Good Reads & Views

Working: Researching, Interviewing, Writing by Robert A. Caro
Nonfiction

What it’s about: In his trademark, lively writing style, Robert A. Caro shares anecdotes that reveal the admittedly compulsive way he’s researched his award-winning biographies. Even more fascinating, he explains how some of his interviewing techniques prove infuriating, but effective in uncovering the details he needs to make his writing so vivid. And he reveals that he writes “SU” (“shut up”) at the top of his notepad to remind himself to stay silent during pauses.

Why you might like it: In just over 200 pages, Caro reveals many of the secrets to his success—and his self-deprecating tone makes it a pleasure to spend time with him in these pages. If you like learning the quirks and inside story of how people do their work, this book is for you.

Reviewers say: “Caro's skill as a biographer, master of compelling prose, appealing self-deprecation, and overall generous spirit shine through on every page.” (Kirkus Reviews)

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My Sunshine Away by M. O. Walsh
Fiction

What it’s about: “It was the summer everything changed.” An adult narrator looks back on his fourteenth summer, when his idyllic Baton Rouge neighborhood was shattered by a violent crime against his friend and crush—the girl across the street. Golden girl Lindy is raped by an unknown assailant, and as the police investigation proceeds, suspicion spreads, affecting the entire neighborhood and tearing apart families. The unnamed narrator becomes a suspect for a time, and once cleared, he attempts to track down the real culprit. This noir-tinged coming-of-age story perfectly portrays the doubts and insecurities of a teen-age boy.

Reviewers say: “You (will) suck down the story like a cold beer on a hot Louisiana afternoon.” Kirkus. “As a Baton Rouge native, Walsh gives the reader an intimate understanding of the place as if it were a beloved but misunderstood grandmother. Rarely does a new author display the skill to develop a page-turner with such a literary tone.” Library Journal.

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The Idiot by Elif Batuman
Fiction

What it’s about: The Idiot follows a young Turkish American woman as she makes her way through her first year at Harvard College in the 1990s. Along the way she becomes friends with the strong-willed Svetlana and the enigmatic Ivan, and her negotiation of these relationships drives the novel.

Why you might like it: If you like quirky characters and dry, offbeat humor, you’ll enjoy this narrator’s voice. The 1990’s setting may also be nostalgic for some readers.

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Strange Practice by Vivan Shaw
Fiction

Introducing: Dr. Greta Helsing, whose specialization in treating supernatural creatures runs in the family. Vampires, werewolves, mummies, and so on may not be strictly human, but they still need medical care on occasion, especially when the torches & pitchforks come into play. Right now a coven of mad monks is infesting London. They are determined to eliminate anyone who doesn’t live up to their somewhat peculiar code of behavior, and every supernatural is automatically guilty by default, including Greta and all her friends, human or not.

Why you might like it: It’s funny, irreverent, and fast-paced, with an intelligent and competent protagonist, and a group of unusual close friends determined to protect one another.

For fans of: Ben Aaronovich and Gail Carriger

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Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown
Nonfiction

What is it? The book's theme is "true belonging", which the author defines as: "...the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn't require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are." This might sound a bit unfamiliar, but the book develops this idea in wonderful ways that will appeal to every reader.

Is it for you? If you are seeking true connection and the feeling that you belong because of who you matchlessly are, read this book. "If I get to be me, I belong. If I have to be like you, I fit in."

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The Lost Man by Jane Harper
Fiction

What it’s about: Brothers Nathan and Bub haven’t seen each other in months, even though they are neighbors in the remote Australian outback. Now they are brought together when their brother Cameron’s desiccated corpse is discovered a few miles from his fully functioning truck. Why would Cam walk away, without taking water and food, in an area where you might not see anyone for days and the hot and dry conditions can kill a grown man in no time at all? Was it an accident, murder, suicide? Suspicions start to take hold and long-buried family secrets are revealed. 

Reviewers say: “Harper's masterful narrative places readers right in the middle of a desolate landscape that's almost as alien as the moon's surface, where the effects of long-term isolation are always a concern. The mystery of Cam's death is at the dark heart of an unfolding family drama that will leave readers reeling, and the final reveal is a heartbreaker. A twisty slow burner by an author at the top of her game” (Kirkus).

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The Distancers: An American Memoir by Lee Sandlin
Nonfiction

About the author: Lee Sandlin is the author of Wicked River, Storm Kings, and The Distancers. He is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and book reviewer for The Wall Street Journal. Born in Wildwood, Illinois, he grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. He died in 2014.

What it’s about: Follows seven generations of the author's Midwestern family through The Great Depression, World War Two, and the dust bowl years, where he learned the value of family and the art of keeping one's distance.

Reviewers say: “A bit of general Americana and the ghosts of one family that settled comfortably for a while in a place between Chicago and the Mississippi provide an amalgam that now and again buttresses important matters known to all of us.” (Kirkus Reviews, June 1, 2013)

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Royals by Rachel Hawkins
YA Fiction

What it’s about: Daisy works at a Florida grocery store, but her sister Eleanor is dating the Crown Prince of Scotland. When Eleanor’s engagement is announced, Daisy is strong-armed into going to Scotland for the summer and is swept into the world of the royal entourage, where she witnesses plenty of royal misbehavior by the prince’s brother and sister and is talked into a fake romance with the insufferable Miles…who becomes more sufferable the more she gets to know him.

Why you should read it: I’m a sucker for breezy royal romances, and this one took some fun turns without getting too steamy. Daisy’s narrative voice and her washed-up rocker dad’s comments made me laugh out loud a number of times. If you like this one, there’s a companion book called Her Royal Highness, about Princess Flora’s romance with her boarding school roommate.

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The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your Home Goals by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin

Who it’s for: If you love organizing your home—or simply looking at beautiful home organization books—this book is a delight. Filled with practical tips and lovely photos, this guide is inspiring and friendly in tone. As an added bonus—the authors have organized several celebrities’ homes, and the book is sprinkled with photos of their bright and colorful closets, mudrooms, and pantries.

What sets it apart: This book’s cheerful, conversational tone, along with its gorgeous color photos, make reading this book a very pleasant experience. Also—this book emphasizes labeling practically everything, and the authors’ suggested label format is seriously pretty.

Further reading: If you’re into beautiful home organization books, also check out Beautifully Organized: A Guide to Function and Style in Your Home by Nikki Boyd and Simple Organizing Wisdom: 500+ Quick & Easy Clutter Cures by Laurie Jennings.

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The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Fiction

What it’s about: In a land divided by religions that either worship dragons or fear and condemn them, the two sides must come together to defeat the ultimate source of evil, putting aside their differences and coming to terms with the truth about their long-held beliefs in the process. 

Why you might like it: If you like action-packed high fantasy but have been searching for more representation of people of color and LGBTQA+ characters, this is the book for you. 

For fans of: High fantasy series’ such as A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones), or readers who enjoyed Eragon (the Inheritance series) and are looking for dragon-centered books for adults.  

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There There by Tommy Orange
Fiction

What it is: Above all, this is a novel about a specific place—Oakland, California—and about what the notion of belonging means for Native Americans. Narrated by 14 different characters, all Native Americans connected to the upcoming Big Oakland Powwow, this gripping novel explores the contemporary urban Native American experience. “I feel bad sometimes even saying I’m Native,” one of the characters says. “Mostly I just feel I’m from Oakland.”

Why you might like it: Lyrical prose, fast-paced and dramatic storyline, and the sensitive portrayal of the many characters contribute to a unique and haunting story that examines the meaning of home, culture, and tradition. As one character muses: "But home for Jacquie and her sister was a locked station wagon in an empty parking lot. Home was a long ride on a bus. Home was the three of them anywhere safe for the night.”

What critics are saying: “Allow(s) for moments of moments of pure soaring beauty to hit against the most mundane, for a sense of timelessness to be placed right beside a cleareyed version of the here and now” (The New York Times). “Engrossing at its most granular, in characters’ thoughts and fleeting moments, There There introduces an exciting voice” (Booklist). A 2019 Batavia Public Library Tournament of Books Sweet 16 nominee.

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To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo 
YA Fiction

What it’s About: As a vicious retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s Little Mermaid, To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo is a swashbuckling adventure through the eyes of a Siren and the Prince she wants to kill. What makes a devilishly handsome prince even more swoonworthy? Make him a pirate prince--A romantic love/hate tale between a snarky young man and a young woman that wants to rip his heart out. Definitely the most fun I’ve had with a book so far this year, I loved the dark fantasy notes that weren’t afraid to go there. A little bit of grit, a little bit of blood, this story is The Little Mermaid with bite.

You Might Also Like: The Alice in Wonderland retelling, Splintered by A.G. Howard, or the Beauty and the Beast retelling, The Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah H. Maas: both dark retellings of famous fairy-tales.

 

The Plant Messiah by Carlos Magdalena
Nonfiction

What’s inside: The autobiography of a horticulturalist who has traveled to the ends of the earth to locate endangered plant species in the wild, figured out how to propagate them in the greenhouses at the world-renowned Kew Botanic Garden in London, and then struggled to find ways to protect them as they are reintroduced into the wild

Who it’s for: Anyone who loves adventure and passionate commitment to an important goal

Don’t miss: The photo of the author’s excited baby son sitting on a waterlily pad

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Unashamed: Drop the Baggage, Pick up Your Freedom, Fulfill Your Destiny by Christine Caine
Nonfiction

What is it? Unashamed is a wonderful, enriching book. Christine Caine shares some of her deepest, darkest struggles, which helps the often hurting reader identify with her and find hope that change and freedom are possible! It is an easy read, though the subject matter is heavy. Practical steps and exercises in the book are very beneficial.

Is it for you? God is using this book to set women free. Shame is something that we all carry and effects a big part of your life. Christine walks you through her life, and gives you the tools to help you in your life.

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The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel
Nonfiction

What it’s about: In 1986, 20yr old Christopher Knight drives his Subaru deep into the Maine woods, abandons it and starts walking. He ends up staying in the Woods for 27 years, living off food and other items he steals from a summer camp and local homes during a thousand plus break-ins. The installation of new Homeland Security equipment finally aids in his apprehension.

Want a taste? “Knight said that when he ran out of toilet paper, he sometimes tore pages from John Grisham novels. He mentioned that he didn't like Jack Kerouac either, but this wasn't quite true. ‘I don't like people who like Jack Kerouac,’ he clarified.”

Of note: A National Geographic Best Book of the Year.

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Ambulance Girl: How I Saved Myself By Becoming an EMT by Jane Stern
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Jane Stern was terrified of flying, riding in buses, injuries, and much more. Difficult for anyone, but for a travel writer, it was making her miserable and threatening her marriage. In therapy after a traumatic incident, she figured out the only time she hadn’t been miserable was when she was helping someone else. So she decided to overcome many of her fears by facing them and becoming a volunteer EMT.

Why you should read it: Author Jane Stern and her husband Michael have been writing books about food and travel for a long time. I had no idea she had gone through all of this when I heard her on NPR or read about her travels in Roadfood. She was very honest about her own flaws and struggles and helped me appreciate a little of what EMTs go through in their training.

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Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
Fiction

About the author: Liane Moriarty is the Australian author of seven internationally best-selling novels. Her books have been translated into over forty languages and read by more than 14 million people worldwide.

What the reviewers say: “…Nine Perfect Strangers is a darkly comical novel that defies classification. It manages to be wildly funny and richly emotional at the same time, proving that the Big Little Lies author still has a lot to offer her readers.” ―Bustle

You might also like: The Last Cruise by Kate Christensen or A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

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The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America’s Enemies by Jason Fagone
Nonfiction

What it’s about: This engaging biography of pioneer codebreaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman reveals the early days of codebreaking when she and her husband literally wrote the book on the topic, tells the story of her marriage to a fellow legendary codebreaker, and explores the reasons she’s not better remembered for her genius codebreaking work before and during WWII.

What sets it apart: Learning about the Friedmans’ work at Riverbank (now the Fabyan Forest Preserve) is particularly absorbing for Fox Valley residents who are familiar with the Fabyan property—and can easily visit the grounds and museum.

Why you might like it: If you enjoy nonfiction that reads like fiction, this book is for you. The author’s journalistic style makes this book hard to put down.

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The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar
Fiction

What it’s about: Jonah Hancock, a widowed merchant, is shocked to learn one of his ship captains has traded the vessel for a “mermaid,” a shriveled wizened thing that is more horrifying than it is lovely. To make the best of this loss, Hancock agrees to show it for a fee; it becomes a sensation, throwing him from a quiet existence to the opulent heights and rowdy depths of Georgian London society, where he is smitten by the charming and compelling Angela Neal, a shrewd and accomplished courtesan.

Why you might like it: If you are looking for a witty, leisurely-paced, and sumptuous historical fiction with a dash of fantasy, this is it. You’ll be enchanted by the delightful relationship and unlikely partnership that develops between Jonah Hancock, the merchant, and Angela Neal, the prostitute who becomes Mrs. Hancock. And you’ll be dazzled by the language—for example, the robust Mrs. Chapell, the proprietor of the brothel, is “built like an armchair, more upholstered than clothed.”

You might also like: If you enjoy this book’s lively characters and richly detailed descriptions, try the historical fantasy Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke, or the classic Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

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Prep-Ahead Breakfasts & Lunches by Alea Milham
Nonfiction

What’s inside: This thoughtful cookbook presents simple breakfast and lunch recipes that you can batch cook and prep ahead. Nutritious recipes made with basic ingredients, these meals could also be adapted for special diets. Milham offers storage and reheating instructions for each recipe, so you know exactly how long something can stay in your fridge. She also includes a “Pantry Staples” section with recipes for making your own spice mixes, sauces, and dressings.  

Recipes included: Cajun Egg Croissant Sandwiches, Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal, Garlic Butter Spaghetti Squash Noodles, Greek Steak and Lentil Salad.

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The Library by Stuart Kells
Nonfiction

What it’s about: A history of the ongoing struggle to create important books and beautiful libraries, and then preserve them against the ravages of time, carelessness, and ignorance

Who it’s for: Anyone who loves beautiful libraries and rare books

Pro tip: Read it with a tablet at your side to Google gorgeous pictures of the featured libraries

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Hunted by Meagan Spooner
YA Fiction

What it’s about: Hunted by Meagan Spooner is a Beauty and the Beast retelling in which Yeva—our Beauty—is a skilled hunter and the youngest of three loving sisters. When her father is killed deep in the woods by the legendary Beast, Yeva sets out to seek revenge for his murder. This novel descends gently from reality to fantasy with a level-headed, but passionate female lead. If you’re looking for a young adult Beauty and the Beast that sticks relatively close to the source material, but not so much as to become stale, you’ve found it in this “tale as old as time.”   

You Might Also Like: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

 

 

Christ and the Cutter by Aaron Mamuyac
Nonfiction

What is it? This is a Christian Guide on Self Harm. It’s meant to help you approach the subject of Self-Harm from a Christian worldview, learn why someone cuts, and gain a deeper understanding to addiction. It also provides insight into identifying the early signs for self-harming behavior. In addition, the book offers helpful guidance in determining what your role is, how you can help, and offers a step-by-step action plan to healing.

Key insight: I really valued that the workbook not only gave a lot of helpful information and advice about depression, PTSD, sleep, nutrition and wellbeing, but how it also gave the reader activities in the form of assessment quizzes and writing exercises to help with the process of recovery.

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Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman
Fiction

About the author: Catherine Steadman is an actress and writer. She is best known in the United States for her role as Mabel Lane Fox in Downton Abbey. Something in the Water is her first novel.

For fans of: Motive by Jonathan Kellerman and Heartsick by Chelsea Cain.

Reviewers say: “With unreliable characters, wry voices, exquisite pacing, and a twisting plot, Steadman potently draws upon her acting chops. . . . A darkly glittering gem of a thriller from a new writer to watch.”— Kirkus Reviews (starred review).

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The Last Hours by Minette Walters
Fiction

What it’s about: Lady Anne despises her cruel husband and is hated by her spoiled daughter. After her husband succumbs to a deadly pestilence while away on business, she assumes control of his people and quarantines everyone inside the moat surrounding the house in order to protect them from the deadly sickness that is spreading in all of England.

Not for the squeamish: “The living conditions in Bradmayne are vile; one might think "Men urinated where they stood" would say it all about a village, but the author spares no detail in showing what grossness causes stench and attracts vermin. People seem not to connect these godawful conditions with the "killing sickness in the village" that carries "a deadly pestilence with putrid boils" and requires the digging of mass graves” (Kirkus).

Sequel note: The Turn of Midnight is coming out in August 2019 and continues where The Last Hours left off.

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My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite 
Fiction

What it’s about: Imagine you’re a responsible, upstanding, well-respected nurse. Now imagine your younger sister has a tendency to kill the men she’s dating… and guess who gets to help her deal with the aftermath. And now your murderous sister has begun flirting with the doctor you’re secretly in love with. Welcome to Korede’s world…  

Why you might like it: If you like inventive stories with a first-person narrator who keeps upping the suspense, pick up this book.  

What sets it apart: While the subject matter is a bit grisly, the tone is light. For readers who enjoy reading suspense novels bursting with grim humor. 

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Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide by Isabel Quintero
YA Nonfiction

What it’s about: Haunting. Universal. Mystical. Stark. Cryptic. Monumental. Intimate. Graciela Iturbide’s photographs capture many sides of Mexican life. This graphic novel examines her professional life through the stories around some of her iconic photographs. Some of the startling images include a girl dressed in a white First Communion dress and a skull mask, a self-portrait of Iturbide holding dead birds up to her eyes, a woman wearing iguanas on her head like a gorgon, and shots from Freida Kahlo’s newly reopened bathroom (50 years after her death) showing the harnesses and other equipment she used to deal with her pain.

Why you should read it: The graphic novel gives Iturbide’s reminiscences as well as commentary about her works, accompanied by the photographs as well as drawn interpretations of her work. I did not know Iturbide’s work before, but this book inspired me to seek out her website and find out more.

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Stag’s Leap by Sharon Olds
Nonfiction

What it’s about: This poetry collection chronicles, with heartbreaking honesty, Olds’ experience of her husband leaving her for another woman after 30 years of marriage. Olds takes the reader through what feels very much like the stages of grief as she initially struggles to negotiate her joyful memories of her marriage with the now known reality that was lying beneath. From the initial stages of separation, to the dividing of household objects, to years later when there is peace but still awkwardness and sadness, these poems give voice to the aspects of divorce that are usually avoided.

Why you might like it: Readers who loved the raw emotion of Rupi Kaur’s Milk & Honey but are looking for a more mature voice and perspective will appreciate this collection. The poems are personal and emotion-driven, with accessible language.

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The Round House by Louise Erdrich
Fiction

What it’s about: In this coming of age story, the adult Joe recounts his 13th summer, when his mother, a tribal consultant for the Ojibwe in North Dakota, is brutally attacked by an assailant she can’t or won’t identify. When questions of jurisdiction halt the criminal investigation, Joe and his friends attempt to bring her assailant to justice. Lyrical, moving, and authentic.

Why you might like it: A devastating story that still manages to be funny and tender, it is peopled by vibrant, lively characters, including bawdy storytelling elders and boys on bikes, with all the freedom and trouble that can bring. Joe, exploring the world, is tough and protective on the outside, but that covers a sweet softness for his mother. Comical and spiritual.

Try this next: For similar topics and characters, try The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie, or There There by Tommy Orange. For similarly complex, layered, and tied-together plots, try anything by Kate Atkinson.

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Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
YA Fiction

What’s it about: Willowdean Dickson isn’t ashamed of who she is or what she looks like. As a proud, fat, Dolly Parton lovin’ Texas teen, she’s got it all figured out. That is, until she meets Bo, the fry-cook at her after school job. This cute, all-American private school boy is a teenage dream boat, and--guess what!--he’s totally into her, too! With her first boyfriend ever, doubt digs into her self-confidence and her best response is to show her hesitant mother she can do anything a skinny girl can, even compete in the Miss Blue Bonnet beauty pageant. My favorite part about Willowdean is her authenticity. Julie Murphy didn’t write this under-represented character type as a perfect angel; Willowdean can be mean, she can screw up, she can apologize. Dumplin’ is a sweet novel with a lot of character, both with and without sequins.

Book Buzz: Recently adapted into the Netflix feature: Dumplin’, featuring Jennifer Aniston and some amazing Dolly Parton drag queens!

Series Alert: Puddin’ is the next book in this duology.

 

The Vanishing Box by Elly Griffiths
Fiction

Starring: Magician Max Mephisto and his daughter Ruby, Christmas 1953 at the Brighton Hippodrome!

What it’s about: Girls linked to the Living Statues act which shares the bill are being found dead, elaborately posed in historical tableaux, and Max, Ruby, and the police all find their lives upended as they search for the killer.

Series alert: Fourth in the Magic Men mystery series

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An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten
Fiction

Featuring: Maud, a Swedish lady in her upper 80’s. She never married, lives alone, and prefers to keep it that way.

What it’s about: Maud lives in a nice, big apartment in a building that used to belong to her family. She pretends to be a sweet, confused, and rather frail old lady when it suits her, but woe to those who invoke her wrath. She’s actually in great physical shape for someone her age, sharp as a tack, and ruthless beyond measure when it comes to - permanently - getting rid of nuisances that interfere with her enjoyment of life… A small book, but, like Maud, it packs a punch.

Author note: Helene Tursten also writes the Irene Huss crime series and Irene makes a brief appearance in this book.

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Celebrate Recovery Bible
Nonfiction 

What is it? The Celebrate Recovery Bible is a remarkable recovery tool for anyone who struggles with any kind of hurt, habit, or hang-up. It’s important to know that it’s not just an outstanding resource for people who struggle with any kind of addiction. If you have been hurt or have hurt someone, the Christ centered 12 Steps and 8 principles are a great tool to use to get right with yourself and with God.   

Is it for you? This bible has great daily devotionals, great biblical character stories and everyday testimonies of how God and Celebrate Recovery has healed and changed their lives. 

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Rise: How a House Built a Family by Cara Brookins
Nonfiction

What it’s about: An inspiring true story of a family’s healing after the author escapes an abusive relationship but has nowhere to live. She does the unthinkable and builds a house from the ground up with her four children.

What the reviewers say: “An inspiring memoir of absolute determination.” --Kirkus Reviews

You might also like: Wild by Cheryl Strayed or Educated by Tara Westover.

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The Library Book by Susan Orlean
Nonfiction

What it’s about: While the devastating 1986 Los Angeles Public Library fire is the thread that runs through this immersive and investigative book, the narrative widens to describe the library’s rich history, its current innovative programs, and its dedicated staff. You’ll meet some quirky characters in these pages—some of them library staff, some library users, and one a possible arsonist. (But is he?)

Why you might like it: If you’re a book lover (and if you’re reading this, probably you are), then this celebration of libraries will delight you. Also, if you enjoy journalistic works that dive deep into the workings of a business or organization, this book will satisfy that reading urge.

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Dread Nation: Rise Up by Justina Ireland
YA Fiction

What it’s about: The dead rose up at Gettysburg just after the battle, and the nation is still recovering from the war and the zombie apocalypse. Now Jane McKeene is training to become a lady’s attendant (bodyguard) against the shamblers and trying to find out what happened to her ex-boyfriend’s sister and her family, but she makes powerful enemies in the process.

Why you should read it: This reads a bit like Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets the Wild West. African-American Jane is smart, sassy, and ferocious, protecting those she cares about and commenting on the world as she knows it. Well worth finding on audio too.

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Dopesick by Beth Macy
Nonfiction 

What it’s about: Dopesick is not for the faint of heart – it is an investigative account of the opioid crisis that hit the poor, rural southeast first and hardest. Macy delivers a crushing analysis of the ways that pharmaceutical companies aggressively marketed addictive painkillers with blatant disregard of their potential danger, and how the growing addiction to the pills was ignored because of the population it was affecting. Macy follows the development of the crisis as it reached urban areas and younger victims, building her argument with personal, heartbreaking stories of families torn apart by addiction. While a difficult read, Dopesick will open readers’ eyes to the ways in which pharmaceutical companies and the FDA put American citizens in danger, and will make you think twice before you accept those potent painkillers after your next dental surgery.  

For fans of: Other journalistic writers like Jon Krakauer.  

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The Driver by Hart Hanson
Fiction

Read it for: The intensely sympathetic portrait of a band of wounded Afghanistan veterans struggling to readjust to civilian life while recovering from harrowing war experiences, as well for the rapid pace storytelling, which is suspenseful, blunt, and funny.

What it’s about: In this debut thriller, former Special Forces sergeant and current limo driver Michael Skellig foils an assassination attempt on his client, Bismark Avila, but in the process a bodyguard is killed and Skellig is suspected in the death. Avila blackmails Skellig into becoming his permanent driver by helping to exonerate him. While working for Avila, Skellig and his “team”—his former Afghan interpreter and two other wounded vets—become embroiled in a violent race to locate some mysterious barrels.

Reviewers say: “Readers of Scott Turow and Harlan Coben will appreciate the intricate plot and rich character development. Although there is a fair amount of violence, loyalty and "doing the right thing" are the main themes of this novel.”—Library Journal.

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Spineless by Juli Berwald
Nonfiction

What it’s about: An ocean biologist stranded far from the sea becomes fascinated by jellyfish, and begins an odyssey around the world to investigate these alien creatures.

What the reviewers say: “Berwald's engaging book is part memoir, part pop science, weaving together stories of her own twisting academic path along with fascinating, vivid details about the delicate creatures: Some giant species can grow to nearly 500 pounds, and others can "reverse-age" like Benjamin Button.” New York Times Review of Books

Who it’s for: Anyone who loved the Jellies exhibit at the Shedd Aquarium, or missed it and wished they hadn’t.

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The Truth and Other Lies by Sascha Arango
Fiction

What it’s about: Famous bestselling author Henry Hayden is happily married to Martha, who, unbeknownst to everybody, is the one actually penning all his books. Life is good, but then Henry’s mistress Betty, whom truth be told he is not particularly fond of, informs him that she is pregnant. Before long, Martha ends up dead and Henry has to try to keep the carefully created façade of his life from unraveling.

Want a taste?  “But men are never more cowardly and their lies never more pathetic than when they’re caught with their pants down. Isn’t that so, gentlemen?”

Reviewers say: “this is one wicked tale. You keep waiting for the author to slip, plot-wise, but, as with his protagonist, you wait in vain” (Kirkus).>

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Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky
Fiction

What is it? The notable allure of Barbara’s latest book is her ability to transport the reader to a place, time, and a set of circumstances that the reader is compelled to stay with until the very end. The plot’s surprises and developments create tension and emotional concern for the characters.

Key insight: The diversity in how people grieve adds depth and understanding that stays with the reader for a very long time.

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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Fiction

What it's about: Feyre will do anything to keep her family from starving in the depth of winter, even kill a wolf that just might be a terrifyingly dangerous faerie. Now, to pay for her crimes, Feyra has been forced to reside in the Spring Court by a handsome king in a kingdom of masked creatures. A Court of Thorns and Roses is a Beauty and the Beast retelling which straddles the line between Young Adult and Adult Fiction, containing rip-roaring action and sensually descriptive scenes. 

Series Alert: Other titles in the series are A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight.

You might also like: The Black Jewels trilogy by Anne Bishop.

 

Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver
Fiction

What it’s about: This absorbing, character-focused story features two families—one in the 1870s and one today—inhabiting houses (and lives) that are slowly crumbling around them. The two storylines connect when a current-day unemployed journalist begins researching the groundbreaking female scientist who lived on her block over 100 years earlier.

Why you might like it: If you enjoy books with creatively interwoven dual timelines, stories that celebrate nature, or historical fiction about the lives of scientists, this book may be for you.

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Let Me Lie by Clare Mackintosh
Fiction

About the authors: Clare Mackintosh is an award-winning New York Times and international bestselling author. She spent twelve years on the police force in England and has written for the Guardian, Good Housekeeping, and other publications.

For fans of: Into the Water by Paula Hawkins and Liar Liar by Lisa Jackson.

Reviewers say: “[A] deliciously creepy tale of urban paranoia.”—Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in Cabin 10.

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Travel as a Political Act by Rick Steves
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Travel guru Rick Steves encourages travelers to go outside their comfort zone and engage with the places they travel in a more meaningful way – talking with local people, discussing local news and historical events, and becoming aware of other points of view and other ways of living.

Why you should read it: As he’s done with Mona Winks, his guide to European art museums, Steves gives world history lessons in small and enjoyable doses. He makes the case for travel as a way to better engage with the world rather than just sightsee and draws upon his own experiences to show how travel has changed his ways of thinking.

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Someone by Alice McDermott
Fiction

What it’s about: Someone is like a shorter, more adult A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, following the life of Marie, an Irish girl growing up in Brooklyn in the 1930s. Marie starts off as a fiery, diffident young girl who enters adulthood reluctantly and takes to old age less than gracefully. Surrounding her are characters—family, friends, and neighbors—who have struggles of their own, both timely and timeless in nature.

Who it's for: This story will satisfy readers who enjoy slice-of-life tales with a historical flair. The novel does not follow a linear timeline; we are given vignettes of the different stages of Marie’s life, from young child to elder, that interplay with each other, but McDermott manages to do this in a style that is not jarring or confusing.  This calm, contemplative read will engage you with its strong sense of time and place, and keep you invested with its emotional pull.

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The Outsider by Stephen King
Fiction

Starring: Ralph Anderson, Flint City detective, and Holly Gibney, former assistant to Bill Hodges of Mr. Mercedes fame.

What it’s about: It looks like an open and shut case when Terry Maitland, local coach and all-around great guy, is arrested for the brutal murder of an 11-yr old boy. There were reliable witnesses who saw Maitland, and his DNA and fingerprints are all over the evidence. Ralph Anderson is sure he has the right guy and arrests him at a public event. But then Maitland produces an iron-clad alibi that has witnesses and DNA evidence putting him in a different place when the murder was committed. The contradictory evidence is grounds to bring in investigator Holly Gibney, who played a crucial part in King’s Bill Hodges trilogy. This being Stephen King, the supernatural eventually finds its way into the plot and if you have a phobia about worms you may want to let someone else recap the last part for you.

Audio note: This is a great experience on audio; Will Patton does an excellent job voicing all the characters, with much emotion and expertise, as he did for King’s Bill Hodges trilogy.>

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The Ravenmaster by Christopher Skaife
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Ravens have made the Tower of London their home for centuries. According to legend, the Tower, and England itself, will fall if they ever leave. To discourage that possibility, one of the Yeoman Warders is assigned to watch over their welfare and happiness. Christopher Skaife, along with his staff, is the officer who currently feeds and doctors them, climbs after them if they get into trouble, retrieves them if they go wandering, and frequently finds himself the target of raven humor.

What the reviewers say: “In this lively and often cheeky narrative, first-time author Skaife puts a human face on the Beefeaters (aka Yeoman Warders)-the ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London-and the distinctive ravens under their care.” Publishers Weekly

Life lesson:  Never ever underestimate the ravens.

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Heaven’s Crooked Finger by Hank Early
Fiction

Introducing: Earl Marcus, a hard-drinking middle-aged private detective, finely practiced in self-deprecation, haunted by painful memories of his childhood.

What it’s about: Earl's dark past has kept him away from home for 30 years, but when he learns that Granny Lacey is dying he returns to the Georgia mountains. Aided only by Deputy Sheriff Mary Hawkins, Granny Lacey’s granddaughter, and Rufus, a blind man living in an abandoned church, Earl looks for truth behind the bizarre rumors that his snake-handling preacher father has risen from the dead. As Earl probes his father’s past, he also gets on the trail of some teenage girls who disappear and then return home with mysterious tattoos. Intense, eerie, and riveting, relieved by moments of real humor.

For fans of: Southern gothic, “hillbilly noir,” and the work of Joe R. Lansdale.

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God is Not Mad at You by Joyce Meyer
Nonfiction

What it is: Joyce Meyer has delivered a book that is immeasurably needed and has a potentially life-changing message: God is not mad at you. If only we could believe that.

Is it for you? If you feel at all insecure in your relationship with God, or if you've ever questioned how He really feels about you, I urge you to read this book. Joyce has an uncomplicated, straightforward writing style that is easy to grasp. She never condemns, she supports all of her statements with scripture references, and she has a message that might transform your life. This book is for you, and for me, and for anyone who doubts God's unfailing love.>

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