Starred Reviews for Emily Henry, Miranda July, Anne Lamott, Jordan Peele, and more!

By Kate McManus | February 14 2024 | Starred Reviews

With starred reviews from publications including Booklist, AudioFile, and Library Journal—your patrons will want to read these much-anticipated books that reviewers are raving about.

Fiction

Immortal Pleasures

“A lush examination of love, self-worth, and colonialism through the monstrous.” —Library Journal, starred review


Funny Story

“With her latest impeccably written rom-com, literary supernova Henry (Happy Place, 2023) continues to gracefully dispense wit, whimsy, and wisdom in equal amounts.” —Booklist, starred review


The Sweet Blue Distance

“In a stunning tour de force,
Donati portrays compelling characters and illuminates a key aspect of American history surrounding the acquisition of half of Mexico in the Mexican American War and the growing discord between slave and free states.” —Booklist, starred review


You Know What You Did
A Novel

“A twisty, horror-filled thriller… exploring generational trauma and the complex relationships between mothers and daughters” —Booklist, starred review


The Sky Was Ours
A Novel

“With its soupçon of magical realism, Fassler’s intriguing novel is beautifully written—books’ many-colored spines are like “a rainbow put through a paper shredder.” This is a book that invites deliberation, as further evidenced by the included discussion guide.” —Booklist, starred review


All Fours
A Novel

“Beyond-dazzling, eyes-wide open fiction.” —Booklist, starred review


Nonfiction

Total Garbage
How We Can Fix Our Waste and Heal Our World

Total Garbage is an engaging and uplifting book that offers compelling stories from experts and activists and strong recommendations to cut through the complacency or resignation that stymie efforts to create a greener, cleaner, more efficient world.”—Booklist, starred review


3 Shades of Blue
Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and the Lost Empire of Cool

“Writing with acumen and lyricism, Kaplan conjures the moods and milieus, breakthroughs and performances, temperaments and drama that generated this endlessly enthralling music.”—Booklist, starred review


Somehow
Thoughts on Love

“Lamott
freely admits her faults and isn’t afraid to call out others for their actions. But it is all done with such clarity, feeling, and goodness that readers will find themselves laughing out loud and fighting back tears. Ultimately, this is a testimony to love and hope in an often painful world.”—Booklist, starred review


Audiobooks

Get the Picture
A Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See

“Journalist Bianca Bosker narrates her witty audiobook about the art world with pizzazz. She has a pleasing sound, paces the sometimes frantic-sounding proceedings well, and comes across as an authentic seeker.” —AudioFile Earphones Award


Out There Screaming
An Anthology of New Black Horror

“The collaboration of these uniquely gifted narrators with extraordinarily talented Black horror authors results in a thrilling, multifaceted audio experience that belongs in all fiction collections.” —Library Journal, starred review


Klan War
Ulysses S. Grant and the Battle to Save Reconstruction

“Woodson, an AudioFile Earphone Award winner, brings detailed research to life and transports listeners to pivotal events in U.S. History as if he lived them himself, considering that deeply embedded principles of white supremacy remain that must be destroyed from its roots to respect and protect citizen equality, sovereignty, and civil rights.” —Booklist, starred review


The Frozen River
A Novel

“Oppenheimer reads with passion and skill as the story builds to an exciting climax. The eagerly-read author’s note fills in the details of the real Martha Ballard and the author’s motivations. This fascinating novel will be enjoyed by both mystery and history fans.” —Booklist, starred review