Stephen's Picks

Stephen's parents used to put books in his crib to keep him quiet when he woke up early in the morning, thus starting him on a lifetime of loving literature.  At home, he enjoys reading mysteries and poetry, with occasional forays into horror and fantasy.  A displaced Vermonter, he has lived in southwest Michigan since the mid-'90s. When not in the book store he can often be found as a substitute at one our local schools!

 

 

Staff Pick Badge
The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years: A Novel By Shubnum Khan Cover Image
$28.00
ISBN: 9780593653456
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Viking - January 9th, 2024

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Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart: And Other Stories By GennaRose Nethercott Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780593314180
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Vintage - February 6th, 2024

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America Fantastica: A Novel By Tim O'Brien Cover Image
$32.00
ISBN: 9780063318502
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Mariner Books - October 24th, 2023

A crime novel, a chase caper, set in an America dissolving into a mist of fantasies and lies, both political and personal. O'Brien holds up a funhouse mirror to contemporary society, but all fun must eventually end. Brilliant. Recommended by Stephen

 


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Starter Villain By John Scalzi Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9780765389220
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Tor Books - September 19th, 2023

Charlie Fitzer is surprised to inherit his uncle's supervillain empire, complete with a volcanic island lair managed by superintelligent cats, but is less than thrilled to inherit his enemies as well. Can Charlie survive long enough to get a grip on things, or will he swim with the fishes (specifically, a group of foul-mouthed killer dolphins)? Recommended by Stephen


Maddalena and the Dark: A Novel By Julia Fine Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250867902
Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now
Published: Flatiron Books - June 11th, 2024

Lush and heady, swirling with music and magic, this is a delightful Venetian fairytale about the friendship between two girls and the boundless desire that will set them free, if it doesn't consume them first. 


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Liberation Day: Stories By George Saunders Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780525509615
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Random House Trade Paperbacks - October 10th, 2023

In his first collection of short stories in nine years, Saunders returns to the form that made his name. Ranging from science fiction to urban fantasy to detailed realism, these stories explore the duties we owe each other in times of trouble and oppression. A brilliant collection.


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The Invisible World: A Novel By Nora Fussner Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780593684832
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Vintage - September 26th, 2023

The cast and crew of a reality TV show focusing on the paranormal encounter more than they'd bargained for in their latest assignment, with life-changing effects. An great haunted house story with interesting psychological underpinnings.

Recommended by Stephen

 


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The Book Eaters By Sunyi Dean Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250810205
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Tor Books - June 27th, 2023

Devon is a book eater, a member of a reclusive family that derives nourishment and knowledge from eating books. But when her son is born, he turns out to be something much more dangerous -- a mind eater --
and Devon is forced to flee into a hostile world to make a place for herself and her child. A strange, dark, compelling, original fantasy, unlike any book I've read in years.


Staff Pick Badge
The Cloisters: A Novel By Katy Hays Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781668004418
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Atria Books - July 11th, 2023

Set in the Cloisters Museum in New York, Hays's debut novel features murder, history, suspense, ill-advised love, and a Tarot deck that may actually predict the future. An attention-grabbing and -holding mystery with a satisfying ending.