Staff Recommendations, Week of May 19, 2026

 A couple great new books out this week. Here are our notes on them!

Daniel recommends How to Rule the World: An Education in Power at Stanford University, by Theo Baker. Daniel says: "When Theo Baker got into Stanford, he expected to take advantage of their acclaimed computer science faculty and the many ties to Silicon Valley, in addition to a getting a healthy liberal arts education. Joining the Stanford Daily was a lark. But the more he experienced college life, the more he saw the way big tech money and a billionaire lifestyle mindset had infected the campus, and how could he not report on it? There’s a secret Stanford within Stanford, where what they sell is access, and what they teach is success at any price. You know the result – Baker’s reporting eventually led to the resignation of campus president Marc Tessier-Lavigne. But how it came to happen is no less fascinating, and it’s only one of the stories Baker tells in this riveting mix of memoir and reportage."

And Rachel recommends A Perfect Hand by Ayelet Waldman. She writes: "Alice has her path in life figured out. As a lady's maid for the eldest daughter of a respectable and well-heeled family, she can expect to live the rest of her days scrubbing lacy underthings and (extremely stinky) delicate shoes, wearing her mistress's castoff clothing, and hoarding shillings to spend on her precious half days off (once every two weeks!). Then she meets Charlie Bell, valet for a very handsome and rich gentleman who happens to be quite loathsome to all who meet him. What are a pair of servants to do when they wish to spend a life together? Why, engineer a marriage, of course! Ayelet Waldman has produced a rollicking romp that manages to feel like reading a collaboration between Jane Austen and Mary Wollstonecraft; part romance, part satire, part feminist manifesto, it's a pure delight from start to finish." 

Tim just recently finished reading Fair Chase, the new novel from Travis Mulhauser, and he recommends that, too. His notes: "The younger generation of Sawbrooks is back! They're one of my all-time favorite fictional families from Mulhauser's The Trouble Up North, and they may get a new family member. A fourteen-year-old kid named Delos runs from the foster care placement where he landed after serving time on a bogus juvenile conviction. He claims he's a Sawbrook. His very young mother told him so before she died, and he’s got a reason to run to Sawbrook land. He's seen a gray wolf, maybe the only wolf to migrate back into Michigan‘s lower peninsula during the last hundred years. Delos needs to protect it after locking eyes with the big predator, and he knows his Sawbrook kin are likely the only people around who won't want it dead. Sawbrooks still have 600 acres of natural woodlands not yet invaded by developers, and they have a long history of resisting rules that threaten the land, their independence, and doing what’s right. I love Mulhauser's dry wit, the razor-sharp dialogue of great characters, and the aching suspense in his sudden plot turns. I laughed out loud… on a city bus! (There might have been snorting involved.) And I cried. These books breathe raw, new life into fiction. Just keep 'em coming, Travis!"

And Kathryn adds her notes for a book released last week, read this past weekend, and recommended today - Midwestern Death Trip, by Meaghan Garvey. Kathryn says: "In an era where well researched and beautifully written journalism is particularly hard to find, this book is so refreshing. Garvey's curiosity and unwillingness to settle for half-truths is so clear, and even further illuminated by her thoughtfully lyrical writing. Midwestern Death Trip is the best piece of nonfiction writing I've read in a very long time. A new favorite."

Event notice!! Meaghan Garvey will be at Boswell on Monday, June 15, 6:30 pm, to talk about this very book with County Highway editor Valen Lambert. Register right now to attend this most excellent event! Click here to register and find out more on our website, thanks.

And those are our recommendations. More on the way next week. Until then, read on.

Staff Recommendations, Week of May 12, 2026

 Another week, another great list of books to read!

We start the recommending with a book that's got not one but two Boswellians excited - Abyss by Nicholas Binge has found fans in Kay and Jeremy. First, Kay says: "Binge nailed this read-in-one sitting, horror twist on the law of diminishing returns. It fits like a glove."

And from Jeremy: "Nicholas Binge blends the existential dread of Severance with the chilling cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft in this fast-paced novella about a new recruit at a shadowy corporation whose first day on the job quickly unravels into a dystopian corporate nightmare. Lines between illusion and reality are blurred by a sinister entity that feasts on human suffering, and this time it’s not just middle management."

Now it's over to Oli for their take on The Lost Book of Lancelot, the new novel by John Glynn, author of the memoir Out East. Oli says: "John Glynn explores Lancelot with singular insight, delivering a character-focused retelling that breathes new life and deep emotion into figures of Arthurian lore. The Lost Book of Lancelot follows its titular character from the very beginning, detailing his life — and developing his character — in the formative moments of his early upbringing, through to his time as a knight of the round table. Glynn gives Lancelot a rich inner world and a past that imbues his legend with startling new meaning."

Now over to Jason for his take on Hunger, by Choi Jin-Young, a Korean cult classic now translated into English by Soje. Jason says: "Hunger is a haunting, emotionally pared-down novel about two people bound together by loneliness, trauma, and an aching need to be loved. Shaped by fractured family ties and unhealed childhood wounds, their relationship becomes both a refuge and a source of quiet devastation. With stark, luminous prose, Choi reveals how the deepest hungers are often inherited and how hard they are to escape."

Daniel recommends some fascinating nonfiction - Moral Economics: From Prostitution to Organ Sales, What Controversial Transactions Reveal About How Markets Work by Nobel-winning economist Alvin E Roth, former president of the American Economic Association. Daniel says: "Repugnance is the word that that Roth, a Nobel prize winner, uses to describe behaviors that some or all of populations disapprove of. Drug and alcohol use, gambling, medical aid in dying, in vitro fertilization, gay marriage, charging interest (excessive or any at all), even adoption when it’s trans-racial can be subject to banning. Sometimes we’re able to tolerate these transactions as long as no money changes hands, but that can lead to shortages, notably in the case of organ transplant. And Prohibition is a classic case of banning having unintended consequences, as is Oregon’s more recent experiment in drug decriminalization. Moral Economics notes how attitudes can change across time and place, and how technology can change how they are viewed. The results are fascinating, and his findings could well affect future policy."

And our last adult book rec comes from Tim, who offers for his take on The Foursome, the much anticipated new novel by Christina Baker Kline. Tim says: "This is the story of Chang and Eng, the conjoined twins from Siam (today’s Thailand) who gave rise to the term "Siamese twins." And it's the story of the North Carolina sisters who became their wives after their 1840s American settlement. It's told by Sarah, who was not the bold sister, the one always noticed by men. That was Adelaide, who immediately responded to Chang's refinement and charm. These men understood they could not be safely separated but had two complete bodies and engaging independent minds. They took everyone by surprise with the way they effortlessly moved together and shared sophisticated conversations in English while displaying many talents. They built a grand estate in the countryside, where being with her husband meant that each sister never had privacy from the other man. I didn't expect to love this novel, but I should have had more faith in Christina Baker Kline, who’s written some of my favorite historical fiction. Expertly crafted, with a graceful flow, she creates a unique American story of life’s unexpected twists, and she opens an intimate view of our traumas over race, difference, and male power. Baker Kline’s own distant relation to the sisters deepens the impact. She’s cemented a place in my thoughts reserved for our best historical novelists."

Kids Buyer Jen jumps in with a middle grade novel recommendation now - Diamond Fever!: A True Crime Story in the Wild West, written by Steve Sheinkin, illustrated by Jon Chad. Jen says: "Steve Sheinkin’s storytelling shines again in this action-packed nonfiction middle grade book about the Great Diamond Hoax of 1972. Entertaining and engaging, with comics moving the story along, you will learn how a pair of prospectors triggered a diamond prospecting craze in western American history and got away with it. I wish I had this kind of non-fiction true crime stories when I was a kid. Add this to your reading list!" Suggested for ages 9 and up.

Jen also recommends B Is For Bibliophile, a fun new ABC primer written by OE Zelmanovich and illustrated by Lauren Simkin Berke. Jen says: "Witty and informative, B is for Bibliophile is a great ABC style reference book for anyone who wants to learn more about all the parts a book is made of. My favorite may be W is for Wormholes!" Great for all ages.

And those are the recs for this week! We'll be back with more. Until then, read on.

Staff Recommendations, Week of May 5, 2026

 We've got new books at Boswell to recommend to you this week!

Our first rec this week comes from Daniel Goldin, who offers his take on The Things We Never Say, the latest novel by Elizabeth Strout. Daniel says: "Artie Dam is a fifty-something high school teacher and coach in Massachusetts. He is surrounded by people struggling with complicated relationships, burdening secrets, and life setbacks, things Artie understands too well. What he doesn’t always see is how his positive actions can impact those around him, despite the horrors of the world. The Things We Never Say may not feature Lucy Barton, Olive Kitteridge, or Jim Burgess, but it is still classic Strout, told with her trademark wit, insight, and empathy."

Chris Lee recommends The Family Man: Blood and Betrayal in the House of Murdaugh, a startling work of crime reportage by James Lasdun.Chris writes: "What with a streaming series, books by insiders (some credible, some not), self-appointed investigators, and true-crime cash cows, plus enough podcasts to keep you busy while you circumnavigate the earth on foot, you might see another book about the Murdaugh murders and wonder, why? Well, because James Lasdun, who originally reported on the case for The New Yorker, leaves no stone unturned in what should certainly should be considered the definitive account of the Alex Murdaugh case. Moreover, as he tries to make unspeakable acts intelligible, if only to himself, Lasdun come frighteningly close to answering the book’s central question: just how deep are the wells of evil in the hearts of men who walk among us? A sordid tale of a man’s violent unraveling and the genteel good ol’ boy society that camouflaged his malevolent nature, The Family Man is a real-life Southern Gothic for the ages."

And now, the latest translation in Pushkin Press's series of Japanese Novellas, as recommended by Jason Kennedy: Hollow Inside, written by Asako Otani, translated into English by Ginny Tapley Takemori. Jason notes: "Hollow Inside is a quietly distressing novel about isolation, longing, and the hidden lives people carry beneath their ordinary routines. With spare, haunting prose, Asako Otani captures the ache of emotional emptiness and the fragile hope that comes from being truly seen, creating a story that lingers long after the final page."

We end as we began, with Daniel Goldin, and his thoughts on The Supper Club Saints, the new novel from Wisconsin author Claire Swinarski. Daniel opines: "You’d think the biggest thing going on with the Simons would be matriarch Remy closing the supper club that had been in the family for four generations. But that is overshadowed when daughter Cass returns with her daughter from the Mommune where she’s been for the past two years, one step ahead of scandal. During her missing years, Cass even ignored the imminent death of her father. But now she’s back, joining sister Hilary, who is raising three daughters alone, and her sister-in-law Erin, pregnant again after suffering several miscarriages. Cass is certainly hiding something, but then again, so is her mom. Taken together, it might seem like Swinarski has written a treatise on the many ways that parenting can go awry, but by the end, you will see that The Supper Club Saints, with wisdom, love, and a bit of humor, shows there is sometimes an unexpected path to the other (better) side."

And now a book for adults about the power of kids books! That'd be Make Believe: On Telling Stories  to Children by Mac Barnett, which comes with four (FOUR!) recommendations! First, kids buyer Jen says: "This should be required reading for adults!"

Tim says: "Mac Barnett has written many clever, unique, hilarious books for children. Adults will often ask him, with smiles on their faces, if he ever intends to write an adult book. He tries to hide his annoyance while explaining that children's books… are real, important books, true literature, and kids are real readers. In fact, they’re real people who will closely examine the complex mysteries of being human while reading the best children’s books. And no, he does not intend to stop doing the essential work that he loves because he loves it and kids deserve it. He’s only just diverted long enough to write this one laugh-out-loud adult book. It’s basically a side job he’s doing to have a conversation with adults about the beauty of storytelling and children. Mac Barnett is currently America’s National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, and because I was a teacher who’s read many children’s books, I say with confidence that he has bold, beautiful, and brilliant ideas about kids and reading. So, if you love children and love books, this one will be a thrill that you can quickly and happily devour. It’s like pizza (with great toppings) made of words!"

McKenna says: "A perfect and succinct book that dives into the importance of children's books and appreciating them for the beautiful and amazing works of literature they are and can be."

And finally, Jason says: "The TED talk was brilliant - this book shines even brighter. It’s the perfect book to tell adults how they misunderstand and underestimate children's books."

And now, Kids Book recs, both from Jen.

First up, Jen recommends Wombat Waiting, the new middle grade novel from Katherine Applegate. Jen says: "Meet Wombat, a special dog without a person… yet. See, Wombat has learned she’s a “destiny dog,” - there is someone out there who needs her, and all Wombat must do is wait. It’s a lot harder than it sounds! There’s a fire raging in Los Angeles and a lot of fear and confusion swirling around. Listening to her inner voice, Wombat sets off on a journey to a place she knows will unite her with her forever home. Wombat Waiting is an endearing novel in verse about resilience and hope." Suggested for ages 8 and up.

And Jen also suggests the picture book The Elephant and the Piano written by Colette Hiller and illustrated by Nabila Adani. Jen says: "Based on a true story, The Elephant and the Piano is about the power of music and the bond between humans and animals. Paul Barton is a classical musician, and to this day he is still playing the piano for elephants at a sanctuary in Thailand. A touching and inspiring picture book." Suggested for ages 4 and up.

And those are the recs! More soon. Until then, read on.