A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness
A monster comes to Conor’s room at midnight.  He comes to tell stories, and to ask for one in return.  The only requirement is that all the stories be true… Beautifully written, this is also a physically gorgeous book, powerful and perfect.  And it’s heartbreakingly moving, in a way that is less about sorrow than it is about surgery.  Sometimes, you just have to hurt before you can heal.  Ness is a genius.

The Floating Islands, by Rachel Neumeier
Orphaned by a horrific disaster, Trei joins his mother’s family on the flying islands.  There he finds his purpose in life: to become one of the Kajurahi, the men who fly with magical wings.  He also finds his cousin Araene, whose own destiny is more powerful and dangerous that she’d ever imagined.  Stunning is style and scope, this book is about flight, grief, magic, identity and cooking.  It’s wonderful, and highly, highly recommended.

Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline

It’s 2044, and Wade Watts is just a kid who deals with his life by escaping to OASIS – a virtual utopia which everyone uses to block out the shoddy condition of the real world.  OASIS gives kids schooling, adults jobs, and most of all, provides entertainment.  But when Wade finds and solves the first puzzle of ‘Halliday’s Easter Egg Hunt’ (which promises the winner the power and fortune of James Halliday, creator of OASIS), he’s suddenly caught in a war between those who want that clout for the people, and those who want it for the corporations.  Along the way he makes and loses friends, finds love, unlocks secrets, and discovers more about himself.

This Dark Endeavour, by Kenneth Oppel

Oppel takes a shot at the Frankenstein story, and hits it spot on.  The characters are loveable, detestable, and easily sympathized with, while the story keeps you hooked until the last page.  It’s an Oppel novel, which means it’s geared more towards the late-teen/young adult market, but this is a book anyone can enjoy.

We’re often asked for recommendations at this time of year.  People need help finding books for readers of wildly varying interests, skill levels, and genre familiarity.  And because we know you just couldn’t live with yourselves without having heard our words of wisdom, we’ll be sprinkling some of those recommendations here throughout the week.  Like:

Wildwood, by Colin Maloy
A wonderful, magical book full of practical children, complicated characters, the grand and the equally lovely mundane.  When Prue’s baby brother is stolen by crows, she knows she has to get him back – because he’s her responsibility; because she loves him.  This is an adventure story, a coming-of-age story; beautifully written, and just different enough to keep you turning the page to see what happens next.  A young adult novel easily enjoyed by adults.    KC.