Smoky Hill Staff Picks: Do You Believe in Magic?Like this list

19 items

• Like Water for Chocolate

  a Novel in Monthly Installments, With Recipes, Romances, and Home Remedies

  Esquivel, Laura, 1950-

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  This novella incorporates beautiful elements of magical realism into a story about a family of strong Mexican women. Within the pages are complicated family dynamics, forbidden love, and recipes and descriptions of delicious, often magical food.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Girl Who Chased the Moon

  A Novel

  Allen, Sarah Addison

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  A beautiful story of Emily, a young woman who travels to Mullaby, North Carolina to learn about her mother's secrets. There, Emily learns not only about her family, but also about mood-changing wallpaper, whimsical cakes filled with hope, and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Circus Mirandus

  Beasley, Cassie,

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  Micah's grandfather has always told him stories about an imaginary circus, but as his grandfather is reaching the end of his life he reveals that the circus is real. Micah goes in search of the circus and the Lightbender, who is the only one who can…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Midnight Library

  Haig, Matt, 1975-

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  I absolutely loved this book when I read it several years ago and I still find myself reflecting on its messages about life, death, regret, and what it means to live one’s ’best life’. I especially enjoyed the original concept—a secret library…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Tchia

  Oléti Edition

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  In Tchia, you undertake a journey as a girl fighting to free her father and her homeland. You explore beautiful islands inspired by New Caledonia, a country I knew nothing about until I played this game! Tchia solves puzzles and defeats enemies…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Casters and Crowns

  Lowham, Elizabeth,

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  I enjoyed that the romance felt soft and appreciated dialogue that felt genuine when so many romantasy books have stiff dialogue. Book 2 in this series is coming soon! (young adult fiction) -Chandra

• The Prestige

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  The Prestige is about two magicians who get way too obsessed with beating each other. What starts as competition turns into this really dark rivalry where they’re both willing to sacrifice basically everything just to have the better trick. It’s not…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Skipshock

  O'Donoghue, Caroline,

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  This book was a total surprise and came at just the right time to shake me out of my genre stupor! Imaginative and engaging, it follows a teen who stumbles into a reality filled with parallel worlds where people's lifespans are determined by the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Goblin

  the lonely and great god

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  This is one of my favorite TV shows of all time. It has everything: folktales come to life, compelling characters (and actor chemistry), tragedy, intrigue, reincarnation, true love, redemptive love, and ultimately, bittersweet or "sad" love that…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Dear Mothman

  Gow, Robin,

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  After losing his best friend, a young trans boy processes the grief by leaving letters in the Pennsylvania woods for his friend's biggest cryptid obsession: Mothman. When he finds evidence that someone is reading his letters, he starts to believe…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Magic School Bus. Space Adventures

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  I really enjoyed "The Magic School Bus" books and movies when I was younger (and still enjoy them as an adult) because they were entertaining, humorous, interesting and fun! The newer version of the tv series is also great. Mrs. Frizzle always…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Prince of Mist

  Zafon, Carlos Ruiz

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  I love a good gothic, spooky, enchanting story. This novel will suck you in and keep you engaged to the very end. (young adult fiction) -Jenn

• The Bear and the Nightingale

  a Novel

  Arden, Katherine,

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  The first book in the Winternight Trilogy. A captivating blend of folklore, old magic and mysterious characters set in the snowy deep dark winter of northern Russia, with a young girl Vasilisa Petrovna as the heroine. Highly recommend the audiobook…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Howl's Moving Castle

  Jones, Diana Wynne,

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  One of my all-time favorite series with whimsy and magic. Different enough from the movie, which I also really enjoy. (children's fiction) -Jen

• The Trials of Morrigan Crow

  Townsend, Jessica, 1985-

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  The first in a great fantasy series full of suspense, adventure, and a very unique and magical world. For fans of Harry Potter, The School of Good and Evil, etc. I listened to the audiobooks, and really enjoyed the narration. (children's fiction)…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Disney Adults

  Exploring (and Falling in Love With) a Magical Subculture

  Wolfe, AJ,

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  A fascinating account the often misunderstood Disney Adult subculture. The author writes candidly about her love for the company and recounts times when she relied on Disney’s ‘magic’ to get though difficult moments. She also explored what the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Night Circus

  a Novel

  Morgenstern, Erin

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  This book has genuinely beautiful prose and many magical elements. There's romance, mystery, and wonderful descriptions of magic and mystique. It's written in alternating perspectives, which takes the reader on an enjoyable ride as the story…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel

  A Novel

  Hogan, Ruth

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  Tilda grew up enchanted by the Paradise Hotel run by the vibrant, and charming Queenie Malone. She loved the guests and the atmosphere it provided. Sadly and without any warning her mother sent her off to boarding school far away from her magical…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Babel

  An Arcane History

  Kuang, R. F. (Rebecca F.),

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  This book is speculative fiction/alternate history. I adore the 4 main characters so much and all the themes within this book: imperialism, decolonization, found family, academia, coming-of-age. I also enjoyed watching the quartet of students, who…Read moreRead more of this annotation