Perks of Being a Book Selector

One of the best things about my job? I get to learn about new books before they even hit the shelves—sometimes I even snag an early read! The downside? There are just way too many to get through. Enter this blog, my way of keeping track of what I want to read and sharing the gems I’ve already enjoyed.

I’m terrible at blogging, so I’m keeping it simple:

  • Three books per post
  • Quick overviews—no deep dives
  • No judgment—every book has its reader, and I’m just here to play matchmaker.

Let’s dive into the first three!

The Last Dangerous Visions 
edited by Harlan Ellison
People always ask me which books have had the biggest impact on my life. While I can’t choose just one, Harlan Ellison’s Dangerous Visions series always makes the cut. These sci-fi short stories were too weird for mainstream publishers—my kind of weird. And now, 50 years later, The Last Dangerous Visions has finally arrived, with stories collected by Ellison and new ones commissioned by J. Michael Straczynski. If you’re into strange and mind-bending sci-fi, this is your next read.


The Nightmare Box and Other Stories
by Cynthia Gomez
I virtually attended a talk by Sylvia Moreno Garcia—huge fan moment—and she recommended The Nightmare Box by Cynthia Gómez. It’s a “magic-soaked love letter to Oakland, brimming with feminist rage.” Yeah, I’m all in. If you love horror anthologies or modern Latine culture with a twist of the uncanny, you’ll want to grab this one.


Currently Reading:
The Staircase in the Woods
by Chuck Wendig
NetGalley hooked me up with an early read of The Staircase in the Woods—it’s like skipping the line at a club, and I’m loving it. Think Stranger Things meets Stephen King’s IT. A group of friends reunites years after a wild party where one of them disappeared up a mysterious staircase. Now, they’re trying to find him. If you’re into 90s nostalgia, horror, and eerie mysteries, add this to your TBR. Coming out in April of 2025.


And that’s it for now. Three books, three vibes—get them at your library!