Courtney's Staff Picks
By Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers
By Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers
Hello, fellow book lovers! If you like video games, hiking, and of course good books than you and I will get along splendidly! Like me, my book taste is a little all over the place. I will read anything from children's classics to murder mysteries. I can enjoy a well-written slice-of-life story that makes me cry, but also love the adventurous thrill of a sci-fi or fantasy novel. So grab your favorite cup of tea or coffee (both are delicious), cozy up in your favorite blanket, and let's enjoy a book together! :)
Witch Hat Atelier 1
Kamome Shirahama
$12.99 $12.08A fantastic fantasy world, secretive but helpful witches, and a young girl faced with the consequences of her dreams. Drawn in a detailed and enchanting style, you will easily fall in love with this mysterious world and its whimsical characters.
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride
Joe Layden and Cary Elwes
$17.99 $16.73An affectionate and engaging love letter to the movie-adaptation of "The Princess Bride," and everyone who worked on the project. If you are a huge fan of the fairytale cult classic, this memoir is a must-read that will leave you feeling nostalgic, and ready to watch the film again with new eyes. With guest commentary from the cast and crew, this book makes for one "inconceivable" read! ;)
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
Gabrielle Zevin
$28.00 $26.04This book is worth the hype! The story and the characters are so emotionally complex and stunning that I never wanted this book to end. Absolutely beautiful as it is heart-wrenching - a read for gamers and non-gamers alike.
Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes
Travis Baldree
$17.99 $16.73This is the cozy and heartwarming fantasy novel you didn't know you needed! It's a tender story with delightful characters in a snug setting. The kind of tale that Dungeon Masters will feel inspired to have for their next laid-back D&D campaign. So if you are a fan of wholesome, found-family stories do yourself a favor and pick up this book!
I'm Thinking of Ending Things
Iain Reid
$15.99This is a story of loneliness and regret. A psychological thriller that moves slow, but ultimately settles you into this feeling of unease and dread the more you read. You know something is wrong, but you don't know what it is that you should be afraid of. This is one of those books that your second read-through is highly influenced from your first, and thus becomes a whole new reading experience.
The Buddha in the Attic
Julie Otsuka
$16.00 $14.88This book broke me!! It's one of the most eloquent, lyrical, and heart-wrenching novellas I have read in a long time. Julie Otsuka writes a beautifully haunting book that gives a voice to a silenced and sadly forgotten generation of Japanese women, and your heart will ache with them the entire read.
A Lover's Discourse
Xiaolu Guo
$17.00 $15.81An episodic novel about two lovers, their growing affair, and the conversations that ultimately end in discourse. Reflecting on language & cultural differences, this story is beautiful, witty, & perceptive. If you enjoy people-watching, you will love eavesdropping on this couple's messy relationship.
Hooky
Míriam Bonastre Tur
$12.99 $12.08This is an endearing coming-of-age graphic novel that is full of found-family, forgiveness, and magic. An enjoyable read with a fun blend of familiar fairy tales, and general fantasy.
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery
Brom
$29.99 $27.89A dark & vengeful historical fantasy full of excellent storytelling. This book is both a mystical fairytale, and an intense horror novel that will keep you flipping the pages to see what happens next! Fans of Guillermo Del Toro films will love this book! **Trigger Warnings: Graphic violence, misogyny, torture, & animal abuse.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold (Original)
Toshikazu Kawaguchi
$19.99 $18.59Come visit The Café located in Tokyo. Featuring delicious drinks, yummy treats, and...time travel? In this simple, but beautiful tale where traveling in time is both frustrating, as it is amusing, we are introduced to a cast of characters who all wish to visit someone from another time. But transtemporal travel is no easy thing in this universe, and there are rules that must be followed. A cozy, heart-warming story that is the perfect melodrama for your next rainy day read. Fans of "Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories" or "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig will devour this book!
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies
Deesha Philyaw
$18.99 $17.66In this powerful anthology we are introduced to a diverse cast of characters, each with their own distinct voice and troubles. Through them we explore the complexities & expectations of womanhood, the challenges of love & relationships, and how these topics impact their lives within church culture. Full of moving, delicious language that will have you begging for more.
Heartstone
Elle Katharine White
$15.99Pride & Prejudice...with dragons!! This historical fantasy is such a fun book with lots of adventure, likeable characters, and fluffy romance. A truly heartfelt story that reinvents Jane Austen's classic tale into one magical read.
Séance Tea Party
Reimena Yee
$12.99 $12.08If you are in need of a truly sweet read, that will most likely leave you in tears, than this graphic novel is for you! For the young, and the young-at -heart, this beautiful coming-of-age story uproots the familiar memory of trying to balance the magic of your youth (where the only limit is your imagination), and growing up without feeling left behind. A charming story full of introspective journeys, friendship, and beautiful art!
Howl's Moving Castle
Diana Wynne Jones
$9.99 $9.29If you've seen the movie, don't be expecting the same exact story from the book; they are nothing alike. But if you loved the movie, you'll most likely adore the novel. Filled with an intriguing storyline, a fascinating world, and characters that are funny, quirky, and lovable!
Austenland
Shannon Hale
$17.00 $15.81A fun, light-hearted read for any Austen fan who fantasies about their own regency love story! A book where fictional characters might not belong on a pedestal, happily ever after might not be how you imagined, and how no one should settle when it comes to love! Paired best with a cup of tea for perfect chick-lit night!
Nimona: A Netflix Film
ND Stevenson
$16.99 $15.80If you are in need of a story that is hilarious, emotional, & full of complex characters this graphic novel is a must-read! Drawn in a quirky & beautiful art style, "Nimona" explores the fun of both science & magic for one grand adventure!
The Name of the Wind
Patrick Rothfuss
$10.99 $10.22A simple story of an impetuous youth whose persistence to prove & improve himself is juxtaposed against the stubbornness & resignment of experience & age. A book that revolves around how people become songs & legends while building the world & history primarily through interaction & dialogue with the side characters.
Northanger Abbey (Revised)
Jane Austen
$8.00 $7.44A satire within a Jane Austen novel, with one of the most relatable Austen heroines: a kind hearted individual who is naïve, and just wants to be the lead in her own gothic novel (don't we all). Filled with charming characters, hilarity, and classic Austen romance!
Dune (Anniversary)
Frank Herbert
$18.00 $16.74Herbert manages to paint a beautiful picture from a small corner of his large world in Dune. This is a tale of both personal and intergalactic conflict bound to entice any reader. All sorts of men walk the dunes, but only one can gather the flock and lead a people to a newfound paradise.
The Westing Game (Puffin Modern Classics)
Ellen Raskin
$8.99 $8.36Would-be heirs try to compete for a fortune, while also trying to solve the mystery of who killed their rich neighbor! A fun and unusual writing style with a fantastic storyline, great humor, and classic mystery hijinks!
The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure
William Goldman
$16.99 $15.80If you love the movie, you need to read the book! It's not just your typical fairy tale full of action, romance, and revenge...it's all that with a great sense of humor! But BEWARE!!! This is a kissing book!
The Prince and the Dressmaker
Jen Wang
$17.99 $16.73Super cute, and lots of fun! The art style is sweet & colorful, and the story itself is one I would gladly read again! Definitely recommend if you are looking for an easy read that will make you smile a whole bunch.
The Song of Achilles
Madeline Miller
$17.99 $16.73This book is so beautiful - I absolutely adored it.
Sweat and Soap 1
Kintetsu Yamada
$12.99 $12.08I absolutely love this series! This office romance has lovable characters, hilarious shenanigans, and features a couple with a beautiful and healthy relationship. It's full of growth, acceptance of one's self, and a good dose of spicy scenes. If you are a fan of romance manga, this one needs to be added to your TBR!