TBR Books

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle was originally published in 1968. It was made into an animated film that is remarkably true to the book in 1982. This book is suitable for both kids and adults, and we have it located in the Young Adult section. A unicorn discovers that she might be the last unicorn and sets off on a journey to try to find where the other unicorns have gone. It’s a story about identity, belonging, sacrifice, and the things that make us human. I first read this book as a teenager (after watching the movie repeatedly since age 2), and I feel like it’s the kind of book that needs to be reread in each stage of my life. My understanding of the story and the characters has grown and changed with me. – Tracy

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is a classic gothic romance with an ever-present sense of isolation and sorrow but also with surprising undertones of hope and strength. Jane is, as she says, “a free human with an independent will” regardless of her circumstances. There is also mystery, betrayal, and tragedy. I think I first read Jane Eyre when I was 14, and I have read it several times since. I own three copies. At TBR Books, we keep it on the Classics shelf. – Tracy

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater really spoke to me. It is the first book in a series of three loosely-related historical/paranormal romances set in England after the Napoleonic Wars. The main character had half of her soul stolen by a faerie, and in the process of her cousin trying to help her get her soul back, she makes the acquaintance of England’s royal sorcerer, who has problems of his own. The book touches on themes of trauma, acceptance, PTSD, classism, 19th century medicine, and how frustrating it is to have to deal with “polite society” when the whole world is falling apart. No smut. We have this book (and the entire series) in our paranormal romance section. – Tracy

Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters

Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters is the first book in a historical murder mystery series with a main character who is an absolute delight. She is a wealthy young widow in London who sets out to solve the case of a missing servant, and she enlists the help of her deceased husband’s old friend. There is a little romance (very slow burn), but the focus is on the mystery, and each book in the series has a new mystery. If you’re interested, we have this book (and the other two in the series) in our Mystery Section, near the front of the store. – Tracy

The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead

The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead is such a good book. I first read it in an African American Literature class over 10 years ago, but it has lingered in my mind ever since. The main character is a black woman in the elevator industry, which is dominated by white men. She practices a special type of elevator repair theory, which involves intuiting what is wrong with the elevator (don’t try this at home), and she is fascinated by the person who created the theory and determined to discover his secret, even though he is no longer around. I love the way Whitehead writes, but I might also have been predisposed to like the book since I have relatives in the elevator industry. If you’re looking for this book, we keep it in the Fiction section, near the front of the store. – Tracy

Worn by Sofi Thanhauser

Worn: A People’s History of Clothing by Sofi Thanhauser is a well-researched history of clothing that spans the globe. It is so well-written that I was honestly sad that I finished it. Did you know that fast fashion has its roots in the early 1800s? Neither did I! Find this book in our History section. – Tracy

The Broken Heart of America by Walter Johnson

The Broken Heart of America by Walter Johnson is a deep-dive into the history of St. Louis, Missouri, and I cannot recommend this book enough, especially if you live in the St. Louis metro area. It is well-researched, well-organized, and well-written, and it draws parallels to different parts of the country. It’s a little heavy, but it’s well worth the emotional investment. We keep this book in our Local Interest section near the front of the store. – Tracy