This is a hard one to talk about without giving away too much away, but I've never been so emotionally gutted by a book before. It's a controversial book in that most people either love it or they hate it, but despite the novel's faults (it's a touch heavy-handed), it was, for me, one the first books that gave me insight into clinical depression and for that, I appreciate it. - Emily
I couldn't stop reading and I needed several, several showers when I finished. #shudders - Emily
It’s a book about a woman who is interested in teenage boys and is a substitute teacher to get closer to them. You will need about 59 showers to forget this book but I read it in one go. - Gracie
I've always been drawn to stories that challenge my preconceived notions. It's probably why I became a sociology major in college and why I love to read in general. I'm constantly looking for meaning and understanding. Alex Marzano-Lesnevich's A FACT OF THE BODY is a stunning book of grace, honesty and empathy under the most trying of circumstances and does an amazing job asking the reader to question their most basic assumptions, as well as their convictions without judgement. - Emily
While reading TENDER IS THE FLESH, I simultaneously felt nauseous and wanted to hand it to everyone I know. What is this book?! Commentary on the meat industry? An unforgiving look at the capability of human cruelty? A discussion of the illusive divide between humans and animals? I do not know. With vivid, engrossing, and unabashedly grotesque imagery, Bazterrica paints a world that one never wants to live in, but perhaps in some ways, we already do. This book will stay with you, for better or worse. - Becca
I listened to the audiobook version of THE CITY WE BECAME via Libro.FM and the pairing of Jemisin's storytelling with the narration of Robin Miles is addicting and engrossing. A modern and fantastical story of NYC where the hatred that can be tempted within all of us comes up against the love and power we create within our communities and cities. It left me inspired and scared and pushing it upon everyone I know. - Becca
Oh boy, oh boy. This one packs a punch - the story of a young woman and the cult and its leader that ensnares her told from the perspective of her lover. Completely unsettling and enraging. Read it, read Roxanne Gay's review of it on Goodreads, and then let's chat about the implications of others writing our stories. - Becca
My favorite book of all time. A family of circus freaks dealing with the ins and outs of family life - telekinetic healing, estrangement, cult followings, you know. - Gracie
It is just as good as the show and will make you think about character like ability in a whole new way. Again, a one sitting read. - Gracie
This book is too good to describe briefly so here’s a few words: familial obsession, a toddler whose parents are harboring a religious belief that might end up harming him, and the repercussions of the trial years later. - Gracie
Yes, I have mentioned this book before but it is. So. Good. I still think about it almost 5 years later. Parallel stories of black families and the wrongs inflicted upon them under the guise of science. - Gracie
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During "normal" times I run a book club at one of our local elementary schools and this was one of my favorite books we read together! A summer mystery wrapped up in the dark secrets and racist history a town is trying to erase, Candice and Brandon are determined to find the truth. - Steph
When rumors of this book first started floating around I bullied the publisher about getting a manuscript until they agreed to print more because I couldn't wait a moment longer. Two years later I still have an ongoing group chat called "Gideon the WHY" to discuss all things SFF and to shout when those random Gideon feelings sneak up on you. #LesbianNecromancersinSpace - Steph
Releasing September 1st, this is hands down my favorite book published in 2020. Following fourteen Japanese-American teenagers as they are torn from their homes by the US government and sent to incarceration camps along with over 100,000 other people of Japanese ancestry during WWII, this book is a tapestry of voices in a similar style to Tommy Orange's There, There and captures a wide range of anger, fear, love, and community. - Steph
Get your pre-orders in now so you can gush over this book with your entire coven on September 15th. Feminist and queer with vibes that echo The Craft meet Heathers and a magic system that immediately lit up my imagination, reminding me that sometimes being able to read a book months before it hits shelves is torture. - Steph