Isabel's Picks

Isabel practically grew up in Phoenix Books. She has many happy memories of trips to the store after school and was constantly badgering her parents to buy her a new stack of books with every visit. She's particularly drawn to reading every-and-all things fantasy and loves immersing herself in magical worlds. She is currently working towards a degree in Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences from Wellesley College. In her freetime she enjoys writing poetry, making music, and staying up too late reading.

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

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Isabel
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Cemetery Boys (Hardcover)

By Aiden Thomas
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250250469
Availability: Click Title to See Location Inventory
Published: Swoon Reads - September 1st, 2020

I adore this book! It's a fun mix between "Casper the Friendly Ghost" and "Scooby-Doo." The witty banter between Yadriel and Julia is super entertaining, and I loved watching their relationship progress. Also, for fans of happy endings, this one's for you (I may hav shed a happy tear or two).

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

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Isabel
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One Last Stop (Paperback)

By Casey McQuiston
$16.99
ISBN: 9781250244499
Availability: Click Title to See Location Inventory
Published: St. Martin's Griffin - June 1st, 2021

What a beautiful, wonderful, mysterious journey of a book! When August meets Jane on  the subway, she immediately falls for her, but there's one problem: Jane is displaced in time from the 1970s and cannot leave the Q-train. This book will steal your heart!

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

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Isabel
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The Once and Future Witches (Hardcover)

By Alix E. Harrow
$28.00
ISBN: 9780316422048
Availability: Not in stock. At Our Partner Warehouse: Usually Ships in 4-7 Days.
Published: Redhook - October 13th, 2020

Harrow's sophomore novel does not disappoint! Follow the Eastwood sisters (who are suffragist witches!) as they fight to bring witching magic back into the world. Fun and creative, but also heartfelt and human, this is a delightful read.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

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Isabel
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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (Hardcover)

By V. E. Schwab
$26.99
ISBN: 9780765387561
Availability: Click Title to See Location Inventory
Published: Tor Books - October 6th, 2020

This is a beautiful story. It's twisting and winding, cutting back and forth between the past and the present, but it flows smoothly. The characters are loveable and flawed, and the relationships are delicate and intricate. Even though there's a fantastical element to the narrative, this story feels so real. Schwab has been working on writing this book for 10 years and it shows in the best way. I was captivated by this book!

The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart

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Isabel
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The Bone Shard Daughter (The Drowning Empire #1) (Hardcover)

By Andrea Stewart
$28.00
ISBN: 9780316541428
Availability: Click Title to See Location Inventory
Published: Orbit - September 8th, 2020

This was an excellent story. About halfway through, I thought I knew where the plot was headed, but the ending surprised me in the best way. Alix E. Harrow describes this book as an "epic fantasy at its most human and heartfelt" and I could not agree more. What a fantastic debut!

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

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Isabel
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The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1) (Paperback)

By Holly Black
$12.99
ISBN: 9780316310314
Availability: Click Title to See Location Inventory
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - December 4th, 2018

Jude, a 17 year old human girl, desperately wants to fit into the High Court of Faerie, but-- go figure-- the fey despise humans. This isn't your typical fairyland story, it's adventurous, dark and addicting!

Normal People by Sally Rooney

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Isabel
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Normal People: A Novel (Paperback)

By Sally Rooney
$17.00
ISBN: 9781984822185
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Published: Hogarth - February 18th, 2020

This book stays with you after you've finished it-- there's a reason why it's so wildly popular! While reading this novel, I was often taken aback by Rooney's truthful prose; this may be a love story, but it's a brutally honest portrayal of "will-they-or-won't-they?" young love. A beautiful novel!

In the Woods by Tana French

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Isabel
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In the Woods: A Novel (Dublin Murder Squad #1) (Paperback)

By Tana French
$17.00
ISBN: 9780143113492
Availability: Click Title to See Location Inventory
Published: Penguin Books - May 27th, 2008

It's everything you want in a mystery/psychological thriller: captivating, chilling, and all-consuming. The personal lives of Detective Ryan and Detective Maddox intertwine with the case, making the story all the more intriguing. Once you start this book don't expect to be able to put it down anytime soon.

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