Emma's Reviews

Join wine expert Benoist Simmat and artist Daniel Casanave on a tour of wine’s long and storied history. Informative and quirky, Wine will give you an abundance of fun anecdotes for your next social gathering (over Zoom or in person). It also makes a great gift for the friend who has everything but also loves wine (or history). 

As always, Mildred D. Taylor delivers historical fiction at its best. I've followed the Logan family since I was a kid, reading and rereading Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, The Land, and the other magnificent books in the series. It was a joy to reconnect with my old friend, Cassie, and follow her personal journey through the civil rights movement. This book isn’t just for YA readers but for everyone, an important and necessary look at our not-so-distant past.

If you’ve read her novels, you know Ferrante has wonderfully unique insight, specifically into relationships between mothers and daughters and childhood friends. In this collection, Ferrante looks inward and explores her own experiences (first love, personal fears, having her novels adapted into TV shows) and perspectives on larger issues (climate change, feminism, nationality). With delightful illustrations throughout, this is the perfect gift for all the Ferrante fans out there. - Emma

This story had me crying the whole way through. Edie’s discovery of her Native American heritage as she deals with changing friendship dynamics is beautiful, heartbreaking, and hopeful. I couldn’t put this one down. The characters felt so real and relatable, I fell in love with them all. The perfect next read for Sharon Creech and Kate DiCamillo fans. - Emma

Tackling divorce, body image, new friends, and first crushes with humor and love, Sweet Pea was a delight from start to finish. The main character, the hilarious and kind Sweet Pea, simply jumps off the page and I was rooting for her from the start. Great for aspiring journalists, and everyone who feels like they don’t fit in. - Emma

Alternating between four different perspectives, The Dearly Beloved delves into the lives of two ministers and their wives, each with different views on religion, family, and purpose. I love a book like this; one that shows the way we are all interpreting (and misinterpreting) our interactions with one another. Though I sometimes wished Wall had just stuck with her delightfully complicated female protagonists, I was fully carried away by this engaging novel. With so many themes to interpret and explore, The Dearly Beloved is the perfect book club pick. - Emma

Calling all Game of Thrones fans! Do yourself a favor and read the appropriately titled Upon a Burning Throne. Two princes are in line to rule the vast and abundant Burnt Empire together, but a princess from another kingdom lays claim to their power. Inspired by the Mahabharata, internationally best-selling author Ashok K. Banker delivers a thrilling, be-late-for-work-because-you-can’t-stop-reading (sorry, Bookshop!) start to your next favorite fantasy epic. - Emma

Yasmin, your new favorite second-grader, tackles all sorts of relatable problems at home and at school in this illustrated chapter book series. In this installment, Yasmin delightfully takes on the role of teacher, chef, zookeeper, and superhero, learning the power of sharing, listening, and being a good friend along the way. Each book offers discussion questions, an Urdu glossary, fun facts about Pakistan, and a craft, so the fun can continue well after the final page. - Emma

Switching between the two halves of a longtime on-again, off-again romance, Rooney offers us an intimate study of her two well-drawn protagonists. Totally absorbing, this powerful book is perfect for traveling or a quiet afternoon at home. You will be fully transported into Rooney’s masterful novel, which explores the dynamics and complexities of relationships. - Emma