Staff Recommendations, Weeks of April 7 and 14, 2026

Ever have that annoying, nagging feeling like you've forgotten something? Well, apparently it wasn't enough to remind me to update the staff rec blog the last couple weeks. Oops! Well, the good news is, great books get released regardless of whether I update this blog or not. Here are some Boswellian favorites that have hit our shelves this week and last.

First up, the latest from Patrick Radden Keefe, author of books like Say Nothing and Empire of Pain. The book is London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth, and the recommendation comes from Daniel. He says: "Patrick Radden Keefe tunnels into London’s underbelly of crime by focusing on the story of a young man who, with dreams of power and connections that he doesn’t have, pretends to be the son of an Eastern European oligarch and winds up in the Thames River. Did he jump, as the police assumed, or was he pushed? The case of Zac Brettler, AKA Zac Ismailov, is a window into London’s transformation from an industrial hub to financial center, charting how organized crime similarly morphed. As always, Keefe’s journalistic and storytelling skills are on full display as he traces the connections between the many players in this story, always returning to Zac’s parents and their tenacity in uncovering the truth. London Falling is smart, sophisticated true crime book that also tackles serious issues. Plus, very London-y!"

Daniel also recommends American Fantasy, the latest from acclaimed author and bookstore owner Emma Straub. He writes: "Annie, 50-years-old and newly divorced, sets sail on a boy band cruise, minus her sister, who is laid up from a broken leg. A Boy Talk fan from way back, she’s swept up into the world of fan culture, helped along by her new suitemate and fast friend Maira, a super fan with a secret. But this reunion is a bit on shaky ground, with breakout star Corey only rejoining the group after a series of PR disasters. As you always have to have a favorite, Annie starts out team Shawn, the charismatic leader, but as the cruise progresses, she starts to understand the charms of Keith, Shawn’s brooding brother. If you’re looking for a delightful romantic comedy that will leave you feeling positively giddy, American Fantasy has a cabin with your name on it."

Ingrid takes us in a different direction with Annie Knows Everything, a new romance by Rachel Wood. Ingrid writes: "This is the fourth Dial Delights book I've read in a row, and they've all been hits! After binging Cara Bastone's books, I picked up Annie Knows Everything and was cackling and kicking my feet in equal parts. Loosely inspired by Jane Austen's Emma, our narrator Annie is smart, determined, and, at times, slightly ridiculous and meddlesome. Throwing her in a room with four computer nerd men creates endless chaos, and I loved each one of these characters. This is funny, smart, and nuanced romance novel! And, on top of it all, a debut!"

For books released today, we have The Left and the Lucky by Willy Vlautin, as recommended by Jason: "Eddie is doing the best he can with the hand he’s been dealt in life. Heck, he’s far more functional than I would be able to muster.  He works a job he doesn't love, his wife has left him, and all of a sudden there's an eight-year boy showing up at his house all the time. Russell, the boy, ends up being just as damaged as Eddie, but together they are able to protect and grow past their difficulties. Willy Vlautin has way of writing characters and their dialogue that makes me feel like I've known them my whole life. When there is tragedy, it hits deep, and when there is happiness, I feel the joy as well. I look forward to more gems by him."

Tim recommends a book in translation - Nightmare of the Embryos, written by renowned Swiss-German Yenish writer Mariella Mehr, and translated into English by non other than former Boswellian Caroline Froh! Tim writes: "This collection of Mehr's work from a lifetime of writing gives us intensely focused moments with vivid people, thoughts, and events. Much the result of women's trauma, we see loss and longing, doubt and despair, submission, escape, rebellion, rage, vengeance, courage, beauty, and joy, along with aching searches for stable love and for right ways to die. The absurdity of ever-present human contradictions pulled at my heart. Mehr's word portraits felt poetic, and like all of my best times with poetry, I stopped to hold each bit that moved me. I stared (sometimes flinched) at her stirring arrangements of people, places, things, and emotions. The uncommon language, stark and shifting, made me think that Froh's translation task was a great challenge, finely accomplished, and her Afterword offers exceptional context. Milwaukee's indigenous and German roots make this a fitting place to welcome Mehr's legacy. As a German speaking Yenish person, she survived Swiss authorities’ assault on her people's culture using forced religious, institutional, and foster placements, just as Wisconsin’s indigenous children survived the insidious use of boarding schools. She saw the most horrifying literal nonsense that our selfish world can impose, and I'm so very grateful to see her brilliant heroism from the inside."

And we'll wrap up with A Fishboy Named . . . Sashimi, a new middle grade graphic novel written and illustrated by Dan Santat. And for Fishboy, we've got three great recs! First, from McKenna: "A hilarious new graphic novel series about a fish boy named Sashimi in search of someone like him. Follow Sashimi as he tries to fit in at school, make new friends, and finds himself on a town-wide search for the mysterious Beast of Barnacle Bay. I couldn't stop laughing at all the crazy situations Sashimi finds himself in and can't wait to read more in the series!"

From Kathryn: "This one is for the dorks! A delightful tale about a fish named Sashimi hiding undercover as a local middle schooler on his search for the Beast of Barnacle Bay. Turns out, middle school might be even more treacherous than the search for the beast itself. This story is laugh-out-loud funny with some of the most expressive illustrations I've ever seen. I never thought I'd say the sentence "This little fish has impeccable comedic timing," but here we are. But it's not just hilarious - it's educational too. There are detailed diagrams including (but not limited to) one that explains why Sashimi sweats so much and also a diagram walking us through what exactly a poop deck is. An absolute must-read for anyone who appreciates a very funny fish (AKA pretty much all of us, I assume)."

And from our kids buyer Jen: "Sashimi is my new favorite graphic novel character and soon to be yours! Laugh out loud funny and even educational - who knew why a poop deck is called a poop deck? A Fishboy Named… Sashimi is a FINtastic fish out of water story. I’m looking forward to reading more in this new middle grade graphic novel series."

Available in both hardcover and paperback editions.