Staff Picks Adult
July 2020
The Little Book of Hygge, Danish Secrets to Happy Living
by Meik Wiking
The word Hygge is pronounced ‘hoo-ga’ or ‘hoo-guh’ and is a Danish philosophy that places an emphasis on a person’s well-being or general happiness. This book offered a pleasant guide to assist us in the ways in we can experience Hygge. Experiences such as Hygge cooking (recipes are included), how to create Hygge lighting in your home (lanterns that are not overly bright), to a Hygge outing (such as going to a fruit orchard with the family) plus other topics are discussed. And although we all may have done some of these things, it was very interesting to read about another culture. If you enjoy being an armchair traveler, give this book a try. Also available on Hoopla and OverDrive.
Recommended by: Michelle Przekwas, Adult Services Shelver
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
Eight Perfect Murders
by Peter Swanson
Malcolm Kershaw is a quiet bookstore owner, widowed, and with few friends. But his quiet life is interrupted when a young woman with the FBI wants to ask him questions about an article he wrote years ago titled ‘Eight Perfect Murders.’ Someone is using this list of perfect crime books to commit murder and it just so happens that Malcolm knows the victims. Our narrator, Malcolm, does give up new information about his own personal, quiet life as the story progresses. And as he gives us those clues about his life, some good twists and turns follow which had me wondering ….who in his small group of acquaintances could be a murderer? Although the pace of the book was slow at first, it does pick up. I was glad I stuck with it to the finish because the ending was very thrilling and I have added ‘eight’ authors to my ‘to be read’ list. If you like Ruth Ware, I would recommend trying Peter Swanson.
Recommended by: Michelle Przekwas, Adult Services Shelver
Posted in: Adult Fiction
To Kill a Mocking Girl: A Bookbinding Mystery
by Harper Kincaid
Posted in: Adult Fiction
June 2020
Ninth House
by Leigh Bardugo
Alex Stern has a secret skill. She can see ghosts. For a while when she was a kid, she didn’t realize others couldn’t see the gray-tinted people roaming around. It got her in trouble and made her an outcast. Now her special skills are a perfect fit to join the Lethe, a group of people set to monitor the rituals of the secret society houses of Yale. The disappearance of her mentor, a suspicious murder, and a well-known ghost pull her deep into a world of magic, horror, and secrets. Bardugo is well-known for her YA novels in the Grisha universe, but this is her first novel for adults. Ninth House is a hefty first book in a series, but worth the read.
Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager
Posted in: Adult Fiction
The Engineer’s Wife: a Novel
by Tracey Enerson Wood
Emily Warren marries Washington Roebling in the 1860s and her life becomes not what she planned. When Wash was put in charge of building the Brooklyn Bridge, the next 15 years of her life is consumed by that task. With the equipment available at the time and the depth the towers had to go into the ground, many of the workers suffered from what is now known as “the bends”, Wash became debilitated. Emily took over as the go between Wash and the site engineers. She became the acting chief engineer and project manager She studied engineering books and made suggestions to overcome obstacles. Many people did not trust a bridge “made” by a woman, so P.T. Barnum had his circus cross the bridge including Jumbo the elephant. Throughout her life, Emily stood up for her husband and herself. She later became involved in the women’s right to vote movement. This book has romance, intrigue, death, and suspense all wrapped up as tightly as the cables that hold the bridge.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Librarian I
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Memories of Glass
by Melanie Dobson
During WW II in Holland, friends Josie van Rees and Eliese Linden work with others to rescue hundreds of Jewish children from going to concentration camps with their families. The daring actions and courage displayed makes this book a page-turner. Alternating with present day America and Uganda, Ava Drake begins to suspect that her great-grandfather, William Kingston, had other activities in Holland during the war that were more than glass making. Working with Landon, a man she met in Uganda when she went to represent the Kingston Foundation, they try to uncover a family secret that some in the family will kill to keep hidden. An amazing story with an ending that is as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking. Available on Hoopla.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Three Wishes
by Liane Moriarty
Fans of Big Little Lies, The Husband’s Secret, or Nine Strangers may want to read this first novel written by the author. A funny, madcap, and sometimes sad story about three sisters, who are triplets, and their lives and loves right before their 34th birthday. This book will have you laughing and crying, so it is a perfect summer read. Also available on Hoopla and OverDrive.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Adult Fiction
I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf
by Grant Snider
Posted in: Adult Fiction
May 2020
In Five Years
by Rebecca Serle
When I picked up In Five Years, I thought this would be a quick romantic comedy. Rebecca Serle delivers so much more than that. Our main character Dannie has a premonitory dream that fast forwards her into a very different 5 year plan, that makes her doubt everything. Dannie & best friend Bella will warm your heart with their friendship. Their love & respect for each other far outshines their relationships with their boyfriends/fiances. A wonderful page turner that will leave you wanting to give your childhood best friend a call. Also available on OverDrive.
Recommended by: Theresa Hildebrand, Patron Services Manager
Posted in: Adult Fiction
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires
by Grady Hendrix
It’s the 1990’s. Patricia is your normal southern housewife who has an obsession with true crime books. James Harris is Patricia’s new neighbor. Being a good southern hostess and neighbor, Patricia invites James into her home and introduces him to her family. Soon after, she begins to notice strange things about James. Sunshine and bright lights hurt his eyes and his body reacts strangely to the southern heat. At times he seems deathly ill, other times he seems fit and healthy. Patricia eventually goes to her friends at book club with her suspicions. She tells them that James is their worst fear….he is a drug dealer selling to their children. Wouldn’t that explain the recent deaths of a few local children? What Patricia can’t say is that James is much worse…he is a vampire….and the book club women must come together to battle an unthinkable evil. Can the women succeed or will James divide and conquer? Author Grady Hendrix has created a dark, suspenseful, and mature horror/thriller in this story, but he never forgets it’s about the ladies and their book club. Hendrix easily weaves their book club selections into witty conversations and the overall story. This is a great read for 2020. Also available on OverDrive.
Recommended by: Michelle Przekwas, Adult Services Shelver
Posted in: Adult Fiction