Maya's Staff Picks (Top Favorite)

I highly recommend these top-rated books as a must-read because they offer a unique blend of captivating storytelling, relatable characters, and thought-provoking themes that will resonate with readers of all genres. These books have been widely acclaimed for their exceptional writing, well-developed plots, and ability to evoke emotions, making them a valuable addition to any bookshelf. Whether you're looking for a thrilling adventure, a heartwarming romance, or a journey of self-discovery, these books are sure to captivate and leave a lasting impression long after the final page is turned. In addition, the non-fiction titles provide valuable knowledge and expert insights on topics such as science, history, and personal development, while the biographies grant readers a unique glimpse into the lives of inspiring individuals who have shaped our world. Meanwhile, the sci-fi and fantasy novels transport us to new and imaginative realms, exploring complex themes and ideas that challenge our understanding of the universe and our place within it. With their engaging narratives, well-researched content, and memorable characters, these books are sure to educate, entertain, and inspire, making them a must-read for anyone looking to expand their minds and broaden their horizons.

Showing 81 - 100 of 104  There are a total of 105 valid entries on the list.
Book cover for "The quiet game"
Star rating for The quiet game
Author:
Series:
Average Rating:
4.7 stars
Description:
Natchez, Mississippi. Jewel of the South. City of old money and older sins. And childhood home of Houston prosecutor Penn Cage. In the aftermath of a personal tragedy, this is where Penn has returned for solitude. This is where he hopes to find peace. What he discovers instead is his own family trapped in a mystery buried for thirty years but never forgotten--the town's darkest secret, now set to trap and destroy Penn as well.
Book cover for "A random walk down Wall Street"
Star rating for A random walk down Wall Street
Average Rating:
3.5 stars
Description:
"In a time of rampant misinformation about ways of growing your money, Burton G. Malkiel's gimmick-free investment guide is more necessary than ever. Whether you're considering your first 401k contribution or contemplating retirement, the fully updated, fiftieth anniversary edition of A Random Walk Down Wall Street remains the best investment guide money can buy. Drawing on his experience as an economist, financial adviser, and successful investor,...
Book cover for "Reading with Patrick"
Star rating for Reading with Patrick
Average Rating:
3.5 stars
Description:
"A memoir of race, inequality, and the power of literature told through the life-changing friendship between an idealistic young teacher and her gifted student, jailed for murder in the Mississippi Delta"--Amazon.com.
Book cover for "Ready player one"
Star rating for Ready player one
Series:
Average Rating:
4.4 stars
Description:
"In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the Oasis.Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines - puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first...
Book cover for "Redsparrow"
Star rating for Redsparrow
Average Rating:
3.9 stars
Description:
Drafted against her will to serve the regime of Vladimir Putin as an intelligence seductress, Dominika Egorova engages in a charged effort of deception and tradecraft with first-tour CIA officer Nathaniel Nash before a forbidden attraction threatens their careers.
Book cover for "The rise and fall of American growth"
Star rating for The rise and fall of American growth
Average Rating:
3.7 stars
Book cover for "The secret life of bees"
Star rating for The secret life of bees
Average Rating:
4.7 stars
Description:
After her "stand-in mother," a bold black woman named Rosaleen, insults the three biggest racists in town, Lily Owens joins Rosaleen on a journey to Tiburon, South Carolina, where they are taken in by three black, bee-keeping sisters.
Book cover for "The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo"
Star rating for The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Average Rating:
4.4 stars
Description:
"Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?"--Amazon.com.
Book cover for "The simple path to wealth"
Star rating for The simple path to wealth
Average Rating:
4.5 stars
Description:
"This comprehensive guide covers everything from debt elimination to optimizing retirement accounts, all while exposing the marketing myths and investment industry practices that keep most people from building real wealth. Collins shares specific, actionable strategies for both wealth-building and wealth-preservation phases, with a straightforward approach to asset allocation that anyone can implement."--Provided by publisher.
Book cover for "Sissy"
Star rating for Sissy
Average Rating:
4.5 stars
Description:
"A heart-wrenching, eye-opening, and giggle-inducing memoir about what it's like to grow up not sure if you're (a) a boy, (b) a girl, (c) something in between, or (d) all of the above"-- "recounts their journey from shy, closeted gender-nonconforming kid to out-and-proud young genderqueer LGBTQ activist in this hilarious and candid memoir"--
Book cover for "The storied life of A.J. Fikry"
Star rating for The storied life of A.J. Fikry
Average Rating:
3.9 stars
Description:
When his most prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, is stolen, bookstore owner A. J. Fikry begins isolating himself from his friends, family and associates before receiving a mysterious package that compels him to remake his life. Bookstore owner A. J. Fikry is offered the chance to make his life over when a mysterious and unexpected package arrives on the heels of the theft of his most prized possession, a rare collection of Edgar Allan...
Book cover for "Talking as fast as I can"
Star rating for Talking as fast as I can
Average Rating:
4.1 stars
Description:
In her first work of nonfiction, the star of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood recounts her experiences on Gilmore Girls, the first and second time, and shares stories about life, love, and working in Hollywood.
Book cover for "The things we make"
Star rating for The things we make
Description:
"In this book, Bill Hammack, better known as The Engineer Guy, takes us on a whirlwind tour of how humans built the world we know today. From the grand stone arches of medieval cathedrals to the mundane modern soda can, Hammack explains the golden rule of thumb that underlies every new building technique, every technological advancement, and every creative solution that leads us one step closer to a better, more functional world. Perfect for readers...
Book cover for "The third Gilmore girl"
Star rating for The third Gilmore girl
Average Rating:
4.2 stars
Description:
A "memoir from award-winning ... actress Kelly Bishop, spanning her six decades in show business from Broadway to Hollywood with A Chorus Line, Dirty Dancing, Gilmore Girls, and much more"--
Book cover for "To kill a mockingbird"
Star rating for To kill a mockingbird
Author:
Series:
Average Rating:
4.5 stars
Description:
"Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee exploreswith rich humor and unswerving honesty the irrationality of adult attitudes toward race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s. The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence, and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina and quiet heroism of one man's struggle for justice--but the weight of history will only tolerate so much."--Provided by publisher.
Book cover for "Tortilla flat"
Star rating for Tortilla flat
Average Rating:
4.7 stars
Description:
When Danny returns to Tortilla Flat in Monterey, California, after the First World War he moves into a small house left to him by his grandfather. One by one, various ne'er-do-wells are drawn to Danny's house--lured in part by the appeal of a roof over their heads, in part by Danny's generosity and the camaraderie that springs up around him. Defying all social conventions and expectations, Steinbeck's gallery of knights thrive on the love--and the...

97. Untamed

Book cover for "Untamed"
Star rating for Untamed
Average Rating:
3.4 stars
Description:
"There is a voice of longing inside every woman. We strive so mightily to be good: good mothers, daughters, partners, employees, citizens, and friends. We believe all this striving will make us feel alive. Instead, it leaves us feeling weary, stuck, overwhelmed, and underwhelmed. We look at our lives, relationships, and world, and wonder: Wasn't it all supposed to be more beautiful than this? We quickly silence that question, telling ourselves to...
Book cover for "Water for elephants"
Star rating for Water for elephants
Author:
Average Rating:
4.2 stars
Description:
A novel of star-crossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932. When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, grifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there...
Book cover for "When the moon hatched"
Star rating for When the moon hatched
Series:
Moonfall novels volume 1.
Average Rating:
5 stars
Description:
"As a valued Elding Blade of the rebellion group Fíur du Ath, Raeve's job is to kill. To complete orders and never get caught. When a renowned bounty hunter is employed by The Crown to capture a member of the Ath, Raeve's world is turned upside down. Blood spills, hearts break, and Raeve finds herself at the mercy of the Guild of Nobles-a group of dual-beaded elementals who intend to turn her into a political statement. Only death will set her free....
Book cover for "Where the crawdads sing"
Star rating for Where the crawdads sing
Author:
Average Rating:
4.4 stars
Description:
"Fans of Barbara Kingsolver will love this stunning debut novel from a New York Times bestselling nature writer, about an unforgettable young woman determined to make her way in the wilds of North Carolina, and the two men that will break her isolation open. For years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. She's barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase...