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Find Sanctuary in these Fabulous Fantasies: Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter and The Astral Library

17 Feb

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter
by Heather Fawcett
Fan’s of Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde Series are in for a treat in her newest cozy fantasy, Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter. The novel is set in a fantastic Montreal during the 1920’s, where wizards are real and cause havoc with their constant dueling. Agnes’s cat shelter has been partially destroyed by one of these duels, leading to her needing to find a new home for the many furry guests. The growing cold of Winter creates an ever pressing need to find homes for them. When a refusal comes with a warning about another location, Agnes finds herself with a mysterious new landlord, who brings her into the world of magic. Agnes and the romantic interest for the story have a similar dynamic as Emily and Bambleby, but there is added depth in that Agnes is a widow who lost her husband suddenly. Also unlike Emily, Agnes has a sister and assistant who help her with her cats and have her back. This novel satisfies as a stand-alone but leaves open avenues for exploration of more of the charming world. If you are a cat fan, like me, you’ll will especially enjoy the story, there are many adorable felines to fall in love with. Fawcett is definitely becoming one of my favorite authors!

The Astral Library
by Kate Quinn
Another Fantasy that I loved was Kate Quinn’s The Astral Library. Quinn has written a number of popular and bestselling historical novels, but this is her first (and hopefully not last) foray into fantasy. As a child Alix Watson bounced from foster home to foster home after being abandoned by her mother and now that she is an adult, she is still struggling with three low paying jobs in an attempt to keep a roof over her head. When she stumbles into the magical Astral Library, a sanctuary amongst the worlds found in books, she feels blessed to have finally been chosen. But when forces attempt to destroy the library, Alix will travel across works of great literature, art and even through video games in order to save her new sanctuary. Fantasy fans will love the creative adventure and magical setting, historic fiction fans will love the historic details especially fashion related ones, romance fans will enjoy the sweet romance that unfolds, and readers of all types will delight in the many literary Easter eggs that Quinn has hidden throughout the work. This was a page turner that is perfect to curl up with on the snowy days that we’ve been having this winter.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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Resource Spotlight: Novelist – Find your Perfect Match Book

10 Feb

Ever watch a movie or read a book and think, “I love this vibe: the small-town setting with a flawed but theatrically endearing character. Oh, and the eerie undertone really has me hooked. I want more!”? I go through these phases all the time, latching to a specific theme or feeling and absolutely wanting more of it. 

Logo for EBSCOhost NoveList, showing the word “NoveList” in stylized lettering with the tagline “Your Guide to Reading.”

With your Hoboken Public Library card, you have access to Novelist, a book recommendation resource available through the New Jersey State Library. It’s a treasure trove of curated reading suggestions organized by theme, genre, author, tone, and so much more — helping you find stories that match exactly what you’re in the mood for.

Login here and click on Discover Novelist on the left.

The Appeals Index lets you search for books based on what kind of reading experience you want. Are you drawn to sarcastic narrators, offbeat humor, or characters wrestling with teenage angst? Maybe you’re on the lookout for a love story with gritty realism or on an isolated beach. How about a time-traveling superhero who plays God. 

You’ll be shown a list of titles that fit your selection. 

Prefer to explore by theme instead of character? The Theme Index breaks down stories into setups such as forbidden love, coping with death, witchcraft and the occult, exploring faith, or rural noir. These are blueprints of the story, or tropes – the fish out of water hero or the framed protagonist.

This index is your go-to when you say to yourself “I love story like this, but don’t know what to search for.

You can get lost in Novelist. It’s great. Sometimes, just browsing through categories like found footage horror or wistful coming-of-age helps you realize what truly draws you. Once you’ve found your match, head over to the BCCLS catalog to place your hold.

Which Index are you most enjoying in Novelist? Have you found any new themes or appeals that interest you? Comment below.

Novelist is linked above. You need your library card number to enter the site. The BCCLS catalog is linked as well. 

Hit subscribe to get Hoboken Public Library Staff Picks to your email!

Written by:
Sean Willey
Information and Digital Services Assistant

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