Crystal Patriarche

FOUNDER & CEO

The Rom-Commers
by Katherine Center

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You Are Here
by David Nicholls

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All the Colors of the Dark
by Chris Whitaker

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Taylor Brightwell

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Queen of Shadows
by Sarah J. Maas

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Ā Ā I am super late to hopping on the fantasy trend and obsession with Sarah’s books but I totally get it. I am loving the Throne of Glass series so far and Queen of Shadows has been my favorite because of the world building and the way Sarah weaves past storylines and the growth of the characters throughout.

The Last One
by Rachel Howzell Hall

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I am so excited to see Rachel bring her thriller writing skills to the fantasy genre and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series! The Last One was so captivating and kept me on my toes.

The Fox Wife
by Yangsze Choo

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Ā The Fox Wife immersed me in a world where myth and mystery intertwine against the backdrop of early 1900s Manchuria. Yangsze Choo’s vivid storytelling kept me captivated as the lines between humans and spirits blurred in unexpected, unforgettable ways.

Hanna Lindsley

PUBLICITY MANAGER

The Lion Women of Tehran
by Marjan Kamali

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This book was beautifully written and the story had me really rooting for the main characters. It was emotional but also educational, and it checked all of my boxes.

Horses of Fire by A. D. Rhine

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This mythology retelling was so well done. It tackled tough topics in a way that had me thoroughly invested, and the relationship between the three women, and the different challenges they (and every woman) faced during this time, hooked me.

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

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Don’t knock (your boots) ’til you try it.

Grace Fell

SENIOR PUBLICIST

I’m Glad My Mom Died
by Jeanette McCurdy

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Quick chapters and a compelling story makes this a fast read. Perfect for non-readers who want to get back into reading!

Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk

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A new take on vampires. Beautiful cover and pretty short at around 250 words.

The Unmaking of June Farrow
by Adrienne Young

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Ā A little fantasy, a little romance, a little cozy small town. So much to love for any reader!

Leilani Fitzpatrick

PUBLICIST

Instructions for Traveling West: Poems
by Joy Sullivan

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A deeply intimate, bold, and honest collection. Her words drive change, reflection, and bravery, and remind you of the magic within life. A treasurable debut!

Hijab Butch Blues
by Lamya H.

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Ā Lamya H’s memoir Hijab Butch Blues reads as anything but. Her story is one of faith, sexuality, family, community, and identity and her writing immerses you in her world. A powerful and deeply honest read.

Blue Light Hours
by Bruna Dantas Lobato

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Ā Blue Light Hours by Bruna Dantas Lobato contains lyrical prose that transports you right into the little computer screens where a Brazilian mother and daughter connect from miles apart. Dantas Lobato is a debut novelist, and her quiet, atmospheric, and tender writing is brought to life wonderfully by Gisela ChĆ­pe in the audiobook.

Rylee Warner

PUBLICIST

The Serviceberry
by Robin Wall Kimmerer

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Kimmerer’s second book, Braiding Sweetgrass, is an incredible read that will change the way you think about nature, and I have no doubts that her latest will do the same.

So Thirsty
by Rachel Harrison

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It’s so funny while also being scary and emotional! Perfect for combating the holiday blues.

The Spellshop
by Sarah Beth Durst

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Ā Ā I don’t think this book could really get much cozier! It’s like gifting a warm hug.

Brooke Warner

PUBLISHER

Another Word for Love
by Carvell Wallace

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A beautiful treatise on the many ways love manifests in our lives.

Villa E by Jane Alison

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Ā An amazing novel about a very psychologically complex relationship—with an equally complex structure.

The Untold Story of Books
by Michael Castleman

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I learned so much about the book, about publishing, and appreciated his anecdotes and insights into being a published author and the book industry.

Lauren Wise

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Slow Noodles
by Chantha Nguon

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Years ago I backpacked through Cambodia and saw the traumatic aftermath of Pol Pot’s genocide in the 1970s, and I love books that combine cultures I’ve experienced and the cooking behind them. This gorgeously written, haunting memoir from a Cambodian refugee is filled with history and hope.

Remarkably Bright Creatures
by Shelby Van Pelt

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Ā With multiple POV—and one being from an octopus—this is an intriguing mystery and one that touches on all parts of humanity, motherhood, and our connection to nature.

Immortal Pleasures
by V. Castro

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Ā I devoured this book around Halloween, for its story centered around an ancient Aztec vampire and the horror novelist she falls for. The plot and imagery are mesmerizing for anyone who loves fantasy horror.

Addison Gallegos

EDITORIAL PROJECT MANAGER

Percy Jackson and the Wrath of the Triple Goddess
by Rick Riordan

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Ā No matter how many adventures Percy Jackson goes on, I am still just as enchanted reading about them as I was when I was ten years old. The trio of the nostalgic series is back at it again—with magical potions, terrifying mythical animals, and the good ole greek gods—Rick Riordan just never disappoints.

Blood at the Root
by LaDarrion Williams

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I am always one to admire great world-building and writing, and LaDarrion Williams has me craving more of this rich and enticing story. It has all the great and wonderful tropes of any YA Fantasy books, like a magical school and a long-lost legendary conjurer grandmother . . . need I saw more?

Iron Flame
by Rebecca Yarros

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Ā Ā In preparation (or desperation) for Onyx Storm, the third book of the series that comes out in January of 2025, the only reasonable thing to do is to read its predecessor. Betrayal, magic, war, dragons, secrets, even more steamy scenes—it just keeps getting better.

Megan Milton

EDITORIAL PROJECT MANAGER

Northern Light: Power, Land, and the Memory of Water
by Kazim Ali

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Listening to the audiobook, read by the author, felt like an intimate invitation to witness a flood of reckoning. Measuring the weight of memory against the realities of the land, Ali’s writing will stick with you.

How To Be Eaten
by Maria Adelmann

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As a contemporary fairytale scholar during my undergrad, this book felt like a reunion. I’ll never tire of messy women fighting the monsters in and around themselves.

What My Bones Know
by Stephanie Foo

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Ā Stephanie Foo, in a portrait of healing that doesn’t wrap up neatly on the last page, gives voice to her deepest internalized shames and traumas alongside euphoric discoveries and joys. I’ll be sitting with this one for awhile.

Christi Jacir

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

You Shouldn’t Have Come Here
by Jeneva Rose

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Ā It’s a great thriller that I couldn’t put down.

Magic Hour
by Kristin Hannah

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I really enjoy books by Kristin Hannah. This story was one of my favorites.

The Lost Bookshop
by Evie Woods

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The book hooked me from the very beginning.

Maggie Ruf

SENIOR DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

The Great Divide
by Cristina HenrĆ­quez

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I love how this book meandered through characters, coming back to some as the stories progressed, giving us a stunning look at the myriad human experiences during the building of the Panama Canal.

Iron Widow
by Xiran Jay Zhao

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Ā Ā I picked this book up when I was in a burn-the-world-down mood and it definitely delivered. I can’t wait to return to this world of polyamorous Power Rangers when book 2 comes out at the end of December!

The Empusium
by Olga Tokarczuk

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After reading Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead last year, The Empusium solidified Tokarczuk as one of my favorite authors. She crafts characters & sentences I can’t get out of my head, and explores timely yet timeless ideas in unique, unsettling ways.

DawnshaeƩ Reid

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LEAD

Pomegranate
by Helen Elaine Lee

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Ā Ā I read this one with my book club, Eclectix the Book Club, and it’s one of the best books to unpack with a group of others! Pomegranate is probably one of the most introspective, well-researched pieces of contemporary literature that showcases life after incarceration and addiction management.

A Little Kissing Between Friends
by Chencia C. Higgins

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This is the horny sensual sapphic goodness I love to read!

The Bullet Swallower
by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

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Ā MASTERPIECE. Seriously, I felt like I was alongside Antonio Sonoro on this trail of revenge. Although he’s supposed to be this ā€œbad guyā€ the author allows us to see him as a layered, complex individual. I love what she did with the concept of human consciousness, primarily through the perception of a grim reaper.

Bella Bender

DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

The Midnight Feast
by Lucy Foley

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My favorite book of hers so far! The setting was so richly described and the folklore element added an eerie, yet intriguing storyline to the overall mystery.

Funny Story
by Emily Henry

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Emily Henry has the magical ability to write her settings with the same amount of love and personality as she does her characters, which made me fall in love with a town I have never been to. Her stories are such a treat full of romance, quick-witted humor, and deep reflections.

A Court of Mist and Fury
by Sarah J. Maas

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Ā What can I say about this book other than I was clasping my hand over my mouth about twenty times per chapter!

Christelle Lujan

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

The Life Impossible
by Matt Haig

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A life-affirming, feel-good story with a touch of magic set in beautiful Ibiza.

A Quantum Love Story
by Mike Chen

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He’s an auto-buy for me, always mixing heart-warming stories with spot-on sci-fi themes.

The Ministry of Time
by Kaliane Bradley

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If it’s time travel… I’ll buy it. But this NYT bestseller was quirky, interesting and unique.

Wendy Sheahan

OFFICE MANAGER

In a Not So Perfect World
by Neely Tubati Alexander

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Read this book if you love a good rom-com. It’s a delightful blend of humor and heartfelt moments, which makes it an enjoyable escape from reality. The witty banter and relatable characters create a charming narrative that keeps you engaged and smiling from start to finish.

Demon Copperhead
by Barbara Kingsolver

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The novel explores themes of resilience and identity through the eyes of its young protagonist, offering a powerful and poignant reflection on societal challenges and the search for belonging.

The Husbands
by Chandler Baker

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This book is a sharp and engaging thriller that delves into the complexities of modern marriage and gender roles. Through its intriguing plot and strong character development, the novel examines the pressures faced by women while exploring themes of ambition, family, and the pursuit of balance in a demanding world.

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brands we love

more from our gift guide

bookstagram book picks

brands we love

bookish gifts

(that aren’t books)