Note to Shelf: December 2022

Eden asks, "Have you ever wondered what happened to the original girlfriend in a Hallmark movie? The ambitious, driven, (not self-centered at all!) high-fashion titan of industry who gets her heart broken by the lumberjack male lead? Look no further than Book Lovers by Emily Henry, which has made its way into my top romance picks for the year. Our book-editing expert heroine, Nora, finds herself recently heartbroken in New York City and decides to take a last-minute girls’ trip with her pregnant sister. Their destination is the beautiful and quaint Asheville, North Carolina, the setting of Nora's client's best-selling books. Unfortunately for her (and lucky for us!) Nora's literary rival, Charlie, a dark, handsome, and grumpy man, has taken up residence in Asheville as well, and Nora cannot stop running into him. A perfect summer-based read during these cold winter months, Book Lovers is witty, funny, seductive, and will even keep you on your toes. Highly recommend it!"

Virginia recently read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Mandanna Sangu and declared it "to be witchy, witty, and whimsical—the perfect cozy read for a winter day. The book centers on Mika Moon who happens to be one of the few witches left in Britain. Mika is warm, kind-hearted, and funny — but also very lonely. Orphaned at birth, she was raised by a series of strangers and has spent her life hiding her magic from others. She isn't even allowed to spend much time with other witches because she has been led to believe too much magic in one place creates danger. But for Mika, magic is in her soul, and she needs it to survive...even if it’s only posting YouTube videos casting spells as a "pretend witch." Much to her surprise, she receives a message asking for her help at a place called Nowhere House. Intrigued, Mika makes the journey and discovers three young, orphaned witches being raised by a handsome, grumpy librarian and a host of other characters who are doing everything they can to protect the young girls from others and themselves. Mika throws herself into training the girls and falls under the spell of Nowhere House and its charming librarian. This book is full of humor, heart, and a little bit of magic. If you enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea and Practical Magic, you will enjoy this romantic fantasy."

Sarah shares, "In On Tyranny, Timothy Snyder uses twenty concise lessons to educate readers about recognizing and resisting the emergence of authoritarian governance. Drawing on his expertise as a historian, Snyder uses twentieth-century European history, literature, and political thought to argue that societies can fall no matter how sturdy they seem. He says understanding these downfalls is key to avoid repeating them. The graphic version, enhanced by author and illustrator Nora Krug, features unique collages and drawings that transform the original text into an inspired piece of art. In addition, Snyder has seamlessly updated the original text (published in 2017) to incorporate recent political and societal changes into the original twenty lessons. The result is an energized and emphatic guide for any reader moved to preserve freedom."