Staff Picks: Darian Keels’s Favorites
Hi! I’m Darian and I work in editorial at Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Crown Publishing Group, that focuses on cookbooks, lifestyle/design/culture books, and gift products. You’ll never find me without a book or my e-reader in my bag! I gravitate towards fantasy, literary fiction, and romance, but I’m encouraging myself to read more nonfiction. When I’m not reading, you’ll find me trying out a new brewery or restaurant, lounging in the outdoors, or baking. The library is my happy place! You can find me on Instagram @casuallybookd.
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Add to BookshelfThe Left Hand of Darkness
by Ursula K. Le Guin
This was one of the first science fiction books I read, and I give it credit for making me fall in love with the genre. Ursula K. Le Guin was a trailblazing author, and she used science fiction as a lens for readers to reflect on and consider real world problems. In The Left Hand of Darkness, a male human ambassador is sent to a planet where he must convince its ambisexual inhabitants to join the coalition of worlds he belongs to. This book challenges our understanding of gender, sexuality, human emotions, culture, society, politics, and so much more. It’s shocking that it was originally published in 1969 with such a successful reception over the years!
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$19.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts
by Crystal Wilkinson
I’m someone who believes that storytelling and food are two of the strongest aspects of culture that can bring people together, so Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts was a book that made my heart explode in the best way. This is a beautifully lyrical culinary journey of five generations of Crystal’s family from Appalachia where she explores how cooking connects her to her ancestors, and encourages readers to honor (or create) their own family legacy in the same way. It’s a collection of delicious recipes and incredible stories that resonates deeply in the soul.
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$30.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Bride
by Ali Hazelwood
I’m the kind of person who needs balance in life, so my go-to reading palate cleanser is always a fun, sometimes silly, and completely addicting romance novel — and Bride is all of those things and more. A paranormal romance that’s vampyres vs werewolves, arranged marriage, forced proximity, fated mates … what more could you ask for?! In tandem with those tropes, this book also deals with some heavier topics like violence and familial issues, but in a smart, moving way. I finished this book in one sitting, and cannot wait for the companion novel!
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$30.00Buy from Other Retailers:
