a book chosen for you by your spouse, partner, sibling, child or BFF

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

by Richard Atwater

Mr. Popper is a mild-mannered house painter who spends all his spare time reading about Admiral Drake and his expeditions to the Antarctic, and dreams of being an explorer himself. Mr. Popper writes the Admiral a letter and the Admiral responds by sending him a special present—a penguin! This charmingly absurd book is about having the courage to be different and the conviction to follow your dreams. Newberry Honor book.

Tuesdays at the Castle

by Jessica Day George

My 11-year-old doesn't typically choose fantasy novels, but she just devoured this series (which is four books right now). This middle grade novel has a bit of Hogwarts magic to it: every Tuesday, Castle Glower rearranges itself, growing a new room or adding a new hallway. The royal family is accustomed to its eccentricities. When disaster strikes, Princess Celie and her siblings team up to save the day. Their pranks will make you giggle even as the story deals with serious themes like grief and fear.

The Moor’s Account

by Laila Lalami

I got this several months ago from <a href="https://modernmrsdarcy.com/bookofthemonth" target="_blank" >Book of the Month</a>, but my husband beat me to this one. Now he keeps encouraging me to take my turn, which is always a good sign. This is the fictional "memoir" of one of the first Africans to set foot in the United States, an African slave native to Morocco. My husband assures me the strong story, solid plotting, and beautiful writing will make this worth my while—and then we can talk about it.