Staff Picks
August 2024
Ghost Roast
by Shawnee Gibbs
Chelsea does everything she can to hide the fact that her dad is a professional ghost hunter. Her social life would be ruined if that got out at her school. Of course this is a lot harder than it sounds when her punishment for getting caught at a graveyard party by the police is helping her dad out at his job over the summer. While at work Chelsea finds out that she can not only see ghosts but can also talk to them too. And one of the ghosts at the old mysterious mansion is not only nice, but also hot. Maybe her dad’s job isn’t so crazy as it seems… if only Chelsea can find a way to save the ghosts, instead of hunt them.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Dear Medusa
by Olivia A. Cole
Alicia has a reputation, but there’s more to her story than the whispers that follow her at school. A million different insults that really mean “a girl who has had sex” can hurt. What her classmates don’t know is that she was sexually abused by a popular teacher. Does that make her a victim, or a slut who asked for it? Alicia is having a hard time figuring that out. She went from outgoing, to invisible. Until one day when mysterious letters are left in her locker that hint at another victim. Alicia has built walls to protect herself, but between the letters showing up and a new girl at school, Alicia is starting to see cracks forming. Cracks that may open up to something better.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches
by Kate Scelsa
Eleanor is the least likely person in Salem to believe in witchcraft. She is a town outcast among her peers, for something that happened with her ex girlfriend. Not even witch craft could fix the mistakes that she made. Then a handwritten guide to tarot arrives at the witch souvenir store where Eleanor works with a promise that magic is coming her way. Eleanor is quick to dismiss this, until Pix shows up with an unusual invitation. Inspired by the magic and mystery of the tarot, Eleanor decides to open herself up to making friends with Pix and her coven of witches, and even to the possibility of a new romance. If Pix and her friends find out about Eleanor’s ex and their fallout though, Eleanor thinks she will lose everything again. Secrets can hurt loved ones, and Eleanor has plenty to hide. Are her secrets bad enough not be forgiven?
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
July 2024
The Key to Rebecca
by Ken Follett
Ken Follett’s The Key to Rebecca is a thrilling historical fiction novel about espionage and adventure that takes place during WWII. The story revolves around a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game between Alex Wolff, a German spy, and Major William Vandam, a British intelligence officer. Wolff, inspired by the real-life spy Johannes Eppler, uses the novel “Rebecca” as a code to transmit crucial military secrets to the Axis powers. Vandam, tasked with stopping Wolff, must decipher the spy’s code and prevent the fall of Cairo. I enjoyed Follett’s engaging and fast passed writing and his ability to describe vivid atmospheric settings. I felt fully immersed in the sweltering heat of the Egyptian dessert… although it probably helped that I was reading this outside during the summer! The historical accuracy and attention to detail enhance the authenticity of the story, making it as educational as it is entertaining. It’s a novel with exciting and unexpected twists and turns. For fans of historical fiction and spy-thrillers, this book is a must read.
Recommended by: Kristen Holding, Graphic Artist
Posted in: Adult Fiction
The Manningtree Witches
by A.K. Blakemore
A.K. Blakemore’s The Manningtree Witches is a haunting historical re-imagining that transports readers to the harrowing days of the English witch hunts of the 17th century. The story follows Rebecca West, a poor young woman and her mother who are desperately trying to get by. Their lives, along with those of several other women in the town, are upended when the infamous self-proclaimed witchfinder Matthew Hopkins arrives, bringing with him paranoia and suspicion. The book vividly captures the oppressive atmosphere of the time, where accusations of witchcraft were fueled by personal vendettas and societal anxieties. The poetic language used in the book is not especially easy to follow but I think that it adds to the authenticity of the period. This story was impressive to me because Matthew Hopkins died young and very little is known of him other than his witchfinding and the women are only known through the records of the trials, so Blakemore has created her story from very little information. In the afterword, Blakemore suggests that her goal in writing this story was to give a voice to the persecuted and voiceless women of the time. I would say that she succeeded!
This book is available at the library and on Hoopla as an e audiobook.
Recommended by: Kristen Holding, Graphic Artist
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Gilded
by Marissa Meyer
Marissa Meyer’s Gilded is an enchanting reimagining of the classic Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, infused with German mythology, dark magic, and a touch of romance. The story follows Serilda, a gifted storyteller who inadvertently captures the attention of the sinister Erlking and his ghastly Wild Hunt. Serilda’s talent for spinning tales becomes her only weapon when she deceives the Erlking and is ensnared in a deadly deal. Trapped in the Erlking’s haunted castle, she encounters a peculiar yet endearing poltergeist named Gild, who helps her spin straw into gold to fulfill the ErlKing’s demands. However, Gild harbors his own secrets that Serilda must discover while she slowly grows feelings for him. One of my favorite aspects of the book is Meyer’s ability to blend the classic and contemporary. While the foundation of the story is rooted in the Rumpelstiltskin legend, Meyer expands on the fairy tale with her own imaginative flair, incorporating elements of Germanic folklore and her signature creative touch.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla as an e audiobook.
Recommended by: Kristen Holding, Graphic Artist
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The House Across the Lake
by Riley Sager
Riley Sager’s The House Across the Lake is a thrilling, suspenseful, and spooky story that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I couldn’t put it down! The novel intertwines elements of mystery, phycological tension, and unexpected twists, making this a must-read for fans of gripping thrillers. The story centers around Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress seeking solace at her family’s lake house. Her retreat takes a sinister turn when she becomes entangled in the lives of her mysterious neighbors, Tom and Katherine Royce. Casey’s fascination quickly escalates into obsession, leading her to uncover secrets that are as shocking as they are dangerous. What made this thriller different for me was Sager’s use of misdirection. I was kept guessing at every turn! The final reveal however, was both satisfying and chilling. While the story was highly entertaining, I would suggest looking up trigger warnings for the book before reading. There are instances of drowning, alcoholism, abuse, and more. If these topics bother you I would suggest choosing a different book.
This book is available at the library and on OverDrive/Libby as a ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Kristen Holding, Graphic Artist
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Horrorstör
by Grady Hendrix
Grady Hendrix’s Horrorstör is a unique comedy / horror / ghost story that takes place in a haunted ORSK Furniture Superstore, a clear parody of an IKEA Home Furniture store. If you are a frequent shopper at IKEA then you will understand the humor of the novel. The characters themselves aren’t funny, but the author’s tongue-and-cheek descriptions of the layout of the store, the furniture, and the products is what made me laugh out loud. Don’t skip the pictures! Read everything, even the order numbers! There is satire everywhere. I appreciated the design of the physical book as it included maps, ads, flyers, order forms, and coupons to make it look like a printed IKEA catalog, when those still existed. The story was vividly horrific, but also funny and relatable to anyone who has worked in retail. The book follows three employees who volunteer to work a 9 hour dusk-till-dawn shift to see why something strange is happening at their ORSK Furniture Superstore. A seemingly unremarkable night of patrolling the showroom quickly escalates into a terrifying ordeal as supernatural forces reveal themselves. The story does get pretty gruesome, but those scary moments are punctuated with humor, like when the characters use sickeningly sweet vanilla scented candles (JÄMLIK at IKEA) to perform a séance or when one of the characters, locked inside a module closet, easily escapes because they had an Allen key (the small tool that comes with every IKEA furniture purchase) in their pocket. The book does have some meaningful moments between the characters, but the concept of “death by the corporate grind” is emphasized as the overarching theme.
Recommended by: Kristen Holding, Graphic Artist
Posted in: Adult Fiction
How Can I Help You
by Laura Sims
Laura Sims’ How Can I Help You plunges readers into a chilling and unsettling world, lurking beneath the mundane surface of a small-town library. What begins as an ordinary setting quickly unravels into a haunting tale of obsession, secrecy, and murder that will leave readers with a lingering sense of unease. The story focuses on two unreliable and exceptionally dislikable heroines, Margo and Patricia, who are both librarians at the small-town library. As soon as they meet, they are suspicious of one another’s behaviors and intentions. It is an exciting, smart, dark, and entertaining story that will keep you guessing until the very end. If you work at a library or even frequent one, it is entertaining to hear about the day-to-day office politics, camaraderie, and patron conflicts that are depicted. It is easy to tell that the author is a librarian! I know I will think of this book next time I answer the phone or address a patron with the phrase “How can I help you?” After reading this book you won’t be looking at your local librarian the same way again!
Recommended by: Kristen Holding, Graphic Artist
Posted in: Adult Fiction
One in a Millennial: On Friendship, Feelings, Fangirls, and Fitting In
by Kate Kennedy
Kate Kennedy’s One in a Millennial: On Friendship, Feelings, Fangirls, and Fitting In is a relatable and entertaining memoir exploring the millennial experience. As a millennial myself, it was validating to hear Kennedy’s life stories and how similar they were to my own during childhood growing up in the Midwest. I especially resonated with her exploration of fangirl culture, since that was how I connected with my peers and made new friends. She delves into the passion and community that fandoms can create and the joy that comes from shared interests. I appreciate that she also critiques the sometimes toxic dynamics that can arise within fan communities. The chapter where Kennedy reminisces about mall culture also brought back good memories. I loved the sights, sounds, and smells of the mall: the fountain at the center always filled with pennies, going to Clare’s not to get cheap jewelry, but to buy Chupa Chups Spice Girls themed lollipops, digging though the barrels of mini hand sanitizers at Bath and Body Works in search of Cucumber Melon, and trolling the Walden Books boy band calendar section. This book offers a heartfelt exploration of growing up in the 90s and the challenges and joys we are experiencing now in modern adulthood. It offers humorous, honest, and insightful commentary. I would recommend this for fans of personal essays and contemporary reflections on life.
This book is available on OverDrive/Libby as an e audiobook and ebook.
Recommended by: Kristen Holding, Graphic Artist
Posted in: Adult Fiction