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Joan F. Smith's Book Picks: Home

Reading recommendations from Joan F. Smith, the MPL's 2021 Writer-In-Residence

Click here to learn more about Joan F. Smith and the Milton Public Library's Writer-In-Residence program

Adult

The Mothers by Brit Bennett
author of "The Vanishing Half," this book is a bit older but excellent
The Push by Ashley Audrain
"literary thriller"/psychological drama
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
fiction
Please Don't Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes by Phoebe Robinson
humor/essays
Fuzz by Mary Roach
nonfiction
Home Body by Rupi Kaur
poetry
Dial a for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto
rom-com/murder mystery mash-up
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
romance
The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson
non-fiction
Somebody's Daughter by Ashley C. Ford
memoir
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
fiction/Pride Month
Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia
literary fiction

Young Adult

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
contemporary/spec element
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
contemporary rom-com
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
fantasy
The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
fantasy, Inheritance Games Series
Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price
a YA Jane Austen retelling as a mystery
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
fantasy
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
mystery
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
thriller
Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean
contemporary
Jay's Gay Agenda by Jason June
contemporary/Pride Month

Middle Grade

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
general fiction
Alone by Megan E. Freeman
novel in verse
Karen's Witch by Ann M. Martin
#1 in The Babysitter's Club Little Sisters, graphic novel great for ages 5-10
Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston
fantasy
Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera
fantasy
Glitter Gets Everywhere by Yvette Clark
contemporary
Pumpkin by Julie Murphy
contemporary/Pride Month

Picture Books