Staff Picks
October 2019
The Call
by Peadar O'Guilin
A long time ago, the people of Ireland banished the fae known as the Sídhe to another world. Now the Sídhe are back, and taking revenge by kidnapping teenagers to take part in a brutal hunt known as The Call. If they can survive twenty-four hours, these young men and women can return home. But if they’re caught, only horror awaits. Nessa Doherty knows she could be Called at any time, but unlike the others she is determined to survive. An engrossing mix of thrills, horror, mystery, and fantasy, this book is perfect for fans of dark fairy tales or those looking for a haunting read for Halloween.
Recommended by: DeAnna DeHoff, InterLibrary Loan Assistant
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
With the Fire on High
by Elizabeth Acevedo
Life has never been easy for Emoni Santiago. Raised by her loving abuela since her mother died and her father left the family behind to return to Puerto Rico, Emoni must now make it through her senior year of high school while also looking after her young daughter Emma. Juggling unpaid bills, family drama, and a potential new romance, Emoni finds refuge in the kitchen where creating new recipes and experimenting with food has always given her solace. But when she joins a new cooking class at her school and is confronted with the pressure of deciding her future, Emoni must choose between what’s best for her daughter or following her dreams. Can she find a way to balance her responsibilities with her dreams of being a chef? Equal parts sweetness and tears, this book is perfect for those looking for an inspiring story of finding happiness doing what you love (and includes delicious recipes too!)
Recommended by: DeAnna DeHoff, InterLibrary Loan Assistant
Posted in: Young Adult
Bone’s Gift
by Angie Smibert
One part historical fiction, one part mystery, one part supernatural tale: this book adds up to a real page-turner. Set in a coal mining town in West Virginia just as the United States is entering World War II, you may think our main character has enough to deal with. 12 year-old Bone Phillips comes from a family with peculiar gifts; an Uncle who can heal animals, a Grandmother who speaks to plants. Bone can see the stories in everyday objects, just by picking them up. One day Bone finds a note that says her mother died as a result of using her own gift. Bone is determined to solve the mystery of her mother’s death and bring her father home from training to go to the front lines. A beautifully written tale that draws you into a world where ghosts may be real and there’s no problem that can’t be solved with a little help from some friends.
Recommended by: Kara DeCarlo, School Liaison
Posted in: Youth Fiction
September 2019
Becoming Superman
by Michael Straczynski
A writer’s journey from poverty to Hollywood with stops along the way at murder, madness, mayhem, movie stars, cults, slums, sociopaths, and war crimes.
I’m a few pages from finishing this but a very inspiring memoir from the author that wrote Marvel’s Thor and Babylon 5. This guy had an absolutely horrendous life and still managed to become a marvelous writer. One of the first memoirs I have read and truly enjoyed, cheering him on all the way.
Recommended by: Carol Maresh, Cataloger II
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Gods of Jade and Shadow
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Set in Mexico during the Jazz Age, this story combines elements of fairy tales, a hero’s journey, and Mayan folklore into an unforgettable read. Cassiopeia Tun lives in the home of her wealthy grandfather, scrubbing floors and polishing boots to make up for her mother’s marriage to a poet-nobody. In his grand house, grandfather keeps an old wooden chest at the end of the bed and forbids anyone to open it. One sweltering afternoon, when the family travels to partake in the cool waters of a healing spring, Cassiopeia decides that she’s had enough. She unlocks the forbidden chest and unknowingly releases the Mayan God of Death, Hun Kame, who was deposed and decapitated by his brother. Together, the pair must travel the world to recover what was stolen and reinstate Hun Kame to his throne in the underworld. If you love mythology, mystery, and magic this book is for you!
Recommended by: Kara DeCarlo, School Liaison
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Grave Mercy
by Robin LaFevers
Ismae was born marked by death, a side effect from her mother’s failed attempt to end the pregnancy. When her father marries her off to a violent and cruel suitor, she escapes and finds a new home at the convent of St. Mortain, the god of Death. It’s here that she learns the skills of an assassin, excelling especially with poisons. Ismae soon finds herself deep undercover in the court of Princess Anne of Brittany trying to discover and eliminate all threats toward the princess. If you are looking for your next series featuring strong female characters, this first book of the “His Fair Assassin” series should find itself a home on your to-read list.
Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager
Posted in: Young Adult
Refugee
by Alan Gratz
Refugee tells the story of three refugee families from three different points of history. Josef is a Jewish boy escaping with his family from Germany in the 1930s on a ship set for Cuba. Isabel and her family set out on a raft from Cuba hoping to start a new life in Miami in the 1990s. Finally, in 2015, Mahmoud and his family leave Syria for Germany, one of the closest countries accepting refugees. All three stories share the theme of hope and freedom. The book is written in alternating chapters which help in the connections between three characters, each from different times but living somewhat similar lives.
Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager
Posted in: Young Adult
Lovely War
by Julie Berry
Who better to tell a love story than Aphrodite? When Aphrodite is caught having an affair with Ares by her husband Hephaestus, she tells the tale of two couples experiencing the unpredictability of love. Told through alternating perspectives through the eyes of several Greek gods, Lovely War tackles romance but also explores music, PTSD, and race relations during WW1. I’m not usually a romance fan, but the unique structure and compelling characters hooked me immediately and now I’m recommending this book to everyone who will listen.
Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager
Posted in: Young Adult
August 2019
Long Shot
The pairing of Rogen and Theron may seem odd on paper, but they have a natural chemistry on-screen where you can tell they enjoyed making this film just as much as you enjoyed watching it. The parallels to our current political climate are done in a playful way and it’s never too blatantly in your face. “Long Shot” finds this sort of balance throughout and that’s why it is a step above what you would expect from a typical rom-com.
Recommended by: Lisa Stemmons, Patron Services Clerk
Posted in: Movies/TV
Far From The Tree
A documentary featuring the stories of those deemed “abnormal” by society is at once heart wrenching and deeply extraordinary. Rather than 93 minutes of spoon-feeding us sadness about the black sheep of the family, “Far From The Tree” manages to provide a poignant look with a tinge of humor at what it means to be human. You will cry, you will be reminded of your privilege and then you will rejoice and revel at the depths of familial love.
Recommended by: Lisa Stemmons, Patron Services Clerk
Posted in: Documentary