Quarantine Reads: Jacque
Greetings BAMers, I’m Jacque and I was hired at BAM right before this whole pandemic sha-bang happened. For the past few months I’ve been the one collecting your orders. Most days it’s my job to pull the books you ordered off our shelves - I know, it sounds a bit tedious, but really, I love it! Want to know why? Normally, as a bookseller it’s my job to recommend books to you, but as of late I feel like the roles have been reversed. Every once in a while I look at a book order and think “wow, good idea! I want to read that now, too,” or “this person has great taste, why aren’t they my friend?” Your orders truly reveal a lot about you! Whether you are buying books to please your whole family (a difficult feat), or getting your rom-com fix, or ironically purchasing every pandemic book you can think of, it’s been a pleasure seeing what you are all reading.
I have accumulated a long TBR list of around fifty books just from reading all of your recent orders - wish me luck getting through them all! I thought I’d share some of my best finds with you because who knows how long this quarantine will last. So, while there are a bunch of quarantine book lists out there, this one is truly the best because it is completely inspired by you, our customers.
written by Jacqueline Izzo
Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
I recently noticed a good amount of customers pre-ordering this book before it’s release. Of course, I was curious and right when I read the premise I knew I had to read it:
Students accepted into Catherine House, a highly selective & prestigious school, agree to give up contact to the outside world for three years in exchange for a so-called improved life. All students must give up everything. Music, phones, and even BOOKS must be left behind (I see you shaking your head). Ines arrives at Catherine House and quickly realizes she doesn’t belong because compared to the other students she lacks motivation or even a passion for academia. She wonders why she is chosen, and what is the school’s true agenda?
Understanding what Catherine House is, is a lot like “Fight Club” - you won’t get it unless you’re in it. I have to say, you’ll be transported to a very disturbing school but you just won’t be able to peel your eyes away, no matter how creepy it gets. I know we all have experienced that before - when you are disturbed by an image but can’t stop looking? If you're in the mood for an unsettling and suspenseful gothic-tale, this is the one. If you don’t trust me, Emma Straub recently recommended too!
The Long Walk by Stephen King
The Long Walk is the first Stephen King book I ever read so when a customer put this on their list I was flooded with nostalgia! It’s a short one, so if you’re looking for something to read in a day, I highly recommend it!
The premise of the book is so simple yet so compelling, and the execution of the plot is concise and heart-wrenching. It’s been a decade since I read this book and my pulse still races when I think of this story. I swear, once you read it there is no going back! So enter at your own risk.
Here is an unrevealing premise (no spoilers, I promise!):
Annually, 100 teenagers enter a competition called "The Long Walk" where they have to walk literally non-stop until only one person remains. The rules are, you have to maintain a pace of at least four miles per hour or you will be given a warning. After the third warning, you will be shot dead by soldiers. Think of it like the OG Hunger Games minus the YA futuristic, goofy setting.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Before Hayao Miyazaki made Howl's Moving Castle into an animated film in 2004, it was a book written by Diana Wynne Jones in 1986. If you’ve seen the movie you probably fell in love with quirky characters and the lighthearted atmosphere. The book captures all of that and more! I specifically recommend it for middle grade students, but I believe this read would cheer up people of all ages who naturally enjoy quirky magical adventures.
In summary, naive Sophie works in a dreary hat shop and has a notion that there is more to life than what’s in store (literally and figuratively). Her life transforms when the Witch of the Waste (similar to Wizard of Oz’s Wicked Witch of The West) puts a spell on her that makes her really old (wrinkly-needs-a-cane-to-walk type of old). Hilariously, elderly Sophie has more stamina and bravery compared to the younger version of herself. She braves the courage to leave the boring hat shop and goes on a spellbinding quest! The magic of the novel especially ignites when Sophie meets the infamous and beautiful wizard Howl.
My quarantine recommendation is this: read the book with your family, friends, pets, or imaginary friends, and then watch the movie together! Rule #1 = always read the book first!
The Library of Legends by Janie Chang
A couple weeks ago I was in the mood for a historical fiction and one bright, anonymous customer bought this one! So I did too! Thank you, whoever you are! I love reading historical fiction books that haven’t been done before, and while there are a lot of WWII books out there, this one stands out because it weaves in a twist of folkloric fantasy. Whether you’re into historical fiction, fantasy, or both this book is for you!
It is 1937 and the official start of the second Sino-Japanese War. China has ordered the evacuation of their schools and universities in order to protect their promising, bright youth. The book follows Lian and her classmates who have been entrusted with saving an ancient treasure from being destroyed during the conflict: a 500-year-old collection of myths and folklore known as the Library of Legends.
Please don’t skip reading the author’s “Behind The Book” section! Chang explains how the novel is based on true events, drawn from her own family history. I found this section so eye-opening and fundamental to understanding the overall book.
Meg and Jo by Virginia Kantra
Little Women fans unite! Meg and Jo is a modern retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s timeless classic. Little Women has been a recurring popular read, but it’s especially been trending this year with Greta Gerwig’s 2019 film! If you haven’t already, please read Little Women first then come back to this recommendation.
In Meg and Jo, Jo is an indie food blogger, and a prep cook living in New York City, while Meg is a married, stay at home mom living in North Carolina with her husband John. Meg and Jo are forced to choose what their priorities are when their dear mother falls ill. I recommend this to all who desire a romantic and carefree book right now to help them forget about the crisis we are in. Author Virginia Kantra found a way to remain true to the spirit of the classic while making the characters modern and a bit more relatable to newer audiences. I also found that the romance is somehow still suspenseful even if you know the premise!
Little Women retellings and nonfiction analyses are seriously trending right now. So if you’re up for it I suggest having a Little Women reading marathon! Here is my suggested list:
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Meg and Jo by Virginia Kantra
Meg, Jo, Beth & Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters by Anne Boyd Rioux
Jo & Laurie by Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz, to be published on June 9th 2020
I also suggest this fun graphic novel for our young readers:
Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Graphic Novel: A Modern Retelling of Little Women by Rey Terciero and Bre Indigo
The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns & Fairies: A Study in Folklore & Psychical Research by Robert Kirk
I just started reading this one, so please join the club! I’ve been told this is a must-read for fantasy readers who want a deeper understanding of how ancient folklore has influenced contemporary fantasy. Personally, I’m confident fellow Outlander or Lord of the Rings fans will appreciate the knowledge this book offers. You must know, however, that it’s written in old English so it can be a bit of a challenge at times, but I believe in you! Additionally, for years it had been notorious for being hard to obtain, so if you get your hands on this count yourself one of the lucky ones!
Here’s the rundown: Late in the seventeenth century, Robert Kirk, an Episcopalian minister & folklorist in the Scottish Highlands, listened to his parishioners’ tell crazy and super cool stories about elves, fairies, fauns, and other mythical creatures. He probably thought, “wow somebody should write this down! This is wack!” And so he did. When Kirk died his manuscript was found and more than a century would pass before it was finally published. It’s astonishing to think that if Kirk’s essays weren’t found your favorite fantasy books probably wouldn’t be the same… or exist!
I’ll Be Gone In The Dark by Michelle McNamara
Okay, I know I’m late to the party on this one! Of course, this book has probably been recommended to you already, especially if you are a fan of true crime. But for everyone out there who is still behind the times like I was, I’m here to tell you this is a must read. I recently started listening to a bunch of true crime podcasts like Murder Minute, Crime Junkie, & Southern Fried True Crime. If you have any recommendations please make a comment because I am addicted! Recently, I thought to myself, “If I enjoy true crime podcasts so much, why not try reading a true crime book?” I made a deal with myself that the first true crime book someone buys at BAM, I will too. That’s how I ended up reading I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, a truly astonishing expose on the Golden State Killer - I am so captivated by the story I literally cannot put it down!
Did you know the author, Michelle McNamara, coined the name “Golden State Killer?” What makes this book special is that the writer is just as interesting as the subject. Here is a little backstory about McNamara:
McNamara lived a homely life as a writer, mother and wife, preferring to stay out of the limelight compared to her comedian husband Patton Oswalt. McNamara had a secret: every night when her family went to sleep she would sneak into the vast world of the internet and obsess over unsolved cold cases. She became a talented sleuth and is now known for her investigation of the man who terrorized California in the 1970s and 80s, she calls The Golden State Killer.
It’s the perfect time to read because the HBO six-part documentary series came out on HBO June 28th, 2020!
