Each week our wonderful staff share the books and music that they've been enjoying.

Lian Hingee is reading Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Our Kids Shop manager Dani has been raving about Travis Baldree's work of cosy fantasy, Legends and Lattes, ever since it came out in 2022. It took me a year, but over my holidays I finally read it, and I'm delighted to say that this unorthodox tale about a barbarian orc who hangs up her broadsword to open a coffee shop in a city that's never heard of the mighty bean is an unexpected delight. Arguably the first in what is now a burgeoning new genre of low-stakes high fantasy novels, Legends and Lattes is peopled with a cast of delightful characters: Apart from Viv the retired barbarian orc, there is also a charming succubi with a difficult past, a genius-level baker who is also a rat-creature, a curmudgeonly hob-carpenter, and a giant were-cat. The world that Baldree has created is just close enough to our own to be recognisable, and the theme – new beginnings, not judging people by their appearance, and the importance of supporting communities – are universal.

It's a warm hug – or a hot mug of coffee served with a chocolate croissant – of a book. Plus, bonus, I dragged my heels long enough that there's already a sequel – Bookshops and Bonedust – ready to go!

Mark Rubbo has been reading The Idealist by Nicholas Jose

I've been reading The Idealist by Nicholas Jose. Set in East Timor, Australia and the US it centres on Jack Treweek, a military analyst, who dies under strange circumstances. In the period leading up to the referendum in East Timor, Jack makes a number of clandestine visits and becomes embroiled in the Timorese struggle for independence. His wife Anne wants to find out why he died and what happened on his trips to East Timor.

Jose has crafted a fine political thriller in the vein of Le Carre.

Lucie Dess is reading Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

As an avid reader of young adult, I was so excited to hear Ali Hazelwood’s latest book was YA! Of course I bought it straight away! I’m not going to lie, it did sit on my shelf for a few months.

But now that I've finally read it, I can say it’s my favourite of Hazelwood’s so far! I read it in one sitting. This is a fun read about Mallory Greenleaf who reluctantly starts playing chess professionally in order to financially support her family. She has to navigate the chess world full of mysogeny and nepotism and of course, she falls in love along the way.

The way Hazelwood builds tension is honestly incredible and If you’ve read any of my previous reviews and WWRs you’ll know i’m a sucker for enemies to lovers! I also learnt a few things about chess (that I didn’t already know from The Queen’s Gambit!) I cannot recommend this book enough.