Please peruse with pleasure the pithy picks of near-perfect published penmanship as portrayed by your public library staff people, as of this past year!
The Way I Am Now, by Amber Smith
Recommended by Brianna
This is a sequel to the book The Way I Used to Be. As I read the first book and enjoyed it, the second was my favorite read this year. The story was able to encapsulate the very real healing and journey of a person who experienced violence. I was able to sympathize with the main character and I tend to rate books highly if they make me cry (which this one did!).
Slow Noodles: A Cambodian Memoir of Love, Loss and Family Recipes, by Chantha Nguon
Recommended by Rocío
A look into Cambodia's history through the life of one family, particularly one woman's journey to find a place for herself in an upside down world. It is a slice of world history that we don't learn very much about as Americans. This vibrant and at times heartbreaking book was hard to put down.
Patriot, by Alexei Navalny
Recommended by Debbie Monahan
I thought this book might be very important but a bit dreary, but it is not just informative about late Soviet and recent Russian history -- it is also very moving and fabulously well written, opening like a thriller with a minute-by-minute account of his poisoning and his subsequent difficult recovery from the attempt on his life by the Russian state.
Black Sun, by Rebecca Roanhorse
Recommended by Jenna
On the eve of a solar eclipse, the avatar of an ancient god travels to a holy city on a mission of vengeance. Black Sun is set in a world inspired by the pre-Columbian Americas. Also, there are giant crows!
Babel, by R. F. Kuang
Recommended by Kirsten
This is a terrific read combining academia, magic, and anti-colonialism with absolutely stunning writing.
North Woods, by Daniel Mason
Recommended by Kira
Everything about this novel is incredible - the characters, the writing, the story and the descriptions of the natural world. I listened to the audio version, read by numerous actors, who did a fabulous job bringing Mason's book to life. As a big fan of historical fiction, the supernatural and stories that span centuries, I loved diving into the life of a house built in Western Massachusetts and the unusual characters who occupied it - sometimes even after death.
Flight of Passage, by Rinker Buck
Recommended by Oliver
This is a thrilling true story that had me on my toes all winter long. When 15-year-old Rinker Buck sets off on every pilot's dream journey of a lifetime—flying coast to coast across the United States—he and his brother, Kern, encounter epic challenges and dangerous unfamiliar terrain as they traverse the country. The retro-esque nature of their flying combined with their young age and exceptional story-telling ability come together to form a book to remember. Their stories prove as an inspiration for future pilots and adventure-seekers, young and old, and is an exciting read for all ages about adventure, adversity, and airplanes.
Still Life, by Sarah Winman
Recommended by Angie
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it was a sweeping story that spanned the decades from World War II onward, taking me on a journey through Italy and London. The book was a heartfelt exploration of relationships - showing how friendships can grow into a chosen family and how people from different backgrounds can come together, overcoming their flaws and differences.
The Burning Plain, by Juan Rulfo
Recommended by Shirel
A collection of mesmerizing short stories where the Southern Gothic meets Magical Realism. The landscapes may be barren but the characters are unforgettable!
Comments