Staff Picks: September 2026Like this list

12 items

• Lady Tremaine

  a Novel

  Hochhauser, Rachel

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  Ready for a richly written twist on a famous fairy tale, featuring a resilient heroine as well as powerful themes of motherhood, survival, and class? Lady Tremaine retells the story of Cinderella (named Ellen in the novel) from the perspective of…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Good Parts

  a Novel

  Normandin, Evann

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  The Good Parts explores relationships and the complicated choices one can make when given the chance to start over. Similar to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the story's unique premise involves a pill that allows people to forget their past…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Things We Never Say

  a Novel

  Strout, Elizabeth

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  A contemporary novel about Artie Dam, a high school history teacher, who struggles with feeling authenticity in his relationships. Although he loves his wife, his son, and his students, he feels an isolation and loneliness that he cannot shake, or…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Wild Beneath

  a Novel

  Anderson, Kelly (Kelly Christine)

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  There are beautiful themes to explore throughout the books pages that include love, coming of age, nature, and much more. The novel is the August 2026 pick of Reese's Witherspoon's book club. It is the second book by a Canadian author that has been…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Sunrise on the Reaping

  Collins, Suzanne

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  The Hunger Games returns in all of its heart pounding, nail biting, rebel flag waving glory. Before he was Katniss’ drunken mentor, Haymitch was a 16-year-old kid who was reaped from District 12. This book tells his tale of trying to bring down…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Tapestry of Fate

  Chakraborty, S. A.

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  In the second book of the Amina al-Sirafi series, Amina and her once retired crew return to sea to fulfill the bargain they made. Full of deft worldbuilding, morally grey pirates, and unexpected twists.

• Swordheart

  Kingfisher, T.

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  A grumpy, immortal man trapped in a sword is unintentionally bound to serve a young widow who has inherited her uncle’s estate. Protecting her from scheming in-laws ends up being unexpected in a number of ways. Like all of T. Kingfisher’s books,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Northern Girls

  True Stories

  Willms, Michelle

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  After the death of her alcoholic mother, Willms began writing to help make sense of her Northern Ontario childhood. Presented in short chapters, this exquisitely written memoir is a stunning achievement.

• At a Loss for Words

  Conversation in An Age of Rage

  Off, Carol

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  An insightful book with many sharp observations about democracy, wokeness, freedom and choice (among other things). This book examines how society in the U.S. and Canada is changing the language and the meaning behind certain words to suit certain…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Lake Escape

  a Novel

  Day, Jamie

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  Every summer, three friends spend some time together while at their families’ summer houses. Now adults, they bring their children and partners too. This year turns out to be a bit different. One of the friends has renovated his house and arrived…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Pair of Aces

  a Novel

  Benedict, Marie

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  In 1930s New York City, an unlikely pair join forces to put Mob boss Lucky Luciano behind bars, when so many others have tried and failed. A famous madam and a black, female assistant district attorney work together, for their own reasons. Joint…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Box 88

  Cumming, Charles, 1971-

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  Looking for something to scratch that John Le Carre itch? This series opener from Charles Cumming is just the thing. Settle in for some international spy games that will have you hooked.