Cortney's Picks

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Alison CORTNEY
As a child, Cortney spent every day with her nose stuck in a book to the neglect of her chores, a habit that persists to this day. When she can be persuaded away from her books (usually with promises of chocolate), you can find her working on her novel, watching period dramas, listening to KPop, or arranging flowers. Her reading kryptonites include fairy tale retellings, Austen interpretations, YA fantasy, historical romance, and contemporary romcoms. Come find her if you ever want to chat about Downton Abbey, cheer on the Sun Devils, debate the merits of Matilda's book and movie versions, or reminisce about the magnificence of Mariah Carey's Daydream album.
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Dribble Trip Up: A Basketball Graphic Novel By Daniel Montgomery Cole Mauleón, Ceej Rowland (Illustrator) Cover Image
$6.99
ISBN: 9781484680377
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Picture Window Books - August 1st, 2023

Miguel is a superstar when it comes to shooting baskets, but he’s not so great at dribbling. When the team has to complete a week of dribbling drills, Miguel feels overwhelmed. But with some help and encouragement from his coach and his friend Scott, he learns he’s capable of more than he thinks. Dribble Trip Up is part of the Slam Dunk Graphics series. With a how-to guide to reading graphic novels included at the front of the book, these motivational sports-related books are perfect for little readers moving on from picture books for the first time.


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The Yakuza's Bias 1 By Teki Yatsuda Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9781646518012
Availability: Not Available In-Store - Usually Ships from Warehouse in 1-5 Days
Published: Kodansha Comics - May 16th, 2023

As a Kpop fan, the premise “yakuza lieutenant gets dragged to a Kpop concert and instantly becomes a fanboy” was irresistible to me. After the boss’ daughter Megumi forces Ken Kanashiro to attend a concert of megastar Kpop boy band MNW, Ken takes one look at idol Jun and it’s game over. Reading how Megumi draws Ken deeper into the MNW fandom made me laugh and reminisce about my early days fangirling over BTS. Ken starts buying merch, following MNW’s socials, and even gets a rival clan member to like them, baffling his subordinates with his new obsession. Fans of The Way of the Househusband will enjoy this hilarious story!


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Roy Is Not a Dog By Esmé Shapiro, Daniel Newell Kaufman Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780735265967
Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now
Published: Tundra Books - April 23rd, 2024

What a wonderfully weird conundrum of a picture book! When Weasel the paperboy catches a glimpse of his mysterious neighbor Roy - floppy ears, long snout, and all - he’s convinced Roy is actually a dog. Weasel’s friend Pam Pam doesn’t think so, but our intrepid investigator Weasel is determined to prove his case. Eagle-eyed readers will want to scour the illustrations over and over again as they try to solve this quirky and fun mystery along with Weasel and Pam Pam.


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The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime By Eija Sumner, Nici Gregory (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Eija Sumner, Nici Gregory (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9780735267893
Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now
Published: Tundra Books - March 5th, 2024

The fantastically fierce and ferocious main character of this book is much too scary to need a fluffy and sweet Good Little Mermaid’s Guide to Bedtime. She is a PREDATOR with teeth like RAZOR-SHARP BLADES - sleep is for guppies! This hilarious and unique bedtime story will have little ones everywhere proclaiming they are a TERROR of the DEEP, just like our scarily adorable mermaid. Great for read-alouds!


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No Cats in the Library By Lauren Emmons, Lauren Emmons (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Lauren Emmons, Lauren Emmons (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9781665933681
Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now
Published: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books - March 5th, 2024

As a bibliophile and cat lover, I was charmed by author-illustrator Lauren Emmons’ delightful story of Clarisse, a stray cat whose love of books leads her to a new home. Clarisse cannot read, but she loves looking at the wonderful pictures inside books and is always on the lookout for more. When she discovers a library, she is determined to get inside, but cats aren’t allowed. One day she sneaks in and a little girl who’s having some trouble reading takes the opportunity to read her book aloud to Clarisse. Thereafter Clarisse becomes the library cat, and she and the children share stories every day.


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Tricky Chopsticks By Sylvia Chen, Fanny Liem (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Sylvia Chen, Fanny Liem (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9781665921497
Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now
Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers - March 19th, 2024

Here’s a secret: I didn’t learn the “proper” way of using chopsticks until college, when I attended a summer abroad program in Beijing. As a third-gen Chinese American, I grew up using a fork most of the time, and when it was time to eat with chopsticks, I read the instructions on the wrapper and eventually found my own way of holding them, much like Jenny in this book. Jenny’s fingers always fumble when she tries using chopsticks, but she doesn’t give up and improvises a helpful tool to make it easier - just in time for the annual Chopsticks Challenge! An enjoyable story of perseverance, ingenuity, and dim sum.


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Brooms By Jasmine Walls, Teo (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Jasmine Walls, Teo (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9781646142682
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Levine Querido - October 10th, 2023

“Queer, witchy Fast and the Furious?” Sign me up! In an alternate 1930s Mississippi, BIPOC magic wielders are heavily oppressed. Black people are banned from using magic, and indigenous witches are forced into residential magic academies. Black best friends Billie Mae and Luella head up the Night Storms, an illegal broom racing team that includes transfemme Cheng Kwan and Black/Choctaw twins Mattie and Emma. One last big race could be everyone’s ticket to freedom, but law enforcement is always lurking. Jasmine Walls deftly weaves together magic and historical injustice, and Teo DuVall’s art immerses readers into the exhilarating races. A fantastic, feminist, action-packed graphic novel to add to your collection!


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Partners in Crime: A Novel By Alisha Rai Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9780063119468
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Avon - October 18th, 2022

Every time I read one of Alisha Rai’s books, I know that I’m in for an emotional roller coaster ride, but there’s always a happy ending waiting for me. Partners in Crime was such a fun caper as exes Mira and Naveen find themselves running from crime bosses in a frantic search through Las Vegas to find a missing diamond necklace. Alisha calls this book “Indian Matchmaking meets Date Night, by way of Vegas,” and she pulls it off with panache. Who wouldn’t want to get kidnapped with their ex and have to pull off a heist or two?


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Dark Succession (previously published as The Marriage Contract) (The O'Malleys #1) By Katee Robert Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9781538741047
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Forever - May 9th, 2023

Take three well-loved tropes (enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, and mafia romance), add a scoop (or three) of spice and a generous dollop of thrilling action, mix well, and you’ve got Dark Succession, the first book of Katee Robert’s series featuring the wealthy and powerful O’Malley family. When Teague O’Malley is forced by his father to marry Callista Sheridan in a “business” alliance, Teague is fully prepared to cut all ties. One look at the ring of bruises around Callie’s neck has him vowing to protect her at all costs instead. Gangster politics and blisteringly hot chemistry make for an unputdownable read.


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Henry, Like Always: Book 1 By Jenn Bailey, Mika Song (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Jenn Bailey, Mika Song (Illustrator)
$14.99
ISBN: 9781797213897
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Chronicle Books - March 21st, 2023

Henry likes school because his friends are there, his teacher is nice, and every day is the same. But when Mrs. Tanaka announces they’re going to have a class parade on Friday, Henry’s week starts to get topsy-turvy, and he has trouble adjusting to the unexpected. With a little help from his friends, maybe Henry can find a place in the parade. Based on her award-winning picture book A Friend for Henry featuring lovely single-color illustrations from Mika Song, Jenn Bailey’s early chapter series starter presents neurodiversity and Henry’s autism in a gentle, relatable manner for young readers to understand.


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Ruined By Sarah Vaughn, Sarah Winifred Searle (Illustrator), Niki Smith (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Sarah Vaughn, Sarah Winifred Searle (Illustrator), Niki Smith (Illustrator)
$28.99
ISBN: 9781250769350
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: First Second - November 28th, 2023

As a huge fan of both historical romances and graphic novels, this Regency-era marriage of convenience story had me pterodactyl screeching. Sarah Winifred Seale’s sketches and Niki Smith’s inks brought Sarah Vaughn’s tale of Catherine Benson and her reluctant marriage to life. Catherine is whispered to be ruined, and no one will marry her except Andrew Davener, whose crumbling estate is in desperate need of her large dowry to keep it running. Catherine yearns to be loved, while Andrew feels his heart is forever closed. If you loved the pining from Julia Quinn’s The Duke and I, this graphic novel is for you!


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The King Penguin By Vanessa Roeder, Vanessa Roeder (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Vanessa Roeder, Vanessa Roeder (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9780593324417
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Dial Books - September 26th, 2023

Percival is a King Penguin, and as such, it’s only natural that he rules over the other penguins, right? After all, they’re only macaronis, chinstraps, or rockhoppers - certainly not as royal as Percival! But when he decrees rules to establish order, his subjects protest and kick him out of the colony. Percival tries to find another kingdom, but the other animals try to eat him, instead. Meeting an Emperor Penguin who tries to rule over HIM makes Percival realize how badly he’s been behaving, and he returns to the colony with a new perspective and a humble heart. A lovely, laugh-out-loud funny read, perfect for storytime.


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Ebony Gate: The Phoenix Hoard By Julia Vee, Ken Bebelle Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9781250837431
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tor Books - July 11th, 2023

“Female John Wick story with dragon magic” was enough to hook me, but the twists, fantastic magical abilities, and exhilarating action of Ebony Gate kept me turning the pages. Emiko Soong used to be the Blade of the Soong Clan, carrying out assassinations at the behest of her family, but she broke her sword and turned her back on that blood-drenched life. Now an antiques dealer in San Francisco, Emiko’s solitude is shattered when a shinigami calls in a family blood debt, and she’s the only one who can answer the god of death’s summons. Tasked with recovering the Ebony Gate and keeping the door of the Yomi underworld closed, lest the city be overrun with vicious hungry ghosts ready to feast on the living, it looks like Emiko will have to take up her blade again after all. An incredible debut!


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Misfit Mansion By Kay Davault, Kay Davault (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Kay Davault, Kay Davault (Illustrator)
$14.99
ISBN: 9781665903073
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers - July 25th, 2023

Iris has always wanted to belong to a family, but living sealed inside Mr. Halloway’s foster home for kelpies, cyclops, and other “horrors” (ostensibly for safety from monster hunters) means that she can never go outside. When the seal is accidentally broken, Iris and her friends take the opportunity to attend the harvest festival in town. But they weren’t the only monsters imprisoned in the house… More sweet than spooky, this graphic novel teaches readers that if they look beyond first impressions, surprising friendships will follow. Reminiscent of TJ Klune’s House of the Cerulean Sea, for a middle grade audience.


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Something, Someday By Amanda Gorman, Christian Robinson (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Amanda Gorman, Christian Robinson (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9780593203255
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Viking Books for Young Readers - September 26th, 2023

Something, Someday showcases the incredible talents of poet/author Amanda Gorman and award-winning illustrator Christian Robinson in a hopeful, uplifting, and inspiring picture book. Written in the 2nd person point of view, Gorman’s words are intimate and immediate: “You are told / That this is not a problem. / But you’re sure / There’s something wrong.” The “something” is kept deliberately vague as Robinson’s illustration of a little boy cleans up trash and eventually plants a garden, bringing home the metaphor that “something” can be any cause you can think to champion. A heartening and motivational message of change for anyone ages 5-105.


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Dim Sum Palace By X. Fang Cover Image
By X. Fang
$18.99
ISBN: 9781774881989
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tundra Books - September 12th, 2023

Eager anticipation keeps Liddy from sleeping the night before she is to visit Dim Sum Palace with her family. Maybe there’ll be a real empress, she thinks excitedly. A delicious smell draws Liddy out of her room into an actual palace of dim sum, complete with car-sized steamer baskets full of yummy baos and two giant-sized chefs busily cooking away. After falling into a bowl, Liddy gets folded into a dumping and served to the hungry Empress, who takes pity on her and feeds her tasty treats. A fun, fantastical debut picture book for food lovers young and old.


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Big By Vashti Harrison Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9780316353229
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - May 2nd, 2023

As Vashti Harrison’s author note states, in childhood big is good…but somewhere along the way, the world begins to tell us that being big is undesirable (paraphrased). The little girl this lovely, thought-provoking picture book centers around has a big heart and big dreams but grows to be “too big.” After getting stuck in a baby swing, she is called names by children and adults alike, leaving her upset and ostracized. Despite this, she loves herself and courageously confronts those who hurt her. A much needed message that brought tears to my eyes, brought to life by Harrison’s always-stunning illustrations.


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Hungry Ghost By Victoria Ying Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250767004
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: First Second - April 25th, 2023

I've been a fan of Victoria Ying since reading her middle grade steampunk fantasy adventure graphic novel City of Secrets. Her new YA graphic Hungry Ghost is a very different story, centered around disordered eating and self-love. Val's mother has always pressured her to stay thin, to the point where Val has been binging and purging in secret for years. After tragedy strikes, Val lashes out in her grief and self-loathing, revealing her secret and damaging her closest friendship. An honest and heartrending look at mental health, family dynamics, and the necessary journey of loving one’s self.


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Pestilence (The Four Horsemen) By Laura Thalassa Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781728280165
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Bloom Books - August 15th, 2023

When the enemy/love interest is one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, *dark* romance doesn’t even begin to cover it. Pestilence, the first book in this series, is a grim look at what happens when the Four Horsemen come to annihilate humanity. It is unabashedly violent, horrifying, and bloody. However, thanks to main character Sara’s POV, it is also unexpectedly funny, hopeful, and very sexy. Author Laura Thalassa had my attention from the first sentence, and the sizzling tension between Pestilence and Sara ensured I couldn’t look away until the last page. Make sure you grab War, Famine, and Death, because you’re going to want to keep reading!


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Dark on Light By Dianne White, Felicita Sala (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Dianne White, Felicita Sala (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9781534487895
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Beach Lane Books - December 6th, 2022

Local author Dianne White teams up with Italian illustrator Felicita Sala once again in her latest picture book that is perfect for bedtime, featuring three siblings who go looking for their lost dog. The dreamy, soft tone of the book and soothing simple rhymes lend themselves to young readers’ nighttime snuggles and quiet contemplation about the beauty of nature found lit by moonlight.


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Enlighten Me (A Graphic Novel) By Minh Lê, Chan Chau (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Minh Lê, Chan Chau (Illustrator)
$12.99
ISBN: 9780759555488
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Little, Brown Ink - September 19th, 2023

A silent meditation retreat sounds like anything BUT fun to Binh, but after getting into a fight at school with a bully, his parents deem it necessary for the whole family to go. Once they arrive, they aren’t allowed to speak for the whole weekend. At first, not having to talk about the racist things that pushed him over the edge seems great, but soon Binh gets bored trying (and failing) to meditate. When a nun starts telling all the kids stories about the Buddha’s past lives, Binh’s imagination opens up and he finds that the retreat may be more enlightening than he thought. Fast-paced yet thoughtful, this is a quietly (pun intended) inspiring graphic novel.


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Untethered Sky By Fonda Lee Cover Image
$22.99
ISBN: 9781250842466
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tordotcom - April 11th, 2023

Star-crossed love has never been so sweet (or salty) in this deliciously hilarious take on "the best friendship since sliced bread." The Fridgers and the Cupboard Crew are at odds (think Jets vs Sharks), each group thinking they're better than the other. But Peanut Butter is curious about the Fridgers, and Jelly thinks the Cupboard Crew can't possibly be as bad as they're made out to be. Eventually they both journey to meet in the middle and discover life on the other side of the kitchen. You will delight in the smorgasbord of cheesy food puns!