Staff Picks: 8 Novels Reminiscent of Our Childhood Favorites

August 2 2023
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In a world wrapped in the comfy flannel of ’90s reboots, our hearts are humming with nostalgia. And just as a worn-out childhood classic may call you back, a modern novel can echo the same charming cadences. So, grab your butterfly clips and join us for a walk down memory lane while we pair our most treasured children’s books with some of the captivating narratives of today. It’s story time—but for grown-ups. Whether you’re an avid bibliophile or simply long for the simplicity of yesteryear, we’ve got a book recommendation that pairs the old and the new for you.

The Cloisters
by Katy Hays

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

Juliet says: Remember the thrill of running away with Claudia and Jamie to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in E.L. Konigsburg's unforgettable children's classic? That same magic comes alive in the pages of THE CLOISTERS, where our protagonist, Ann, steps into a world rich with medieval charm nestled within modern New York City. Both narratives invite us into the mystique of art, from an enigmatic statue to a mysterious Tarot deck, weaving tales of personal discovery, unanticipated problems, and secrets begging to be unveiled. Revisit the nostalgia of clandestine adventures and yearnings for purpose and belonging in this curated pairing—an ode to the timeless allure of art, mystery, and the relentless pursuit of the extraordinary.

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The Cloisters
Katy Hays

A Today Show #ReadWithJenna Book Club Pick

This instant New York Times bestseller that is “captivating in every sense of the word” (Sarah Pearse, New York Times bestselling author) follows a group of researchers uncovering a mysterious deck of tarot cards and shocking secrets in New York’s famed Met Cloisters.

When Ann Stilwell arrives in New York City, she expects to spend her summer working as a curatorial associate at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Instead, she finds herself assigned to The Cloisters, a gothic museum and garden renowned for its medieval art collection and its group of enigmatic researchers studying the history of divination.

Desperate to escape her painful past, Ann is happy to indulge the researchers’ more outlandish theories about the history of fortune telling. But what begins as academic curiosity quickly turns into obsession when she discovers a hidden 15th-century deck of tarot cards that might hold the key to predicting the future. When the dangerous game of power, seduction, and ambition at The Cloisters turns deadly, Ann becomes locked in a race for answers as the line between the arcane and the modern blurs.

A haunting and magical blend of genres, The Cloisters is a “masterwork of literary suspense that surges to an otherworldly conclusion” (Mark Prins, author of The Latinist).

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In a Book Club Far Away
by Tif Marcelo

The Baby-Sitters Club Series by Ann M. Martin

Juliet says: Just as Kristy and her comrades in THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB series navigated the turbulent waters of friendship amid toddler tantrums and crank calls, IN A BOOK CLUB FAR AWAY explores friendship weathered by time and trials. Resilience, a shared theme in these stories, underpins the childhood club's misadventures and also inspires three former army wives to rebuild their fractured relationship. Both stories applaud the sheer strength of companionship, taking you on a heartwarming journey from the playgrounds to the battlegrounds of friendship. Settle down with these captivating tales that underscore unity and determination and enjoy a comforting blend of youthful enthusiasm and adult wisdom.

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In a Book Club Far Away
Tif Marcelo

From the author of Once Upon a Sunset and The Key to Happily Ever After comes a heartwarming and moving novel following three Army wives—estranged friends—who must overcome their differences when one of them is desperate for help.

Regina Castro, Adelaide Wilson-Chang, and Sophie Walden used to be best friends. As Army wives at Fort East, they bonded during their book club and soon became inseparable. But when an unimaginable betrayal happened amongst the group, the friendship abruptly ended, and they haven’t spoken since.

That’s why, eight years later, Regina and Sophie are shocked when they get a call for help from Adelaide. Adelaide’s husband is stationed abroad, and without any friends or family near her new home of Alexandria, Virginia, she has no one to help take care of her young daughter when she has to undergo emergency surgery. For the sake of an innocent child, Regina and Sophie reluctantly put their differences aside to help an old friend.

As the three women reunite, they must overcome past hurts and see if there’s any future for their friendship. Featuring Tif Marcelo’s signature “enchanting prose” (Amy E. Reichert, author of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake) and the books that brought them together in the first place, In a Book Club Far Away honors the immense power of female friendship and how love can defy time, distance, and all old wounds.

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The Book of Lost Things
by John Connolly

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Emily says: I desperately wanted to be like Meggie in INKHEART; her father is able to bring stories literally to life and when the realities between her world and the literary worlds he’d read to her begin to come together, Meggie has to take on the role of main character in her own adventures. For a more grim take on a similar theme, THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS by John Connolly is a great pairing. Twelve-year-old David escapes into books to help him grieve the loss of his mother, but his strong imagination begins to blend his stories and whisks him off to another world. He encounters Rumpelstiltskin, the Seven Dwarves, and more beloved characters from classic tales, but Connolly gives them an extra edge, sometimes comedic, other times tragic. For anybody who loves the magic of a story that can help a person escape from their problems while oftentimes secretly helping them through them, pick up this book!

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The Book of Lost Things
John Connolly

High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mourns the death of his mother, with only the books on his shelf for company. But those books have begun to whisper to him in the darkness. Angry and alone, he takes refuge in his imagination and soon finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. While his family falls apart around him, David is violently propelled into a world that is a strange reflection of his own -- populated by heroes and monsters and ruled by a faded king who keeps his secrets in a mysterious book, The Book of Lost Things.

Taking readers on a vivid journey through the loss of innocence into adulthood and beyond, New York Times bestselling author John Connolly tells a dark and compelling tale that reminds us of the enduring power of stories in our lives.

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The House of the Spirits
by Isabel Allende

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Emily says: TUCK EVERLASTING is about the immortal Tuck family who wander—and the wisdom they impart to a ten-year-old Winnie about the fear of death and their knowledge of life’s true potential. What better book to pair it with than a multigenerational saga with a hint of magic, knowledge bombs, and fascinating characters with enough flair that you’d think they were immortal as well. HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS spans three generations in Chile from post-WWI through 1973, and centers each part around the women in the family as they assert their independence against the historical events of the time. Politics, love, and violence interact with the characters’ narratives throughout the years, providing a humanistic window into history.

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The House of the Spirits
Isabel Allende

“It was an enormous pleasure for me to reread this book three decades after it first made its mark on me. I found myself still enraptured by the words of these women, still dazzled by the magic potion that is Isabel Allende’s gift for storytelling. And as I reached the final page, I smiled in wonderment at the forces that led me to where I am today, and was thankful for the reminder that our future is written in the stars.”

Read Johanna Castillo’s review here.

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Immortal Longings
by Chloe Gong

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Jordyn says: If you’ve never gotten over your long-seated love of deadly battles among civilians in a fantasy world, then let me introduce you to IMMORTAL LONGINGS by Chloe Gong, a book that will transport you back to your teen years reading Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games series and worrying about the deadly nature of the arena. Gong weaves a captivating tale that feels like a grown-up alternative to THE HUNGER GAMES, bursting with more action, high stakes, and memorable characters.

Follow the journey of a princess in hiding as she navigates a treacherous game of survival, evoking the same intense emotions of Panem's arenas. Gong's masterful storytelling reminds me of the parts of THE HUNGER GAMES I loved the most: intricate relationships, unexpected alliances, and heart-stopping betrayals that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Balancing action and suspense with a touch of romance, IMMORTAL LONGINGS is an exciting read that will leave you yearning for more.

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Immortal Longings
Chloe Gong

#1 New York Times bestselling YA author Chloe Gong’s adult epic fantasy debut, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, is a fiery collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games.

Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin will flock to its capital twin cities, San-Er, where the palace hosts a set of games. For those confident enough in their ability to jump between bodies, competitors across San-Er fight to the death to win unimaginable riches.

Princess Calla Tuoleimi lurks in hiding. Five years ago, a massacre killed her parents and left the palace of Er empty…and she was the one who did it. Before King Kasa’s forces in San can catch her, she plans to finish the job and bring down the monarchy. Her reclusive uncle always greets the victor of the games, so if she wins, she gets her opportunity at last to kill him.

Enter Anton Makusa, an exiled aristocrat. His childhood love has lain in a coma since they were both ousted from the palace, and he’s deep in debt trying to keep her alive. Thankfully, he’s one of the best jumpers in the kingdom, flitting from body to body at will. His last chance at saving her is entering the games and winning.

Calla finds both an unexpected alliance with Anton and help from King Kasa’s adopted son, August, who wants to mend Talin’s ills. But the three of them have very different goals, even as Calla and Anton’s partnership spirals into something all-consuming. Before the games close, Calla must decide what she’s playing for—her lover or her kingdom.

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Murder Your Employer
by Rupert Holmes

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Jordyn says: I have very distinct memories of listening to the Series of Unfortunate Events books on cassette tapes during road trips with my family and laughing over the tone and dark humor the narrator used to describe the Baudelaire children’s life. I can honestly say that it has taken me until now to find a book that genuinely reminds me of those books and how refreshing it is to read such dark subjects with such a light and enjoyable tone.

Step into the darkly humorous world of MURDER YOUR EMPLOYER by Rupert Holmes, a book that will delight fans of Lemony Snicket's beloved A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS. Brimming with wit and a touch of audacity, this captivating tale unfolds within the mysterious walls of the fictional McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts, where students learn to eliminate their targets as their thesis project . . .  okay, they are planning to murder them. With its infusion of humor and intelligence, this book is an irresistible delight for fans of Lemony Snicket's signature style. MURDER YOUR EMPLOYER promises a unique reading experience that will leave you eagerly turning pages, laughing at the unexpected, and embracing the darker side of storytelling.

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Murder Your Employer
Rupert Holmes

From the diabolical imagination of Edgar Award–winning novelist, playwright, and story-songwriter Rupert Holmes comes a devilish thriller with a killer concept: The McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts, a luxurious, clandestine college dedicated to the fine art of murder where earnest students study how best to “delete” their most deserving victim.

Who hasn’t wondered for a split second what the world would be like if a person who is the object of your affliction ceased to exist? But then you’ve probably never heard of The McMasters Conservatory, dedicated to the consummate execution of the homicidal arts. To gain admission, a student must have an ethical reason for erasing someone who deeply deserves a fate no worse (nor better) than death. The campus of this “Poison Ivy League” college—its location unknown to even those who study there—is where you might find yourself the practice target of a classmate…and where one’s mandatory graduation thesis is getting away with the perfect murder of someone whose death will make the world a much better place to live.

Prepare for an education you’ll never forget. A delightful mix of witty wordplay, breathtaking twists and genuine intrigue, Murder Your Employer will gain you admission into a wholly original world, cocooned within the most entertaining book about well-intentioned would-be murderers you’ll ever read.

Rupert Holmes’s much celebrated career ranges from chart-topping story songs with surprising twists—“Escape (The Pina Colada Song)”—to Tony Award–winning whodunit musicals—The Mystery of Edwin Drood—Edgar Award–winning comedy-thrillers—Accomplice—and the Nero Wolfe Best American Mystery Novel nominated Where the Truth Lies, made into an Atom Egoyan motion picture starring Colin Firth and Kevin Bacon. Called “an American treasure” (Los Angeles Times), “a true Renaissance man” by Newsweek, “a comic genius” (Kirkus Reviews) and simply “a genius” (The Times, London), Rupert Holmes brings his wickedly clever storytelling talents to this outrageous and darkly comic mystery set in a secret, idyllic campus where students learn how to “do in others as you would have others do you in.”

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VAMPS: Fresh Blood
by Nicole Arend

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Jordyn says: I won’t suggest that anyone should be “over” TWILIGHT, or looking for something else, because you can always rewatch or reread it. But for anyone who wants something a little more adult, a little more secretive, and a little more immersed in “vampire culture,” then you’ve found it with VAMPS: FRESH BLOOD by Nicole Arend. Arend delivers a thrilling tale filled with romance, mystery, and a supernatural allure that will leave you craving more.

The world of VAMPS is a world where vampires and humans coexist, and in this book young adults are starting out at an exclusive academy where they’re learning to use their powers and coexist in the human world. Of course, as in any school setting (think college level), they’re all navigating the complexities of romance, friendships, loyalty, and betrayals, and all of that is heightened by their hunger for blood and power. Join our protagonist, Dillon, as he discovers that he’s a rare dhampir (a vampire that is half human) and starts at the academy with full vampires, becoming entangled in a web of secrets and forbidden desires. The intricate world-building and richly developed relationships will keep you turning pages late into the night, captivated by every twist and turn.

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VAMPS: Fresh Blood
Nicole Arend

This “fast-paced and enthralling” (The Sun, London) debut transports you to an elite vampire academy where a half vampire, half human struggles to hone his bloodthirsty side.

Nestled in the Swiss Alps, VAMPS is the ultimate academy for the children of the most wealthy and powerful vampire families. Unfortunately for Dillon, he’s an outsider—to be more specific, he’s a dhampir: a vampire that is half human.

If he wants to survive more than a single term, he’s going to need to embrace his fangs. But blood never lies and soon, it becomes clear there is something special and deadly flowing in Dillon’s veins. But as his power grows, so does the target on his back…

“An alluring and fast-paced read for fans of The Atlas Six, A Deadly Education, and True Blood” (Library Journal).

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The Other Valley
by Scott Alexander Howard

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Jordyn says: Maybe you read THE GIVER for school, or maybe a friendly librarian knew you would like dystopian fiction from a young age and handed you the book, but either way, if you’re like me and have been chasing dystopian worlds since, then your next read should be THE OTHER VALLEY by Scott Alexander Howard, coming out in 2024. This book will transport you back to the captivating essence of Lois Lowry's beloved book THE GIVER, with a young protagonist struggling with accepting the way her society runs and balancing that with the responsibility elders want to give her. In THE OTHER VALLEY, people can apply to travel between their valley and a neighboring one that exists twenty years in the past to visit loved ones who have passed away. Of course, things get complicated when Odile recognizes some visitors to her valley and realizes that means her classmate is about to die. Echoing THE GIVER’s themes of memory, identity, and the pursuit of truth, THE OTHER VALLEY invites readers on a journey of self-discovery and rebellion against the status quo.

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The Other Valley
Scott Alexander Howard

For fans of David Mitchell, Ruth Ozeki, and Kazuo Ishiguro, an elegant and exhilarating literary speculative novel about an isolated town neighbored by its own past and future, and a young girl who spots two elderly visitors from across the border: the grieving parents of the boy she loves.

Sixteen-year-old Odile is an awkward, quiet girl vying for a coveted seat on the Conseil. If she earns the position, she’ll decide who may cross her town’s heavily guarded borders. On the other side, it’s the same valley, the same town. Except to the east, the town is twenty years ahead in time. To the west, it’s twenty years behind. The towns repeat in an endless sequence across the wilderness.

When Odile recognizes two visitors she wasn’t supposed to see, she realizes that the parents of her friend Edme have been escorted across the border from the future, on a mourning tour, to view their son while he’s still alive in Odile’s present.

Edme––who is brilliant, funny, and the only person to truly see Odile––is about to die. Sworn to secrecy in order to preserve the timeline, Odile now becomes the Conseil’s top candidate. Yet she finds herself drawing closer to the doomed boy, imperiling her entire future.

A breathlessly moving “unique take on the intersection of fate and free will” (Nikki Erlick, author of The Measure), The Other Valley is “a stellar debut, full of heartbreak and hope wrapped up in gorgeous prose” (Christina Dalcher, author of Vox).

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Photo credit: iStock / Jag_cz

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