Word’s pick: “The Penguin Book of Witches” by Katherine Howe
Spanning two continents and three centuries, “The Penguin Book of Witches” is a comprehensive and fascinating look at this history of witchcraft. Howe has curated nearly 50 primary sources — including warrants, court records, and even a witch-hunting manual — which, with help from her insightful introductions, give the reader an entirely new perspective on witchcraft and early American history. If you’ve ever wondered over the judgement of our ancestors or our continuing fascination with witches, this book will certainly satisfy.
— Emma Nichols, Word [126 Franklin St. at Milton Street in Greenpoint, (718) 383–0096, www.wordbrooklyn.com].
The BookMark Shoppe’s pick: “Yes, Please” by Amy Poehler
Sharp and insightful, “Yes, Please” is a perfect way to get through the holiday madness by just sitting back and enjoying a good laugh and some fun writing. Every single Amy Poehler fan needs to read this book. She tackles many important topics while using her amazing sense of humor to personalize it.
— Christine Freglette, The BookMark Shoppe [8415 Third Ave. between 84th and 85th streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 833–5115, www.bookmarkshoppe.com].
Greenlight Bookstore’s pick: “A Brief History of Seven Killings” by Marlon James
In short, a masterpiece. I’m completely and utterly in love with this book. Don’t let its heft deter you — James’s powerful, evocative writing combines with a story so convoluted and so compelling that these 700 pages are devoured in the blink of an eye. Perfect for fans of John Le Carre and James Ellroy (weird combo, I know), though honestly, if you consider yourself a real lover of fiction, this is one of the year’s must-reads.
— Emily Russo Murtagh, Greenlight Bookstore [686 Fulton St. between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 246–0200, www.greenlightbookstore.com].
