Staff Picks for May — Books

Since You've Been Gone, S&S May 2014Since You’ve Been Gone

Morgan Matson
Simon & Schuster, May 6th

It’s about a girl named Emily who’s best friend, Sloane, has disappeared but not without leaving behind a list of things to do (like skinny dipping and apple picking at night). I’ve had the chance to read this book and it was so much fun. It’s contemporary/realistic fiction and a fantastic book to read under the summer sun. If you’re a teen then this could be relatable to you and if not, you’ll remember what it was like. I think I enjoyed it so much because it was about a girl who was afraid to take chances and put herself out there without her best friend as a safety net. Your friends are everything to you in high school before all that love stuff so I’m excited for other readers to get their hands on it when it comes out.

We Were Liars, Random House May 2014We Were Liars

 E. Lochart
Delacorte Press/Random House
May 13th

This is a book about four friends with a secret that turns their friendship destructive and a private island is involved. I’ve heard so much buzz surrounding this book and I’m a huge fan of suspense, luxury and naughty teens. I’ve read E. Lockhart before in high school (The Boyfriend List) and I thought it was a fun read so we’ll see if her newest book showcases her growth as a writer and also live up to the hype.

No Relation, Terry FallisNo Relation

Douglas Gibson
Books/Random House of Canada, May 20th

A young copywriter is fired from his job, dumped by his girlfriend and is pressured by his dad to come home and help run the family clothing business. Oh, and his name is Earnest Hemingway … not that Earnest Hemingway. This book is by a Canadian author from a Canadian publisher so that’s always a plus for me. I love familial drama in fiction since I’m very family oriented with a few (and weird) family related arguments under my belt. It’s also fun to see a main character dealing with having the same name as one of the most famous modern writers out there. I love funny, witty books so I’m very excited to get the chance to read it.

— Ardo Omer

One Man Guy, May 2014One Man Guy

Michael Barakiva Farrar
Straus and Giroux, May 27th

A little bit My Big Fat Greek Wedding, a little bit Mambo Italiano, One Many Guy is the story of Alek Khederian, a young Armenian boy who has been sent off to summer school by his more traditional parents. While there he meets and unexpectedly falls for Ethan. He never thought he would fall for a guy, let alone a guy who’s nothing like the family he’s been raised by. I think this book is going to be important, not only because it throws another LGBTQ character into the YA world but also because it shines the spotlight on Armenian culture, which you don’t seen enough of.

flights and chimesFlights, Chimes and Mysterious Chimes

Emma Trevayne
Simon & Schuster, May 13th

Ten year old Jack has (accidentally) found himself in a very different version of London. Londinium is a dark and mysterious place filled with fairies, clockwork dragons and dangerous politics. If Jack ever wants to escape and return home he needs to track down The Gearwing, a legendary, wish-granting, clockwork bird. This books is a little bit fairy tale, a little bit mystery and a little bit steampunk. In Emma Trevayne’s more then capable hands it’s a fantasy whirlwind for readers of all ages.

— Christa
Snow In MaySnow in May: Stories
Kseniya Melnik
Henry Holt and Co., May 13

The port town of Magdan, Russia is the setting for this collection of short stories, handled deftly by debut author Kseniya Melnik. Stark as some of the stories might seem, Melnik gives her mix of characters a touch of magic with fables woven into the pages. “Love, Italian Style, or In Line for Bananas” and “Summer Medicine” are particular standouts, and readers looking to explore magic realism will find a riveting starting point here.

— Angel  

Among the Unseen, MayAmong the Unseen

Jodi McIsaac
Amazon Publishing, May 20

The conclusion to the Thin Veil trilogy, which centers on Cedar, a single mother who recently discovered that not only is her seven year old daughter Eden one of the Tuatha De Dannan, but so is Cedar herself. She had been reunited with Eden’s father and now lives in Tír na nÓg, but life isn’t getting any easier. The series is based on Celtic mythology but is set in the here and now, and intertwines the concerns of the fae with everyday human life.

 

Lightspeed 48

Groundbreaking science fiction and fantasy short story magazine. This month’s offerings include stories (both original and reprints) by: Seth Dickinson, Nisi Shawl, Sean Williams, Matthew Hughes, Fred Van Lente, Rachel Pollack, Emma Bull, plus interviews with Jeff Vandermeer and Michio Kaku.

Long Hidden

An anthology focused on underrepresented groups in genre fiction. Includes stories by Tananarive Due and Ken Liu, among others, that aspire to reflect the current fans of fantasy, science fiction and horror.

— Sarah
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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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