Now that Hermione has a pixie cut and is attending Oxford, Harry’s been nude onstage and we’ve developed an awkward May-December crush on Ron, we’re looking for a new series to submerse us into the world of magic.

Described as a subversive Harry Potter for grown-ups, Lev Grossman’s The Magicians introduces us to Quentin Coldwater, a melancholic genius who attends the magical Brakebills Academy and discovers the less enchanting side of wizardry, pounding back more beer than butterbeer. We’ve already pre-ordered the sequel, The Magician King for our fall reading list.

Maybe we’ll give platform 9 and ¾ just one more try…. —Jennifer Nachshen

$14.44 at Amazon.ca

Part biography, part self-help book, 2010's If You Have to Cry, Go Outside by Kelly Cutrone quickly become a bible for people launching their careers (the title says it all).

In her newly released second book, Normal Gets you Nowhere, New York-based PR maven/reality TV star/author Cutrone focuses on trailblazers who shoved the status quo aside, from Joan of Arc to Amelia Earhart. Cutrone pushes readers to release their "feminine freak" and reevaluate their values and goals to create a successful and authentic life for themselves.

She's no Oprah, but we can definitely hear her roar. —Kim Flanagan

Normal Gets You Nowhere, $16.29 at Amazon.ca

If like us, you couldn’t get enough of Patti Smith’s 2010 memoir Just Kids, a little bit more Patti just came your way.

Smith's photographer friend Judy Linn captures those gritty, poetic and romantic New York moments in her new tome, Patti Smith 1969-1976. The collection of nearly 100 black-and-white photographs include Smith at work, at play and just hanging out at home. Her Kids co-star Robert Mapplethorpe makes many appearances throughout the book, as does playwright Sam Shepard.

And Patti, as usual, without much effort couldn’t get any cooler. —MG

Patti Smith 1969-1976, from $18.77 at Amazon.ca

Save for a few ads for her fashion line, ever since The City was cancelled, Whiney Port fans have missed the charmingly clueless and leggy L.A. native.

But with the release of her first book, True Whit: Designing a Life of Style, Beauty and Fun, Port returns with anecdotes, advice and oh-so many random thoughts, all included in her tome.

In her trademark doe-eyed way, Port covers every trivial thing from up-do how-tos and signs it’s getting serious to decorating on a budget and hiding hangovers (hint: brush your hair before passing out).

It’s the lightest of light reading at best, but when Port gives us sage advice like: “Dream big, dearies, and dress the part!” you can’t help but nod in agreement.

$16.60 at Amazon.ca

Actor, director, artist, PhD candidate and soon-to-be host of the Oscars (and Best Actor nominee)—is there anything James Franco can’t do?

The scruffy heartthrob (yes, he’s got that one down too) added published writer to his resume late last year with Palo Alto. The collection of short stories centres on a group of teenagers in California who often go to extremes when it comes to the angst of adolescence. In addition to drinking, drugs and sex, there’s murder, theft and violence thrown into the mix.

The tome is an entertaining, quick read and an impressive start considering its author has a few other projects on the go. What next Franco? The colonization of Mars?

$17.55 at Amazon.ca

Seven Days in the Art World by Sarah Thornton
My book club is reading Sarah Thornton’s Seven Days in the Art World over the holidays. I’ve barely cracked the spine, but I can already tell that it’s going to be a riveting read. $14.60 at Amazon.ca
Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell
We adored Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell’s metaphysical romp across time, so we’re itching to read his latest. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet may stick to a single time period, telling the story of a clerk in a Japanese outpost of the Dutch East Indies Company, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a magical read. $21.12 at www.chapters.indigo.ca
Jennier Nachshen, Montreal editor (English edition)

An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin
Man of many talents, funny guy Steve Martin has just released his third novel, An Object of Beauty. The story follows a young and ambitious woman who takes the New York City art world by storm until finally, she comes face-to-face with circumstances no one, including her, can control. Martin, an avid art collector, also gives us the inside scoop on the art market including photos and details of some of the works discussed in the novel.
$18.80 at Amazon.ca
Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor

Essays In Love by Alain de Botton
Consider this author Descartes for the everyday. A scribe of practical subjects like work, travel and architecture, he’s smart and spot-on. This book charts his relationship with a girl from unexpected meeting to saying “I love you” with all the abstract insights on universal truths to make you “ah-ha.” $15.87 at Amazon.ca
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

Dear Diary by Lesley Arfin
Not for virgin ears (or eyes), this book chronicles the adolescent life of a suburban girl-turned-Vice Magazine columnist as she retraces her diary entries from age 12-25. Acerbic and funny, Arfin tracks  down old friends and enemies and revisits schoolyard bullying, high school drama, college experimentation and her early twenties as a heroin addict in New York City. $16.89 at Amazon.ca
Maria Tallarico, Managing editor

Need a long weekend beach read? Herewith, our editors' favourite summer page turners.

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
If Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret was your pre-teen bible, pick up Blume's more mature novel, Summer Sisters. It follows two best friends from grade school to their 30s and blends adolescent whimsy and angst with some very grown up topics. (PS: Check out Judy Blume on Twitter). $10 at Amazon.ca
Maria Tallarico, Managing editor

Angelina: An Unauthorized Biography by Andrew Morton
Members of Team Jennifer will enjoy sinking their teeth into. But we’d never diss Angie—why mess with a gal with a knife collection? $16 at Amazon.ca
Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

The Recessionista by Alexandra Lebenthal
"Too Big to Fail Goes to the Beach," is how New York Magazine's Jessica Pressler described Alexandra Lebenthal's hot summer debut novel, The Recessionistas. A fabulously juicy read. $19 at Amazon.ca
Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
From the author of High Fidelity and About a Boy, Nick Hornby’s Juliet, Naked is the author’s latest look at what happens when love, parenting and relationships get in the way of life. The story of a washed-up musician also deals with one of Hornby’s favourite subjects: music. $21 at Amazon.ca
Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor

One Day by David Nicholls
Expressed in snapshots of the same day spanning twenty years, this tale of two opposites, Dex and Em, who connect just before graduation, go their separate ways, yet stay in touch, sucked us in right from the start (perhaps because it begins with the pair bantering and snogging). $13 at Amazon.ca
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

If your favourite summer reads include steamy romance novels with a barely-clad Fabio on the cover, put down the paperbacks and pick up Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and the Marriage of the Century.

The story of “Liz and Dick” by Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger reveals the often shocking marriage of the twice married (and twice divorced) couple. Their stormy union—filled with plenty of sex, scandal, fame and fortune—began on the set of Cleopatra in 1962 and spanned over 20 years, making them the most glamorous on-again-off-again duo Hollywood has ever seen.

$18.89 at Amazon.ca

With all the one-liners your kid spouts, sometimes you feel like you have a little Letterman on your hands.

Immortalize their best observations with My Quotable Kid, a journal to help you keep track of who said what, and when. So next time little Tommy decides to tell everyone at the dinner table, "Mommy said Daddy came home late last night and has a headache from drinking too much apple juice," you can take note.

Er, maybe leave that one out of the book.

My Quotable Kid: A Parents' Journal of Unforgettable Quotes, $15 at Amazon.ca