WORD’s pick: “MaddAddam” by Margaret Atwood
Like all truly good series books, this newest installment will make you want to read Atwood’s The Flood novels over again from start to finish. MaddAddam follows the surviving God’s Gardeners, revealing the history of Adam One and Zeb and the surprising ways they influenced Crake in his early years. Happily for fans like yours truly, we also get lots of the Crakers and of Toby, who is the scrappiest scrapper that ever scrapped. And if you have not read these yet, I cannot recommend them highly enough. “MaddAddam” is the grand conclusion of one of the best-written, most frighteningly plausible post-apocalypse series I’ve ever read.
— Jenn Northington, WORD [126 Franklin St. at Milton Street in Greenpoint, (718) 383–0096, www.wordbrooklyn.com].
The BookMark Shoppe’s pick: “The American Heiress” by Daisy Goodwin
“The American Heiress” by debut novelist Daisy Goodwin tells the story of poor little rich girl Cora Cash at the turn of the 20th century. An only child and heiress to a flour empire, Cora has everything money can buy — exquisite jewels, clothing straight from Paris, and dozens of admirers. For Cora’s social climber mother, the only thing money cannot buy is a royal title, so the family heads to England and soon enough Cora catches the eye of a very noble yet destitute duke. A marriage would help both families but all is not what it seems. Cora is thrown headfirst into English society and soon learns that money cannot buy friendship, trust, or family. Colorfully detailed and a great read for fans of historical fiction.
— Bina Valenzano, co-owner, The BookMark Shoppe [8415 Third Ave. between 84th and 85th streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 833–5115, www.bookmarkshoppe.com].
Greenlight Bookstore’s pick: “BABAYAGA” by Toby Barlow
“BABAYAGA” is an absolute delight. Paris, witches, sex, and a detective who has turned into a flea make it bizarre, witty and completely engrossing. Pick a comfy chair, open a bottle of French Bordeaux and enjoy!
— Emily Russo, Greenlight Bookstore [686 Fulton St. between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 246–0200, www.greenlightbookstore.com].