NELL’S STAFF PICKS
SQUAD by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
When new girl Becca is offered the opportunity to become a werewolf by the most popular girls in school, she doesn’t think twice about accepting. Devouring predatory boys seems unproblematic until Becca is forced to go too far. The vivid and visceral artwork pairs perfectly with this story of power, privilege, and the turbulence of high school friendships. And never fear, this book is also queer!
PUNKS by John Keene
One of my favorite things is when a book recreates a moment in time so strongly you become encapsulated in it. The author “Keenely” transports the readers of his poetry into tender, joyful moments as well as times of heartbreak and anguish in his life as a black gay man. As a collected work PUNKS displays the breadth of subjects and styles Keene has explored including the most beautiful poem about fisting you’ve ever read; page 47.
TOXIC FLORA by Imiko Hahn
Inspired by science articles from the New York Times, Hanh uses her knowledge of nature to highlight the parallels of the brutalities of the natural world and the cruelties of humanity. While contemplating the thornier aspects of familial and sexual relationships, this collection is tied together with a meditation on the evolution of sexual cannibalism in preying mantises. My personal standouts are ON BUTTERFLIES on 35 and ICEBREAKER on 113
MY ANNIHILATION by Fuminori Nakamura
Reading this book is like being thrown into the middle of a raging river; coming at you full force and sweeping you away without knowing which way is up. Spiraling deeper and deeper into layers of a disturbed psyche, the reader can never be sure of what is the truth or even the true identity of the narrator. Only in the end do the secrets of this dark noir come to light.
HOT DOG by Doug Salati
Sometimes, it's just too dog-gone hot! It’s easy to get grumpy in the heat on a busy day like the pup in this story. Follow them through the rhyme of words and beautiful illustrations to the joy of getting away from it all and finding yourself again.
CHAIN-GANG ALL-STARS by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
This book is for the 2020’s what “The Handmaid’s Tale” is for the 1980’s; a reflection of our current moment so startlingly close to the real world. Adjei-Brenyah takes you on a roller-coaster of shifting perspectives, twisting and turning through laugh out loud satire, intense character drama, and grim reality. It also has creative footnotes!