Amanda

Photo of Amanda

Amanda spent her first 40 years in Michigan and Chicago and has no plans to return to those gray skies. She feels lucky to be able to walk to work and read for a living. She loves to read literary mysteries and fiction, and especially appreciates dark humor, gothic noir and magical realism.  She has read the first 50 pages of too many books to count.

Favorite Genres: 
Literary Fiction
Mystery
Book Recommendations: 
Staff Pick Badge
Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel By Bonnie Garmus Cover Image
$29.00
ISBN: 9780385547345
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Doubleday - April 5th, 2022

Exceptional! Fast-paced and feisty, Lessons in Chemistry is the delicious story of chemist, Elizabeth Zott, a trail-blazing feminist in 1960s California, trying to manage motherhood, meal prep, and misogyny- all in the name of science. An absolute JOY to read- --Amanda


Staff Pick Badge
The Club: A Reese's Book Club Pick By Ellery Lloyd Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780062997432
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Harper Paperbacks - January 10th, 2023

Twisty- and not just the singular road that gets you to the Island during low-tide. This is the perfect thriller- questionable characters, complex relationships and the air of exclusivity and danger.  This is a party you do not want to miss! --Amanda


Staff Pick Badge
Hurricane Girl: A novel By Marcy Dermansky Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780593315354
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Vintage - July 4th, 2023

It's really not funny when bad things happen, but getting inside the head of Hurricane Girl's Allison Brody is just that- laugh-out-loud funny, despite the cringe-level horror. It comes down to Marcy Dermansky's one-of-a-kind style- quirky, deadpan and heartfelt. I could not look away!


Staff Pick Badge
A Slow Fire Burning: A Novel By Paula Hawkins Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780735211247
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Riverhead Books - June 21st, 2022

Ths is honestly so good, and the title so perfect.  Paula Hawkins once again gives us complex characters-- all flawed, and all involved.  But how, and why? And who, really, was there that morning when the body was discovered? --Amanda


Staff Pick Badge
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina: A Novel By Zoraida Córdova Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9781982102555
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Atria Books - July 5th, 2022

When the Stars Go Dark: A Novel By Paula McLain Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780593237915
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Ballantine Books - April 5th, 2022

The past and present blur in this atmospheric thriller set in Mendocino.  Once again, Paula McLain richly develops her characters and speaks in their voice- a great read!


Staff Pick Badge
The Other Black Girl: A Novel By Zakiya Dalila Harris Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9781982160142
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Atria Books - June 7th, 2022

Staff Pick Badge
Migrations: A Novel By Charlotte McConaghy Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250204035
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Flatiron Books - July 6th, 2021

Truly a stunning read and my favorite book of the year!  This novel moves through both time and sea- fiercely seeking personal redemption, purpose and of course, the elusive and heroic Arctic tern.  A beautiful and singular story.  -Amanda


Staff Pick Badge
Madam: A Novel By Phoebe Wynne Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250793638
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: St. Martin's Griffin - May 24th, 2022

A new teaching assignment at the elite girl's boarding school seemed perfect- until it wasn't.  Gothic noir at it's creepy best- rich with secrets and darkness.  Loved it!


Staff Pick Badge
The Kingdoms By Natasha Pulley Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9781635579529
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Bloomsbury Publishing - July 26th, 2022

What happens when your memory gives way, and you no longer know who you are or where you've been, or when you've been?  For fans of Evelyn Hardcastle, settle in to a mind-bending affair!


Staff Pick Badge
The New York Times Cooking No-Recipe Recipes: [A Cookbook] By Sam Sifton Cover Image
$28.00
ISBN: 9781984858474
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Ten Speed Press - March 16th, 2021

This is for when you just want a bit of guidance, an easy answer for "What's for dinner?" A book for taking what you already have and elevating it - Give it a try


Staff Pick Badge
The Maidens: A Novel By Alex Michaelides Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250304469
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Celadon Books - May 24th, 2022

Such a strong follow-up to The Silent Patient!  Another taut, psychologicall thriller with twisted turns, secret societies and murder.


Staff Pick Badge
The Italian Party: A Novel By Christina Lynch Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250151421
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: St. Martin's Griffin - March 5th, 2019

When you need to go to Italy right now! --Amanda


Staff Pick Badge
Nothing to See Here: A Read with Jenna Pick By Kevin Wilson Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780062913494
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Ecco - September 1st, 2020

I love Kevin Wilson!  He is really unparalled in comic literary fiction.  What would it look like if kids caught fire? Casual-like, when they did not get their way and literally burst into flames?  This is where Kevin's books shine- he puts his heart and soul into the unusual-- finding the humor and humanity along the way. --Amanda;


Staff Pick Badge
Burial Rites By Hannah Kent Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780316243926
Availability: Usually Arrives at Kepler's in 3-14 Days
Published: Back Bay Books - April 1st, 2014

I recommend this to anyone making their way to Iceland. Part mystery/literary fiction, Burial Rites is a story about the last witch executed in Iceland- rich in history and lore.  Iceland, and its past, really come alive. --Amanda


Staff Pick Badge
Celine: A novel (Vintage Contemporaries) By Peter Heller Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9781101973486
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Vintage - January 2nd, 2018

Truly one of my favorite books ever, and one of my top picks for gifting- Peter Heller is poetic with language, and his characters have quirkiness and grit that make his stories shine.   --Amanda


Staff Pick Badge
My Sister, the Serial Killer: A Novel By Oyinkan Braithwaite Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780525564201
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Anchor - July 30th, 2019

My favorite book from 2019!  This dark comedy sounds bad- what if your sister was, really, a serial killer.  Would you clean it up, like you have taken care of your sister her whole life- you being the older, responsible one. . .? Would you stop her? Would you tell. . . Don't miss this- --Amanda


Staff Pick Badge
The Trespasser: A Novel (Dublin Murder Squad #6) By Tana French Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9780143110385
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Penguin Books - August 8th, 2017

Squeeze Me: A novel By Carl Hiaasen Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780525435280
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Vintage Crime/Black Lizard - May 11th, 2021

Staff Pick Badge
Suite Francaise (Vintage International) By Irene Nemirovsky Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9781400096275
Availability: Backordered
Published: Vintage - April 10th, 2007

The Lager Queen of Minnesota: A Novel By J. Ryan Stradal Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9780399563065
Availability: Usually Arrives at Kepler's in 3-14 Days
Published: Penguin Books - June 23rd, 2020

How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success By Julie Lythcott-Haims Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781250093639
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: St. Martin's Griffin - August 2nd, 2016

Staff Pick Badge
Sometimes I Lie: A Novel By Alice Feeney Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250144850
Availability: Usually Arrives at Kepler's in 3-14 Days
Published: Flatiron Books - October 30th, 2018

The Turn of the Key By Ruth Ware Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9781501188787
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Gallery/Scout Press - May 12th, 2020

Staff Pick Badge
Bel Canto: A Novel By Ann Patchett Cover Image
$19.00
ISBN: 9780060838720
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Harper Perennial - February 7th, 2023

Staff Pick Badge
The Girl on the Train: A Novel By Paula Hawkins Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9781594634024
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Riverhead Books - July 12th, 2016

Staff Pick Badge
Five Tuesdays in Winter By Lily King Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780802159496
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Grove Press - November 1st, 2022

Staff Pick Badge
Bel Canto: A Novel By Ann Patchett Cover Image
$19.00
ISBN: 9780060838720
Availability: In Stock at Kepler's Now
Published: Harper Perennial - February 7th, 2023