Cherry Street Books

Staff Picks

OUR FAVORITES SO FAR IN 2022!

 

ANNE

July is a good month to reflect on what we’ve read so far the first half of the year. We’ll share with you our favorite reads so far and also books we are most excited about in the second half of the year. 

When looking back on the books I’ve read in 2022—46 of them at the time of this writing—I’m struck by the broad range of subjects and types of books I’ve chosen. Despite science fiction being my favorite genre, I haven’t had a chance to read many of them this year. However, in that genre Mickey7 by Edward Ashton definitely made my top five! Here’s why:

Mickey7 is an “expendable”—a disposable employee who’s consciousness and memories can be transferred to a newly generated body—if the need arises. On this occasion Mickey is part of a crew sent to scout and colonize an ice planet when he goes missing on a routine scouting expedition. Rather than lay down and die deep in tunnels under the planet, he starts walking and is soon rescued by a creature native to the planet. The trouble is the crew has already reported Mickey7 as deceased. And this is where the trouble starts! Who gets to live? Mickey7 or Mickey8?

I loved the premise and creativity of this story and I didn’t want it to end. I’m hopeful this was the first book in a new series—we’ll see! 

If there can be only one “favorite so far” then I would choose These Precious Days by Ann Patchett. I read this back in January. This is a book of essays that absolutely reads like a memoir. She reflects on home, family, friendships, and writing. Essays are a tough sell, but this collection is wonderful! 

Looking ahead to the 2nd half of 2022, a book I’m most excited for is Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin—author of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. Described at Goodreads as “…a love story but not one you’ve read before”—the story of two friends who become creative partners and work in video game design. The release date for this one is July 5. 

Happy reading everyone and enjoy your summer. 

 
 

LEE

Every morning of late, I have been reading a few poems from Devotions, a collection of poems by Mary Oliver. Devotions features work from her very first book of poetry published in 1963 through her last, Felicity, published in 2015. This collection was arranged by Oliver herself shortly before her death in 2019. I sat up and took notice of Mary Oliver’s work when she published Dog Songs, wonderful poems about my favorite subject—dogs. From this work I branched out to appreciate her many poems about the natural world and our connection to all living things. What makes Mary Oliver’s poems so meaningful to me is that I get them. Her poems make poetry accessible. Her clarity fires my emotions and imagination. I can see what she sees and feel what she feels and what a rewarding experience it is.

“Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” ― Mary Oliver, Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver

The book I am looking forward to reading in the near future is a children’s book, The Golden Swift, by Lev Grossman. The Golden Swift is the sequel to one of my very favorite children’s books, The Silver Arrow. In The Silver Arrow, a brother and sister become conductors of a magical train, The Great Secret Intercontinental Railway, that helps relocate endangered animals. The Golden Swift continues the thrilling tale of adventure, trains, magic, and natural wonder. I can hardly wait! 

 
 

ANGELICA

One of my most favorite books I’ve read in 2022 so far is called, Two Can Keep A Secret by Karen M. McManus. In my opinion this is one of McManus’s best books but also her least talked about piece of work. In Two Can Keep A Secret, true crime fan Ellery and her twin brother move across the country from Los Angeles to move in with their grandmother in Vermont. When Ellery’s aunt was only 17 she went missing in the small town in Vermont and then five years ago another homecoming queen went missing. This picture perfect town is hiding many secrets about Ellery’s family and about her aunt’s death. After a new friend of Ellery goes missing, the case seems similar to her aunt’s disappearance and to the homecoming queen’s disappearance five years earlier. As Ellery digs for clues with the help of her brother and friends, she quickly realizes she’s next on the list of a serial killer who has been reigning terror on the small town in Vermont for many, MANY years.

A book I’m very excited to read is actually a Marvel graphic novel. It is called Ororo: Before The Storm written by Scott Gray. This graphic novel is a compilation of a few of the greatest comics of the Marvel character, Storm. Throughout this graphic novel you will follow the life of a young storm before her time in the superhero team: The X-Men, her early days as a hero, and great team ups with Jean Grey, Spider-Man, and Gambit! This is a must read for any X-Men fan, someone who wants to brush up on their knowledge of the character Storm, or for anyone who loves strong female heroes!

 
 

BECKY

As I reflect on the books I have read or listened to so far this year, I am entertained by the variety I have read since joining the Cherry Street team. Books I may not have considered ended up being stories I am still thinking about today! Lee wrote a review on Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt last month and I absolutely LOVED that book. Angelica suggested Small Favors by Erin Craig and I devoured that in a day or two.  

Kenya suggested Verity by Colleen Hoover, which quite frankly I am still not sure how to put into words all the emotions I cycled through in this book.

Mickey7 is a futuristic sci-fi that Anne recommended by saying “it was the smartest first chapter I’ve read in years!!!”

I conveniently listened to Run Rose Run on Libro.fm which was a delight, because Dolly Parton helped James Patterson write it AND she does one of the voices in the audio version. Was it the best book I read? No, but Dolly is adorable. 

I also listened to Lessons in Chemistry, a very clever book set in the ’60s about a female scientist in a man’s world who ends up rather reluctantly hosting a cooking show, and influencing women all over the country. 

I have read a few books that I wouldn’t recommend for sure, but I have to say the best books this year were suggested by the booksellers in this newsletter! Trust your local bookworms! We trudge through the stinker books so you don’t have to! Come check out our favorites.

 
 

KENYA

Are you a fan of mythology, quests, redemption and a little bit of romance?? If so then, this is the book for you! Daughter of Sparta by Claire Andrews is a fun retelling of the classic tale “Daphne and Apollo”. In this book Daphne is a young woman living with her brothers and adoptive parents in Sparta where they are considered to be outcasts. Longing to be accepted by her people, Daphne will do anything for them despite how they’ve treated her. When an encounter with Artemis leads Daphne to find out that her brother has been cursed, she’ll have to go on a mission to do Artemis’s bidding lest she lose her brother forever. But of course, Artemis is so kind as to offer the help of her very own brother (the irony), the one and only, Apollo. The journey begins with Daphne and Apollo travelling around places to retrieve the items Artemis has demanded for—and whether or not Daphne is able to get them. Perfect for fans of The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan and Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman!

 
 

FIND OUT WHAT WE’VE READ IN THE PAST!!

Staff Picks from the Past