Good Reads & Views

When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors & Asha Bandele
Nonfiction

What it’s about: In this memoir, Patrisse Khan-Cullors tells her story of living in a poor black neighborhood, growing up with multiple family members in incarceration, and becoming one of the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement. She elaborates on undiagnosed mental illnesses being misconstrued as resisting arrest, and the gut reaction of police officers. She touches on racial profiling and the multiple times her residency was raided, once with a 6-year-old girl present, because “someone fitting the profile” could maybe, possibly, live there. Everything that she, and all black Americans, experienced growing up lead to her forming Black Lives Matter with Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi, shortly after the acquittal of George Zimmerman, murderer of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old kid.

Why it’s important: I chose to listen to this memoir, as it was read by the author. Hearing her tell her own story, in her own words, with her town voice, was powerful, and it broke me a few times. Given this current world, and its current problems, I thought it was important to educate myself on something I didn’t know much about. Hearing her stories and how her family has been treated was truly eye opening, and it’s extremely important for people of every race and color to understand what is happening behind this movement.

Further Reading: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander.

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The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne by Elsa Hart
Fiction

What it's about: Lovers of historical mysteries will enjoy this tale set in 1703 London. Cecily Kay has come to the home of Barnaby Mayne, pre-eminent collector of everything under the sun, to try to identify her collection of plants. While on a tour of the home with several guests, Mayne breaks off and goes to his study, where he is later found murdered. His curator seems implicated, but Cecily is unconvinced. With her childhood friend, illustrator Meacan Barlow, she resolves to uncover the truth, putting them on a path fraught with peril for them both.

Why you might like it: This is twisty, atmospheric classic mystery at its best.

Reviewers say: "Hart is bound to become a household name for readers who love clever and fair whodunits" (Publishers Weekly).  "[A] solid choice for historical mystery readers who want to see women with intelligence and agency navigate a time and place not meant for them, but where they thrive nonetheless while solving a delightfully twisty murder” (Library Journal).

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How to Be Black by Baratunde Thurston
Nonfiction

What it’s about: In this lively memoir, Baratunde Thurston shares his “over thirty years’ experience being black.” While at times laugh-out-loud funny (he previously worked for The Onion), this book also shines a light on race in America. Thurston’s humorous yet honest accounts of his experiences—being raised by a single mother, responding to questions about his first name, and attending Sidwell Friends school and then Harvard—provide insight into what it’s been like for him to be Black.

Why you should read it: This book is not only the memoir of a comedian and activist, it also provides the viewpoints of a panel of Black people who respond to questions such as “When did you first realize you were black?” The panelists’ responses are by turns surprising, sad, funny, and frank.

For fans of: If you enjoyed Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, you’ll also appreciate this humorous but powerful look at race.

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Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith 
Fiction 

What it’s about: Private Investigators Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott are looking into the cold case of Dr. Margot Bamborough whose disappearance has some similarities to serial killings committed by Dennis Creed, who is serving a life sentence.

Series info: This is the fifth installment in the series which starts with The Cuckoo’s Calling, and continues with The Silkworm, Career of Evil, and Lethal White.

Reviewers say: “After wading through a barrel of red herrings, … Galbraith delivers the real killer, the least obvious of the lot, and it's a masterful, perfectly thought-through revelation … skillfully told, with a constantly gleeful interest in human awfulness” (Kirkus Reviews).

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The Daughters of Erietown by Connie Schultz
Fiction

 

What it’s about: This engaging story about multiple generations of a working-class family living in the rust belt begins in 1957, with top student Ellie, who dreams of nursing school and marriage to her high school sweetheart. Brick McGinty is the school’s star athlete, who wins a scholarship that would make him the first in his family to attend college. An unplanned pregnancy dashes their dreams of further education, so Ellie and Brick elope and vow to make the best of their new life. Filled with old-fashioned charm and deep empathy for even the less appealing characters, this sweeping family saga is a heartfelt and comforting read.

Reviewers say: “This quiet, Anne Tyler-esque novel is also a reminder that gentler times were not always gentle, that life is filled with hardship even without existential threats” (The Washington Post); “While Schultz’s compelling narrative and realistic characters will keep readers turning pages into the night, her eye and ear for real-life details set this novel apart from other domestic sagas” (Bookpage).

About the author: This is a fiction debut by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Connie Schultz. Formerly with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, she is a nationally syndicated columnist, and teaches journalism at Kent State University.

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Dead Man Walking by Helen Prejean
Nonfiction 

What it’s about: Sister Helen Prejean is a Catholic nun. I anticipated this book would be very one sided based on her religion. I didn’t become interested in the book until after I saw the movie. The movie combines the two executions included in the book into one death row inmate story. Sister Helen Prejean does an amazing job of exploring the topic of capital punishment through the role of a spiritual guide.

Why you might like it: If you enjoy being deeply drawn into a story that you feel as though you’re there witnessing all of it, then you’ll appreciate Sister Helen Prejean's writing style.

You might also like: American Prison by Shane Bauer.

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Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
Fiction

What it’s about: April is a geologist by day, and by night she writes erotic fanfiction about the epic TV show Guardians of the Gates, based on the Aeneid, now in its final (and controversial) season. When April posts a picture of herself cosplaying as a character from the show, she receives a lot of negative comments about her plus-sized body … and Marcus, one of the stars from the show, asks her on a date. Little does April know that Marcus is secretly writing Guardians fanfiction too, and he’s her BFF online.

Why you should read it: This book is steamy and laugh out loud funny. It’s like a mashup of You’ve Got Mail and Game of Thrones fanfiction. I read it in one sitting. Some of my favorite bits were the script excerpts from Marcus’ films, including Sharkphoon, Do-Si-Danger (witness protection with a group of square dancers) and 1 Wheel, 2 Real (about a unicyclist who falls in love). April is a strong heroine who stands up for herself and lets Marcus know when he lets her down. Both April and Marcus learn to allow themselves to be seen and to speak up for themselves — and April does NOT have to lose weight to find happiness!

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Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner
Fiction

Reviewers Say:  "Weiner brilliantly crafts this heart wrenching multigenerational tale of love, loss, and family . . . Weiner's talent for characterization, tight pacing, and detail will thrill her fans and easily draw new ones into her orbit. Her expert handling of difficult subjects will force readers to examine their own beliefs and consider unexpected nuances. Weiner tugs every heartstring with this vivid tale" (Publishers Weekly - starred review).

About the Author: Jennifer Weiner is the bestselling author of seventeen books.  She is a graduate of Princeton University and a contributor to the New York Times Opinion section. She lives with her family in Philadelphia.

You might also like: Shanghai Girls by Lisa See or The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.     

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The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen
Fiction

What it’s about: In 1930s England, perpetually broke Lady Georgiana lands a position as hostess for a house party at Christmastime. Everyone comes expecting to have a good old fashioned English Christmas celebration, but every day, someone in the surrounding countryside dies.  Are they accidents or murders? Is it the Lovey Curse or something more sinister? 

Why you might like it: The author draws a winning picture of the quaint village of Tiddleton-under-Lovey, perfect for cozy mystery fans, and Lady Georgiana narrates the story with plenty of humor.

Reviewers say: “Lady Georgiana's sixth outing (after Naughty in Nice) offers another witty and thoroughly enjoyable mystery with a dash of  romance" (Library Journal).  “Bowen blends zany humor with fair-play detection as well as any author of traditional mysteries” (Publishers Weekly).

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Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel
Fiction

What it’s about: Rose Gold and her mother, Patty, have a complicated relationship. For the first 18 years of her life, Rose Gold believed she was seriously ill, allergic to everything, wheelchair bound, and practically lived in the hospital. Garnishing sympathy from the town, Patty was given money and sympathy from her community, when, in reality, she was just a really, really, really good manipulator. She serves 5 years in prison. Upon her release, she begs Rose Gold to take her in, give her another chance, and everyone in town is shocked when she says yes.

Why you might like it: This novel was a nail biter. It had great pace and really keeps the reader interested. If you like books with surprising twists and a great revenge story, you’ll like this book.

Content warning: The mother in the novel suffers from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a mental illness in which the caregiver makes up or causes an illness or injury for the person under their care. While I do not feel the author goes over-the-top, this subject matter may be unsettling or upsetting to some readers.

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Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
Fiction

What it’s about: Washington Black is born into slavery and transcends it over the course of this lyrical, globe-encompassing novel. When Wash becomes the assistant to a scientific-minded adventurer, his life is transformed as he develops his artistic talent. But when the two escape Barbados to explore the world, they’re pursued by a slave owner who perceives Wash to be a runaway.

Why you should read it: While there’s world travel and suspense in this novel, the spotlight is really on Wash’s rich emotional life. If you enjoy literary novels about characters discovering their true gifts, while connecting with others and experiencing the pain of betrayal, this historical novel is for you.

Reviewers say: Publishers Weekly says, “Crafted in supple, nuanced prose, Edugyan’s novel is both searing and beautiful.”

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Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson
Fiction

What it's about: Bookseller and blogger Malcolm is contacted by the FBI, seeking his help. Years ago he created a list of literature's most perfect murders, and now someone seems to be using Malcolm's list as a playbook for unsolved killings. Twists and turns galore, and if you actually figure out the killer early on (I did not), then kudos to you.

Reviewers say: "Swanson will keep most readers guessing until the end. Classic whodunit fans will be in heaven" (Publishers Weekly); "The perfect gift for well-read mystery mavens who complain that they don't write them like they used to" (Kirkus).

Author Notes: Swanson is the author of six novels including The Kind Worth Killing for which he won the New England Society Book Award and Her Every Fear, which was an NPR book of the year.

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The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman
Nonfiction 

What it’s about: The Zookeeper's Wife is an astonishing story of the courage and selfless actions of the people of Warsaw during the Second World War who rescued and hid, at great personal danger, the hundreds of Jews who were hunted by the Nazis.

Why you might like it: The Zookeeper’s Wife is a true story set in Warsaw, Poland at the onset of WWII, and is both a horrifying and endearing story.

You might also like: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. 

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The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
Fiction

Who it’s for: Readers who enjoy rich historical details, fully fleshed characters, and luminous, vibrant storytelling that’s firmly set in a different time and place. 

What it’s about: Thomas is a factory night watchman and Council leader who heads a fight against Native dispossession by Congress—an attempt to force his people away from their homes and into the city. Meanwhile, his 19-year-old niece Patrice (Pixie) searches for her older sister Vera, who has disappeared into the dark backstreets of Minneapolis. When Pixie fails at her mission, she joins forces with Thomas to travel to Washington, D.C. to save her family’s way of life.

The story behind the story: Much of the narrative is based on the life of Erdrich’s grandfather, a Chippewa Council leader who traveled to Washington to speak against the 1953 Native Termination Act.

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I Must Say: My Life As A Humble Comedy Legend by Martin Short
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Martin Short opens up about his life as a comedian and performer. Like many comedians, he suffered personal losses early in his life and turned to comedy as a way to cope. He met Gilda Radner and many up and coming stars in the Toronto production of Godspell. He shares the genesis of many of his best known characters and allows them to speak – one reason to listen to the audiobook!

Why you should read it: My husband drove me crazy telling me all about this book while he was reading it, so I picked it up for myself. Despite the tragedies in Short’s life, he’s managed to thrive and build a close group of very funny friends that includes Eugene Levy, Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, and Nora Ephron. Although many of Short’s characters are abrasive, I had fun learning how they were created.

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The Lies that Bind by Emily Giffin
Fiction  

Reviewers say: “Giffin [has a] trademark ability to capture the complexities of human emotions while telling a rip-roaring tale” (The Washington Post).

You might also like: The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney or The Wife Between by Greer Hendricks

About the Author: Emily Giffin is the author of nine bestselling novels. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University and the University of Virginia School of Law. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and three children.

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Murder Past Due by Miranda James
Fiction

What it's about: Charlie Harris, librarian, and his lovable cat, Diesel, put aside their quiet life to find who murdered a famous author before the wrong person is arrested. The trouble is, it seems every last one of Charlie's friends and coworkers had a score to settle with the novelist.

Why you might like it: If you like cozy mysteries or Southern settings, give this series opener a try.

Reviewers say: "Sympathetic characters, including the intuitive Diesel; a lovingly described home life with his faithful housekeeper...all add to the appeal, as do the details of library work and academic life in small-town Mississippi" (Booklist).

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Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks

What is it? This is a fun, well-written, and quirky comedic graphic novel about best friends who work together every fall in a pumpkin patch. Deja and Josie have worked together at the Succotash Hut for four seasons. They both share a love of the season and all things autumn. It’s their last shift before they both head to college, and Deja finally convinces Josie to go talk to his crush, Marcy, who he has been infatuated with since freshman year orientation over 4 years ago. Deja hilariously refers to her as Elmer Fudge, Cornelius Fudge, Fudge Judy, or Fudge Ripple, because she works in the, you guessed it, Fudge Shoppe. The remainder of the novel follows Deja and Josie as they race through the pumpkin patch to find Marcy, all the while reliving memories and contemplating their future together.

What sets it apart: Graphic novels are becoming more and more prevalent in library collections. There are good ones and there are bad ones. There are original stories and there are retellings. Many times it is hard to develop a character in images and speech bubbles. Rainbow Rowell, who is a fan-favorite among my generation, does a great job giving these characters a back story, and moving them forward throughout the book. And Faith Erin Hicks’ illustration style fits perfectly for Rowell’s bouncy writing style. Dare I say it, this is a perfect graphic novel that you will absolutely finish in one sitting and will be thinking about for a long time.

Book Buzz: Pumpkinheads won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Graphic Novels & Comics in 2019.

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Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self by Manoush Zomorodi
Nonfiction

What it’s about: While we used to have windows of time to simply notice the world around us, now most of us reach for our phones when things get boring. In this helpful and encouraging book, Zomorodi describes what we’re missing by logging on instead of occasionally zoning out.

Why you should read it: If your smartphone is connected to your person all your waking hours and you’re not totally happy about that situation, this book provides concrete exercises that will help you keep only the apps and uses that are best serving you. The author’s conversational tone and account of her personal experiences make this challenge friendly and approachable.

You might also like: If your goal is to reduce your social media use, also check out Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport.

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Miss Iceland by Auður A. Ólafsdóttir 
Fiction 

What it’s about: Moving to 1960s Reykjavik to pursue her literary ambitions, an aspiring novelist moves in with her gay childhood friend only to be confronted by a male-dominated literary community that does not believe women belong in the art world.

Reviewers say: “In this excellent introduction to her work, Ólafsdóttir creates a world where either escape or hiding one's true nature are the only choices” (Library Journal); “This winning tale of friendship and self-fulfillment will inspire readers” (Publishers Weekly). 

Want a taste? “I, the undersigned, Hekla Gottskálksdóttir, hereby resign from my job as a serving girl at Hotel Borg. The reason for my resignation is the indecent behaviour of the hotel’s male customers who have been harassing me both at work and in my private life.” 

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Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman 
Nonfiction

What it’s about: This was a very touching, first person account of a very shielded young girl moving away - first emotionally, then physically - from a restricting religious environment into an unconventional free-thinking world. You struggle with her as she tries to make herself conform and cannot.

Why you might like it: It is written from the raw perspective of a young woman caught in a world where she does not belong.

You might also like: The author's other two books: Exodus & Überbitten. 

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Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
Fiction

What it’s about: The focus of this raw and powerful novel is a working-class family in Thatcher-era Glasgow, featuring young Hugh “Shuggie” Bain, a boy struggling with poverty, a dysfunctional family, and his own sexual identity. Shuggie’s father is a philanderer who abandons his family, and his older siblings escape to lives of their own, leaving Shuggie to cope with Agnes, his alcoholic mother who is both his burden and his idol. And despite his best efforts to be normal, he doesn’t fit in—the neighbors think he is “no right” and he doesn’t understand why.

Want a taste? No matter how far she falls, Agnes keeps her pride and maintains her appearance: “Every day with the make-up on and her hair done, she climbed out of her grave and held her head high. When she had disgraced herself with drink, she got up the next day, put on her best coat, and faced the world. When her belly was empty and her weans were hungry, she did her hair and let the world think otherwise.”

Why you might like it: This tender coming of age story is centered on its compassionate portrayal of troubled characters and is packed with emotional truths. Vibrant details—sights, smells, and sounds—provide a slice of life on Glasgow streets and make every sentence a pleasure to read. It is both a tragedy and a survival story, as Shuggie eventually discovers his strength and takes charge of his life. It is a real journey to follow the rise and fall of this family’s hopes, but it is ultimately an uplifting story of resilience. Winner of the 2020 Booker Prize.

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Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Fiction

Reviewers Say:  "If you love Jennifer Weiner, you’ll love this one. And if you’re a newbie, start here" (Kirkus Reviews).

About the Author: Jennifer Weiner is the bestselling author of seventeen books. She is a graduate of Princeton University and a contributor to the New York Times Opinion section. She lives with her family in Philadelphia.

You might also like: Starting Now by Debbie Macomber or The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand     

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Making Comics by Lynda Barry
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Lynda Barry is a writer/cartoonist best known for her comic strip in the Chicago Reader and for her illustrated novels. Now in her role as a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she teaches creativity to art students and to people who didn’t think they could draw. (Both groups have things to teach the other.)

Why you should read it: Some of Barry’s books, including What It Is, Picture This, Syllabus, and now Making Comics, give insights into the classes she teaches and can be used to inject more creativity into your life by offering writing exercises and questions to ponder. I love the mental muscles she gets me to flex while I’m reading and examining the dynamic illustrations.

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The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
Fiction

What it's about: Set in 1950s USA, a huge meteorite strikes off the East Coast, obliterating Washington DC and upsetting the climate. The International Space Coalition is created to get as many people off Earth as possible before it becomes uninhabitable.  But Dr. Elma York, a pilot and a "computer" for the ISC, can't help but notice only men are being selected to be astronauts. After an appearance on a children's show to explain rocketry, Elma finds herself dubbed the Lady Astronaut by the press. Now if only she can convince the ISC to take women seriously.

Reviewers say: "Readers will thrill to the story of this ‘lady astronaut’ and eagerly anticipate the promised sequels" (Publishers Weekly);  "A fast-forward thrill ride, Hugo Award winner Kowal's exciting alternate history...highlights the space race and the sexism of the time" (Library Journal).

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Life’s Accessories: A Memoir & Fashion Guide by Rachel Levy Lesser
Nonfiction

What is it? Do you have items in your jewelry box or hanging up in your closet that you can’t seem to part with because they’re attached to a memory? Growing up, did you attend summer camp and make bracelets with your life-long camp friends? Rachel Levy Lesser did, and in this memoir she chronicles those stories attached to her most precious accessories.  

Why you might like it: This collection of essays really got me thinking about my own accessories. You might like it if you’re sentimental about things. If you can look at an item and get emotional thinking about it, this book is for you. You’ll love how a scarf can take her back to the last day shopping with her mother before she died of cancer, or how a Kate Spade bag represented a huge step-up in her professional career. I think what she writes about is relevant to everyone in its own way. You might not have a watch that is significant to you, but that tchotchke from your grandmother definitely has a story to tell.

Moving forward: Take an opportunity to rummage through your jewelry box, closets, and/or china cabinet. Take pictures of your items and write down their story. You’ll be happy you did.

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The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
Nonfiction

What it’s about: From 1915 to 1970, nearly 6 million Black Americans moved from the South to the North in search of a better life. This poignant book follows three people who made this migration, and the author interweaves their individual experiences into the broader fabric of the time period.

Why it’s significant: The Great Migration was an important part of 20^th century American history, and this book blends history and personal experiences -- so you get to learn about this time frame while also gaining insight into the lives of a few of the people who made the journey. Wilkerson’s beautiful writing and evocative detail make The Warmth of Other Suns an absorbing read. If you enjoy reading narrative nonfiction that reads like fiction, this book is for you.

Book buzz: This book won the National Book Critics Circle Award and was named one of the 10 best books of the year by The New York Times, Amazon, and Publishers Weekly.

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Tyll by Daniel Kehlmann
Fiction

What it’s about: Tyll Ulenspiegel, a vagabond and jester from the 17th century, embarks on a journey of discovery as he travels through history in this novel of magical realism.

Want a taste? " He has never been elsewhere. And although several people who have been elsewhere before have told him that it’s exactly the same there as here, he can’t stop wondering where you would end up if you just kept going on and on, not merely to the next village, but farther and farther still."

Reviewers say: “Located somewhere between German romanticism and modernism, superstition and science, history and high fantasy, this is a rapturous and adventuresome novel of ideas that, like Tyll's roaming sideshow, must be experienced to be believed” (Publishers Weekly).

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The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown 

What it’s about: This book contains so much insight about understanding various behaviors and thought patterns that hold us back in life. While it is clear, as with all books by this author, that she is an experienced and highly skilled researcher, her gift for story telling radiates through even stronger. She authentically connects with the reader by disclosing her own “imperfections” and life experiences.

Why you might like it: If you have ever struggled with "should-ing" yourself, this book can be a spiritual awakening that will help you get past whatever you “should” yourself for.

You might also like: Rising Strong by Brene Brown. 

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Chronicles of a Radical Hag by Lorna Landvik
Fiction

What it’s about: When newspaper columnist Haze Evans falls into a coma, her editor and good friend Susan decides to reprint highlights of her 50 years of observing small town life. Haze’s commentary is full of local news, current events, and personal memories, sometimes controversial (earning her the name the “radical hag”), and always charming. This archive of columns and their accompanying recipes and responses from readers intrigues Susan’s 14-year-old son Sam, who has reluctantly taken a summer job at the paper. Then Sam’s curiosity about Haze uncovers a deep secret.

Why you might like it: Humorous and leisurely paced, this big-hearted novel is full of love and wit and is peopled by delightful characters to care about.

Reviewers say: “At a time when local newspapers are nearing extinction, and reporters are deemed enemies of the people, Landvik’s smart and lovely paean to journalists is a welcome reminder of the important role they play in the lives of those who depend on newspapers for more than just information” (Booklist).

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Ghosts of Harvard by Francesca Serritella
Fiction  

Author Alert: Ghosts of Harvard is her first novel.

Reviewers say: “Every time I thought I knew where Ghosts of Harvard was heading, I turned out to be wrong. Part mystery, part ghost story, part psychological thriller, this novel is all entertainment” (#1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult).

You might also like: Someone Knows by Lisa Scottoline or Let me Lie by Clare Mackintosh.

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Network Effect by Martha Wells
Fiction 

What it’s about: Murderbot is back in its first full novel adventure! The snarky cyborg/AI construct and its research team are pulled into a wormhole and threatened by very odd humanoids aboard a ship that seems distressingly familiar. Can Murderbot figure out how to save its crew and find out what happened to its missing bot pilot friend?

Why you should read it: The Murderbot series (beginning with All Systems Red) protagonist just wants to be left on its own to watch media. And yet, over time, it has become loyal to the humans who have seen it as more than a machine and developed feelings, whether it wants them or not (not). This series is great on audio voiced by Kevin R. Free, who puts in little touches of annoyance and snark aimed at the smelly, slow, and stupid humans who nevertheless get Murderbot to care for them. I’ve enjoyed listening to the voice of Murderbot and its slow progression toward figuring out what it wants.

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Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin

What it’s about: During the Great Depression, Alice Ripley has spent her 22 years with her nose in a book. When her boyfriend breaks up with her and she loses her job, she decides to take donated books from her hometown of Blue Island down to Acorn, Kentucky, for the Packhorse Librarians. Thinking to stay only a few days, Alice gets caught up in the lives of the library staff and patrons and realizes that she has hardly lived at all before.

Why you might like it: This is a Christian historical novel with a heartwarming coming of age story. There are elements of romance as well.

You might also like: The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes is another book about the Packhorse Librarians of the Great Depression. Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas is about friendship between an older and younger woman.

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Holy Hannah by Will Dinski
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Hannah manufactures software. Years back she hit it big and earned a lot of money and semi-fame. With said money, she was able to live a quiet, solitary life, eating only in a café beneath her apartment. But, money doesn’t last forever. And humans need other humans. Lacking a purpose, she develops a new app called Know Me. It’s purpose is to have people answer personal and intimate questions anonymously. She tests it out at a local church, and the congregation gets very into it. Eventually, she moves into the church dormitories. She gets involved with the Reverend. And completely swept up in the cul-, err, church.

Is it for you? This graphic novel seems long (544 pages) but reads very quickly. It also serves as a cautionary tale as to why you shouldn’t blindly follow someone. And why it’s best to think for yourself and make the decisions that are best for you. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.

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The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Sarah M. Broom grew up in the New Orleans that tourists never see—New Orleans East, where her family lived in the Yellow House, a shotgun house that was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. In this coming of age story, she writes from the perspective of “the babiest” of 12 children, raised by a widowed mother who supported her family. 

Why you should read it: If you appreciate beautiful writing, this book is for you. Broom’s phrasing is often poetic, sometimes blunt, always original; her unique voice speaks from these pages. In this memoir about race and class, her matter-of-fact tone and lyrical writing make her story all the more powerful.

Book buzz: Winner of the National Book Award for Nonfiction, this book was also named a Best Book of 2019 by the Chicago Tribune, New York Times Book Review, and Washington Post.

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How to Eat: All Your Food and Diet Questions Answered by Mark Bittman and David L. Katz
Nonfiction

What it is: This “artful (or at least competent!) blend of science and sense” is a straightforward resource about the current state of nutrition, debunking myths and addressing diet trends.

Why it stands out: It is formatted as a conversational Q & A with readers. Instead of stating that a food is good or bad, the authors recommend that one should ask what that food is replacing. Is the bagel replacing oatmeal for breakfast or a donut? Is the fruit juice replacing water or a sugary soft drink?

Reviewers say: “A sensible guide to health from two genial experts” (Kirkus Reviews); “a versatile, approachable guide” (Library Journal).

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The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin
Fiction

What it’s about: In a world plagued by seismic upheaval and waves of disasters known as Seasons, there are people, called orogenes, who have special powers to control the land, but are tightly controlled by authorities. Three orogenes are at major turning points in their lives. Damaya has been torn from her childhood home; Syenite's life’s work is challenged; and Essun has set off on a vengeful pursuit of her husband, who murdered one of their children and kidnapped the other. The first of the Hugo Award winning Broken Earth series.

Why you might like it: Come for the excellent and fascinating world-building and the lyrical and gritty prose, but stay for the vivid, diverse, and intensely real characters. Essun is a rarity—a fierce and strong middle-aged heroine in a science fiction series.

Reviewers say: “Jemisin’s graceful prose and gritty setting provide the perfect backdrop for this fascinating tale of determined characters fighting to save a doomed world” (Publisher’s Weekly).

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Daring Greatly by Brene Brown 
Nonfiction

What it’s about: This book unearths our deepest feelings and motives. As social beings, it is deeply rooted for us to seek acceptance. As a result, our fear of rejection impels us to behave in ways we’re not always proud of, creating a cycle of shame and self-doubt. This book explains all of that and how to break that cycle.

Why you might like it: The agonizing nature of feeling vulnerable and exposed is something everyone struggles with. Brené does a superb job of including stories from her life, her research, and then bringing it all together with results you can clearly understand, relate to, and implement into your life.  

You might also like: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. 

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Me for You by Lolly Winston
Fiction

Reviewer’s say:  "The story uses quiet prose and unexpected moments of gentle humor to illustrate the importance of human connection during trying times. … [A] poignant story about loss, unexpected connections, and the circuitous path toward healing” (Kirkus Reviews).

About the author: Lolly Winston was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. She has an MFA in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College and is the author of New York Times bestselling novels Good Grief and Happiness Sold Separately, the latter of which is being developed as a film.

You might also like: One Summer by David Baldacci or Rescue by Anita Shreve     

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Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
YA Nonfiction

What it’s about: “This is not a history book,” Reynolds begins. He reworks Kendi’s book Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America for a young adult audience, laying out the history of racism in America from its beginnings to the present in a personal, conversational way that is by no means dry or dull (even though it is a history book!). Jason Reynolds also reads the audiobook.

Why you should read it: Jason Reynolds initially balked at rewriting Kendi’s book, but Kendi eventually talked him into it. This book offers a compelling and eye-opening look at how racism has shaped the United States. Dr. Kendi’s original book is a great choice for a deeper delve into the topic for adults, but this “remix” is Reynolds’ take on the subject material to make it livelier and more accessible for a younger audience.

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The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher
Fiction

What it’s about: In a fantasy world where humans have retreated to Spires far above the deadly surface, Merchant Captain Grimm flies his merchant ship Predator for Spire Albion until he is tapped to lead a team of agents on a secret mission.

Why you might like it: The cast of characters is large yet  nonetheless fully realized. Humor is mixed equally with suspense. The main characters are fundamentally good people caught up in an epic battle. It is the first in a series, and a lot of the world is yet to be explored by the characters.

You might also like: The Guns Above by Robyn Bennis another steampunk world with airships.

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Lost Causes of Bleak Creek by Rhett McLaughlin & Link Neal
Fiction

What is it: Rex, Leif, and Alicia are best friends living in the small southern town of Bleak Creek. They’re spending their summer before 9^th grade filming a movie about a ghost dog appropriately named “PolterDog.” While shooting a pivotal scene, they have an accident involving the head of The Whitewood School, which is a reform school in their town. Many troublesome children, or lost causes, get sent there. Some are sent home, changed somehow. Others never make it back home. When Alicia gets sent there, Rex and Leif are determined to figure out a way to help her escape. But strange things start to happen, which cause Rex and Leif to question what is really going on at The Whitewood School.

Why you might like it: This story will keep you in suspense. There are some very dark and creepy elements, reminiscent of Stranger Things. So, even though the 2 main characters are 14 years old, this isn’t a book for kids. Readers will develop with the characters and the story unravels nicely. Readers will be begging for a sequel.

About the Authors: Rhett & Link are popular internetainers, with over 20 million subscribers on YouTube. They host a daily morning show, Good Mythical Morning, and produce a weekly podcast, Ear Biscuits.

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Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas

What it’s about: At an elite and secretive college, Ines—a student with a haunting past—tries to find her place among her brilliant and troubled peers. The strangeness of the academic program and the unusual rituals of the place gradually increase in intensity, which will keep you turning the pages.

Why you might like it: If you enjoy atmospheric stories infused with a mild and growing sense of eeriness, this book is a great choice for you. Also, if you’re looking for great debut novels by authors of color, pick up this book—it offers a compelling story, lush writing, and a beautifully evoked setting.

You might also like: If you like this book, also try The Secret History by Donna Tartt—another complex, quietly suspenseful story about students at a prestigious school.

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The Ghost Clause by Howard Norman
Fiction

What it’s about: The story is narrated by Simon, a ghost who is haunting his former Vermont home, now occupied by a young couple. Muriel translates Japanese poetry, her husband Zach is a rookie detective at a local detective agency. Simon witnesses the impact of a child's disappearance on the couple's relationship and is also privy to their desire to have a child, mirroring the difficulties Simon and his wife Lorca experienced in their own marriage.

Reviewers say: “Thoughtful, elegiac, a good book to read by the fireside with a snifter of bourbon” (Library Journal). “This is an astute, beautifully written novel” (Publishers Weekly).

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Haunted by James Patterson
Fiction

What is it? James Patterson came thru again with a splendid story of love, family and crime. Set in small town Maine, but concludes in small town USA, the shattering drug culture is claiming the promising youth. This book tells a story that may hit close to home.

Is it for you? The authors wrote this book with such talent that I felt the magnitude of Bennett's emotions along with him. If you are looking for books that you can't put down, this book and the entire series will keep you entertained and busy. Also, don't miss Alex Cross and The Women’s Murder Club series too.

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The Other Americans by Laila Lalami
Fiction

What it’s about: When her immigrant father is killed by a speeding car, composer Nora returns home to her grieving family, where she struggles to relate to her more traditional mother and sister. As Nora learns more about her father’s death, she becomes suspicious that it was more than a simple hit-and-run. This blend of mystery, family saga, and love story is told by multiple voices representing the schisms and alienation of American community, but also their many connections.

Reviewers say: "An eloquent reminder that frame of reference is everything when defining the 'other'” (Booklist). “Lalami captures the complex ways humans can be strangers not just outside their “tribes” but within them, as well as to themselves” (Publishers Weekly).

You might also like: Exit West by Mohsin Hamid is another own voices novel that offers an authentic perspective of the immigrant experience. For a more character-driven, literary mystery, try Miracle Creek by Angie Kim.

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Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok 
Fiction

About the Author: Jean Kwok is an award-winning, New York Times and international bestselling author. Jean immigrated from Hong Kong to Brooklyn when she was five and worked in a Chinatown clothing factory for much of her childhood. She received her bachelor's degree from Harvard and completed an MFA in fiction at Columbia University. She currently lives in the Netherlands. 

Reviewers say: “Kwok’s story spans generations, continents and language barriers, combining old-fashioned Nancy Drew sleuthing with the warmth and heart we’ve come to expect from this gifted writer” (New York Times Book Review).

You might also like: The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri or The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez.

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False Value by Ben Aaronovitch 
Fiction

What it’s about: In the eighth book in the Rivers of London series, a book stuffed with Douglas Adams references, Peter Grant is tasked with catching a possible spy in the office, but he uncovers something far more sinister. Yet what he finds may require his skills as a wizard after all…

Why you should read it: Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series packs so much into each book, and they are well written. I especially like to listen to the audiobooks, for Kobna Holdbrook-Smith does a wonderful job of capturing all of the voices of the diverse characters.

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Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Nonfiction

What it's about: A presidential historian looks at 4 presidents and asks, are leaders born or made? Goodwin looks at Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D Roosevelt and Lyndon B Johnson, examining their early lives, dramatic reversals of fortune each experienced early in adulthood, and shows how they proved equal to the crises of their time.

Why you might like it: If you enjoy U.S. history, particularly learning new things about our presidents, give this a try. Or pick this up if you want a study in leadership qualities that is easily and compulsively readable.

You might also like: Presidents of War by Michael Beschloss if you're looking to read more about presidents and their times. Or try Dare to Lead: Brave work, Tough Conversations, Whole Hearts by Brene Brown if you're looking for more on leadership.

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Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky
Nonfiction

What it is: The history of an ordinary substance, the only rock humans consume. Throughout civilization, salt has been used as currency, influenced the establishment of trade routes, financed wars and secured empires. And flavored our food, of course.

Want a taste? “The Romans salted their greens, believing this to counteract the natural bitterness, which is the origin of the word salad, salted.” “It takes two years for the salt to reach the center of a wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.”

Reviewers say: “Throughout his engaging, well-researched history, Kurlansky sprinkles witty asides and amusing anecdotes. A piquant blend of the historic, political, commercial, scientific and culinary, the book is sure to entertain as well as educate” (Publishers Weekly).

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