Jax's Reviews

Rivers Solomon seems to consistently bring something fresh and completely unprecedented to the genre in a most magnificent way. I’ll let you read the back of the book for the plot, as there’s so much going on—from the Middle Passage to magical mer-people to shared memories and the strength of one young person to save her people. Solomon pulls it all off with aplomb. It’s a little book that packs a lot of punch about historical trauma and the ways we integrate our history into our lives, and helps us think about what history we are responsible for carrying. I can’t stop thinking about this one. - Jax

Erin Morgenstern (The Night Circus) has crafted an amazing cocktail of magic, secret societies, and the power of the written word. Moving between timeless fables and a very current story of a young queer man of color trying to understand his own story, it explores the thirst in us all for the fantastical. Take this leap; you won’t regret having drawn on your courage. - Jax

Read our interview with Erin Morngenstern in our 2019 Winter Newsletter.

Don't miss our event with Erin Morgenstern at a Literary Masquerade on November 12th, 2019.

Jonathan Van Ness has been serving so much kindness and a dedication to authentic living for years on Queer Eye that I’m beyond excited to get my hands on his upcoming biography. Even if you don’t know him from his work on the hit Netflix show, his story of overcoming every adversity and challenge with love and grace in his heart will inspire you. - Jax

If you’ve ever seen Wong’s stand-up, you already know how freaking amazing she is. What you might not know, but will by the end of the book, is: exactly what to steal from the hospital when you give birth, the best street food in Vietnam, and how to trap the love of your life into doing chores. You’ll also learn a lot about how to handle loss and how to work hard and kick ass at life while owning who you are and where you come from. - Jax

I have loved Elton John and his music almost longer than I can remember. His music bonded me with my family, his queerness and refusal to bend to anyone’s rules inspired me, and his astronomical rise to stardom despite all the drama in his life is nothing short of astonishing. I can’t wait to discover more about the man behind the Rocketman, told in the same refreshingly honest and dynamite style that Elton has always had. - Jax

I kind of freak out every time I look through Atlas Obscura, a travel guide, atlas, and chronicle of the fascinatingly beautiful and ridiculously odd wonders of our world. In this revised and updated edition you will find city guides, gorgeously shot photos, and a pull-out world map with a dream itinerary. A perfect gift for the curious and the travel-minded. I hope to see you somewhere between the synchronized fireflies and the Sourdough Saloon. - Jax

I am obsessed with Sherman the donkey and his crazy story of becoming a marathoner with his human, the great runner and writer Christopher McDougall. After he is rescued from an abusive owner, Sherman’s new family and the larger rural community surrounding his new home come together to save his life and introduce him to the joys of life, friends, and running. If you’re looking for a feel-good book this holiday season, this is one you’ll want to check out. - Jax

If you knew your time was up and you only had one more drink at the bar while the closing song played, what would you order? That’s the question Parsons puts to bartenders around the country, and here he chronicles their closing-time rituals as well as what they would want to pass through their lips before that eternal last call. Full of stories, recipes, and tips on where to go after last call. - Jax

Amy has stolen my heart, with her fierce determination to conquer…bao. I so identify with her quest to master snack time and her refusal to give up on a family tradition. The art is wonderful and this heartwarming story of creative problem solving in the face of challenges is sure to delight. I especially loved that Zhang included a recipe so that we can enjoy bao with our own families. - Jax

Kagge speaks to the importance of walks not only in his own life but for everyone, and the ways walking in the world is good for our bodies and minds. Each section is a little gem, a seed of thoughtfulness that I admit I took with me when I set out my own front door. So come on, take a walk with this book. It’s good for you, after all. - Jax