At NoveList, every recommendation begins with a love of stories. Our team, made up of librarians, authors, and devoted readers, takes the time to handpick books that feel just right. We know that reading is personal, and that’s why we focus on what makes a story truly connect.
This is the third installment of our new series where we’re introducing you to the people behind the recommendations and asking them to share a book to recommend. Here's the first post and second post, in case you missed them.
Camille came to NoveList from the State Archives of North Carolina, where she worked in digital archives, and spent thirteen years in libraries.
Describe the work you do for NoveList in a few short sentences.
I am a product manager for our NoveList databases. I get the feedback from our users and work with our development team to come up with solutions and improvements to our products. I love that I get to divide my time between getting to know our users and learning about their work and challenges and then getting to spend a lot of time problem solving.
What’s the title and author of the book you recommend?
VenCo by Cherie Dimaline
In a few sentences, what is this book about?
VenCo is fantasy novel about a secret network of witches who are on a mission to restore women’s power while operating under the cover of a headhunting firm. The protagonist, Lucky St. James, discovers she is a witch and must take to the road with her grandmother, who suffers from dementia, to find the last witch to complete the coven and restore women’s power. It is part fantasy novel and part road trip story, and definitely my favorite book I read in 2025.
Why do you love this book? What made it stand out to you?
I love fantasy novels that have roots squarely in real world problems. The women in the book are an incredibly diverse group with very real-world problems and watching them save the day was the boost I needed at the time I read it. VenCo also has lots of exciting twists and turns and, honestly, I never knew what was going to happen next or how the coven would succeed.
Who would you recommend this book to?
I think fans of the Legendborn series by Tracey Deonn will really love VenCo. Also, if you like urban fantasy and indigenous stories, VenCo is a must-read.
If you could invite one character from this book to dinner, where would you take them and why?
Lucky’s grandmother, Stella, was so fun, I’d love to have dinner with her to hear her stories, probably at my favorite barbeque restaurant. She doesn’t seem to be impressed by lots of frills, but she would really appreciate some delicious homecooked food.
Describe the perfect setting for reading this book.
In a roadside diner with a cup of coffee. Or in a cozy chair at night with a cup of tea after everyone else has gone to bed. Or... with your own coven of girlfriends!
Do you have any other messages for readers?
A big thank you to all our users who have taken the time to talk with us or share feedback and thoughts about NoveList Plus in 2025. I can’t wait to hear more about what you all think in 2026!
Angela Hursh is the Manger of the Library Marketing Content and Services team at NoveList. She just finished reading Every Day I Read: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books by Hwang Bo-Reum.
Camille Tyndall Watson is an Agile Product Owner at NoveList. She is currently reading All Fours by Miranda July.
