Staff Picks Adult Fiction
June 2023
The First Man in Rome
by Colleen McCullough
Politics, treachery, and intrigue abound in this epic historical fiction centered on two rising political stars, Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix. Colleen McCullough’s research and detail of the era make the drama of this book enthralling. Strongly recommended to those who enjoyed the politics and intrigue of Game of Thrones, but could do without the fantasy. This is book one of the Masters of Rome series.
Recommended by: Patrick Deitche, Senior Patron Services Clerk
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Nothing But Blackened Teeth
by Cassandra Khaw
Feeling the summer heat? This short novel will send chills down your spine! Four thrill-seeking friends celebrate a wedding by renting out a supposedly-haunted Heian-era manor. As the night goes on, long-buried tensions between them simmer to the surface, and beneath the manor an ever longer buried bride begins to stir.
This book is available in the library and on Hoopla as an e audiobook.
Recommended by: Peter Tew, Adult Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Adult Fiction
April 2023
Stone Blind
by Natalie Haynes
Posted in: Adult Fiction
March 2023
The Kind Worth Saving
by Peter Swanson
Some of the same characters that were in The Kind Worth Killing are in this book as well as references to events in that book, but it is not necessary to read it first. This book can stand alone with its page turning action. Joan has always seemed a little off to Henry Kimball even when he was a first-year teacher and she was in his Honors English class. Now many years later when she hires him to discover if her husband is having an affair, he feels uneasy taking the case. As his investigation continues, Kimball finds troubling incidences in Joan’s past. In alternating chapters using the voice of Kimball, Joan, Richard, and Lilly the past and present collide in an explosive ending.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Adult Fiction
All That Is Mine I Carry With Me
by William Landay
Phil has writer’s block. He meets up with an old friend and decides to write about the disappearance forty years ago of the man’s mother, Jane. Jane disappeared one day without a trace. No body was found. The three siblings did not know if she was dead, possibly killed by their father, or had just run away. An investigation took place, but no evidence was discovered to solve the mysterious disappearance. The sister and two brothers had their lives totally affected by that one event as is told in chapters that reflect their point of view. Twenty years later her body is found. The discovery of the body brought the guilt or innocence of their father to a head. Still, who killed Jane remained a mystery until the final pages.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Adult Fiction
A Man Called Ove
by Fredrik Backman
This novel was published in 2013 in English, and became quite popular with readers. It took me until 2022 to pick up the novel, mainly because I do not like to read books at the same time as everyone else is. I would rather wait until the excitement wears down to pick it up and enjoy it.
Ove is perceived as a curmudgeon who doesn’t care for any one he meets in his daily life. As the novel progresses, the reader learns that there is a profound sadness in Ove’s past that has impacted the way he interacts with others. One day, a young family moves into the neighborhood right next to Ove. As expected, the initial introduction does not go well, and Ove secretly hopes they leave him alone forever. However, Parvenah and her family persist in showing kindness to Ove every single day, until the man’s cold heart slowly starts to melt.
This story resonated with me in that we never know everyone’s story and how their past can greatly affect the way they view the world and the people who they encounter. My motto has always been “Be Kind!” You never know when your compassionate actions can make a difference in your “Ove’s” world.
This book is available in the library, on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook, and Hoopla as an e audiobook.
Recommended by: Mary G. Adamowski, Library Director
Posted in: Adult Fiction
June 2022
Project Hail Mary
The future of the Earth is on shaky ground as a newly discovered alien species is eating away at the sun. Junior High science teacher Ryland Grace is tapped to help create a solution due to a research paper he wrote long ago. Now he finds himself alone, on a spaceship far from Earth with no memories, including his own name. As his memory slowly starts to return, he realizes that he is the Earth’s only hope for survival. This science fiction adventure story is told through dual timelines where the reader only knows what Grace remembers. A must-read that will hook you immediately.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook.
Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager
Posted in: Adult Fiction
May 2022
The Diamond Eye
by Kate Quinn
Posted in: Adult Fiction
February 2022
The Love Hypothesis
by Ali Hazelwood
Olive is a third year PhD candidate dedicated to completing her studies. When she breaks up with her boyfriend and realizes her best friend wants to now date the guy but won’t in deference to Olive she knows she has to do something. But, what? In a rash moment she says she’s dating someone new. In another rash moment, Olive kisses the first guy she sees who turns out to be a faculty member. Surprisingly he agrees to fake date her in order to keep Olive’s ruse going. You may know what ultimately happens, but getting there is so much fun.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Adult Fiction
December 2021
The Nature of Fragile Things
by Susan Meissner
In this historical fiction book, Sophie Whalen becomes Mrs. Martin Hocking after answering his ad for a wife in the newspaper. Sophie, an Irish immigrant, is disillusioned with life in New York City and relishes the chance to start over in San Francisco. She’s especially excited to be stepmother to widower Martin’s young daughter. As the marriage progresses many things in Martin’s life don’t seem to make sense. Right when Sophie starts to piece everything together, the devastating earthquake of 1906 happens. Left homeless, Sophie and her stepdaughter continue to search for the truth.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive as an ebook.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Adult Fiction