Recommendations

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Censoring an Iranian Love Story: A novel By Shahriar Mandanipour, Sara Khalili (Translated by) Cover Image
By Shahriar Mandanipour, Sara Khalili (Translated by)
$15.95
Email or call for price.
ISBN: 9780307390424
Published: Vintage - June 1st, 2010

One of the funniest books I have ever read, but serious as death. Gets to the core of current events in Iran and the City of Asylum mission.

-Henry Reese, Co-founder


The Liar's Dictionary: A Novel By Eley Williams Cover Image
$16.00
ISBN: 9780593311868
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Anchor - November 9th, 2021

If you're intrigued by dual love stories, exploding mysteries and lexicography, then you're sure to fall in love with this novel. It's worth reading just to find out the definition of mountweazel.

-Jen K., City of Asylum Bookstore Manager


I gave my copy away to a friend because I liked it so much. Tuhin's imagination makes for great poetry.

-Lexie, Development Staff


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Bittersweet (Oprah's Book Club): How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole By Susan Cain Cover Image
$28.00
ISBN: 9780451499783
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Crown - April 5th, 2022

Inspired by the question of why humans are drawn to sad music, Susan Cain (#1 New York Times Bestselling author of Quiet), explores the reasons that so many of us are prone to feelings of melancholy and nostalgia. If you are drawn to sad books, music, and movies and have big feelings about the poignancy of existence, this is the perfect book for you.

-Kelsey F., Director of Programs


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This Is How It Always Is: A Novel By Laurie Frankel Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250088567
Availability: In stock at publisher: Usually Ships to store in 3-5 Business Days.
Published: Flatiron Books - January 23rd, 2018

A beautifully written book about a family's growth and move to a new area. The characters would have felt at home in Pittsburgh's North Side community.

-Nada W., Director of Strategic Initiatives


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In the Dream House: A Memoir By Carmen Maria Machado Cover Image
$16.00
ISBN: 9781644450383
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Graywolf Press - December 1st, 2020

A collection of connected short stories that tell the story of the author's experience of an abusive, queer relationship. Devastating, raw, and incredibly well written.

-Cyd, Education and Community Engagement Coordinator


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Blood Red By Gabriela Ponce, Sarah Booker (Translator) Cover Image
By Gabriela Ponce, Sarah Booker (Translator)
$17.00
ISBN: 9781632063304
Availability: In stock at publisher: Usually Ships to store in 3-5 Business Days.
Published: Restless Books - October 4th, 2022

A deluge of stream of consciousness writing centering on blood, trypophobia, divorce, and desire. A woman wrestles with autonomy in this subversive and carnal novel about the aftermath of divorce.

- Phoenix T., City of Asylum Bookseller


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The Collected Schizophrenias: Essays By Esmé Weijun Wang Cover Image
$16.00
ISBN: 9781555978273
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Graywolf Press - February 5th, 2019

A brilliant blend of memoir and science studies that humanizes the experience of living with schizophrenia.  An important new contribution to mental health literature.

- Lesley R., Alumni City of Asylum Bookstore Manager


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The Golden Enclaves: A Novel (The Scholomance #3) By Naomi Novik Cover Image
$28.00
ISBN: 9780593158357
Availability: In stock at publisher: Usually Ships to store in 3-5 Business Days.
Published: Del Rey - September 27th, 2022

Naomi Novik is the acclaimed New York Times-bestselling author of the Scholomance three books series. It is a Young Adult magical fantasy that takes place in a school where death is always around the corner. The story shows the world through the eyes of high school students and how they survive school, graduation and then work to make their world better in three novels.

-Amy G., Finance Director


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The Spirit of Science Fiction: A Novel By Roberto Bolaño, Natasha Wimmer (Translated by) Cover Image
By Roberto Bolaño, Natasha Wimmer (Translated by)
$24.00
Email or call for price.
ISBN: 9780735222854
Published: Penguin Press - February 5th, 2019

Touted as a prequel to The Savage Detectives this novella follows a pair of young writers as they navigate the cramped apartment buildings, seedy bathhouses and cheap cafes of Mexico City. The story is familiar and many of the Bolano hallmarks are present: destitute poets, clunky sexual awakenings, smoky lit-crit sessions, shade thrown at Octavio Paz and lengthy dream sequences. Still, any new Bolano is cause for celebration and gives us another chance to commune with the dead. While this novel lacks the polish of his legendary mid-career run you’ll want to savor each page-- as once it's over it means you must return to the world of the living.

- Seth G., friend of City of Asylum


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Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster By Jonathan Auxier Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781419731402
Availability: In stock at publisher: Usually Ships to store in 3-5 Business Days.
Published: Harry N. Abrams - September 25th, 2018

I was immediately swept right into Nan's story! Loved her compassion, grit and cleverness. The twists and turns in the engaging action egged me on. Charlie, the 'monster' changed my perception of the Golem forever. Auxier's characters and the Victorian scenes depicting cruelty to children will remain with me for a long time. A hopeful read that relates to our troubled times.

- Jen K., City of Asylum Bookstore Manager