Good Reads & Views

A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny
Fiction

What it’s about: In the village of Three Pines a bricked up-room is discovered that contains a copy of a 17th century painting, The Paston Treasure, but with some modern additions. At the same time, Chief Inspector Gamache revisits his first case with this second-in-command and now son-in-law, Jean Guy Beauvoir, and travels even further back in time to a mass slaying at Montreal's École Polytechnique, when Gamache was just starting out in the police force.

Reviewers say: Kirkus calls this “one of Penny's best. Penny will have you turning the pages as fast as you can to see how she'll manage to tie everything together”; “blends nuanced characterization with nail-biting suspense” (Publishers Weekly).

Here's a taste: "Everyone, he knew, had one. A locked room. Either in their home, or their head, or their heart. Where things that should never see the light of day lived, and waited. For their chance to escape."

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Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 
Fiction 

What it’s about: Enter the deadly kingdom of Navarre which lies behind protective wards and its elite dragon riders. Behind the walls of Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail has spent her life preparing to be a Scribe, until her mother and commanding general forces her to enter the Riders Quadrant. Each cadet must pass several dangerous assignments before becoming a true dragon rider. Violet must use every ounce of her intelligence and find her own ways to survive each task. This new fantasy series will have you on the edge of your seat with heart pounding action, moments brimming with tension, romance, well-crafted characters, and is bursting with magic and dragons that will leave you awestruck.  

Read this if you like: The deadly competitiveness of The Hunger Games, the wonderful array of dragons in How to Train You Dragon, and the dark fantasy academic setting of Zodiac Academy. 

Sneak Peak: “A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead. Once bonded, riders can’t live without their dragons, but most dragons can live just fine after us. It’s why they choose carefully…The red dragon on the left opens its vast mouth, revealing teeth as big as I am. Fire erupts along its tongue, then shoots outward in a macabre blaze toward the fleeing cadet. He’s a pile of ash on the gravel before he can even make it to the shadow of the keep. Sixty-eight dead.”  

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Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings by Liz Ireland
Fiction

What it’s about: When widowed April met Nick Claus at her Oregon inn, she never dreamed he was part of the Claus family – in fact, holder of the title “Santa” himself. Now Mrs. Claus lives near the North Pole in a land inhabited by elves and snowmen. When one of the elves is murdered, suspicion falls on Nick. When Inspector Jake Frost (not Jack) starts finding clues pointing to Nick, April knows she has to find the truth to clear her husband. But she has only known him for a few months – what if she has married a murderer? 

Reviewers say: “This fun, well-plotted mystery is the perfect holiday entertainment” (Publisher’s Weekly). 

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The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
YA Fiction

What’s it about: Teenager Belly has spent every summer she can remember at Cousins Beach. Summers are for family, laying by the pool, playing on the beach, and crushing hard on Conrad. This is the first summer that Belly is old enough to hang out with the older kids and she’s ready to show how grown up she’s become. Besides Conrad, there is his brother Jeremiah who has always been just a friend to Belly, but this summer everything could change.  

Why you might like it: If you have read Jenny Han’s To All the Boys, I’ve Loved Before, this series will not disappoint. This is young love in its finest form set during the summer and perfect to lounge by the pool with.  

Good to know: The first book has been turned into a TV series on Amazon Prime and season 2 started July 14.

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Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley
YA Fiction

What is it? A riveting page-turner featuring an Indigenous teen dealing with issues of predatory colonialism, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), first crushes, and family secrets.

What it’s about: Boulley returns to Michigan’s Sugar Island and the Firekeeper family ten years after the action of her hit thriller Firekeeper’s Daughter in this gripping stand-alone YA novel. A jeep accident wrecks Perry’s plans to spend the summer fishing; she owes her Aunt Daunis for car repairs and now she’s stuck working a summer internship at the tribal museum. Despite her original resistance, Perry becomes engrossed in issues related to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) when she learns that a local collector is using legal loopholes to unjustly retain Anishinaabe artifacts and remains. A daring plan to repatriate these artifacts takes a dangerous turn and leads to a connection to local missing and murdered women.

Why you might like it: Characters are vividly drawn--Perry is delightfully snarky and self-aware and supporting characters are experiencing realistic, complicated life challenges. Critical issues like MMIW, sexual assault, grooming, and cultural heritage ground this fast-paced yet thought-provoking heist narrative.

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Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline
Fiction

What it’s about: In full disclosure, I’m a big fan of Scottoline but Loyalty was not at all what I had anticipated, leaving me off balance for a significant portion of the book. Lisa speaks with a much different voice in this work than in her usual. Loyalty is a well-researched, extremely accurate look at every aspect of life in Sicily in the very early 19th century.

Why you might like it: The Mafia storyline is only one of several, all of which focus on “loyalty.” All the main characters find themselves in difficult life circumstances. How they survive, whether they win or lose, provides powerful outcomes with messages that will stick with you.

You might also like: Someone Knows by Lisa Scottoline

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The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
Fiction

What’s it about:  “The Five-Star Weekend [is] a story of friendship, self-discovery, and forgiveness—all set against an idyllic Nantucket background and bursting with glorious food descriptions. Hollis Shaw is the creator of the popular food blog Hungry with Hollis—think Ina Garten, but online. After her husband dies in a car accident, Hollis’ (alleged) domestic perfection crumbles, and she plans a girls-only weekend at her Nantucket beach house. Cue the chardonnay, secrets, and Lilly Pulitzer. While this book could easily fall into the predictable, this fresh and diverse cast of characters keeps the reader on their toes until the very end. Bring on all the five-star puns, because Hilderbrand’s latest delivers” (Sarah Gelman, Amazon Editor).

Reviewers say: "A dreamy Nantucket house party given by a meticulous hostess goes off the rails....The people in her books may screw up, but Hilderbrand always gets it right...Amazing" (Kirkus Reviews).

You might also like: The Happiness Plan by Susan Mallery or Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner.

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The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey
Nonfiction  

What it’s about: Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey will probably always be best known as Pam and Angela from The Office, but in this heartfelt and exuberant memoir, they share the story of their real-life friendship and their love of their work. You’ll hear the true stories of how famous scenes were filmed, as well as humorous and surprising tales of the making of the show.   

Why you might like it: If you enjoy behind-the-scenes memoirs, workplace chronicles, or books about the creative process, this book is for you. It’s also a great narrative of friendship, with the authors telling the story as if they’re sitting in the room with you. Highly recommended on audio! 

You might also like: If you’re a fan of The Office, there are several other great memoirs by cast members and creators, all of which are excellent as audiobooks: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling, The Bassoon King: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy by Rainn Wilson, and Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office by Brian Baumgartner and Ben Silverman.  

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What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World's Most Enigmatic Birds by Jennifer Ackerman
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Science writer Ackerman discusses the biology and history of owls around the globe, those mysterious symbols of wisdom and knowledge (and Harry Potter fame).

Reviewers say: “There's fascinating trivia on every page (owls perform "sophisticated mathematical computations" to pinpoint prey by sound, and some owl attacks on humans may be attempts to play), making for a revelatory glimpse into the lives of the "enigmatic" raptors. Bird lovers will be enthralled” (Publishers Weekly).

Suggestion: If you listen to the audio version, also get the book for the owl pictures; if you read the book, get the audio for the owl sounds.

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River Woman, River Demon by Jennifer Givhan
Fiction

What it’s about: Eva Santos Moon is a flourishing Chicana artist who has suddenly hit creative stagnation. Even with her practice in the ancient spiritual ways of brujeria she finds herself struggling with a disconnect to her magickal roots, her art, and sudden blackouts. Her husband, her rock and father that holds the family together, is shockingly taken into custody as a potential murder suspect of their family friend. Eva finds herself not knowing who to trust, the police, herself, or her husband. As she fights to keep her family safe, she turns to her magick to protect them while confronting her dark past.

What critics are saying:  “In River Woman, River Demon, Givhan writes: ‘For us folks of color, conjuring isn’t entertainment; it’s the brass key pointing us to freedom.’ And with this novel Givhan wholly embodies this thesis, manifesting a richly textured exploration of personal pain, trauma, and loss, while capturing that slippery dreamlike beyond that people of color feel in our bones. River Woman, River Demon is a major working, a novel both visceral and revelatory” (Cadwell Turnbull, award-winning author of No Gods, No Monsters).

You might also like: The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Cordova.

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It Happened One Summer (#1) by Tessa Bailey 
Fiction

What’s it about: Piper Bellinger is a socialite who finds herself in trouble with not only the law, but also her wealthy stepfather. To teach her a lesson, he cuts Piper off and sends her to her birth father’s hometown where she decides to makeover his rundown bar. With the help of Piper’s sister Hannah, the girls learn about their deceased father and reconnect to their past. If you are into enemies to lovers, this book is for you.  

Good to know: This was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance 2021. This is also the first book in the series of the Bellinger Sisters. Book two is called Hook, Line, and Sinker and was also nominated for a Good Reads Choice Award for Best Romance 2022.

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Dying in the Wool by Frances Brody
Fiction

What it’s about: Kate Shackleton is a widow who lost her husband in World War I. Now, in 1922, she spends her time as an amateur sleuth helping find missing people. An old friend, Tabitha Braithwaite, is about to get married and she wants Kate to locate her father who has been missing since 1916. Kate agrees and starts sniffing around the mill town of Bridgestead where Joshua Braithwaite went missing. With her trusty camera in hand, Kate starts questioning the townspeople, and turning up things that someone wants to keep buried. Did Joshua start a new life he wants to keep secret, or did someone kill him all those years ago?

Reviewers say: Frances Brody “introduces a refreshingly complex heroine and adds a fine feeling for the postwar period" (Kirkus Reviews).

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Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
Fiction

Read this if you like: Genre blending, the movie Everything Everywhere All at Once, and stories about chosen family, music, and the L.A. food scene, especially donuts.

Featuring: Katrina Nguyen, a runaway trans girl who is an untrained but naturally gifted violinist; Shizuka Satomi, an infamous violin teacher--dubbed the Queen of Hell--who made a nasty bargain with a demon and is searching for a seventh soul to turn in for her own, and Lan Tran, the matriarch of a space alien family running a donut shop that's also a star gate.

What happens? Shizuka discovers Katrina and becomes her mentor with the intention of using Katrina as her final sacrificial soul. But Shizuka’s heart is softened when she develops a crush on Lan, who is simply trying to protect her children from the ravages of a galactic war. Katrina wants to be safe, play her violin, and be herself. An adventurous blend of science fiction and fantasy that’s a hopeful story about identity, acceptance, and understanding.

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Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
YA Fiction

What it’s about: Girl in Pieces is both heart wrenching and redemptive. As soon as I picked up this book, I didn’t want to put it down…except to take some breaks when my heart felt wrecked. It was beautifully written and truly gives an accurate depiction of mental health and what it’s like to struggle with self-harm, depression, sexual abuse, and alcoholism.

Is it for you? It reminds you that sometimes bad things happen in life, but with supportive friends you can overcome pain and heartache to embrace life to its fullest.

You might also like: You’d Be Home Now by Kathleen Glasgow

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Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Fiction  

What’s it about:  When 2 brilliant scientists, Elizabeth Zott and Calvin Evans, fall in love in the 1960s, she cooks him meals in exchange for sharing his home. When their relationship is tragically cut short, she lands a job as the chef of a television show, allowing her to support their daughter, Madeline. With the help of a forthright neighbor, a loyal TV producer, and an astute dog, Elizabeth forges a new path. 

Reviewers say: “[An] energetic debut...A more adorable plea for rationalism and gender equality would be hard to find” (Kirkus Reviews).

You might also like: Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict or Mr. & Mrs. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel.

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Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Fiction

What it’s about: When Sally, a cynical-about-love TV writer for a Saturday Night Live-type show, meets Noah, the pop star who is that week’s special guest, sparks fly… but then sparks die when her sharp remarks extinguish them. But when he sends her a flirty email a couple of years later, a romance begins and she wonders if this might be the real thing.

Why you might like it: Filled with complex characters and sparkling banter, this romantic comedy actually contains comedy. Sally’s wry outlook and wit shine in this funny, romantic, and engaging story. Also, Sally’s workplace provides a fascinating look into the life of a TV writer on a late-night show.

Book buzz: Sittenfeld “consistently proves herself as one of the most readable contemporary novelists. Her books are impossible to put down, and the characters will continue to swim around in readers' minds long after the final chapters”(Library Journal).

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The Everyday Gourmet: The Joy of Mediterranean Cooking by Bill Briwa
Nonfiction

Who it’s for: People who like to cook and people who like to watch other people cook. And people who like to eat, of course.

What it is: A combo of one book and 3 DVDs. The DVDs show all the food being made, and the book covers what was shown on the DVDs and includes all the wonderful recipes, with pictures. You'll want to try these recipes. Lessons include food from Northern, Central, and Southern Italy, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Greece, Istanbul, and the South of France.

Good to know: This is part of the Great Courses Everyday Gourmet series which is available for viewing on kanopy, with your Batavia Public Library card.

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From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata
Fiction

What it’s about: An epic contemporary romance set in the world of competitive figure skating. Jasmine Santos and Ivan Lukov have known each other for years, and not in the best of terms. After years of bantering and bickering with each other, Jasmine is offered the opportunity to become partners in pair skating. Jasmine has had some rough and unsuccessful years behind her and would give anything for another chance to prove her worth on the ice and finally win. So, when Ivan, a championship pair skater, offers her a partnership, she worries that he may have a hidden agenda. Or that Ivan is more than the arrogant skater he seems.

Why you might like it: The slow-burn of all slow-burn romances and a great enemy to lover’s style trope to boot. This novel also touches on the challenges and joys of family dynamics and relationships. Great choice for those who were also fans of Netflix’s Spinning Out.

You might also like: Icebreaker by Hannah Grace & In the Penalty Box by Lynn Rush.

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And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham
Nonfiction

What it’s about:  It may be hard for people today to realize how much of our country’s history hung on the slavery/antislavery issue, but it consumed the politics and social life of the US the first 60 years of the 19^th century. Meacham shows how Lincoln’s position on slavery grew over the years leading up to and including the Civil War. He also, with quotations from famous and not-so-famous people, lays out how the sides were drawn.

Reviewers say:  “Richly detailed and gracefully written, this is an essential reminder that ‘progress can be made by fallible and fallen presidents and peoples’" (Publisher’s Weekly).

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Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland
Fiction 

Why this book: A perfect read for those who daydreamed about vacationing in the Catskills (Dirty Dancing anyone??). For sixty years the Golden Hotel has been owned by the Goldman and Weingold families. With the older generation getting older, the hotel and its legacy is up in the air. The younger generation isn’t into all the hard work that goes into preserving and running the hotel and buyers have come a knocking with plans to tear it down and build luxury resorts. Will the two families do everything in their power to save the hotel, or will they let the legacy of the hotel live in the past? 

Reviewers say: “Friedland brings laughs and nuance to the family foibles and demonstrates a wide range in her convincing narration from the many points of view. Breezy and charming, this is great fun” (Publishers Weekly).

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Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
Fiction

What is it? This fairy tale with a feminist twist features all the required elements: three princesses ripe for marrying off to the nearest prince; three impossible tasks; a witch, a fairy godmother, and an errant knight, and like all fairy tales it has a sliver of darkness running through it.

What happens? Princess Marra is content to work and learn in the convent, but when her two older sisters suffer at the hands of a powerful and abusive prince, she sets out on a journey of revenge and rescue. Along the way she assembles a rag tag crew to aid her mission—a bone dog, a grave witch and her demonically possessed chicken, a disgraced ex-knight, and a reluctant fairy godmother whose wishes sometimes become deadly curses. A funny, sweet, and deeply satisfying romp.

Critics say: “The plot snaps along as quickly as a good joke, and beneath the whimsy, there’s an underlying sympathy and sincerity that enables Kingfisher to handle tricky issues like domestic violence with great compassion and care” (Publishers Weekly); “…clever and bold-hearted...Marra's hard-fought journey from third-string princess to hero will delight fantasy readers” (Jaclyn Fulwood, Shelf Awareness).

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All the Days of Summer by Nancy Thayer
Fiction

What it’s about: I love when you read a book and it feels so realistic. All of Nancy Thayer’s books are beautifully written with many layers of emotion and wit. They always include well-rounded characters who have both strengths and frailties. This story explores the relationship between a mother and the woman her son chooses to marry, which is a complicated one, charged with complexities and hurdles.

Why you might like it: There are twists and turns that keep the story interesting and the emotion real.

You might also like: Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer.

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Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
Fiction

What it’s about: After a difficult childhood in foster care and orphanages, Samantha is surprised to learn that a mysterious benefactor has offered to pay for her to attend journalism school—and the only requirement is that she write letters to update him on her progress. In her lively correspondence, she describes her challenging academic work, as well as her friendship with a handsome author.

Why you might like it: If you enjoy character-driven novels, you’ll appreciate the ways Samantha grows stronger over the course of this old-fashioned, modern-day romance. Filled with warm, kind people and set in Chicago, this novel offers smart comfort reading. 

You might also like: Readers of Jane Austen and Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster (available on the Libby app) will enjoy the Austen quotes that fill this novel, as well as the nod to the classic children’s book by Jean Webster.

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Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Fiction 

What’s it about: “In the tiny forest community of Beartown, the possibility that the amateur hockey team might win a junior championship, bringing the hope of revitalization to the fading town, is shattered by the aftermath of a violent act that leaves a young girl traumatized” (Novelist).

About the Author: Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, Us Against You, and The Winners, book 2 and 3 in the Beartown series.  His books have been published in more than forty countries. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children.  

You might also like:  Faith by Jennifer Haigh or All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin

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Retirement Reboot: Commonsense Financial Strategies for Getting Back on Track by Mark Miller
Nonfiction 

What's it about? An easy-to-read book that offers nine practical retirement strategies. Includes advice on how to become an “active citizen” and the author’s views on extending, not contracting, Medicare and Social Security.

Who should read it: Anyone who wants to improve their prospects for retirement and get a handle on their finances in their remaining working years and beyond.

About the author: Mark Miller is a journalist, author, and podcaster considered a top expert on retirement and aging. He contributes regularly to the New York Times “Retiring” column, which appears in the Sunday edition, where they are among the best-read personal finance stories in the paper. He also writes monthly national columns on retirement for Reuters, Morningstar, and Wealth Management magazine.

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Stay Awake by Megan Goldin
Fiction  

The Plot: Liv Reese wakes up in the backseat of a cab with no recollection of how she got there, her last memory being 2 years ago. A stranger is now living in what was once her apartment and she finds herself on the run for a crime she doesn’t remember committing. Trying to piece together the lost memories and the notes she leaves herself written on her hands and arms, Liv must figure out who she can and cannot trust and how to clear her name.  

Tell me more: This novel keeps the reader constantly guessing and creates a sense of paranoia and suspense. As the plot opens, Liz is in a New York City she thinks she remembers and soon realizes that not only does she not recall the last two years, but her short term memory erases itself when she falls asleep. Is she a murderer, is she in danger, or both?  

Reviewers say: “Shocking twists and resourceful, well-drawn female characters keep the pages turning as the clever mystery unfolds. Goldin reliably entertains” (Publishers Weekly). “This thriller may cause readers to lose sleep so they can find out who is the true killer!” (LibraryReads).  

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Heartstopper (Volume One & Two) by Alice Oseman 
YA Graphic Novel 

What’s it about: Life has been hard for Charlie (an openly gay kid at an all-boys school). After he came out, he was bullied and treated poorly by his classmates. With the help of his friends and family, he was able to overcome it. After getting to know an upper classman, Nick, Charlie joins the rugby team and the two boys become fast friends. Charlie begins to have feelings for Nick and questions whether Nick (who is questioning his sexuality) feels the same in return. This is a sweet story of finding out who you are and young love.  

Good to know: This graphic novel series has been adapted into a TV show on Netflix. Season 1 follows volumes one and two and has a lot of the same heart and humor of the graphic novel series.  

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The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray 
Fiction

What it’s about: Jane Austen fans rejoice! Claudia Gray has brought together beloved characters from across Austen’s novels in a historical mystery. Mr. and Mrs. Knightley are having a house party and have invited characters from other Austen books. From the title, readers already know who gets killed, but will be on pins and needles – is their favorite character the murderer? Readers don’t have to be an Austenite to enjoy this historical mystery. 

Reviewers say: “There's so much fun to be had in this reimagined Austen world--and the mystery is so strong--that one can only hope, dear reader, that more books will follow” (Booklist); “A captivating production that's perfect for readers who enjoy historical mysteries and for those Austen fans who'd love to see Mr. Wickham's ultimate comeuppance” (Library Journal).

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California Girls by Susan Mallery
Fiction

What it’s about: This book has it all. Three sisters that have a full life ahead of them and then, in a matter of seconds their lives are turned upside down. There are multiple romance story lines. Susan Mallery does a wonderful job of seamlessly switching between different points of view. The characters are diverse, and it's effortless to tell who's telling each part of the story. From the beginning to the end, it was a fun and fabulous read.

Is it for you? If you’re looking for an easy summer read, a nice distraction, without violence, you’ll enjoy this book.

You might also like: Nantucket Sisters by Nancy Thayer.

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Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe
Fiction

What it’s about: Building 4950 of the Robert Taylor Homes, where 12-year-old FeFe Stevens lives with her family, is next in line to be torn down by the Chicago Housing Authority. FeFe and her best friends Stacia, whose family gang rules the building, and Precious, a church friend, plan to spend their last summer on State Street double-dutch jump roping and exploring the deteriorating projects. When FeFe welcomes a new girl, Tonya, to the group despite Stacia’s dislike of her, the dynamics of the friendship change, altering their lives forever. Compassionate and tragic, this tender and uplifting chronicle of Chicago girlhood is reminiscent of Jacquelyn Woodson’s work.

Critics say: “This is a powerful novel about injustice, the institutional racism that is the foundation of the projects and their policing, and survival... Tragic, hopeful, brimming with love, Wolfe’s debut is a remarkable achievement” (The New York Times); “Wolfe’s deeply compelling characters, sharply wrought settings, and tightly choreographed plot create a concentrated, significant, and unforgettable tale of family, home, racism, trauma, compassion, and transcendence” (Booklist).

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Endless Summer: Stories from Days That Last Forever by Elin Hilderbrand
Fiction

What’s it about: "One wonders what the author of 28 novels, sometimes appearing at the rate of two per year, does in her spare time. It turns out she writes what might almost be called Elin Hilderbrand fan fiction, creating short stories piggybacking off already-developed characters and plots....[Endless Summer is] a generous gift to fans" (Kirkus Reviews).

Reviewers say: “Bask in the brilliance of the 'queen of beach reads'" (New York Magazine).

You might also like: Summer Love by Nancy Thayer or The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner

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I Know Who You Are: How an Amateur Sleuth Unmasked the Golden State Killer and Changed Crime Fighting Forever by Barbara Rae-Venter 
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Nearly every week, there’s a news story about a decades-old murder that’s been solved using genetic genealogy. Barbara Rae-Venter gives us a suspenseful, behind-the-scenes look into this remarkable crime-solving technique that she helped pioneer.  

Why you might like it: Whether you’re a true crime reader, a science enthusiast, or a genealogy researcher, you’ll find this story riveting. Rae-Venter describes how she blended the knowledge from her biotech career with genealogical research techniques to discover the identity of an unknown relative—which then evolved into using DNA results to identify criminals. While genealogical research isn’t usually considered dramatic, her involvement in cracking the high-profile Golden State Killer and Bear Brook cases will have you turning the pages fast. (She identified the Golden State Killer in only 63 days!) 

Book buzz: “Her chronicle is a solid testament to the evolution of genetic forensic science and how it has made investigators more effective in apprehending criminals, both from cold cases and those in real time. It’s also an examination of corrupted humanity gone haywire and the thrill and release of an abuser being brought to justice” (Kirkus Reviews).

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Fairy Tale: A Novel by Stephen King
Fiction 

What it’s about: 17-yr. old Charlie befriends an elderly recluse and his dog. When the recluse dies, Charlie inherits the dog, Radar, and the house, including a shed that is the portal to another world. It is into this world Charlie needs to travel to turn back the clock on the life of the dying Radar. And what a magical - but dangerous - world it turns out to be...

Reviewers say: “Narnia on the Penobscot: a grand, and naturally strange, entertainment from the ever prolific King…A tale that's at once familiar and full of odd and unexpected twists--vintage King, in other words” (Kirkus Reviews).

Good to know: Excellent on audio. Seth Numrich won the 2023 Audie award for Best Male Narrator for Fairy Tale.

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The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest
Fiction

What it’s about: Lily Greene is a shy bookworm who ends up falling for her favorite fantasy novelist, N.R. Strickland, that she has been emailing back and forth with for months - until one day he ghosts her. Attempting to move on from her online heartbreak, Lily strikes up a conversation with her handsome new neighbor, Nick Brown. They immediately feel instant rapport, passion, and familiarity neither can quite place. Nick has his reasons for keeping secrets, can he find a way to be honest with Lily?  

Why you might like it: This satisfying “You’ve got mail” styled romantic comedy is perfect for those who enjoy novels set in the writing and publishing world. The story also fits into the forced proximity and friends to lover’s trope.  

You might also like: Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley and Book Lovers by Emily Henry.

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You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories About Racism by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar 
Nonfiction

 What’s it about: Known for her work on Late Night with Seth Meyers and her own show The Amber Ruffin Show, Amber Ruffin and her sister Lacey Lamar write a humorous collection of stories on racism. Racism is never a funny topic to read about but Amber and Lacey recount stories from their past that has the reader questioning if it really happened. Tales of people touching their hair (never do that), to thinking Lacey looks like Harriet Tubman (she doesn’t), and eye-opening stories on how far we haven’t come when dealing with racism.  

Why you might like it: Suggested for those who enjoy humorous celebrity memoirs or audiobooks read by the author. This was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Humor 2021.  

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The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty
Fiction

What it’s about:  The notorious pirate of the Indian Ocean, Amina al-Sirafi, has retired and wants to raise her daughter in peace. Then someone connected to her piratical past appears and demands Amina rescue her kidnapped granddaughter. Amina reluctantly agrees, and in quick succession is rounding up members of her old crew and gaining a ship. The kidnapper is a sorcerer, so the battles that follow are not your usual sea epic!   

Reviewers say: “If readers are not won over by the playful plot twists and thrilling action sequences, they will fall for the charmingly crooked cast and dry humor” (Publishers Weekly); “Chakraborty creates a world of high stakes and action, enhanced by its excellent representation of Southwest Asian and North African culture, as well as its challenge to gender roles” (Booklist).

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What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline
Fiction

What it’s about: To say that there are surprises in this novel would be an understatement. Just when you think you may have figured out what is happening, Scottoline throws in an unfathomable plot twist. The Bennett family are the victims of a carjacking gone wrong. And then, as it happens, it is far from simple and possibly not even a carjacking. Within the first few words you are pulled in and feel as if you are a part of the family and their lives. It is so well written that tears will flow, as if you are there experiencing it with them. You will not want to put the book down until you finish reading it. 

Why you might like it: It’s suspenseful, thrilling, heart-wrenching, action-packed, and full of plot twists.

You might also like: Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline.

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Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life by Alice Wong
Nonfiction

What it is: This memoir is an “impressionistic scrapbook” of Wong’s life as an Asian American disabled activist. Wong, who uses a wheelchair and a BIPAP ventilator machine (“I became Darth Vader,” she quips when she acquires the machine) due to a neuromuscular disability, has drawn together a powerful collection of original essays, interviews, blog posts, personal photos, and artwork by disabled artists that address what it’s like to navigate in an ableist society. Wong is the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, an online community dedicated to creating, sharing, and amplifying disability media and culture.

Why you might like it: Alice’s candor and ferocity make space and understanding for people living with disabilities. She shares her family stories, her history of “accidental" activism, and her love of pop culture, food, and cats with humor, playfulness, and creativity. Her wit, honesty and rage create an intimate and enlightening portrait of what it is like to face the obstructions and joys of living in a world made for the able-bodied. Empowering and entertaining.

You might also like: Being Heumann by Judith E. Heumann, an intimate and irreverent memoir by the “mother” of the Disability Rights Movement; Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig, a nuanced and lyrical memoir, and the funny and edgy Golem Girl by Rita Lehrer.

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You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
Fiction

What’s it about: “Shay Miller wants to find love, but it eludes her. She wants to be fulfilled, but her job is a dead end. She wants to belong, but her life is increasingly lonely. Until Shay meets the Moore sisters. Cassandra and Jane live a life of glamorous perfection, and always get what they desire. When they invite Shay into their circle, everything seems to get better”(Amazon).

Reviewers say: "Masterfully escalates the suspense...keep[s] the reader guessing until the end. A great follow-up" (Booklist - starred review).

About the Author: “GREER HENDRICKS is the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller The Wife Between Us, An Anonymous Girl. Prior to becoming a novelist, she spent over two decades as an editor at Simon & Schuster. SARAH PEKKANEN is the internationally and USA Today bestselling author of several novels, including The Wife Between Us, The Perfect Neighbors and The Best of Us. A former investigative journalist and feature writer, her work has been published in The Washington Post, USA Today, and many others.” (Amazon)

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The Wolf and the Watchman by Natt Och Dag
Fiction

What it's about: When a mutilated corpse is discovered in a local swamp in 18th-century Stockholm, a disabled ex-soldier and a lawyer with tuberculosis work together to unmask the murderer and prevent another killing.

Reviewers say: "Natt och Dag writes sensory, horror-inducing descriptions of the lives and deaths of the poor inhabitants of Stockholm. At the same time, his characters almost spring off the page, they are so human and so fully realized. Natt och Dag doesn't apologize for human nature, nor does he excuse our crimes and basest cruelties, but his deep dive into the dark corners of our psyches, as well as this harsh time in history, is both chilling and thought-provoking. Relentless, well-written, and nearly impossible to put down” (Kirkus Reviews).

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Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World by Gretchen Rubin 
Nonfiction 

What it’s about: Have you ever driven home and realized you can’t remember anything about the drive? This engaging book will inspire you to awaken your senses so you see the bright-colored tulips, hear the honking geese, and smell the budding trees. In a lively, conversational tone, Rubin describes her own awakening, which involved experiences such as a sound bath, tasting parties, and the luxury of visiting a museum repeatedly.  

Why you might like it: While some self-improvement books ask a lot of the reader, this book invites you to take small steps to enrich your life through sensory experiences. In other words, it’s easy to do these things. For example, you can really, really pay attention to eating an amazing food, or pause for one minute to pay attention to all the textures around you.

You might also like: Check out Rubin’s The Happiness Project and Happier at Home, which have a similar structure. Also, Melody Warnick’s This Is Where You Belong invites readers to truly appreciate the place where they live.   

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From Blood and Ash  by Jennifer Armentrout
YA Fiction

What it’s about: The Maiden is revered and hidden from society before her Ascension, the most important day of her life. Her every move is controlled by the Duke and Duchess, even her own powers. Aching for freedom and excitement she sneaks away and comes face to face with a handsome young guard, little does she know he will eventually change her entire course and everything she was taught to believe. Meanwhile, rumblings of unrest in the Kingdom and the constant threat of The Dark One loom and threaten the lives of everyone.  

Tell me more: The first book in this on-going fantasy series provides subtle tension and suspense to propel the storyline with a wonderful slow burn romance that creates a delectable mix. It provides a unique twist on the usual vampire and werewolf paranormal, making this a layered and unexpected fantasy.  

For fans of: Sarah J Maas and Laura Thalassa. 

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Plantation Shudders by Ellen Byron
Fiction

What it’s about: Artist Maggie Crozat is back in her home town of Pelican, Louisiana, helping run her family’s B&B in their old plantation. The B&B is full of guests for the local end of summer food festival. When an elderly couple dies within minutes of each other, the good ol’ boy sheriff is only too willing to arrest one of Maggie’s family for murder. Even though the new deputy has a more open mind, Maggie decides to investigate herself. As she digs deeper, motives surface for every guest at the B&B. 

Reviewers say: “A twisty plot and engaging colorful characters complete this mystery's many pleasures” (Library Journal); “Byron's debut brings energy and verve to the cozy formula of a woman returning home after troubles in the big city” (Publishers Weekly).

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True Biz by Sara Novic
Fiction 

What’s it about: Three students at the River Valley School for the Deaf have gone missing. Told through multiply points of view, the reader starts in the present day and travels back to go through the days and events that lead to the students going missing. A coming-of-age story of teenagers who are struggling to find themselves and learn about what it means to be deaf and the culture that surrounds it.  

Why this book: This is a great book to read if you are interested in learning more about the Deaf community. Sara Novic does an excellent job of exploring Deaf Culture and showing the struggles the Deaf community faces in a hearing world. Nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fiction 2022. 

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Confidence (Anna and Fin #2) by Denise Mina
Fiction

Read this if you like: True crime podcasts, urban exploration, and treasure hunts.

What happens? True crime podcasters Anna and Finn make their sophomore appearance in this smart, adrenaline-boosted thriller. Their search for a missing woman and a mysterious Roman silver artifact takes them from a Scottish seaside town to a high-stakes art auction to a crumbling chateau. This adrenaline-filled road trip caper features likeable characters and is funny and suspenseful.

You might also like: For another dangerous chase involving a mysterious relic, try Picnic in the Ruins by Todd Robert Petersen. Pretty as a Picture by Elizabeth Little is another fast-paced, subtly humorous mystery featuring true crime documentarians.

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Dying to Date by Sharmyn McGraw
Fiction

What it’s about: Kristina Truly has a lot of snazzy shoes and a lot of problems too. People pay to hear her advice on relationships and dating even though her personal life is a hot mess, and her own relationships are just one disaster after another. When people who have attended her seminars start turning up murdered, the police show, up as well as a new love interest and some crazy family members.

Why you might like it: The author has an enticing voice (in real life as well) that lures you into the story so you can't put the book down.

You might also like: The Silence of the White City by Eva Garcia Saenz

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An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Fiction

What’s it about: “Looking to earn some easy cash, Jessica Farris agrees to be a test subject in a
psychological study about ethics and morality. But as the study moves from the exam room to
the real world, the line between what is real and what is one of Dr. Shields’s experiments blurs”
(Amazon).

Reviewers say: "Masterfully escalates the suspense" (Booklist - starred review)

You might also like: The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney or The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth
Ware.

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Past Life by David Mark
Fiction  

What it’s about: Aector McAvoy and his boss Trish Pharaoh are investigating the murder of a fortune teller, which brings up shadows of the past for McAvoy. 12 years earlier, the fortuneteller aunt of Aector’s future wife Roisin, was also brutally murdered.

Reviewers say: “Polished prose, lovable recurring characters, and a stunning revelation make this a mystery to savor” (Kirkus Reviews).

Series alert: This is #9 in the critically acclaimed DS McAvoy series. David Marks has also written several standalones, including The Mausoleum, Borrowed Time, A Rush of Blood, and Suspicious Minds.

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The Removed by Brandon Hobson  
Fiction 

What it’s about: In this somber literary novel, a couple welcomes a foster child who is eerily reminiscent of their son, who died years earlier. While Ray-Ray is gone, his presence is at the center of this story of mourning. The family plans to gather to remember him on the Cherokee National Holiday, but their other son is lost in another realm due to addiction.  

Why you might like it: This haunting novel—touched with magical realism and mysticism—is a great choice for book clubs, as well as for readers who enjoy stories told through multiple viewpoints. The audiobook provides a powerful listening experience, which is recorded by a full cast.  

Book buzz: Recommended by O: the Oprah Magazine, the Washington Post, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Good Morning America, Chicago Review of Books, Parade, and LitHub. 

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A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
Fiction

What it’s about: Mahit Dzmare is eager to take the post of ambassador from Lsel to the Teixcalaanli Empire, but she arrives to find that her predecessor is dead – possibly murdered. Now Mahit must find out who wanted Yskandr dead and why, all the while guarding her people’s memory technology. Author Martine portrays the complex and seductive Teixcalaanli culture while keeping the human characters believable. 

Why you might like it: Martine’s Hugo Award-winning space opera with sympathetic characters and fully developed world building draws the reader into the palace intrigue and civil unrest surrounding an interplanetary empire. 

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