James's Picks
James grew up in Raleigh, but moved to Asheville in 2013 to attend UNCA.
Typically, on his shelf you can find a lot of literary fiction, satire, and essay collections.
When not in the bookstore, James can be found performing stand up comedy around town.
Books:
$26.00
ISBN: 9781984822178
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Hogarth - April 16th, 2019
Have you ever met someone who makes you think, "Wow, this person just gets it."? Sally Rooney gets it. She has an understanding of young romance and isolation that cuts through the fluff and gets to the heart of the matter. A future classic.
$15.99
ISBN: 9781328764522
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Mariner Books - April 17th, 2018
In "How to Write an Autobiographical Novel", Alexander Chee demonstrates all of the winning characteristics of a good essayist. He is candid, lyrical, and not overly interested in painting himself in a positive light. The stories range from his time in school to his current day experiences as an LGBQT activist and force of good. By the end of his stories, the reader feels that they have learned something new about a dear friend.
$25.95
ISBN: 9781101870600
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Pantheon - August 13th, 2019
A great read full of dystopian dread and government corruption. In a world where the powers at be can make an announcement and an object no longer exists, our narrator struggles to control her artistic and personal life. Filled with the magical sparseness Yoko Ogawa has become known for, The Memory Police is an extremely readable, dark fantasy.
$26.00
ISBN: 9780525562023
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Penguin Press - June 4th, 2019
Ocean Vuong's novel radiates the unshakeable beauty of his poetry. Little Dog's story stays with the reader long after the last page.
$27.99
ISBN: 9780062877789
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Ecco - August 27th, 2019
Doxology springs from the mind of Nell Zink armed with guitars and old school New York snarl. The characters, all looking to reinvent themselves in contrast to their respective families, carry themselves with a sort of defensive charm. Their interactions are all very of the time, late nineties into post 9/11 America, in a way that fills each exchange with an intriguing dialogue that is both refreshing and challenging. These characters have alot of heart though, and that bleeds through on every page. Also, if you even have a passing interest in second wave New York alternative music, this book is a must.
$16.99
ISBN: 9781937512651
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Two Dollar Radio - November 7th, 2017
Abdurraqib's greatest strength is his ability to discuss what he likes with unabashed freedom. One moment he is discussing Prince's otherwordly essence, the next he is quoting Pete Wentz. Read this book!
$16.00
ISBN: 9780143133605
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Penguin Books - March 5th, 2019
Butler's tale of millennial burnout is rife with acidic humor and awkward charm. "The New Me" features Millie, a misanthropic thirty-year-old perpetually bouncing between temp jobs. She is relatable in an almost cringe-worthy way, reminding readers how funny we can be at our moments of weakness.
$16.95
ISBN: 9781593766788
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Soft Skull Press - November 6th, 2018
These short stories are wonderfully weird and quirky, while still capturing the ordinary doldrums of everyday life. Motoya's characters are familiar and relatable making each story all the more gripping as they venture off into the absurd. The collection's voice is totally original and I don't think you will read anything like this book!
$16.00
ISBN: 9780525436140
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Vintage - May 7th, 2019
Believe the hype. Tommy Orange's debut is a dazzling literary feat. A novel that demands to be heard and felt by anyone who picks it up.
$17.95
ISBN: 9780525435884
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Vintage - February 5th, 2019
This novel is absurd, ridiculous, sometimes off-putting, fun. Mendelsund shows no desire to remain within the confines of traditional storytelling, character, structure, or dialogue, instead opting to whimsically meditate on what it means to truly create something.
$25.95
ISBN: 9780451493026
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Knopf - January 29th, 2019
$17.00
ISBN: 9780143117568
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Penguin Books - July 27th, 2010
This book was described to me as "Pynchon-lite" compared to his other work, but that worked for me just fine. I loved the carefree, meandering plot and weird one-off characters. Part hardboiled mystery, part zany character study, you will not want to stop reading about detective Doc Sportello and his weed-hazed adventures.
$15.00
ISBN: 9780525522768
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Penguin Books - January 8th, 2019
Ottessa Moshfegh is a master of brutal, unflinching prose. Maybe the least likable protagonist I've ever come accross, the titular McGlue is a reckless, unruly potential murderer who is impossible to ignore. Set on the high seas of the 1850's, each page might as well reek of bilge water and piss. I was compelled. For fans of Herman Melville, The Lighthouse, or any sort of ruthless, mesmerizing lit.
$16.00
ISBN: 9780143134008
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Penguin Books - January 29th, 2019
$16.00
ISBN: 9780374175771
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: MCD x FSG Originals - December 11th, 2018
"A searingly current book written from five perspectives in modern day London. Guy Gunaratne writes with deft prose that displays the language of youth while also providing his older characters with the same care and intention. Often the book is quite heavy but as a whole work, it is a necessary answer to our divided times.
Trigger warning: sexual abuse, violence
$15.95
ISBN: 9780811227995
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: New Directions - June 25th, 2019
Giinzburg writes a family drama with an aching familiarity. These siblings and their mother are funny, frustrating, and hard to forget. While being somber novel, her prose is often funny and never overly showy. She is so wise while saying very little.
$19.99
ISBN: 9781419726477
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Harry N. Abrams - October 10th, 2017
$16.00
ISBN: 9780375704024
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Vintage - September 12th, 2000
$28.00
ISBN: 9781101985267
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Dutton - November 13th, 2018