franny Stone is desperate to follow the last migration of Arctic terns as they head south from Greenland. She persuades the captain of a small fishing boat to take her on as a crew member, convincing him that the terns will lead them to the elusive fish he’s hunting. She must reject her own morals about fishing to follow the terns. And along the way, her past is uncovered and the crew put to risk; they themselves become the hunted. There is something haunting in this story, something unforgettable. This comes from the beauty of the language in opposition to the stark realities of a world where so much of what we love is simply gone. Franny speaks for many of us. What might we do to escape our past? And, more importantly, can we find a way to keep love alive in the face of tragedy?”

Sarah, Loganberry Books

The author of In the Time of the Butterflies, with more than one million copies in print, is back with a tour de force. Antonia Vega, the immigrant writer at the center of Afterlife, has had the rug pulled out from under her. She has just retired from the college where she taught English when her beloved husband, Sam, suddenly dies. And... Read more »

Vesper Flights

“This audio book was my daily meditation. It is the perfect way to wrap up 2020. Soothing and inspirational, I am recommending to all my friends and family. ”

Kristine, Buttonwood Books and Toys

Black Sun

“Black Sun is a fresh take on fantasy that includes rich world building and complex, nuanced character-driven storytelling.”

Jenny, Page 158 Books

A stunning new volume from the first Native American Poet Laureate of the United States, informed by her tribal history and connection to the land.In the early 1800s, the Mvskoke people were forcibly removed from their original lands east of the Mississippi to Indian Territory, which is now part of Oklahoma. Two hundred years later, Joy Harjo... Read more »

Underland

“I don’t think there is a square mile of ground on this planet where Robert Macfarlane couldn’t dig up a new, wondrous story. Underland continues the tradition of profound storytelling, reflection, and, quite simply, gorgeous writing we have come to expect from him. Macfarlane’s ventures into the underworlds of our planet, both mythical and literal, may amount to his finest work yet, and not just because these are the places that have captivated me most throughout my life. I feel fortunate to be living at the same time as him, knowing that as long as he is writing, there is something to look forward to.”

Chris La Tray, Fact & Fiction Downtown

Mexican Gothic

“Delightfully creepy. Dread builds steadily throughout the book. As a listener, you know that something is wrong but it’s hard to put your finger on it. Like the main character, you will doubt everything: the characters, their motivations and even your own deductive abilities. This book keeps you on your toes, flitting from one theory to the next. Mexican Gothic takes all the best of traditions of gothic house horror and infuses it with something new: the evils of colonialism. Listen carefully and consider keeping the lights on!”

Samantha, Rediscovered Books

Pulitzer Prize–winning literary critic Michiko Kakutani shares her enthusiasm for more than 100 books in a series of succinct, thought-provoking essays.

“An ebullient celebration of books and reading.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
 
“Books can connect people across time zones and zip codes, across cultures, national boundaries, and historical... Read more »

Breakout NFL star Deshaun Watson, quarterback for the Houston Texans, shows readers the lessons that have driven him to become a leader and to put others first. Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is one of the most promising young players in the NFL, but he believes that true success lies in leading his team from a perspective of service.... Read more »

An inspiring and eye-opening memoir showing how Democrats can reconnect with rural and red-state voters, from Montana’s three-term democratic senator.Senator Jon Tester is a rare voice in Congress. He is the only United States senator who manages a full-time job outside of the Senate—as a farmer. But what has really come to distinguish Tester in... Read more »

Stars of the hit Netflix series Dream Home Makeover Syd and Shea McGee offers fans a new and intimate look into how they built their business in this bestselling autobiography.Do you want to live the best version of your life? Learn how Syd and Shea prioritized their values, defined their goals, and put their dreams into action--going from flat... Read more »

Is this Anything?

“My husband and I have had the pleasure of seeing Jerry Seinfeld live on two occasions. Obviously, we are big fans. When I learned that Seinfeld was releasing his book at the same time as a cross-country road trip that we had planned, I was ecstatic. Jerry did not let us down. The miles flew by quickly as we laughed our way through Connecticut. I highly recommend this book - especially if you are planning a road trip during the holidays.”

Melinda, Buttonwood Books and Toys

Everything Sad is Untrue

“Witty and delightfully written, and while also powerful in imagery and message about immigration, accepting those who aren't like us, and what it means to find your identity in a new place. Loved the overlay and weaving of memoir and Persian folklore.”

Tina, Leaves Book and Tea Shop

Long Way Down

“One of the best parts of listening to this audiobook was getting to hear Jason Reynolds breathe further life into the heartbreaking words he wrote. I don't doubt the emotion would have been evident in the text, but as he said in the interview at the end of the audio, only he knew the right beats in order to make sure his message wasn't lost. I highly recommend listening if you get a chance. ”

Dany, Rediscovered Books

Inheritance Games

“Traps Upon Traps and Riddles Upon Riddles. When inheriting billions from a stranger things can get tricky. Throw in secret passages, codes to decipher, and word play a plenty and you’re in for a fun roller coaster of a ride. The Inheritance Games is a fun, fast paced read full of riddles, wit, and cute boys. If you’re a fan of escape rooms and mysteries where each answer reveals a new question and rabbit hole to get lost in you’ll love this book. There’s also a great balance of humor and the deeper issues the characters struggle with throughout the narrative like grief and abandonment that I really appreciated. A thoroughly enjoyable read!”

Constance, Mysterious Galaxy Books

The Silver Arrow

“So great! For fans of every good, classic story for the young and the young-at-heart, reminiscent of Roald Dahl, C.S. Lewis and J.K. Rowling, with powerful-yet-accessible-to-children commentary on the state of our Earth and the creatures that inhabit it. Please, Lev, please, write more! The audio version is phenomenal! ”

Jen, Townie Books

"Kilian Jornet is the most dominating endurance athlete of his generation."—NEW YORK TIMES"Inspiring and humbling"— ALEX HONNOLD
The most accomplished mountain runner of all time contemplates his record-breaking climbs of Mount Everest in this profound memoir—an intellectual and spiritual journey that moves from the earth’s highest peak to the... Read more »

If you’ve suffered from setbacks or trauma in life, discover a path forward by learning to embrace the power of nature and the beauty in your experiences and pains.As a young, single?mother, Sara Schulting Kranz discovered her path to forgiveness and healing from the scars of sexual abuse and the trauma of an unexpected divorce started with a... Read more »