Trey's Reviews

Three paragraphs were all it took to pull me all the way into this intriguing portal fantasy. The entire book, Alix Harrow’s debut novel, lives up to the promise of its auspicious beginning. Set in the early 1900s, The Ten Thousand Doors of January transports the reader through secret magic openings to places of wonder and mystery. This is a book about books, a story about stories, a tale of courage, love, and family ties across time and space. Imaginative and enchanting!

A beautiful French novel exploring the difficult subject of mental illness. Written to the soundtrack of Nina Simone singing Mr. Bojangles, this is a magical love story. A young boy tells the story of watching his parents dance their way through life even as his mother descends into madness. This is a book that will make you laugh and cry. An international bestseller.

The book is daring, brash and nearly out of control. But the result is a classic American masterpiece. If you persevere through the sometimes challenging first 100 pages, your reward is an epic character-driven story set in the rain-soaked forests of the Pacific Northwest. An evocation of a time, a place, and a people, this is one of my favorite books of all time. - Trey

This is a powerful character novel about two brutal Irish gangsters well past their prime. Maurice and Charlie have long corrupted and harmed themselves and those around them. They are now in search of Maurice’s daughter Dilly at the Spanish ferry terminal in Algeciras. In lyrical prose, Kevin Barry tells the story of how the life, loves, and fraught friendship of these two men brought them to this place. This is writing to savor and linger over with every turn of the page. - Trey

Filipino American author Paul Krueger has reimagined the unique cultures of China, Korea, Japan, and the Philippines in this anime-inspired war fantasy. The setting is reminiscent of early 20th-century Asia, with the addition of magic animals and enchanted steel. A thief, a princess, a soldier, and a prince must band together to defeat an enemy determined to destroy them all. Political intrigue, unexpected romance, and an action-packed plot combine to make this an exciting, fast-paced read. - Trey

Patti Smith’s latest memoir begins in Santa Cruz at the Dream Inn early on the morning of New Year’s Day, 2016. The book is hypnotic and dreamy, weaving in and out of what’s real and what’s not real but is still true, often with no warning. This is a book about the loss of dear friends, about aging, the political landscape, and drinking lots of coffee. Anything is possible on a strange and beautiful journey with Patti Smith. - Trey

Bring the glorious cuisine of New Orleans into your home kitchen with this comprehensive instructional cookbook from award-winning chef Justin Devillier. I grew up in the rich food culture of New Orleans and I’m here to tell you that this is the real deal. Mouth-watering classic recipes that have been updated with practical modern techniques. New creative favorites that are sure to please. Duck and Andouille Gumbo. Crawfish Etouffée. Sticky Chicken. Blue Crab Beignets. Café au Lait Ice Cream. Laissez les bons temps rouler! -Trey