Recommended For You by Laura Silverman

Title: Recommended For You

Author: Laura Silverman

Genre: Young Adult

Shoshanna Greenberg loves her job at Once Upon, a mall bookstore. This is good because otherwise things are a bit stressful: her moms are fighting, money is tight, and her car is kaput. The fighting she can't do much about, but her boss just announced a competition for the booksellers. If she outshines her peers, she can get the money she needs to fix her elderly auto. Enter Jake. He's new, he's curt, he's cute, and he's determined to win that bonus for himself. I don't want to spoil the fun but there's baking, a goth-couple, a store intercom shaming, a YouTube star wannabe, and even Santa puts in an appearance. You don't think one book can have all that? Read Recommended For You and see.

- Sarah R

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Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Title: Mexican Gothic

Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Genre: Gothic Horror, Mystery

Mexican Gothic is a very moody and dark novel, suspenseful and a little spooky. It does contain some horror-genre elements, so be aware of that too. Main character Noemi receives a strange and erratic letter from her cousin Catalina, so she heads out to Catalina's husband's estate to check things out. Set in the 1950s in a small town in Mexico, the book's setting is fantastic, full of atmosphere and just the right amount of fog.

Strange things begin to happen to Noemi, and Catalina's new family is utterly bizarre, with very specific rules to follow while she is visiting. The book moves along as a standard psychological thriller might, but then about two thirds of the way in it gets really, really odd (don't say I didn't warn you!) but odd in a way that compels you to keep reading! Needless to say, this ends up being one really weird book, but in a very unique way. The perfect novel to dig into this fall or winter when you could use a change of scenery, even if that scenery is nightmarish!

- Jamie

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The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

Title: The Sun Down Motel

Author: Simone St. James

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

The Sun Down Motel is a suspenseful read that alternates between two time periods, 1982 and present day. Viv works as a night clerk at the hotel in 1982 until she mysteriously disappears. Her niece, Carly, in present day tries to unravel what happened to her aunt, leading her down a twisty road to solving the mystery. Creepy things happen some nights at the motel, and both Viv and Carly meet interesting characters throughout the book. You never are quite sure if these characters are quite who they seem. If you're looking for a spooky book to read this fall, give The Sun Down Motel a shot!

- Jamie

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Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block

Title: Weetzie Bat

Author: Francesca Lia Block

Genre: Young Adult, Surrealism

"Weetzie Bat" by Francesca Lia Block is a well-loved YA cult-classic that you've probably heard of only in passing, if at all. Following the story of Weetzie Bat herself, who is gifted a genie's lamp by her friend Dirk's grandmother before she dies, Weetzie makes three wishes that come true in quick succession: having a safe place in the world to call her own, a love, or "Duck" for her friend Dirk, and a Secret-Agent-Lover-Man for herself.

Controversial at the time of its publishing for its themes of outsider identity, mixed families, single parent households/single mothers, drug use, and at the end of the book, its handling of the early years of the AIDS epidemic, "Weetzie Bat" is a lyrical frolic of a book, better suited to be read as a poetic allegory than an attempt at realism. Nonetheless, it offers readers an interesting look at the cultural shifts that have (and have not) occurred since the late 80's and early 90's.

I would say, based on the material of this book, that it's far better suited to mature adolescents in their late teens and early twenties, but nonetheless a dreamy and evocative read that can easily be digested in one sitting.

- Adam

Check out Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block @ the library!