Skylight Books

MICHAEL’S HOLIDAY CATALOG PICKS!

CARRY ON by Rainbow Rowell

Like if Harry Potter hadn't been written by a TERF. At its surface, Carry On is an enemies-to-lovers magical romance and chosen one prophecy, but it’s so much more. The magic relies upon the meaning that the spells’ words carry in everyday life, which is absolutely brilliant and centers the power of language in this extremely fun and touching novel.

THE MAGIC FISH by Trung Le Nguyen

In this gorgeously illustrated graphic novel, Trung Le Nguyen weaves fables with the story of an immigrant family from Vietnam, using a fairy tale backdrop to relate a boy to his family’s history. Deals with culture, identity, and grief in complex ways, with storytelling as graceful as dance. Heartwarming and heartbreaking from its first panel to its last.

DIRTBAG, MASSACHUSETTS by Isaac Fitzgerald

Beauty from a barstool without glorifying the grime. Dirtbag, Massachusetts is an unforgettable memoir of losing and finding oneself in the storm-tossed sea of American masculinity. Reading it is like picking up an hours-long conversation with a stranger at a bar, which is no mistake since Isaac Fitzgerald has made a habit of doing just that.

THE FORTUNES OF JADED WOMEN by Carolyn Huynh

“Because there was nothing wrong with having Vietnamese daughters. It was how the world treated them that turned it into a curse.” Centered on an estranged family in Orange County’s Little Saigon plagued by a multi-generational curse, Fortunes upends the family’s struggles in endlessly playful and hilarious prose after a psychic portends the hex is finally at its end.

MICK’S HOLIDAY CATALOG PICKS!

MANHUNT by Gretchen Felker-Martin

There have been several attempts recently to write the post-apocalyptic gender dystopia novel, but only the “filthcore queen” could pull off something this good and gruesome. Manhunt is a trans story of survival in a bitterly hostile world—not too dissimilar from our current reality, but this book captures the fascistic yearnings of TERFs in a world where a testosterone-heavy hormonal balance turns you into a feral monster. Felker-Martin writes with a brutality that belies a tender heart.

 MOON WITCH, SPIDER KING by Marlon James

James’s Dark Star Trilogy cannot be stopped. I loved the first entry in the series, Black Leopard, Red Wolf, and this installment might be even better! James is painting a dark fantasy Rashomon in blood, and Moon Witch, Spider King takes a distinctive approach to the Dark Star story, turning to political intrigue in its world of monsters and magic. Extremely violent and extremely harrowing.

 SENSOR by Junji Ito

Japanese horror master Junji Ito has always had a sense of cosmic brutalism to his stories. Uzumaki and Shiver, while not exactly plotted around destiny and the stars, have a sense of dread and fatalism to them. Sensor takes those concepts to their logical extreme, and this time-bending manga is beautiful and stands with Ito’s best.

 SOCCER IN SUN AND SHADOW by Eduardo Galeano

This is usually a summer recommendation, because the World Cup is usually held in the summer. But since it’s being held in the arid deserts of Qatar this year, that means we can add championship international fútbol to our holiday season! Eduardo Galeano’s ode to the beautiful game is definitive, so if the super-fan in your life doesn’t have this book, you know what to get them for the holidays. This. This book.

MIKE’S HOLIDAY CATALOG PICKS!

STRANGERS TO OURSELVES by Rachel Aviv

The best book I read this year. Rachel Aviv is so thorough and so thoroughly empathetic in these highly varied profiles of mental illness. She settles for no easy answers and engages with all the factors—biological, psychological, societal—that shape experience. Buy it for anyone, and read some before you give it away.

EVERYTHING I NEED I GET FROM YOU by Kaitlyn Tiffany

Perfect for the depressed millennial in your life, or anyone still obsessed with the music they loved in high school: “If I’m being really honest, their music reminds me of myself. I’m nineteen and I’m myself now. I can see the ways I’ve changed and the ways I’ve stayed the same.”

 THE ICE CREAM MAN & OTHER STORIES by Sam Pink

Sam Pink writes about shitty jobs, sketchballs, and the absurdity of Florida with economy, pace and poetic grace. He’s the real deal, and a great writer to push on your idiot younger brother, or any reluctant or out-of-the-habit readers in your life—quick, funny stories with sneaky moments of transcendence.

 SWEET DAYS OF DISCIPLINE by Fleur Jaeggy

Buy this one for yourself—a great short novel for when you’re feeling detached from holiday cheer and need to hide from your family. Sneak away, curl up with Fleur and disappear to a girls’ boarding school in Appenzell. Incredible writing on friendship, memory, and death!

NATALIE’S HOLIDAY CATALOG PICKS!

DIRECTED BY JAMES BURROWS by James Burrows

When I can’t decide what to watch, I put on the Cheers pilot. James Burrows’ career won’t ever be replicated, and the amount of television that he’s had a hand in over the years is extraordinary. If you’re tired of scrolling through your queue, this book is bursting at the seams with great shows to (re)watch.

GRIST by Abra Berens

I’ve never really been a cookbook person, but Grist is my kind of cookbook. This abundant guide—and its companion Ruffage!—is perfect for kitchen experimenters and recipe perfectors alike. Overflowing with thoughtful and delicious recipes—you can mix and match these simple ingredients to build whatever meal you’re craving.

TOMTEN: THE LORE OF THE CHRISTMAS GNOME by Danica Boyce

A perfect stocking stuffer for friends of all ages! I didn’t realize that I knew Tomten before picking up this zine—but I did! I just knew them by a different name, and you probably do too. This fun little folklore lesson will open your heart to friendly spirits and add some magic to your holiday season.

WHEN I SING, MOUNTAINS DANCE by Irene Solà; translated by Mara Faye Lethem

Imagine wandering through the Pyrenees mountains—your own life playing out before you—and then you also get to experience the scene from the point of view of every single thing you’re encountering. The black chanterelles underfoot, the roe deer that ran past you into the forest, the lightning bolts overhead, even the mountains themselves. This book is pure magic.

OLLIE’S HOLIDAY CATALOG PICKS!

BEATING HEART BABY by Lio Min

A beautifully written, heart-wrenching, wonderfully structured YA book I wish I had growing up. A great pick for the young adult in your life or maybe just a little treat for your own inner child to read and bask in for a little while. Emo.ocean lives on.

MY HEART IS A CHAINSAW by Stephen Graham Jones

Such a wild fun ride packed into this horror novel, and it’s only book one! Great gift for those who love slashers, final girls, and really REALLY messy protagonists. And the sequel is just around the corner, so getting hooked won’t be so awful.

I HATE YOU--DON’T LEAVE ME: UNDERSTANDING THE BORDERLINE PERSONALITY by Jerold J. Kreisman and Hal Straus

This book is a great start to understanding Borderline Personality Disorder, as well as how to better communicate with people who have Borderline Personality Disorder. Very informational and helpful as it has practical applications to real-life scenarios. A definite must!

BEYOND THE GENDER BINARY by Alok Vaid-Menon

A perfect stocking stuffer for EVERYONE in your life. Keep it in your back pocket, tote bag, or close to your heart; this is a perfect little book that packs a punch of information that is sure to make you know that you are valid!

RAMIRO’S HOLIDAY CATALOG PICKS!

I’D LIKE TO PLAY ALONE, PLEASE by Tom Segura

I had so much fun reading this. Best part of this book is that Tom Segura has this amazing ability to express himself without any restraints. Worst part of this book is that it’s not longer. His interactions with celebrities are some of the funniest stuff I’ve read in a long time. Just make sure you don't read it in public; people will think you’re nuts. Saludos Charro!

THE GODFATHER by Mario Puzo

What book would you take to a deserted island? Ouch! The Godfather! Especially this edition. The introduction by Francis Ford Coppola alone is worth the price of gold! This was my second read through, and I’ll be honest, this was as emotional as the first time. Why is it better than the movie? A ton of important backstory. A perfect stocking stuffer!

F*CK IT, I’LL START TOMORROW by Action Bronson

I’ve been a buff of my man’s for years. A multitalented writer, actor, chef, athlete, humanitarian, painter, designer, model, and musician. A small and inspirational glimpse into the life and habits of Action Bronson. A perfect gift to start getting motivated for the New Year.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION FOR HOLY BEINGS by Harjo, JoY

My intention is never to read Joy Harjo. Nor do I enjoy poetry in the least. But I do find myself gyrating towards Harjo’s masterworks. Especially if I’m in a foul mood or just depressed, that’s when I finally can’t keep my appetite for Joy Harjo at bay within me.

SAM’S HOLIDAY CATALOG PICKS!

BOLERO by Wyatt Kennedy and Luana Vecchio

Ahh, adventures in heartbreak. I devoured this beautiful, smutty, mind-bending graphic novel. A multiverse-key allows our queer characters 53 lifetime retries, but as they find each other across time, dimensions, and roles… will it be enough? Pairs well with: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Janelle Monáe’s Dirty Computer, King Princess, and a good cry.

THE ANATOMY OF ANXIETY by Ellen Vora

This wellness book explores mainstream medicine and holistic healing understandings of anxiety, chronic stress, and pervasive dis-eases. Out of the psych books I read this year, this one stood out by conversationally illuminating agency-based approaches to anxiety, its deeper roots, and wider implications. Pairs well with: Peter Levine, Gabor Maté, Maryam Hasnaa, Pema Chödrön, and ASMR/ambient playlists.

SADIE BARNETTE: LEGACY AND LEGEND by Sadie Barnette

Multimedia artist Barnette’s work honors and remixes the material legacies of queer elders, her father’s leadership within the Black Panthers, the state violence facing visionaries past and present, and a vibrant glowy futurism I wanna melt in. Pairs well with: Cauleen Smith’s art, Citizen by Claudia Rankine, Jamila Woods's Legacy! Legacy! album, and the Pose FX series.

 WOMAN ON THE EDGE OF TIME by Marge Piercy

This book’s haunted me for years!! In the best way… I can’t shake how relevant it remains decades later as a dystopic/utopic feminist sci-fi with more answers than questions, within an asylum and across potential futures. Pairs well with: Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower/Talents, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the Zapatistas, and anything solarpunk.

TYLER’S HOLIDAY CATALOG PICKS!

THE HUNTER by Richard Stark

First in a long series of novels by Richard Stark, The Hunter introduced readers everywhere to one of the most proficient and prolific criminal characters in all of fiction, Parker. With its sparse prose and an ever-evolving plot, you’ll happily turn page after page as you get deeper into Parker’s mission against the man who betrayed him, mob middlemen, and any other heavies who get in his way.

THE GETAWAY by Jim Thompson

As much a brutally honest portrayal of a relationship on the rocks as a crime novel. The ingenious conceit of a couple on the run, going to more and more extreme lengths to remain reunited and free when in reality they may just need to escape each other, showcases exactly what made Jim Thompson such a legend.

THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE COYLE by George V. Higgins

A crime classic told almost entirely in long stretches of stylized dialogue, capturing each individual voice with an easy verisimilitude. In the process of facilitating a string of clever bank robberies, the titular Eddie Coyle deals with a whole mess of shady characters in the Boston criminal element, including a young guy who, whether or not either can admit it, might be headed down the exact same path as old Eddie.

GET SHORTY by Elmore Leonard

Drawing from some of his own real-life experiences in Hollywood, Leonard weaves together the story of a gangster entering the film industry by force with a rare kind of flare and wit. There’s a reason I had to close with this book, out of Elmore Leonard’s many beloved works. Thematically, it ties them all together: Crime meets Movies. See, if any of these options sound interesting, I’d absolutely recommend watching their big screen adaptations to compare and contrast with the original text.

MARY’S HOLIDAY CATALOG PICKS!

THE HIGH SIERRA: A LOVE STORY by Kim Stanley Robinson

A beautiful book for anyone who loves the Sierra. In addition to his own history as a Sierra fanatic, Robinson (better known for his sci-fi, including The Mars Trilogy) gives a smattering of Sierra history and geology, and sprinkles full-color photos throughout. It’s a vivid, personal account of a love affair with a mountain range.

THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT by Maggie O’Farrell

O’Farrell’s Hamnet took the world by storm in 2020, so I’d bet the fiction lover on your list would love to unwrap this. Her prose is vivid and beautiful, as she evokes all the sights, sounds, and smells of sixteenth century Italy. Considering that she tells you up front how it’s going to end, this is a captivating, page-turner of a novel!

WINTER IN THE BLOOD by James Welch

For the Denis Johnson fan in your life. Winter in the Blood is a gorgeously written novel about the hard lives of imperfect people, including a narrator whose grief and sense of detachment lead him to act with an aimlessness that merges into recklessness. First published in 1974, this is a classic of Native American literature and a must-read.

THANK YOU, MR. NIXON: STORIES by Gish Jen

These linked short stories are each great in their own right (“It’s the Great Wall!” is a particular highlight), but together their narrators (at turns wistful, bewildered, and annoyed) beautifully illustrate the fast-changing relationship between China and the U.S., from the ’70s to the present day.

LANCE’S HOLIDAY CATALOG PICKS!

LESS IS LOST by Andrew Sean Greer

Greer’s character Arthur Less is back and he’s as lost as ever. After a devastating loss, he’s forced to go on a journey throughout the U.S., leading him back to where he’s from. In his long-awaited followup to the Pulitzer Prize–winning novel Less, Greer effortlessly brings us back into Arthur’s funny and melancholy world.

WEST WINDS by Riaz Phillips

This book made me cry looking through it. Seeing all these recipes for meals I love gave me so much joy. This book has recipes for meals I promise will be the best you’ve ever had. You will not regret having this in your kitchen!

BROWN AND GAY IN L.A. by Anthony Christian Ocampo

I love reading anything queer that doesn’t center around whiteness and this definetly scratched that itch. Ocampo offers a unique perspective on the gay experience, concentrating on men in Los Angeles who are second generation immigrants. This special book is a must read for anyone and everyone.

THE WILL TO CHANGE by bell hooks

bell hooks asks the reader what their relationship with masculinity looks like. What does masculinity look like outside the patriarchy? Why do we condemn masculinity when it, in some way, is a part of everyone’s life? Hooks has us inspect and investigate our idea of what masculinity is and what it could be.

KAVEH’S HOLIDAY CATALOG BOOKS!

STILL MISSING by Gio Castranova

Somber and silly all at once! Still Missing is both an outstanding collection of folk art and a moving catalog of the sometimes-severed, sometimes-mended bonds between people and their pets. Oh and 100% of the proceeds go to animal charities! A true labor of love from a brilliant local artist!

LET US BELIEVE IN THE BEGINNING OF THE COLD SEASON by Forough Farrokhzad; translated by Elizabeth T. Gray

“I speak from the limit of night / I speak from the limit of darkness / and of the limit of night

 “If you come to my house, O kind one, bring me a lamp / and a tiny opening through which

I might look at the crowd in the happy street”

 –from “Gift” (Hedyeh)

ANTI-DRUG PROPAGANDA edited by Gabe Fowler

Very useful information contained herein! Introduced me to so many substances to avoid and in exactly what quantities to avoid them! The pictures were so helpful! Thank you, Desert Island!

THE TRICKING HOUR by Irene Silt

No more victims, only more criminals. Please heed the words of this magnificent beneficent queen-alicent comrade, an astounding person and my hero (did you ever know?) to whom I aspire. Goodnight, Irene / Goodnight, Irene / I kiss / you in / my dreams.

JUSTIN’S HOLIDAY CATALOG PICKS!

THE HONJIN MURDERS by Seishi Yokomizo

Untranslated into English for over 70 years, this classic locked-room mystery introduces Japan’s scruffy, stammering Sherlock: Kosuke Kindaichi. Don’t mind that unkempt nest of hair; it houses one of the best analytical minds in crime-solving. A couple is murdered on their wedding night in a bizarre fashion that suggests the killer was a fan of detective novels. Perfect for hardcore fans of the genre and curious newcomers alike.

MAIGRET AND THE LAZY BURGLAR by Georges Simenon

A cozy French policier for a chilly winter night. Chief Inspector Maigret is supposed to be investigating a string of robberies, but instead the veteran detective can’t stop looking into the brutal killing of a good-natured burglar he had known. This entry in the decades-spanning Maigret series shows off Georges Simenon’s effortless knack for sharp writing and memorable characters in the framework of a cop procedural.

A MAN NAMED DOLL by Jonathan Ames

A wham-bam bullet train of a book that updates the Raymond Chandler–style L.A. detective story with idiosyncratic verve. Happy "Hank" Doll is more Doc Sportello than Philip Marlowe, with a varied assortment of pharmaceuticals fueling his investigation, as he tries to make sense of an old friend’s murder. Jonathan Ames’s narration is tinged with humor and horror, making for a wild ride through some familiar Angel City locales.

QUANTICK’S QUITE DIFFICULT QUIZ BOOK by David Quantick

Are you serious about trivia AND you have a great sense of humor? You're going to need this collection of high-difficulty quizzes from David Quantick, an Emmy Award–winning writer on Veep and idiosyncratic novelist of some note. Test yourself or use these quizzes to make trivia rounds that will delight your friends (or inspire them to plot your murder). It includes multiple Christmas quizzes!

JENN’S HOLIDAY CATALOG PICKS!

TWO WHEELS GOOD: THE HISTORY AND MYSTERY OF THE BICYCLE by Jody Rosen

For the coworker or casual acquaintance, the road user, the bipedal human. Bicycles are a common denominator. This is a biography of the bicycle as tool, toy, necessity, amusement, weapon, alternative. In the same way that bicycling down the road gives the rider a slow focus and room to think, reading this full-length exploration of a single thing is a refreshing antidote to fast information.

BREATHING FIRE: FEMALE INMATE FIREFIGHTERS ON THE FRONT LINES OF CALIFORNIA’S WILDFIRES by Jaime Lowe

For the nonfiction reader, good listener, the caring Californian. At the intersection of so many, shall we say, hot topics are the female inmate firefighters of Southern California—read their stories and you’ll never look at Malibu quite the same way again.

THE YUMIVERSE MINDFUL COLORING BOOK by Yumi Sakugawa

For the people who are being crushed with exhaustion, ground down by everything, who could use a moment, this book is a collection of moments that can pull them away from a blinding screen and the noise and the dust. The author is a longtime friend of this bookstore and I am always thrilled to see how her work resonates with people.

CHIRRI & CHIRRA IN THE NIGHT by Kaya Doi; translated by David Boyd

For the moon lover, the cat friend, the kid who drifts into sweet dreams while you read to them. Chirri & Chirra encounter the most yummy and magical things in the natural world on their bicycle adventure. Theirs is a friendly, open, and sharing community.

JAE’S HOLIDAY CATALOG PICKS!

KOREAN AMERICAN COOKING COMICS by Sungyoon Choi and Eric Watkins

Kill two local, small-business birds with one stone and without any violence! Huzzah, Skylight and SHQ! This illustrated cookbook-ish tallies the enviable, mostly home-cooked meals of a couple. Your recipient (maybe that’s you!) can find the ingredients or dishes just down the street in Ktown, supporting even more small businesses.

BUN’S COMFORT FOOD CORNER by Chu Nap

I support pretty much all cooking comics, but this is one of the better ones, with very clear recipes. The images are photographed, so you know what the process is actually supposed to look like at each step. Following along the adulting narrative through manageable steps could be useful and comforting for someone dealing with everything happening all at once.

A FROG IN THE FALL (AND LATER ON) by Linnea Sterte

From the Eisner-nominated illustrator comes this amphibian adventure. Charm everyone with a jar of hot chocolate mix and this slice of life. If you end up buying yourself a copy (as I undoubtedly will have), place it next to Phoebe Wahl’s Little Witch Hazel and blow everyone’s minds with their combined woodland textures and beyond-cuteness.

WOODLANDS DARK AND DAYS BEWITCHED: A MAP OF FOLK HORROR by Kier-La Janisse

Each of us knows (or are) the type of person who looks forward to Spooky Season all year round. And when, if not the holidays, is everyone holed up and looking forward to fictional scares and trips elsewhere that take the mind off real fears?