Recommendations from booksellers at All She Wrote Books, Papercuts J.P., Porter Square Books, Rozzie Bound Co-op, and Trident Booksellers & Cafe.
By Zipporah Osei
Spring may be off to a slow start in Greater Boston, but the new season is a perfect time to check in with your 2024 reading goals.
We’ve got recommendations from booksellers at All She Wrote Books, Papercuts J.P., Porter Square Books, Rozzie Bound Co-op, and Trident Booksellers & Cafe to help you find a new book you’ll love.
Books
- The ultimate guide to independent bookstores in Greater Boston and beyond
- Book Club’s next read is ‘Chasing Beauty’ by Natalie Dykstra
- Book Review: Jen Silverman’s new novel explores the long afterlife of political violence
Whether you’re looking for a new cookbook for spring dishes, a light romance, or detective thriller, they’ve got the book for you. Read on for the 15 titles local booksellers think you should add to your reading list this spring.
Poetry
“Falling Back in Love with Being Human” by Kai Chen Thom
“Beautiful and healing. This uncategorizable little book is one you’ll want to refer back to again and again. Kai Cheng Thom’s words will crack you open leaving you emotional and hopeful, and her outlook will encourage you to love and forgive in our often brutal and hurtful world,” said Emma Tolerton, bookseller at Papercuts J.P.
Advertisem*nt:
Nonfiction
“A Seat at the Table: The Life and Times of Shirley Chisholm” by Glenn L. Starks and F. Erik Brooks
In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became both the first African American woman elected to Congress — an achievement preceded by an equally impressive upbringing. This new biography chronicles this pioneer’s life before and after her time in Congress.
“This inspiring biography talks about Chisholm’s upbringing by immigrant parents to her trailblazing rise in Congress and her historic 1972 presidential run. The book is great to read if you just saw the Shirley Chisholm movie on Netflix,” said Talia Whyte, worker-owner at Rozzie Bound Co-op.
“Islas: A Celebration of Tropical Cooking” by Von Diaz
Looking for new recipes this spring? Try the flavors of tropical cooking with this new cookbook from food historian Von Diaz. Whyte, from Rozzie Bound Co-op, recommends it for its “bold, tasty recipes from islands around the world.”
“Even if you don’t cook, the photography in this book is breathtaking. The book might inspire a few vacations to some of these islands just to taste the food!”
“Prairie, Dresses, Art, Other” by Danielle Dutton
“This collection manages to be astounding and surprising while still doing what it says on the tin. Dutton collects stories and other writing in such a gorgeous way such that every section feels like a revelation. A thrilling book for anyone who wants their mind to wander among strange and unexpected connections. Essay, fiction, and fragments to tickle your fancy. A must read this spring,” said Evie Bauer from Papercuts J.P.
Advertisem*nt:
Fiction
“Anita de Monte Laughs Last” by Xochitl Gonzalez
“Brilliant! Inspired by the real life of Cuban-American artist Ana Mendieta who died in 1985 after falling (or was she pushed?) from a window by her artist husband Carl Andre. This is an absolutely exhilarating work of historical fiction that happens to be a ghost story as well. Traveling back and forth in time with verve, I devoured this book and I hope it also encourages readers to look into the life and work of Ana Mendieta,” said Kate Layte, owner of Papercuts J.P. Layte recommends you check this one out on audiobook.
“Annie Bot” by Sierra Greer
Annie Bot is a novel about a robot created to be the perfect girlfriend for her owner, Doug. As she learns to meet his needs, she also discovers human emotions that complicate her role and burgeoning sense of self.
“A perfect choice for fans of ‘Klara and the Sun’ who want a novel that hits harder on the question of resistance against the patriarchy while still delivering on an engaging sci-fi premise,” said Jack Fox, assistant bookstore manager at Trident Booksellers & Cafe.
Buy it at Trident Booksellers & Cafe.
“Funny Story” by Emily Henry
“Emily Henry’s ‘Funny Story’ is the perfect spring opposites attract romance with an incredibly lovable cast of characters and such witty banter. This novel will make you long for warmer temperatures, wine on sun-kissed patios, and gossip sessions with your closest friends,” said Emily Goyanes, bookstore lead at Trident Booksellers & Cafe.
Advertisem*nt:
Buy it at Trident Booksellers & Cafe.
“It Lasts Forever and Then It’s Over” by Anne de Marcken
“What a stunning piece! Anne de Marcken twists zombie fiction into a near-memoir wherein she is the undead. I can’t go much further without spoiling things, but this book is incredibly witty and insightful. I’ve already scooped my insides out,” said Bauer, Papercuts J.P. bookseller.
“James” by Percival Everett
“This is a reimagining of Mark Twain’s ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.’ It’s a really sharp take on race and identity that is still relevant today,” said Whyte from Rozzie Bound Co-op.
“Mother Doll” by Katya Apekina
“Blending Russian cynicism with the playfulness of ‘Lincoln in the Bardo,’ ‘Mother Doll’ is a nestled stack of intergenerational traumas that features characters who are capable of great resilience but also great betrayal, abandonment, and spite. Apekina depicts the Russian Revolution with as much aplomb as she does present-day Los Angeles and leaves us with the question: Is humanity really as monstrous as the titular matriarch insists?” Cook said.
Buy it at Porter Square Books.
“The Fox Wife” by Yangsze Choo
“This breathless, impeccably plotted narrative starts with the fox of northern Chinese mythology — beguiling, magical creatures who sometimes take the form of beautiful humans to charm their unsuspecting victims and drain them of qi (life force). The Fox Wife follows one such fox on a mission of revenge that takes her through early 20th century China, Japan, and Mongolia. This genre-bending book is a thriller, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, romance, and a folktale retelling, often all at once,” said Avery Batsimm, a bookseller at Papercuts J.P.
Advertisem*nt:
“The Prospects” by KT Hoffman
“‘The Prospects’ did not disappoint at all! This book is chock-full of trans joy and queer happy feelings. It’s truly impossible not to love it — if you are into queer sports romance, this will not disappoint!” shared Christina Pascucci-Ciampa, owner of All She Wrote Books.
Buy it at All She Wrote Books.
“The Red Handler” by Johan Harstad
Josh Cook from Porter Square Books said this book was “perhaps the strangest detective story I’ve ever read.”
“This fictional annotated novel is, yes, about how we narrate crime, the limits of language and other very literary ideas. But, ultimately, I think it’s mostly about how important creating is to being human, even when you only create for yourself,” he said.
Buy it at Porter Square Books.
- These 23 books by female authors should be on your reading list
“The Women” by Kristin Hannah
This novel follows Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young woman who joins Vietnam War efforts as a frontline nurse in 1965. When she returns from the war, she and her veteran friends must contend with a nation divided over civil rights and the very war they left to fight. Whyte, worker-owner at Rozzie Bound Co-op, said it was an “excellent perspective you don’t normally hear about in American history.”
“You Glow in the Dark” by Liliana Colanzi
“If you’re looking for fiction that is concise, brutal, creepy and emotionally resonant — look no further. If you’ve ever been interested in Bolivian folklore or society — look no further. If you’re hungry for a fresh new voice in fiction — look no further. This collection glows in the metaphorical dark,” said Maxim Tamarov, a bookseller at Papercuts J.P.
Advertisem*nt:
📚 Stay up-to-date on the Book Club
Catch up on the latest Boston.com Book Club pick and join the virtual author discussions.
Be civil. Be kind.
Read our full community guidelines.
