October Staff Picks: Books!

stock: Chilling Events in Sorcery as told by Sabrina, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, 1972, Archie Comics,

Thug Kitchen: Eat Like You Give a F*ck  by Thug Kitchen  Rodale BooksThug Kitchen: Eat Like You Give a F*ck

Thug Kitchen

Rodale Books

This dirty-talking compendium of vegan recipes is out October 7 and I cannot wait! I love all of their inventive recipes (like putting nectarines in spaghetti, yum!) and can always use another great cookbook. The pictures are stunning and will make you want to run to your kitchen for some plant-protein like nothing else.

The idea behind it began as a way to incorporate more vegetables into diets that were perhaps lacking them. Instantly, it was an internet hit. What’s better than being told to eat your vegetables by foul-mouthed chefs? Perhaps only learning to cook those vegetables yourself.

– Al Rosenberg

Yes, Please  Amy Poehler  HarperCollins PublishersYes, Please

Amy Poehler

HarperCollins Publishers

I love Poehler. After years of refusing to watch Parks and Recreation my roommate finally wore me down and I secretly snarfed it all up. Now I am hungry for more! More smart jokes and painfully true asides about feminism and women in the world. The book’s description promises details about her life, but also wisdom from the great Amy herself. I could use a little wisdom in my life, especially from my favorite Clinton impersonator.

— Al Rosenberg


Homemade Decadence

Joy the Baker

Cover: Homemade Decadence, Joy the Baker

Al already beat me to the punch on Thug Kitchen’s first cookbook (and Amy Poehler’s first book!), but fortunately my favorite food blogger, Joy the Baker is coming out with her second book! Homemade Decadence: Irresistibly Sweet, Salty, Gooey, Sticky, Fluffy, Creamy, Crunchy Treats has such flavor-bomb creations as Dark Chocolate, Pistachio, and Smoked Sea Salt Cookies (which I have made before and are delish), Butterscotch Cream Pie with Thyme-Marshmallow Meringue, and 123 more!

Joy’s gentle coaxing is what finally lured me into attempting to bake a pie from scratch – homemade crust, homemade filling. And, oh did I fall in love. Pie making is like therapy for me now. Joy makes baking accessible and immensely pleasurable. She embraces flaws and the simple pleasure of making delicious and comforting food with a contemporary twist. Whether or not you are new to baking, I highly recommend following her blog and trying her out. You won’t regret it.

— Ginnis Tonik

Kiss Kill Vanish  Jessica Martinez  Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollinsKiss Kill Vanish

Jessica Martinez

Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins

Valentina Cruz witnesses a murder ordered by her father and carried out by her boyfriend. The most logical thing to do is to run far far away. She takes on a new identity but needs to uncover old secrets. The premise alone makes me want to pick up the book but what excites me even more is that the author and main character are both people of colour! That’s always a win and it’s definitely a book I’m excited to read in the coming month. This young adult novel is set to come out on October 7.

— Ardo Omer

Blue Lily, Lily Blue  Maggie Stiefvater  Scholastic PressBlue Lily, Lily Blue

Maggie Stiefvater

Scholastic Press

This is the third book in the Raven Cycle series and I’m beyond words on how excited I am. However, since this is a written medium, I must find these words. I was recommended (more like nagged) to read the first book by a few good friends whose tastes I trust and was immediately blown away. I call it paranormal-light and it’s great for those of you who aren’t normally into the paranormal/fantasy genre of books. This is the only series I’ve read by the author and the cover art for it is seriously gorgeous. It feels like the story will be dominated by Blue’s journey and It’s already shivers down my spine:

“Friends can betray.

Mothers can disappear.

Visions can mislead.

Certainties can unravel.”

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??? Ah well. Looks like I’ll have to wait and see. It’s coming out on  October 21st.

— Ardo Omer

Ancillary Sword  Orbit  Ann LeckieAncillary Sword

Orbit

Ann Leckie

Now that I’ve finally read Ancillary Justice, I’m ready for its sequel Ancillary Sword, which comes out October 7. Breq is on a new ship with a new mission in a section of the galaxy we have yet to see. I loved her complex, multi-dimensional character in the first book and am looking forward to how she handles the changes and challenges in book two.

— Brenda Noiseux

My True Love Gave to MeMy True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

Stephanie Perkins (Editor)

St. Martin’s Press

While I maintain that Christmas music should not be played before Thanksgiving, I will admit that I have a great weakness for holiday stories. Stephanie Perkins has written some truly swoon-worthy books, so I’m excited to see this collection of short stories that she’s curated and edited. Some of my favourite authors are featured, such as Laini Taylor, Kelly Link, and Ally Carter, and I can’t wait to curl up with a hot chocolate and blanket and sink into their words.

– Angel Cruz

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride  Cary Elwes & Joe Laydon  TouchstoneAs You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride

Cary Elwes & Joe Laydon

Touchstone

What’s your favorite quote? Is it Westley’s constant “As you wish?” Inigo Montoya’s carefully prepared speech? Vizzini constant shouts of “Inconceivable!”? Do you make cracks about R.O.U.S.’s, or include a holocaust cloak on every shopping list?

As You Wish is Cary Elwes’ account of the making of the film and their twenty fifth reunion. It contains behind-the-scenes photos, interviews with some of the cast, and stories from on the set. It also includes a forward by director Rob Reiner and a limited edition poster by artist Shepard Fairey. Fairey is a particularly great choice for the poster, as his fame started with a sticker based on Andre the Giant, who played Fezzik in the movie.

Like most people in their thirties, The Princess Bride was an important part of my childhood. I smile to this day whenever I spot someone wearing a Brute Squad shirt with Andre’s face on it, or the game based on Inigo Montoya’s customary greeting, and I immediately stop channel-surfing if the movie is on TV. I’m looking forward to flipping through this and basking in the nostalgia.

A Vision of Fire  Gillian Anderson, Jeff Rovin  Simon & SchusterA Vision of Fire

Gillian Anderson, Jeff Rovin

Simon & Schuster

This science fiction thriller is written by none other than the brilliant and talented Gillian Anderson. Otherwise known as Dana Scully from The X-Files. And this novel sounds its the perfect amalgamation of Scully and Anderson’s new character on NBC’s Hannibal. It’s the story of child psychologist Caitlin O’Hara, who finds herself in the middle an international crisis when teenagers around the world suddenly start speaking in tongues and having visions. Caitlin travels around the world attempting to discover the links between these strange phenomena. This sounds like my kind of read regardless but the fact that it’s Anderson first novel makes it an easy sell.

— Christa Seeley

The Young Elites  Marie Lu  GP Putnam and SonsThe Young Elites

Marie Lu

GP Putnam and Sons

I often (jokingly) refer to Marie Lu’s Legend series as the last good Young Adult dystopian series. That may be a bit of an exaggeration but they are certainly some of the best ones. Her writing is fast paced, imaginative and action packed. Her new novel, The Young Elites, is the start of a brand new series. I’ve seen it described as X-Men meets Assassin’s Creed 2 meets Game of Thrones set in a Renaissance-like society. All of which intrigues me greatly.  And if her Pinterest board is any indication this series is going to be even more epic than the last one.

— Christa Seeley

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Megan Purdy

Megan Purdy

Publisher of all this. Megan was born in Toronto. She's still there. Philosopher, space vampire, heart of a killer.

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