Book recommendations from the Avid Reader

Recommendations of recent books from the staffs of a rotating list of Northern California independent bookstores.

Centered on the World War II sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff — the greatest maritime disaster in history — this young-adult novel with broad appeal offers a haunting story of human resilience in the face of war’s atrocities.

Full of family drama, first loves and heartache, Han’s book creates a realistic yet magical rendition of the ups and downs of the teenage years.

Another spine-tingling, twisted tale from our favorite Northern California Scot.

Not just a promising but a great debut novel concerning self, family, communication, friendship, sex, and love — all set in the antiquated modernity of Sofia, Bulgaria.

Spies, Codes, and Guerrillas, 1939-1945, by Max Hastings: A well-written description of the undercover Second World War as waged by all the major belligerents.

Theodore Roosevelt, a Lifetime of Exploration, and the Triumph of American Natural History, by Darrin Lunde:

Another stunning collection from one of the Bay Area’s best and most inexplicably overlooked poets.

A feast for the eyes, ears, mind and soul.