RECOMMENDED READS

Welcome to our literary circle, in which San Diegans pass the (printed) word on books

Tiffany Hanson

Job: Youth Services Librarian, Imperial Beach Branch,

San Diego County Library

She recommends: “The Peasant’s Dream,” by Melanie Dickerson (Thomas Nelson, 2020; 311 pages)

Why? Adela is the youngest child of Duke Wilhelm and Duchess Rose of Hagenheim. She has seen all of her older brothers and sisters find love, start families, and go on adventures. Adela wants her own adventure, and she finds it when she meets Frederick, a poor farmer who carves beautiful and intricate wooden images. Frederick doesn’t know she is the daughter of the Duke, and their friendship grows. When a suitor comes for Adela’s hand, two thieves try to involve Frederick in a kidnapping plot. As Adela’s true identity comes to light, Frederick goes on his own journey of self-discovery that will lead him either away from the woman he loves or right back into her arms.

Jenni Marchisotto

Job: Owner, Mysterious Galaxy

She recommends: “How to Catch a Queen” by Alyssa Cole (Avon Books, 2020; 384 pages)

Why? “How to Catch a Queen” marks the beginning of “Runaway Royals,” a new series spinning off of Alyssa Cole’s “Reluctant Royals” books. In this series, Shanti and Shanyu, King of Najza, are nearing the end of their marriage trial. An isolated African nation unfriendly to outsiders with a reputation for queens coming and going, Najza is nearing bankruptcy, caught between tradition and modernization. Shanti, who has spent her life studying political theory, economics and everything else queenhood entails, must do all she can to make her voice known in a country seemingly hellbent on erasing her from its history. Like all Cole’s novels, “How to Catch a Queen” is full of life, with each character carving out their own identity amid political drama, emotional reckonings and, of course, love. Shanti and Shanyu are a welcome addition to Cole’s contemporary pantheon of African royalty.