JOEY

 

Joey (Joanna) hails from the Seattle area, but has called Bend home since 2020. She loves to travel, cook, go for walks, and read. When she's not at the bookstore, she also narrates audiobooks and writes fantasy and mystery. She was a high school English teacher for over a decade. So basically everything in her life is about books! She has school aged kiddos who are also avid readers, and a boat-designer husband who puts up with all the literary obsession in the house quite patiently. 

Joey reads a little from every section in the bookstore, but mostly Fantasy, Mystery, and Young Adult. Even in general fiction, she usually looks for a little murder or magic thrown in--both is even better! Favorite authors include: V.E. Schwab, Diana Wynne Jones, Laini Taylor, Neil Gaiman, Ann Cleeves, and Leigh Bardugo. She also leads our Out of This World book club and would love to see you there! 

The Fragile Threads of Power By V. E. Schwab Cover Image
$29.99
ISBN: 9780765387493
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tor Books - September 26th, 2023

CURRENTLY READING


Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries By Heather Fawcett Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9780593500156
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Del Rey - October 24th, 2023


If Jane Austen or Beatrix Potter developed the talents of monster hunter Van Helsing with a nice little side piece of rakish Mr Darcy in tow, worrying about how any bloodshed might blemish his perfectly tailored suits. Sexy, cozy, dangerous, fascinating, academic, all at once. Can this just be a new genre so there can be a LOT more books like it, please?


The Last Devil to Die: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery By Richard Osman Cover Image
$29.00
ISBN: 9780593299425
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Pamela Dorman Books - September 19th, 2023

This fourth installment may be my favorite. It is certainly the most poignant. Love, loss, laughter, and getting the bad guy. These books make my life better and restore my belief in humanity.


Starling House: A Reese's Book Club Pick By Alix E. Harrow Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9781250799050
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tor Books - October 3rd, 2023

An atmospheric and gorgeous gothic about belonging and found family, about confronting our fears and rewriting the scripts handed down to us. Plus a sentient house, a willful cat, spectral beasts and a children's book that is either a battle primer or a literary classic. Alix Harrow at her best.


The Witching Year: A Memoir of Earnest Fumbling Through Modern Witchcraft By Diana Helmuth Cover Image
$27.99
ISBN: 9781668002988
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Published: S&S/Simon Element - October 3rd, 2023


I enjoyed this memoir/how-to manual for beginning witchcraft immensely. Helmuth approaches the daunting task of taking up a new religion, one which by its very identity resists orthodoxy and hard definitions, with a delightful mixture of curiosity, insecurity, wry humor, emotional intelligence, skepticism, and hope. A great book for any seeker with a penchant for woo woo. Helmuth moves beautifully through her year as a witch into a greater sense of self, nature, and the necessity for community so poignant in a post- pandemic world.


A Study in Drowning By Ava Reid Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9780063211506
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: HarperTeen - September 19th, 2023

was swept away by this romantic gothic fantasy, steeped in stormy coastlines and mad fairy kings. What made the book exquisite was the movement of Effy on a heroine's journey to reclaim her power from the uses and abuses of men.The moldering mansion falling slowly into the sea reminds me of the eerie setting in MEXICAN GOTHIC, and the underlying fairy lore evokes JONATHAN STRANGE & MR NORRELL. Reid is a masterful writer and I've fallen under her enchantment.


Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1) By Rebecca Yarros Cover Image
$29.99
ISBN: 9781649374042
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Entangled: Red Tower Books - May 2nd, 2023

Check & Mate By Ali Hazelwood Cover Image
$14.00
ISBN: 9780593619919
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers - November 7th, 2023


The fascinating world of chess has been made downright sexy in Hazelwood's YA debut. Relatable Mallory, shouldering her family's financial burdens, and inscrutable Nolan, #1 world ranked chess player, have instant magnetism. STEMinist-adjascent, an exceptional heroine competes in a traditionally male subject with all its casual misogyny. Hazelwood has done a fantastic job adjusting her content and references for "the youths" while not watering down her quippy humor or addictive romantic tension one bit. Such a fun read! I loved it!


What the River Knows: A Novel (Secrets of the Nile #1) By Isabel Ibañez Cover Image
$20.00
ISBN: 9781250803375
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Published: Wednesday Books - October 31st, 2023


This book evokes a fantasy alternate Egypt in the 1880s that is utterly immersive and bewitching. I felt like I had ridden down the Nile in a dahabeeyah, taken tea at the posh Shepheard Hotel, sifted through ancient sand at an archeological dig. Our heroine, Inez, is smart, brave, witty, and willful, and Whit makes for her perfect sparring partner. With unexpected twists and a cliff-hanger ending, This book left me anxiously awaiting the final installment of this lush, adventurous, romantic duology.


You, with a View By Jessica Joyce Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780593548400
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Published: Berkley - July 11th, 2023

A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot #1) By Becky Chambers Cover Image
$20.99
ISBN: 9781250236210
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Published: Tordotcom - July 13th, 2021

Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes) By Travis Baldree Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250886101
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tor Books - November 7th, 2023

Baldree continues the world of Legends & Lattes with this charming prequel in which a younger, battle-wounded Viv is stuck in a sleepy seaside village while she recovers. Familiar themes abound: of found family, magic, outsmarting instead of overpowering enemies, burgeoning romance, and (of course) delicious baked goods. I loved returning to this world and appreciated Baldree's many delightful nods to the book world and readers through the titular bookshop. More cozy fantasies like this one, please!


One Dark Window (The Shepherd King #1) By Rachel Gillig Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780316312486
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Orbit - September 27th, 2022


The unique and vaguely sinister magic paired with delicious romantic tension reminded me of everything I loved about Naomi Novik’s Uprooted. The magic system was utterly ingenious and being inside Elspeth’s head, where the Nightmare is caged and her magic lies hidden, is a fascinating, dangerous, and inspiring place to be. The imminent sequel, which I was lucky to read an early copy of, has cemented this duology as my favorite fantasy series of recent years.


Love, Theoretically By Ali Hazelwood Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780593336861
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Berkley - June 13th, 2023


Enemies-to-lovers never looked so good on Jack, whose past professional wrongs are understandably disturbing, yet in person exudes a smoldering intensity and thoughtfulness that is utterly magnetic. Elsie's journey from people-pleasing to a woman who is assertive and self-aware is beautifully done. And their chemistry is page-searingly hot. STEMinist, sexy, and smart. Excuse me while I go read Hazelwood's entire backlist.


Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution By R. F. Kuang Cover Image
$27.99
ISBN: 9780063021426
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Published: Harper Voyager - August 23rd, 2022


1830s Oxford is the setting for a young man's gradual awakening to the uncomfortable realities of colonialism, capitalism, and racism. Uniquely poised as both immigrant and British native son, as both a student with very little power and one of only a handful of people who could use his position to bring an empire to its knees, as both insider and outsider, Robin has to choose between a life of comfort or a life of danger and vague altruism. While I typically read fantasy to escape life's harsher realities, Babel entertained whilst it engaged with difficult and very relevant truths.


Happy Place By Emily Henry Cover Image
$27.00
ISBN: 9780593441275
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Berkley - April 25th, 2023

This book destroyed me: palpable longing, gut-wrenching tragedy, heartbreaking loss, sparkling wit, hilarious banter, psychological complexity, and broken family systems. At the heart are Harriet and Wyn, who I was dying to see end up together, even as Henry unfolds the very real and difficult circumstances that make it impossible. Her gags and one-liners and gorgeously wrought characters shine as bright as in her other works, but this one had a depth that will keep me thinking for a long time. And don't worry, the ending definitely satisfies. 


Flowerheart By Catherine Bakewell Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9780063214590
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: HarperTeen - March 14th, 2023

A beautiful story, Flowerheart relays the coming-of-age of a young witch with unruly magic against a backdrop of cottagecore coziness and a friendship blossoming into love that is swoony from chapter one. Bakewell's magical world asks deeper questions about how society should address mental health needs and who should have the authority to decide what is right, but despite the story's deeper soul, the telling remains light and fast-moving. The main characters give Anne and Gilbert vibes (she even has red hair!) that sold me immediately. But so did the proliferation of flowers and the story of a headstrong witch making her own way in a world that fears her strength. I hope Bakewell writes more of Clara and Xavier!


Hell Bent: A Novel (Ninth House Series #2) By Leigh Bardugo Cover Image
$29.99
ISBN: 9781250313102
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Flatiron Books - January 10th, 2023

This much-anticipated sequel does not disappoint! Bardugo returns with a Yale just as arcane, dangerous, and intriguing as in Ninth House, though Alex has become Virgil now–more confident and adept in her role at Lethe, even as she continues to break all the rules and perform increasingly elaborate rituals in her desperate search for Darlington. A new spate of murders complicates everything, providing the delicious mystery meets magic combo that Bardugo serves like a witch’s midnight feast. Characters continue to develop: Alex's relationships before Yale, including criminals she wishes had forgotten her; Darlington's childhood at Black Elm; and Turner's less than spotless history in law enforcement. Meanwhile new characters rise to the fore, including Alex's roommate Mercy, Lethe's Oculus aka Pamela Dawes, and hapless blueblood Tripp Helmuth. Bardugo weaves the perfect tapestry of magical intrigue, gritty survival, and academic grandeur for an impeccable darkly glittering atmosphere. How will we bear waiting for book three?!


A History of Wild Places: A Novel By Shea Ernshaw Cover Image
$27.00
ISBN: 9781982164805
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Published: Atria Books - December 7th, 2021

The It Girl By Ruth Ware Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9781982155261
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Gallery/Scout Press - July 12th, 2022

The Name of the Wind: 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Kingkiller Chronicle #1) By Patrick Rothfuss, Dan dos Santos (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Patrick Rothfuss, Dan dos Santos (Illustrator)
$45.00
ISBN: 9780756413712
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: DAW - October 3rd, 2017

A Darker Shade of Magic: A Novel (Shades of Magic #1) By V. E. Schwab Cover Image
$17.99
Email or call for price.
ISBN: 9780765376466
Published: Tor Books - January 19th, 2016

Strange the Dreamer By Laini Taylor Cover Image
$14.99
ISBN: 9780316341677
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - May 22nd, 2018

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow By Jessica Townsend Cover Image
$8.99
ISBN: 9780316508896
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - September 25th, 2018

Together We Burn By Isabel Ibañez Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781250803351
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Wednesday Books - May 31st, 2022

The Thursday Murder Club: A Novel (A Thursday Murder Club Mystery #1) By Richard Osman Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9781984880987
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Penguin Books - August 3rd, 2021

The Long Call: A Detective Matthew Venn Novel (Matthew Venn series #1) By Ann Cleeves Cover Image
$19.00
ISBN: 9781250204455
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Minotaur Books - July 28th, 2020

The Midnight Bargain By C. L. Polk Cover Image
$18.95
ISBN: 9781645660293
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Published: Erewhon Books - December 7th, 2021

The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Vol. I By Diana Wynne Jones Cover Image
$10.99
ISBN: 9780063067035
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Greenwillow Books - May 18th, 2021

The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel By Neil Gaiman Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780063070707
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: William Morrow Paperbacks - May 18th, 2021