HOW NOT TO DROWN IN A GLASS OF WATER by ANGIE CRUZ

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Cara Romero thought she would work at the factory of little lamps for the rest of her life. But when, in her mid-50s, she loses her job in the Great Recession, she is forced back into the job market for the first time in decades. Set up with a job counselor, Cara instead begins to narrate the story of her life.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Our narrator, Cara, tells her story in a unique way--over the course of 12 sessions with her job counselor and through various job postings she may or may not consider applying for. Through this format, we learn about what it means to be human--a daughter, a former wife, a mother, and a caregiver not just to herself, but to a community of folks living in and around her in Washington Heights.

FOR FANS OF: Cruz's debut Dominicana, immigrant stories

SAINTS AND MISFITS by S.K. ALI

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Saints and Misfits is a story about Muslim faith, identity, and social issues, which stars a Muslim teenage girl, Janna Yusuf, an Egyptian and Indian American, who grapples with the idea of misfits and saints and how to explore the nuance of both.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Feels like a My So Called Life of the 2020s...and I'm a 90s kid! Music to my ears.

FOR FANS OF: diverse authors, diverse protagonists, feminist stories, YA

THE SENTENCE by LOUISE ERDRICH

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  A small independent bookstore in Minneapolis is haunted from November 2019 to November 2020 by the store's most annoying customer. Flora dies on All Souls' Day, but she simply won't leave the store. Tookie, who has landed a job selling books after years of incarceration that she survived by reading with murderous attention, must solve the mystery of this haunting while at the same time trying to understand all that occurs in Minneapolis during a year of grief, astonishment, isolation, and furious reckoning.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Erdrich does an incredible job of telling a covid-19 pandemic story--amidst the additional devastating backdrop of George Floyd's murder--that feels rich, nuanced, and completely seamless. This story will itch at you and leave you desiring more and more. A masterful tale.

FOR FANS OF: Native American stories, books about books, indie bookstores, mysteries, ghost stories, current events, social justice

OLGA DIES DREAMING by XOCHITL GONZALEZ

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  A brother and sister with a deep, nuanced past explore what it means to live today, with secrets, amidst New York's political and social elite. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Set against the backdrop of New York City in the months surrounding the most devastating hurricane in Puerto Rico's history, this is a story that examines political corruption, familial strife and the very notion of the American dream--all while asking what it really means to weather a storm.

FOR FANS OF: political intrigue, LGBTQ+, literary fiction, New York, Nuyorican sotires

WOMAN OF LIGHT by KALI FAJARDO-ANSTINE

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Luz "Little Light" Lopez, a tea leaf reader and laundress, is left to fend for herself after her older brother, Diego, a snake charmer and factory worker, is run out of town by a violent white mob. As Luz navigates 1930's Denver on her own, she begins to have visions that transport her to her Indigenous homeland in the nearby Lost Territory. Luz recollects her ancestors' origins, how her family flourished and how they were threatened. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: A dazzling epic of betrayal, love, and fate that spans five generations of an Indigenous Chicano family of the American West.

FOR FANS OF: historical fiction, immigrant and Indigenous stories, multi-generational family stories

SKYWARD by BRANDON SANDERSON

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Defeated, crushed, and driven almost to extinction, the remnants of the human race are trapped on a planet that is constantly attacked by mysterious alien starfighters. Spensa, a teenage girl living among them, longs to be a pilot. When she discovers the wreckage of an ancient ship, she realizes this dream might be possible—assuming she can repair the ship, navigate flight school, and (perhaps most importantly) persuade the strange machine to help her. Because this ship, uniquely, appears to have a soul.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It's an intriguing story of humans building civilization on another planet--and at constant war with a largely unknown alien force. And it's a story of hope and resilience. Plus, you'll laugh out loud at the subtle humor.

FOR FANS OF: science fiction, no romance! , humans vs. aliens

LAST NIGHT AT THE TELEGRAPH CLUB by MALINDA LO

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father—despite his hard-won citizenship—Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day. This is a story of love and duty, set in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the height of the Red Scare.

FOR FANS OF: LGBTQ+ rep, historical fiction

YOLK by MARY H.K. CHOI

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Jayne and June Baek are nothing alike. June’s three years older, a classic first-born, know-it-all narc with a problematic finance job. Jayne is an emotionally stunted, self-obsessed basket case who lives in squalor, has egregious taste in men, and needs to get to class and stop wasting Mom and Dad’s money (if you ask June). 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: A story of the complications of family and sisterhood, it explores the deep, albeit fraught, relationships we have and hold and how to forge new bonds despite difficult histories. Warning: this story does explore and discuss disordered eating.

FOR FANS OF: family stories, sister relationships

THE IMMORTALISTS by CHLOE BENJAMIN

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: It's summer, 1969, New York City. The four Gold children, entering into adolescence, hear about a mystical fortune teller whose arrived to the city and can do one very distinct thing: share the exact date of your death. And so, they decide to have their fortunes read. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: For a book about death, Benjamin ushers in stories brimming with life, told from the perspective of each of the four Gold children, at different times from the late 1970s through the mid 2000s. From San Francisco to New York, and a traveling magic show in between, will each Gold child indeed die on the day the fortune teller predicted? 

FOR FANS OF: coming of age stories, multiple POVs, magic

CRYING IN H MART by MICHELLE ZAUNER

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: I’m a huge music fan. I’ve loved Michelle Zauner’s act, Japanese Breakfast, for a long time, and seen her perform more times than I can count. Her memoir, Crying in H Mart, is a love letter to her dead mother, who Zauner nursed through a painful and fatal cancer diagnosis. The lush, mouth watering descriptions of Korean food, how her mother cooked her favorite dishes, and the transfer of knowledge as Zauner learned of her mother’s fleeting time on earth, are heart breaking and heart opening.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Zauner’s exploration of what it means to be mixed race, straddling two different cultures, and how to preserve what she was worried she’d lose when her mother died, is nothing short of miraculous. This is a flawless memoir. Nothing is wasted. You’ll find yourself wanting so badly to stop and savor it. I’ve never read anything more powerful.

FOR FANS OF: memoir, food, on death and dying, mother daughter relationships, the Asian American experience, mixed heritage

FAIREST by MEREDITH TALUSAN

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Talusan, an immigrant, Albino, transgender author, takes readers on a thought provoking journey through some of the key moments in her life: the experience of “otherness” as an Albino child star in the Philippines being raised by her grandmother to her immigration to the United States and matriculation at one of the world’s most prestigious schools--Harvard. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Talusan discusses her experiences with gender and her coming out as transgender, as well as relationships--both familial, platonic, and romantic--that have shaped who she is today. The acclaimed author also discusses the frank realities of the privileges afforded to her because of her skin color but also the complication of race, light skin privilege, and even the disabilities she faces as a person living with Albinism. This book is chock full of insights, heartbreaks, triumphs, and shows how complicated the journey of life can be and often is.

FOR FANS OF: memoir, LGBTQ+ stories, the immigrant experience

DISPLACEMENT by KIKU HUGHES

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A Japanese-American teenager is pulled back in time to her grandmother's experience being interned at a World War II camp in the southwest.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This story is filled with rich detail about the varied experiences of Japanese and Japanese Americans interned at various camps during the war and helps readers understand the nuance of those experiences. There is tons of representation, as well as exploration of mothers, daughters, and granddaughters--the experiences they share and the experiences they hide. 

FOR FANS OF: graphic novels, World War II, the Asian American experience

BLACK SUN (BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY #1) by REBECCA ROANHORSE

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world. Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city, to arrive at Tova for the solstice, commandeered by disgraced Teek captain Xiala, carrying one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This fantasy duology is a perfect escape for our times. Not only does it feature heroes and villains, it shares details of Pre-Columbian civilization, celestial prophecies, and political intrigue. What's more, it's the best example I've seen of the inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals, in particular characters who are a third gender and use xe/xir pronouns. This representation felt sensitive and smoothly incorporated without drawing undue attention to itself for the sake of it.

FOR FANS OF: fantasy, magic, gender expansive characters, LGBTQ characters, celestial prophesies, Indigenous fantasy, pre-Colombian Americas

THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LA RUE by V.E. SCWAB

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: France, 1714: a young woman makes a deal with darkness to live forever. But what’s the cost? A life in which no one remembers her. Doomed to live hundreds of years without a single face that recognizes her, Addie travels the world, hoping to leave small marks of who she is on artists, thinkers, musicians, and Henry Strauss, a young bookseller in NYC who happens to remember her.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: In the vein of Time Traveler’s Wife, this story is utterly unbelievable and absorbing all at once. You will find yourself rooting for Addie, feeling her deep loneliness as if it’s your own. It may be a slow burn, but its end is so deeply satisfying, you’ll keep turning those pages to get to the finish line.

FOR FANS OF: magical stories, romance, adventure, slow burners

SISTERS IN HATE: AMERICAN WOMEN ON THE FRONTLINES OF WHITE NATIONALISM by SEYWARD DARBY

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Seyward Darby deftly explores the history of white nationalist movements in the United States through the lens of the women who help advance and uphold their racist agendas. Darby met and interviewed three prominent women of white nationalist movements--each with unique journeys which brought them into the fold--and explores their critical, albeit underreported, roles in upholding racist ideas, traditional family values (#tradlife), and helping other women find their place in the movement.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: If you like a window or door opening into a world you don’t know or understand, Darby’s book is a great example of just that. Her interviews are sharp and her research even deeper. Through this work, she expertly explores the important role women play in white nationalist movements, debunking the common stereotypes of what white supremacists look and act like. A page turning journey, you won’t want to put this down.

FOR FANS OF: current events reads, history

DANCING AT THE PITY PARTY by TYLER FEDER

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This graphic memoir details the life and loss of the author’s mother at a critical time in her life as a young adult. The poignant look into learning of her mother’s diagnosis, navigating her illness, and ultimately, her death, is vivid, heart breaking, and also heartwarming.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This story will speak to anyone who has dealt with parental loss, especially as a young person. I lost a parent at 16 years old and this spoke directly to my younger self; I found myself nodding my head in affirmation, tearing up at moments that deeply resonated with me, and also laughing--because this book is filled with humor and love, despite the deep sadness. While it may be perfect for folks who have walked in Tyler’s shoes, it’s also a great read for anyone who loves someone who has lost a parent, too.

FOR FANS OF: graphic memoir, navigating grief and loss

FELIX EVER AFTER by KACEN CALLENDER

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: From Stonewall and Lambda Award-winning author Kacen Callender comes a revelatory YA novel about a transgender teen grappling with identity and self-discovery while falling in love for the first time.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This story so deftly weaves issues of gender identity, being a teenager, and wanting to fall in love for the first time. It also addresses familial abandonment, deep friendships, and powerfully features its transgender protagonist on the book jacket--top surgery scars included. It is a triumph in LGBTQIA young adult literature that allows transgender teens of color to see themselves fully, and for those who do not hold this identity to experience life through Felix’s eyes. The author's own gender identity adds an own voices authenticity. Groundbreaking.

FOR FANS OF: LGBTQIA literature, transgender stories, romance, young adults, coming of age, gender identity

You can request this book out from the physical library using our form, or here is your access to the ebook in SORA/OVERDRIVE. It is also available through SORA in audio.

THE CITY WE BECAME by N.K. JEMISIN

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Cities and their souls. Particularly New York City, which is largely defined by its five unique boroughs, all with protectors who can both bring rise and destruction to the very essence of what it means to be the city. Every city has a dark side. Will the boroughs’ protectors be able to save it once and for all?

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: While this book may live in the fantasy world, so much of it is rooted in truth. As America is battling the twin destructive forces of a global pandemic and racism, this book will make you think. Think about racism, about poverty, about cities, about fairness, about truth, and about justice. You might find yourself like I was as I read: yelling and urging characters to rise and resist.

FOR FANS OF: fantasy, cities, New York City, themes around social justice 

You can request this book out from the physical library using our form, or here is your access to the ebook in SORA/OVERDRIVE. It is also available through SORA in audio.

MEXICAN GOTHIC by SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Glamorous 1950s Mexico. A bleak, mysterious mansion called High Place. A charismatic aristocrat, newly married. When a young socialite in Mexico City starts receiving pleading, terrified letters from her cousin who has recently moved into the manor with her new husband, it’s up to Noemí to become an unlikely rescuer. But what will happen when she arrives at the house? Will she and her cousin make it out alive?

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Silvia Moreno-Garcia can write any genre. This blend of gothic, horror, fantasy, and historical fiction will leave you feeling the depth of cold in the walls of High Place. Plus, you’ll never look at mushrooms in the same way ever again.

FOR FANS OF: Spooky stories, gothic fiction, mysterious manors, Mexico, the 1950s

You can request this book out from the physical library using our form, or here is your access to the ebook in SORA/OVERDRIVE. It is also available through SORA in audio.

THE NIGHT WATCHMAN by LOUISE ERDRICH

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Thomas Wazhashk (a character based on the author's father) is a security guard at a jewel bearing plant, the first factory near the Turtle Mountain Reservation. It's 1953 and the United States government is attempting to terminate the Turtle Mountain band of the Chippewa and break up their reservation lands. Thomas is set to fight it. Amidst this backdrop is Patrice "Pixie" Paranteau, a worker at the factory hoping to make her own way in the world. The class valedictorian, Patrice has no interest in marrying, having kids, and working at the jewelry plant for the remainder of her days. What emerges is a story of hope and resilience. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This novel offers a glimpse into North Dakota reservation life in the 1950s, as well as a window into Erdrich's own family. Patrice is a character worth fighting for and you will find yourself not wanting her story to end. As a Native American, this story stuck to all of my ribs but it's an important read for non-Natives, too.

FOR FANS OF: Native American literature and history, stories set in the 1950s, United States - tribal relations and termination

You can request this book out from the physical library using our form, or here is your access to the ebook in SORA/OVERDRIVE. It is also available through SORA in audio.

CLAP WHEN YOU LAND by ELIZABETH ACEVEDO

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Two teenage girls, one in the Dominican Republic, the other in New York. They do not know each other exists. Camino Rios longs for the start of summer, when her father spends two months living with her on the island. But when the plane carrying her beloved Papi crashes into the ocean, the waves roll in. When Camino and Yahaira uncover their father's secrets, they discover each other--sisters--and a whole new way of being.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This novel in verse is yet another masterpiece from Elizabeth Acevedo, filled with love, betrayal, secrets, and understanding what it means to be a young woman. It will leave you full.

FOR FANS OF: realistic fiction, novels in verse, LGBTQ characters, female protagonists of color, The Dominican Republic

You can request this book out from the physical library using our form, or here is your access to the ebook in SORA/OVERDRIVE. It is also available through SORA in audio.

YOUR HOUSE WILL PAY by STEPH CHA

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: This is the story of two families, bound together by generations over one decision that had irreversible consequences. Taking place both in the present and flashing back to the L.A. riots of the early 1990s, Cha takes readers on a journey through the lives of both a Korean immigrant family and an African-American family whose lives intersect when an act of violence is committed in a liquor store. What follows is a story which unravels the many parts of how this event affected the lives of those families for decades to come and how to forge a new way when one way isn’t working.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Not only does Cha build a profound sense of empathy for her characters, she is able to adeptly highlight both their shortcomings and their resilient spirits, leaving the reader with both a deeper understanding of the history of a city but how that history impacts the present. Told with rich detail and an unrelenting narrative, this novel will leave you both emotional and reflective.

FOR FANS OF: realistic fiction, multiple perspectives, the history of Los Angeles and its relationship to race

This book is only available in our library's physical collection.

DOMINICANA BY ANGIE CRUZ

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: 1965. Ana Cancion, 15 years old, never dreamed of moving to America like the girls from the countryside of the Dominican Republic do. But when Juan Ruiz proposes to Ana’s family that the two get engaged and move to New York City, she agrees even though Juan is twice her age and there is no love between them. What unfolds is a young woman, a teenager, navigating an entirely new country, largely on her own. Juan is absent and at times abusive. When she attempts to escape, Juan’s brother Cesar convinces her to stay and the two forge a friendship, rich with complexities.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Historical fiction set in 1960s New York and the Dominican Republic, the novel’s author Angie Cruz, deeply researched the island and its changes during this time, as well as the influx of Dominican immigrants to the states as a result of  Trujillo’s reign. It’s a story of a young woman unmoored trying to survive and find her voice. It details a history of New York largely unknown by its inhabitants today and creates a rich fabric of the immigrant experience.

FOR FANS OF: coming of age stories, immigrant stories

In lieu of checking this book out from the physical library, here is your access to the audiobook in SORA/OVERDRIVE. 

THE FOUNTAINS OF SILENCE BY RUTA SEPETYS

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Madrid, 1957. Under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, Spain is hiding a dark secret. Tourists and businessmen flood the country for wine, sunshine, and opportunities. One of those is Daniel Matheson, 18 years old, and visiting Madrid from Texas with his Spanish-born mother and his oil tycoon American father. Daniel, a budding photographer, navigates the country hoping to connect with his mother’s roots through the lens of his camera. Fates and furies introduce him to Ana, a maid at the American hotel tasked with taking care of his family's needs, and their attraction to one another is immediate, clandestine, and sets off a chain of events you won’t want to miss.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Sepetys, a master of historical fiction, weaves short chapters with snippets pulled from real archival material of presidents, diplomats, journalists, and others who experienced Franco’s dictatorship and the United States’ role in Spain during the 1950s. Various parts of the book weave this primary source material with a fictional story of a wealthy, American enclave of Madrid--the famed Hilton hotel--and how the lives of young Americans intersect with the young, poor workers of Vallecas. An enriching story with mystery, horror, intrigue, and love, follow a cast of characters that you champion, despise, adore, and empathize with as they navigate post World War II Spanish life.

FOR FANS OF: historical fiction, Spain in the 1950s, photography, American diplomatic history, love and clandestine romance

In lieu of checking this book out from the physical library, here is your access to the ebook in SORA/OVERDRIVE. It is also available through SORA in audio.

SUCH A FUN AGE BY KILEY REID

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Alix Chamberlin is struggling under the weight of a toddler, a new baby, and her recent move from her high-powered world in New York City to Philadelphia for her husband’s work. When she hires a 25 year old babysitter, Emira, to watch her toddler, Briar, while she is supposed to be writing her latest book, she has no idea how many ways in which their lives connect and converge in surprising ways. The catalyst for a waterfall of twists and turns in these two’s lives comes when Alix asks Emira to distract Briar by taking her to a grocery store late one night; a bystander and the store’s security guard accuse Emira of kidnapping little Briar in a racial charged altercation. A bystander films the entire ordeal and Alix vows to make things “right”. But what is “right”? And does Alix have the best of intentions for Emira or is the whole charade just that?

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This debut from Kiley Reid is an absolute page turner. Readers will find themselves experiencing multiple cliff hangers and oh-no-she-did-not’s many times throughout the course of this tight novel. The story evokes the best of what a reader may look for in true escapism--a beach read--while still maintaining a high level of interest and a deeper look at complex topics around race, relationships, and systems in and out of our control.

FOR FANS OF: page turners, stories about the complex relationships between people, millennial workers in the new gig economy

In lieu of checking this book out from the physical library, here is your access to the ebook in SORA/OVERDRIVE.

DO YOU DREAM OF TERRA-TWO by TEMI OH

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A team of 6 teenagers and 3 astronauts from the UK are sent on a mission to establish a new human colony on a distant Earth-like planet. 23 years of travel together. 23 years trapped in a small ship, with only each other to rely on. In space, something always goes wrong. And believe me. Something will go wrong.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: An adventure story with teenagers at the helm, this will take you on the ultimate ride. Fast-paced and filled with turns but not lacking in character development, this will have you questioning the future of humanity and colonizing other galaxies.

FOR FANS OF: space stories, adventure novels

In lieu of checking this book out from the physical library, here is your access to the ebook in SORA/OVERDRIVE. It is also available through SORA in audio.

SEVERANCE BY LING MA

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: A millennial photographer and office drone, Candace has just lost her Chinese immigrant parents and wants nothing more than a steady, unexciting routine. This routine involves slogging to work and passing time by watching movies in her boyfriend’s Greenpoint basement. Candace is so distracted and disconnected, she doesn’t realize the Shen fever is crippling the globe, setting Manhattan and other major cities in a tailspin of biblical proportions. So when she’s hired to work as part of a skeleton crew in New York with a big payoff in the end, she doesn’t hesitate. But as the city becomes a ghost town, Candace decides to photograph the abandonment as a NY Ghost blogger and reignite her passion for her art.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This is a dystopian, end of world building novel that isn’t just that. It’s more nuanced and a little less dramatic than other world ending pandemic novels. It’s more about what it means to be unmoored, today.

FOR FANS OF: dystopian, science fiction, satire, debut novels

In lieu of checking this book out from the physical library, here is your access to the ebook in SORA/OVERDRIVE. It is also available through SORA in audio.

GODS OF JADE AND SHADOW by SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Mexico. The Jazz Age is in full swing but Casiopea Tun can’t enjoy any of its opulence--she’s busy cleaning and scrubbing floors at her grandfather’s sprawling estate. She dreams of getting out from under his thumb, as well as the torment and taunting of her obnoxious cousin, Martin. Those dreams feel like a distant reality until she discovers a wooden box hiding in her grandfather’s quarters. Curious, she opens the box and accidentally frees the spirit of the Mayan God of Death, who immediately requests her help in recovering his throne from his traitorous brother.

WHY YOU  MIGHT LIKE IT: This story sends Casiopea on an adventure through both the opulent lights of Mexico City to the jungles of the Yucatan in the ultimate battle between two warring Gods. You will encounter demons, witches, good, and evil. There’s even a bit of romance. As Casiopea encounters the world on her own, experience the perils and excitement of the Underworld and experience Mayan mythology.

FOR FANS OF: mythology, gods, Mexico and Mayan tradition

GOOD TALK: A MEMOIR IN CONVERSATIONS by MIRA JACOB

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Like any six year old, Mira Jacob’s son Z, has lots of questions about race. In the lead up to the 2016 election, Mira takes us both through a series of conversations she has with her half-Jewish, half-Indian son, as well as events and conversations throughout her life that have impacted her and imparts some wisdom on those current questions.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Take a journey with Mira through both words and images, as she explores the conversations she has had throughout her life about race, gender, sexuality, marriage, and of course, love. This is a rich story that will leave the reader contemplative, full, and at times, deeply emotional.

FOR FANS OF: graphic, graphic memoir, conversations about identity and families 

THE TESTAMENTS by MARGARET ATWOOD

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: More than 15 years after the events in The Handmaid's Tale, we return to the story. The theocratic regime, The Republic of Gilead, is fighting to maintain its power and control but things are crumbling around it. At this pivotal moment, three radically different women come together and the results can have huge implications, even explosive ones, for Gilead and its people.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Told through shifting viewpoints, this is a nuanced look at women who have grown up as part of the first generation to come of age in the new order. These women hold complex pasts and uncertain futures that will surprise readers. What's more, the audio version is narrated by three women, including Ann Dowd, who plays the villainous Aunt Lydia in the Hulu adapation of The Handmaid's Tale. This will appeal to audiences of the show and extend the life of the series in new ways.

FOR FANS OF: The Handmaid's Tale, dystopian masterpieces, female protagonists, Margaret Atwood

ALL YOU CAN EVER KNOW: A MEMOIR by NICOLE CHUNG

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Nicole Chung, born severely premature, was placed for adoption by her Korean parents. Adopted by a white family, Chung grew up in small town Oregon, told frequently a romantic version of how she came to be a member of her adoptive family--that her parents, committing the most selfless act, have given her up in the hopes she would have a better life, with access to experiences and education that wouldn't be afforded to her if she stayed with them. As Chung experiences adolescence, forms her identity, and experiences racism at every turn that her parents cannot understand, she figures she is forever confined to always feeling slightly out of place, the fate of a transracial adoptee. That is, until she decided to uncover the truth about her birth parents and her adoption.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This is a tight, whip smart, well written memoir that not only explores adoption, it looks at family dynamics, identity formation, racism, and what it means to be other. Additionally, Chung takes you on a journey of discovery. The memoir evokes elements of mystery as Chung unravels the truth of her adoption story. 

FOR FANS OF: literary memoir, family stories, adoption issues, identity, belonging

MIRACLE CREEK by ANGIE KIM

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  A small town in Virginia called Miracle Creek welcomes a cast of characters who know each other because they participate in therapies at a special treatment center--a hyperbaric chamber inside a barn that may cure a range of conditions from autism to infertility. But the chamber, run by a South Korean doctor who immigrated to the United States with his wife and teenage daughter, explodes, leaving two people dead. It wasn't an accident. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Told through shifting viewpoints during a powerful courtroom showdown, secrets, betrayals, and the hidden truths of what happened on the fateful day unfolds for the reader. A page turner, readers will shift alliances and gather evidence, chapter by chapter. Who was responsible for this accident? Was it the careless mother of a patient who was exhausted from the many therapies and care she provided for her child at any cost? The owners, hoping to cash in on a large insurance payout and send their daughter to college? A group of protesters who spent days picketing the facility? Unravel the mystery.

FOR FANS OF: page turners, mysteries, multiple perspectives, strong audio narration

BURY MY HEART AT CHUCK E. CHEESE'S by TIFFANY MIDGE

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: A collection of short, humor stories from an up and coming Native American humorist. Midge, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation, hopes to be the female, David Sedaris, as she discusses family, mothers, why she hates p***** hats, Indigenous feminism in the age of Trump, and other topics in politics, identity, and what it means to be a Native person today.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Midge has a sharp wit and her prose is literary but accessible. The stories range in length from several pages to a few short paragraphs and can be read in any order, making this a perfect companion for those small moments in the day to squeeze in a few pages. I find myself chuckling out loud, shouting yes!, and as an Indigenous woman, singing her praise wherever anyone will listen.

FOR FANS OF: humor writing, short stories, topics in politics, identity, and Indigenous voices today

AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE by TAYARI JONES

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Celestial and Roy are newlyweds. He, a budding young business executive. She, an emerging artist who creates one of a kind dolls. They are the epitome of the New South, making a home in Atlanta as they start life together, who never imagine what happens next. The couple are torn from each other by circumstances neither could have predicted. Can their relationship withstand the separation?

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: A tight story that weaves together three perspectives on a marriage and life, you will find yourself grappled by the characters and how they navigate false incarceration and the perils of young love. If you are like me, you will find yourself rooting for everyone involved--and you may shed a tear or two at this story’s conclusion.

FOR FANS OF: literary fiction, multiple perspectives, relationships, the South

AYESHA AT LAST by UZMA JALALUDDIN

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Billed as a "modern Muslim Pride and Prejudice", this is the story of Ayeesha Shamsi, an Indian Muslim immigrant to Canada, slam poet, friend, cousin, and sometime substitute teacher. Living at home with her extended family, Ayeesha is constantly compared to her younger, prettier cousin Hafsa, who has no shortage of marriage proposals, all of which she rejects. But Ayeesha doesn't want an arranged marriage; she wants a career as a poet, and she wants to find love.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: It's a story not just about love, but about families. Tensions arise around a host of misunderstandings. Fumble through a wave of emotions between Ayeesha, her fundamentalist Muslim neighbor Khalid, and her self-centered cousin, Hafsa.

FOR FANS OF: Jane Austen adaptations, Pride and Prejudice narratives, immigrant stories

CERTAIN DARK THINGS by SILVIA GARCIA-MORENO

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Vampires. In Mexico City. Meet Domino, a teenager who lives beneath the city, collecting garbage to make ends meet. Enter Atl, the beautiful blood sucking descendant of Aztec vampires who must feast on young blood to stay alive. When she stumbles upon Domingo riding a late night train, she figures he looks tasty and would make a good snack. Thus begins a story that pits different factions of vampires against one another as they are chased by drug cartels and cops through the streets of one of the world’s largest cities.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This fast-paced narrative involves cops, vampires, street gangs, drug cartels, and more. Who will manage to make it out alive?

FOR FANS OF: vampire stories, fantasy, mystery, plot-driven narratives, stories set in Mexico

WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH by ELIZABETH ACEVEDO

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Emoni Santiago didn’t plan on being a high school senior and a mother all at once. With a ton of responsibility, there isn’t much time for fun or run of the mill teenage complaints. With the support of her abuela, Emoni is making it work. But the only time she truly feels free is in the kitchen. A natural with spices and flavor combinations, she is finally learning to see herself as a budding chef. When she finally enrolls in her school’s prestigious culinary arts program and learns of a trip to Spain, she’s hooked on learning everything there is to know about food. But, when she finds out her cooking class will be traveling to Spain for an immersive culinary experience, she’ll have to get creative in figuring out how to scrape together the funds for the trip of a lifetime.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This is a story of hard work and strong womanhood with a dash of spice. Reading this, you can imagine the flavors Emoni is cooking up so deeply, you almost taste and smell them, too. From the award-winning author of Poet X comes a strong follow up story of a young Afro-Latinx woman carving out a new path.

FOR FANS OF: Elizabeth Acevedo, coming of age stories, strong female characters, food, cooking

THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS by ISABEL WILKERSON

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: The Great Migration of African-Americans from the south to the Northern states, cities, and west, from the 1930s-the 1970s. Told through the oral histories of several migrants who left for Chicago, New York, and California, there is a deeply and rich history of why so many African-Americans left the south in search of freedom from Jim Crow laws.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Although the book is large, it reads like a swift novel--at times deeply moving and upsetting and uplifting while still providing an accurate and detailed history of the movement. It also gives great insight into how the Great Migration deeply changed the landscape of the United States and, if it hadn’t happened, how different our country would look today. Wilkerson is an absolute master or weaving stories and creating a rich set of facts about a time; she really shows the reader how large, long, and wide-scale the Great Migration was and how it affected so many people in different ways.

FOR FANS OF: oral histories, history, people who like to learn a lot from their reading choices

FRUIT OF THE DRUNKEN TREE by INGRID ROJAS CONTRERAS

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Set in Colombia at the height of Pablo Escobar’s reign of terror, this devastating and stunning novel tells the story of a sheltered young girl and a teenage maid who develop an unlikely friendship in the gated community of Bogota to which they reside. This friendship will ultimately test their web of safety in new, and shocking ways, as their experiences unravel and violence escalates.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: A provocative and beautifully written debut novel, Contreras tells a haunting tale of parallel coming of age stories--from 7 year old Chula to her live in maid, Petrona--and how those stories often meet and diverge to create new meaning.

FOR FANS OF: heart wrenching prose, lush, lyrical storytelling, coming of age stories.

WASHINGTON BLACK by ESI EDUGYAN

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  A New York Times top-10 book of 2018, George Washington Black, or "Wash," an eleven-year-old field slave on a Barbados sugar plantation, is terrified to be chosen by his master's brother as his manservant. To his surprise, the eccentric Christopher Wilde turns out to be a naturalist, explorer, inventor, and abolitionist. Soon Wash is initiated into a world where a flying machine can carry a man across the sky, where even a boy born in chains may embrace a life of dignity and meaning--and where two people, separated by an impossible divide, can begin to see each other as human.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: An adventure story that weaves historical fiction of slavery in the eastern Caribbean, travel beyond the islands and north, to London’s first aquariums, to the deserts of Morocco, to the frigid, far North, as these characters learn about love, redemption, and the meaning of truly being free.

FOR FANS OF: history, adventure novels, epic journeys

MY SISTER THE SERIAL KILLER by OYINKAN BRAITHWAITE

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Two sisters. The younger, more seductive sister has this one habit: all of her boyfriends end up dead. Her first call after she's killed one? Her older sister, Korede: the nurse, the fixer, the cleaner, the loyal pleaser. But when Ayoola shows up at Korede's work and the doctor Korede's in love with spots her and asks for her number, Korede is at a crossroads. She knows what happens to her sister's boyfriends when she is through with them. What will she do? 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: This is as much about what we will do for our sisters no matter what as it is about murder and serial killing. It's an intimate look at Nigerian family and the bounds of loyalty. What's more, it's dark but deeply sardonic, and whip short.

FOR FANS OF: Dark humor, comic deadpan writing, slashers, family portraits, debut authors, quick reads

DREAD NATION by JUSTINA IRELAND

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Imagine a world in which the generals of The Battle of Gettysburg don’t just die...but rise again? This is a reimagining of The American Civil War and the United States in which the undead threaten to force the inhabitants of Baltimore westward. In this imagined universe, African-Americans and Native Americans are considered by white folks as “widely immune” to the undead, forcing young black and Native students to schools in which they learn to fight and protect white folks from this zombie outbreak. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: A deeply provocative novel, it is part historical fiction part fantasy that relies on a fast-paced plot and a central question are the expectation of who is meant to protect whom?

FOR FANS OF: historical fiction, the zombie apocalypse, fantasy, fast-paced plot, and the ultimate battles around good vs. evil

BECOMING BY MICHELLE OBAMA

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Follow Michelle through her early life on the South Side of Chicago, through her years at Princeton, early days as a young lawyer, and her first meeting with a young law clerk named Barack. From there, with care and complete authenticity, show you the inner workings of her marriage, the tough decisions she and Barack made as they entered into the political arena, the dogged abuse a presidential campaign can place on a family, and life in the White House. It’s a deeply moving and intimate portrait of her life, both inside and outside the political arena.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT: Michelle Obama, first and foremost, can write. It’s poetic and beautiful and informative as a memoir. She also happens to provide new insights about life as First Lady, a title she describes as having “no job description”. If you love memoirs, you’ll love her voice, humor, grit, and ultimately, her honesty.  If you enjoy listening to audiobooks, Michelle reads this one and it adds a layer of joy to the experience.

FOR FANS OF: Political reads, memoir, intimate family portraits, feminist perspectives

LONG WAY DOWN by JASON REYNOLDS

What it's about: Will, a 15 year old African American, grappling with the murder of his older brother---his only brother. And as Rule 1 states, there's no crying. Rule 2, no snitching. And Rule 3? Revenge. As Will, with his brother's cold, steel gun in the waistband of his bands, ascends the elevator to eventually enact his revenge, he is introduced to Buck. Buck sold Will's brother Shawn that piece he now carries. Follow Will and Buck on an elevator journey. What will ultimately happen? Is revenge the answer?

Why you might like it: An ode to putting guns down and promoting peace to violence, Reynolds lyrically tells the story of Will and his journey toward his own truth. Exploring a weighty topic, Reynolds puts characters, and their roles, at its center, ultimately creating a compelling story around the decisions we make. This book is an excellent listen--Reynolds himself narrates the story, bringing a novel with plenty of verse, to life.

For fans of: lyrical novels, compelling stories, deep character development, audiobooks

THERE THERE by TOMMY ORANGE

What it's about: A cast of urban Native American characters--young and old--who are all planning to converge on a large pow wow in Oakland. These stories, inter-generational and at times deeply connected, weave together a portrait of what it means to be an urban Native American. What happens at that pow wow will leave every reader in shock. But what will Orange's characters make of this tragedy?

Why you might like it: Tommy Orange, in his debut novel, absolutely shines with beautiful, descriptive language; he's a young, Native writer to champion. If you are a fan of novels with rich character development, this one is for you. You will find yourself rooting for the characters, no matter how flawed, and admire their resiliency in the face of tragedy.

For fans of: multiple perspectives, Native American literature, deep character development, human and family stories, the feeling and weight of belonging and not belonging 

PRIDE by IBI ZOBOI

What it's about: Four Afro-Latina sisters in Bushwick, Brooklyn, who are skeptical of their new next door neighbors--brothers from Manhattan. What unfolds is a story equal parts neighborhood identity, romantic connections, and how we initially perceive people. This novel features poetry and lyrical elements which really shine in audio format.

Why you might like it: It's a reimagining of the classic Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice. This is one remix worth reading. It explores topics of race, identity, neighborhood, wealth, and gentrification. There's also, of course, a slow burning love story and little moments that remind you why this story, at its heart, is a classic.

For fans of: remixing classic novels, Pride and Prejudice, ya romance, identity books, lyrical novels, Jane Austen

FINDING YVONNE by BRANDY COLBERT

What it's about: Yvonne, high school senior, violinist, and burgeoning... pastry chef? This young adult novel finds Yvonne searching for meaning at a major crossroads in her life: graduating high school. Does she want to be a violinist? Work in a high end restaurant kitchen churning out baked goods? Something else entirely? As Yvonne struggles to make decisions about her future, she also struggles in relationships: with her father, with her boyfriend (...or boyfriends?), her mother, who mysteriously up and left the family when she was small. Where will this journey take her? The story makes a few unexpected turns, which will leave you asking questions and wondering what will ultimately become of Yvonne.

Why you might like it: Part romance, part personal discovery, part family history, this story doesn't sugar coat complex, and often tough, topics. Colbert manages to find humor in these trying times and as a reader, you find yourself rooting for Yvonne.

For fans of: strong female characters, romance, self discovery, young adult reads

CRAZY RICH ASIANS by KEVIN KWAN

What it's about: New Yorker Rachel Chu is delighted when her boyfriend, Nicholas Yeung, invites her for a summer vacation to visit his friend's and family in Singapore and attend the wedding of Nicholas' best friend, Colin Khoo. What Rachel doesn't know is that Nicholas is from one of the richest Asian families, his amma lives in a palace, and he's one of Singapore's most eligible bachelors. Told, chapter by chapter, from different characters' perspectives, expect a rollarcoaster ride of gossip, scheming, what it means to be family, and of course, love.

Why you might like it: This is an incredibly addicting and downright fun novel but still manages to share a wealth of information on Asian culture and Singaporean history. You won't want to put it down. Plus, it's a Hollywood blockbuster--out now in theaters--and is the first major breakout film featuring an all Asian cast. It's an impressive companion to the novel.

For fans of: beach reads, romance, books to movies

SPEAK NO EVIL by UZODINMA IWEALA

What it's about: Niru, a high school senior at a private school in Washington D.C., is Harvard bound in the fall. A star on the track and in the classroom, Niru is struggling to find his place as he straddles two worlds--that of the strict, rigid expectations of his Nigerian parents and his closeted, gay identity. Through his friendship with "girlfriend" Meredith, the story explores emotional support and how, despite a desire to be all things to someone you love, at some point, it isn't possible.

Why you might like it: Heart-wrenching, deeply honest exploration of friendship, family, and expectations. The first part of this slim novella is told from Niru's perspective. The story's culmination is told through Meredith's eyes and provides deeper insights into the aftermaths of the stories we tell and don't tell.

For fans of: short fiction, excised dialogue, Junot Diaz

ANIMALS STRIKE CURIOUS POSES by ELENA PASSARELLO

What it's about: 16 tight, literary essays about famous animals in history that humans have idolized. Think: a wholly mammoth specimen carved out of ice, where it remained encased and preserved for 13,000+ years. 

Why you might like it: You learn a little bit about a particular animal in short, literary, biography form. It is playful, performative, and dramatic. The stories, despite being about distinct animals of different species (wolf, elephant, spider), is woven together and tightly constructive to feel like the essays playfully interact. However, its easy to pick up and dip in and out of, reading in no particular order.

For fans of: Prince (get it?), essays, history, animals and animal behavior

THE LAST PAINTING OF SARA DE VOS by DOMINIC SMITH

What it's about: A 1950s forgery of an obscure Dutch landscape completed by painter Sara De Vos, believed to be her only painting. It also happens to be a rare phenomenon--women in 17th century Netherlands did not paint landscapes, but rather bowls of fruit and portraits of children. Who was Sara De Vos? Why did she create this painting? And how did it become forged and forever link three lives?

Why you might like it: Told from multiple perspectives during three time periods and on three continents, this novel will transport you to 1950s New York, 1600s Netherlands, and even Sydney, in the 2000s. What ever happened to that forged painting? Explore deep relationships and mistakes through gorgeous language and mysterious circumstances.

For fans of: historical fiction, mysteries, art and art history, sardonic storytelling

LAVINIA by URSULA K. LE GUIN

What it's about: In the classic, epic poem The Aeneid by Vergil, hero Aeneus fights to claim the king's daughter, Lavinia; they are destined, together, to found a new empire. In Vergil's poem, Lavinia doesn't utter a word. Leave it to a master like Le Guin to give voice to an epic heroine and tell her unknown story. Lavinia's life is filled with freedom and friends until several suitors, from disagreeing realms, come knocking. Her father must choose whom Lavinia will marry. Follow the story of Lavinia, as she meets the poet ghost of The Aeneid, and learns of her fate. Who would challenge a prophecy? 

Why you might like it: The language is haunting, beautiful, and you find yourself savoring the last parts of the book because you just can't imagine it ending. It's also enriching to explore some of the work of a recently passed author like Le Guin, and discover her stories anew. Le Guin herself claimed Lavinia to be her favorite of all her work--to which she is mostly known for science fiction and fantasy writing. Plus, its got bloody battles, clashes of titans, fights to the death, prophecies, land grabs, female-only parties for blessing the Gods and fates, and a powerful queen named Amata who you find yourself equally intrigued and repulsed by.

For fans of: strong female characters, classics, ancient Rome, and epic storytelling

ARTEMIS by ANTHONY WEIR

What it's about: The author of blockbuster hit, The Martian, follows up with a book about a young woman living on the first moon colony, Artemis. Jazz is a porter by trade but mostly makes deals to deliver illicit goods to her clients, making her a low rate criminal on Artemis. Follow Jazz as she embarks on her biggest haul yet, what she didn't know she was getting into, and the ultimate showdown for control of Artemis.

Why you might like it: Our narrator, Jazz, is sharp, sarcastic, and a bit of a troublemaker--flawed, but ultimately, reliable. The story is fast paced, adventurous, and dark, at times, but humor isn't lost. Some of the writing gets technical, which means there's opportunity to learn a little bit about what it would take  for humans to live on the moon but it doesn't bog down the fast paced plot.

For fans of: Ernest Cline, Neil Stephenson, science fiction buffs

DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESS by SUE LYNN TAN

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  A young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm and sets her on a dangerous path confronting legendary creatures and vicious foes.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  The first in a duology, this epic fantasy is inspired by the Chinese legend of Chang’e, a mythical figure imprisoned on the moon for stealing the elixir of immortality.  Focusing on her daughter, Xingyin, this story is filled with lush descriptions of magic, adventure, and life in the immortal realm.

FOR FANS OF:  Asian-influenced fantasy, epic fantasy, strong female characters

HELL OF A BOOK by JASON MOTT

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  While on a cross-country publicity tour to promote his best-selling debut novel, a nameless Black author encounters “The Kid,” a shadowy 10-year-old boy with impossibly dark skin who uncannily resembles a recent victim of police violence.  Braided with the author’s narrative are chapters following the life of another young Black boy who is bullied and referred to as “Soot” by the kids in his rural southern town because of the darkness of his skin.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  As chapters alternate between the author’s and “Soot’s” perspectives, their narratives slowly begin to merge, unfolding into a story that is at once a tribute to familial love and friendship and a reckoning with racism and police violence.  If you are weary of the race-related tragedies playing out repeatedly on the news, this story reads as a plea for empathy and engagement when apathy and complacency can feel like a kind of safety and a shield against despair.

FOR FANS OF:  social commentary, literary fiction, metafiction, unreliable narrators

MY MONTICELLO by JOCELYN NICOLE JOHNSON

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  This debut fiction collection consists of five short stories and a novella, all centered around the state of Virginia and issues of race.  Ranging in content and tone, but unified by the characters’ relentless struggles against reality and fate, these stories demonstrate the intimacy of the faint boundary between history and current events.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Each story is sharp in its critique of American history and culture, yet tender in its portrayal of characters buoyed by love, acceptance and potential even as they are awash in microaggressions and faced with injustice and hate.  Through these stories, Jocelyn Nicole Johnson wrestles with issues of racial identity, racism, inheritance, community and belonging.  With heart-tugging narratives, she delivers a ruthless kind of truth.

FOR FANS OF: short stories, social commentary, complex characters

NOWHERE GIRL: A MEMOIR OF A FUGITIVE CHILDHOOD by CHERYL DIAMOND 

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Born into a family on the run, the youngest of three siblings, Cheryl Diamond felt like her life was one big adventure.  Throughout her transient childhood, her family crossed continents and changed identities, erasing their pasts.  By the time she was in her teens, Diamond had lived dozens of lives and lies, but as she grew older, her family–a seemingly unbreakable band of five–began to unravel.  Diamond chronicles her coming of age and her years on the run from a mysterious, unseen enemy.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Diamond describes a life straight out of a thriller–one marked by false identities, financial schemes, deep mistrust, and a desperation to avoid capture.  She effectively conveys an atmosphere of psychological suspense as the love and trust among the people she needs most turn to fear and violence, and she begins to uncover the events that led to her family’s fugitive status.

FOR FANS OF:  compelling memoirs, family stories, stories of resilience

HOUSE OF STICKS by LY TRAN

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  In this coming-of-age memoir, Ly Tran offers an intimate look at her upbringing and family life after immigrating to New York City from rural Vietnam through a humanitarian program run by the U.S. government.  Required from an early age to contribute to the family’s livelihood, Tran describes how she struggled to find her voice and a sense of self amid clashing cultural expectations.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  This is a brutally honest narrative about family bonds, acute poverty, mental fragility, and resilience.  As Tran describes the significant challenges her family faced, she vividly depicts harsh winters, malnutrition, endless hours working to boost the family’s income, and the unpredictably violent outbursts of a father dealing with his own trauma as a prisoner of war.  Unsentimental, yet deeply moving, this is ultimately a hopeful and inspiring story.

FOR FANS OF:  coming-of-age memoirs, immigration stories, family stories

KAIKEYI by VAISHNAVI PATEL

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  In the ancient Indian epic poem “The Ramayana,” Queen Kaikeyi is immortalized (and vilified) for using her two boons to banish golden, beloved Rama and to ensure that the crown would go first to her own son. Despite Rama’s later forgiveness of her actions, Kaikeyi has gone down in history as a jealous and power-hungry woman.  This novel reimagines that narrative. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  This is a bold, feminist retelling of the epic from Kaikeyi’s point of view.  Through spellbinding twists and turns, Kaikeyi is transformed into a nuanced, multilayered diplomat and revolutionary who, although caught between manipulative gods and a patriarchal society, is determined to carve a better world for herself and the women around her.  Even readers who are unfamiliar with the epic will find a lot to love.

FOR FANS OF:  retellings, feminist fiction, literary fiction

BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY by QIAN JULIE WANG

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  The author recounts her years living undocumented after immigrating with her parents from China to New York City at age seven.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Wang tells her story from her (then) perspective as the beloved child of professors, who has been plucked from a warm and happy childhood, surrounded by extended family, only to find a world of crushing poverty and fear.  As she recalls her attempts to understand her new life, Wang paints a vivid portrait of herself as a young girl coming of age in the shadows.

FOR FANS OF:  immersive memoirs, coming of age stories, immigration stories

QUIET: THE POWER OF INTROVERTS IN A WORLD THAT CAN'T STOP TALKING by SUSAN CAIN

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Susan Cain presents a nuanced picture of introversion, illustrating how introverts are often misunderstood and stereotyped in western culture.  She charts the rise of the “extrovert ideal” and highlights what we lose when we devalue and ignore the quieter voices among us.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Although this book was published a decade ago, introverts (and introverted behaviors) are still devalued in American culture.  Social media is steeped in the “culture of personality,” and U.S. politics has been dominated in recent years by the loudest, most outrageous voices.  Cain reminds us that the people we should be listening to aren’t always the ones who boldly claim center stage, and that sometimes the most valuable ideas emerge from quiet contemplation and solitary work.  If you’re parenting an introvert, leading or educating one, this book is an invaluable resource with practical tips and anecdotal examples of how you can help introverts adapt their strengths to various situations (and when we’re all better off letting them do their thing).  If you’re an introvert, Quiet just might change the way you see yourself.  Read it, and add it to your list to read again in a few years.

FOR FANS OF: introverts, extroverts, developmental psychology, “restorative niches”

BLACK WATER SISTER by ZEN CHO

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Jessamyn Teoh, a recent Harvard graduate, is closeted, broke, and moving with her parents back to Malaysia, a country she hasn’t seen since she was a toddler.  Jess’s already stressful life of hiding her long-distance girlfriend from her parents is further complicated when she begins hearing the voice of her late grandmother–a crafty, overbearing spirit who has unfinished business and is determined not to let a little thing like death get in her way.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Rich in cultural detail, this is an often humorous, fast-paced story about family obligations, family secrets, and clashing cultures and beliefs.

FOR FANS OF:  paranormal fiction, culturally diverse stories with a strong sense of place, strong female characters

Content Warning: violence and sexual assault.

THE OTHER BLACK GIRL by ZAKIYA DALILA HARRIS

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Nella Rogers lives on high alert as a young, Black editorial assistant in a very white publishing company.  Overworked and underpaid, she’s desperate to make an impression. As the only Black employee, she has always felt alone in her workplace and her attempts to bring awareness to issues of diversity and equity have repeatedly fallen flat.  When Harlem-born and bred Hazel is hired, it feels to Nella like a leap forward.  Cool and self-possessed, Hazel is quick to befriend Nella, but when Nella’s hopes for a career at the company begin to crumble and Hazel is elevated to Office Darling, Nella begins to wonder if Hazel is truly the ally she appears to be.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Not just a critique of gatekeeping in the publishing industry, this story takes a sinister turn when an anonymous note arrives on Nella’s desk and she finds herself at the center of a conspiracy that runs far deeper than she ever could have suspected.

FOR FANS OF: Culturally diverse fiction, thrillers and suspense

KLARA AND THE SUN by KAZUO ISHIGURO

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Klara is a solar-powered Artificial Friend programmed with extraordinary perception and observational ability.  Designed to be a child’s companion, she is purchased by a high-ranking official for her teenage daughter, Josie, who has an unspecified illness.  Still learning about human behavior, Klara must find the balance in making herself useful, but not intrusive, as she integrates into her new home.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Much of Ishiguro’s tale is veiled and because the story is told from Klara’s point of view, the reader learns about Josie’s relationships as well as the complexities of this technologically advanced world through Klara’s eyes.  Are things really as they seem, or is this just the way Klara interprets them?  You’ll enjoy an occasional “aha” moment as you sift through the familiar, the foreign, and the fraught.

FOR FANS OF:  artificial intelligence, near future dystopian fiction, existentialism

FOUR HUNDRED SOULS edited by IBRAM X. KENDI AND KEISHA N. BLAIN 

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Award-winning editors Kendi and Blain present an engrossing anthology of essays, biographical sketches, and poems which, together, trace the history of the African American experience from the arrival of the first slaves in 1619 to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  A diverse range of Black scholars, activists and writers explore topics both familiar and obscure, bringing lesser-known historical events to the forefront amidst staples of Black American history.  Poems interspersed between sections tie the historical to the personal.  A powerful, poignant, essential collection.

FOR FANS OF:  history writing, antiracist literature, cultural studies

MINOR FEELINGS by CATHY PARK HONG

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  In a blend of memoir, cultural criticism and history, award-winning poet and essayist Cathy Park Hong offers an emotionally charged exploration of this country’s treatment of Asian Americans and the psychological dissonance that results.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Hong’s memoir-in-essays is ruthlessly honest and, at times, wryly funny.  She presents her truth in all of its complexity and informs as she chastises and challenges.

FOR FANS OF:  Antiracist literature, cultural criticism, candid, thought-provoking memoirs

PIRANESI BY SUSANNA CLARKE

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  As the only living inhabitant of The House, a sprawling labyrinthine structure of statue-adorned halls and vestibules that are vulnerable to surging tides, Piranesi serves as both surveyor and caretaker, bearing witness to its wonders between visits from The Other, who presses a reluctant Piranesi into research into a “Great and Secret Knowledge.”

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Questions and mysteries abound in this inventive novel.  There is much that Piranesi does not know--about his surroundings, about himself and The Other--leaving a lot for the reader to discover.  As an outside threat is introduced, suspense mounts and at last Piranesi’s backstory is revealed.  Patient readers will be rewarded.

FOR FANS OF:  portal fantasies, offbeat characters, psychological suspense, metaphysical fiction, epistolary novels

THE SPACE BETWEEN WORLDS by MICAIAH JOHNSON

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  On Earth Zero, the Eldridge Institute has discovered the secret to multiverse travel, but there’s a catch:  no one can visit a world where their counterpart is still alive.  Luckily for Cara, her parallel selves are exceptionally good at dying.  This allows her to traverse to more than 370 worlds and makes her one of the more valuable employees at Eldridge.  But when a dangerous encounter on a parallel Earth leads to a startling revelation, Cara’s future at Eldridge is threatened and far more than her livelihood is at stake.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  This thoughtful thriller invites you to step into worlds that, seen through Cara’s eyes, feel both foreign and familiar with safe havens in unexpected places and a tension that swings from navigable to highly explosive.  Like any good multiverse story, it begs the question:  How much of our lives is determined by fate, how much by chance, and how much is truly a choice?

FOR FANS OF:  thought-provoking science fiction, gritty dystopian fiction, strong female characters

MORE MYSELF by ALICIA KEYS 

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  Fifteen-time Grammy Award winning musical artist and producer Alicia Keys traces the arc of her career, giving readers a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process and her personal journey toward presenting her authentic self to the world.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  In a candid, conversational tone, the author grants readers a window into her personal life, sharing the inspiration behind her music, the fuel for her activism, and the passions that led to her nonprofit organizations.

FOR FANS OF:  contemporary music, insightful memoirs, feminism, activism

HALF BROKE by GINGER GAFFNEY

WHAT IT’S ABOUT:  In this often tense, yet moving memoir, a top-ranked horse trainer describes her work at an alternative prison ranch in New Mexico where she taught its residents how to work with troubled horses.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  When Ginger Gaffney is first called to the ranch, the horses are routinely scavenging in dumpsters, attacking the residents, and running in packs like dogs.  It’s the most dangerous horse situation she’s encountered, but she decides to take it on--without pay.  How she manages to instill trust and confidence in both the horses and a crew of felons, repeat offenders, and recovering addicts is a revelation.  There are ups and downs, but ultimately there is healing for the “half broke” spirits of horses and humans alike.

FOR FANS OF:  insightful memoirs, horses, alternative prisons

You can request this book out from the physical library using our form.

THE ONLY PLANE IN THE SKY by GARRETT M. GRAFF

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  Journalist and historian Garrett Graff draws on never-before-published transcripts, recently declassified documents, original interviews and oral histories from nearly five hundred government officials, first responders, witnesses, survivors, friends, and family members to paint a vivid and human portrait of the September 11th attacks.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  More than a collection of eyewitness testimonies, The Only Plane in the Sky weaves together the personal experiences of men and women who found themselves at the center of an unprecedented American tragedy to present an hour by hour narrative of how ordinary people grappled with extraordinary events in real time.

FOR FANS OF:  oral histories, personal narratives, narrative nonfiction

IYou can request this book out from the physical library using our form, or here is access the ebook in SORA/OVERDRIVE. This title is also available through SORA in audio.

INTERIOR CHINATOWN by CHARLES YU

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  A Taiwanese American character actor longs to graduate from the pigeonhole of “Generic Asian Man” to claim the spotlight in a police procedural set in a generic Chinatown.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Written in a unique narrative style, this unconventional story references American immigration policy and the history of bigotry against immigrants in a send-up of Hollywood tropes and Asian stereotypes that manages to be by turns playful, scathing, and heartfelt.

FOR FANS OF:  social satire, family sagas, complex characters

This book is not available digitally. Swing by the library or fill out our request form if you are interested in checking out the physical copy.

CORAZÓN by YESIKA SALGADO

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  Corazón is a collection of poems by Salvadoran slam poet Yesika Salgado.  It’s about the constant hunger for love, about feeding that hunger with another person and finding that sometimes it isn’t enough. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Bittersweet, sweet and bitter blend in this celebration of how we survive heartache and return to ourselves whole.  Salgado writes not only of romantic love, but also love of family, culture and self.

FOR FANS OF:  poetry, love stories

This book is not available digitally. Swing by the library or fill out our request form if you are interested in checking out the physical copy.

THE MEMORY POLICE by YOKO OGAWA

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  On an unnamed island, a novelist tries to adapt to her ever changing reality as her world slowly disappears.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  This story of memory and loss is filled with moments of quiet wonder and essential human connection.  The world in which it takes place evokes comparisons to Orwellian dystopias.

FOR FANS OF: Literary dystopian fiction

This title is not available in our digital collection.

AUGUSTOWN by KEI MILLER

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  When a teacher cuts off a young boy's dreadlocks—a violation of the family’s Rastafari beliefs—this single impulsive action has ramifications that stretch throughout their entire community.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Featuring lyrical descriptions of Jamaica and sharp, sensitive portraits of key characters, Augustown highlights the island's racial and economic rifts in a style that recalls magical realism.

FOR FANS OF:  Caribbean folklore, culturally diverse stories, complex characters, stories with a strong sense of place, historical fiction, literary fiction

This title is not available in our digital collection.

MORE THAN ENOUGH by ELAINE WELTEROTH   

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  The revolutionary editor who infused social consciousness into the pages of Teen Vogue recounts her journey climbing the ranks of media and fashion.  Having come into her own on her own terms—despite the challenges of youth, gender, and race—she encourages those who exist in spaces not built for them to create their own blueprint for success.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Welteroth offers this memoir not as a career manual but as "a love letter...to anyone who's felt othered, overlooked, overwhelmed, underestimated, undervalued, and still chooses to overcome."  She candidly shares Intimate details of her personal and professional trajectories while highlighting lessons learned along the way.  

FOR FANS OF:   Inspiring memoirs, beauty and fashion magazines, social activism

This title is not available in our digital collection.

AMERICAN PRISON by SHANE BAUER

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  An investigative journalist recounts his experiences working undercover as an entry-level guard in a private prison in Louisiana.  Along the way, he connects today's for-profit prison system to a brutal system of corrections that became entrenched in the American south and predates the Civil War.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Thoroughly researched chapters on the history of prisons and for-profit corrections in the U.S. alternate with chapters that detail the author’s undercover prison experiences.  This juxtaposition highlights how “For much of America’s history, racism, captivity, and profit were intertwined.” A variety of contemporary issues are addressed including prison culture, staffing and substandard correctional services.

FOR FANS OF:  exposés, undercover journalism, U.S. history

Content warning for graphic language and situations.

AMERICAN LIKE ME by AMERICA FERRERA

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  To compile this anthology of personal essays, America Ferrera invited 31 of her friends, peers, and heroes to share their stories about life between cultures in the U.S..  The contributors are celebrated actors, authors, filmmakers, musicians, athletes, politicians and activists. The selections range in length and topic and can be read individually or straight through from beginning to end.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Many of the contributors share personal stories you’re unlikely to read anywhere else.  Heartfelt, inspirational and often humorous, these essays together present a mosaic of life at the margins and on the cusp of the American Dream.

FOR FANS OF:  immigration stories, family stories, celebrity memoirs, personal narratives

THE BOLD WORLD by JODIE PATTERSON

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  In an exploration of identity, gender, authenticity and race, entrepreneur and social activist Jodie Patterson shares her coming of age in 1980s Manhattan, her family's experience with racism and civil rights, and her life as the mother of five children, including a transgender son.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  From girlhood to motherhood, Jodie's journey echoes that of so many young women learning to stand on their own, supporting themselves both financially and emotionally, and making room for love and a family of their choosing.  Jodie is figuring things out: what she wants to do with her life, how she'll prove to her father she can make it on her own, how to be in a committed relationship without losing herself or giving up her dreams, and how to remake the world into a place where all of her children--especially her son Penelope--can find love and acceptance.  

FOR FANS OF:   Thoughtful, reflective memoirs, stories of fearless motherhood, works that address gender, civil rights, and intersectionality

HOME FIRE by KAMILA SHAMSIE

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  After years of watching out for her younger siblings in the wake of their mother’s death, Isma has accepted an invitation from a mentor in America that allows her to resume a dream long deferred. But she can’t stop worrying about Aneeka, her beautiful, headstrong sister back in London, or their brother, Parvaiz, who’s disappeared into Syria, following in the footsteps of the jihadi father he never knew. When Eamonn Lone, son of a rising British politician, enters the sisters’ lives--first encountering Isma in Amherst, Massachusetts, then Aneeka in London--he inextricably entwines the two families’ fates.  Is he to be a chance at love? The means of Parvaiz’s salvation?

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  Told from multiple perspectives, this story starts as a slow burn and accelerates to an explosive conclusion.  It addresses a mix of contemporary issues from Muslim profiling to cultural assimilation and identity to the repatriation of citizens who have forsaken their countries in pursuit of conflicting ideals. 

FOR FANS OF:  culturally diverse stories, character driven narratives, literary fiction

BLOOD WATER PAINT by JOY MCCULLOUGH 

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  Her mother died when she was twelve, and suddenly Artemisia Gentileschi had a stark choice: a life as a nun in a convent or a life grinding pigment for her father's paint. She chose paint.  By the time she was seventeen, Artemisia was completing most of her father's commissions and was one of Rome's most talented painters, even if no one knew her name. But Rome in 1610 was a city where men took what they wanted from women, and in the aftermath of rape Artemisia faced another terrible choice: a life of silence or a life of truth, no matter the cost. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  This beautifully crafted novel in verse presents Artemisia's story interwoven with prose in the voice of her deceased mother who recounts the biblical stories of Susanna and Judith--subversive tales meant to strengthen Artemisia's resolve in the face of patriarchal oppression, and from which Artemisia draws inspiration and strength for her art, and for her life.

FOR FANS OF:  historical fiction, strong female characters, feminist works, novels in verse

BROTHER by DAVID CHARIANDY

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  Set in the 1990s, Brother tracks the coming of age of two brothers learning to survive as young men in a Toronto housing complex.  Sensitive Michael is fumbling through his first real relationship with Aisha, the smartest girl in their high school.  His streetwise and volatile older brother, Francis, is becoming obsessed with the city's burgeoning hip-hop scene. As they navigate their neighborhood, both brothers are learning how to posture, how to avoid trouble and how to behave when the police roll through.  Unfortunately, Francis has a problem with authority, and a run-in with the police at a local hangout has devastating consequences.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  More than a story of how systems burden and hold back young men of color, this is a tale of brotherly love, family bonds, and the disorienting effects of grief.  An emotional read, Brother will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

FOR FANS OF:  Culturally diverse literary fiction

AN EXCESS MALE by MAGGIE SHEN KING 

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  In the near-future Beijing of An Excess Male, China's One Child Policy and its cultural preference for sons have produced a shortage of eligible women and a sea of unmarried men.  To deal with this potential source of unrest, China's authoritarian government has reinvented family dynamics, encouraging its citizens to show their patriotism by entering into polyandrous marriages.  At 40, Lee Wei-guo longs for the companionship of marriage. No longer content with the State-regulated outlets for pleasure, he has finally saved up the dowry required to enter matchmaking talks. Only a single "advanced family" shows any interest, but the problems plaguing their household may be too steep a price to pay. 

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  This novel explores the myriad routes to love and family in a society where marriage is regulated and unmarried men are considered dispensable.  As the societal and governmental pressures on the characters mount, the story morphs from a dystopian drama into a science fiction thriller.

FOR FANS OF:  "Sister Wives” and similar reality series, thought-provoking dystopian fiction, science fiction thrillers, unconventional family stories

HEADS OF THE COLORED PEOPLE:  STORIES by Nafissa Thompson-Spires

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  This debut collection by Nafissa Thompson-Spires shines a light on the simmering tensions and precariousness of black citizenship.  Through 11 multilayered stories that confront issues of race, self-image, identity politics and the vulnerability of the black body, the author grapples with black identity and the contemporary middle class.

WHY YOU MIGHT LIKE IT:  By turns insightful, unsettling, comical, tragic, satirical, disturbing, and ironic, these stories are full of memorable characters and situations.  Although each story stands alone, many are interconnected and share insights from differing perspectives.

FOR FANS OF:  complex, culturally diverse characters, African American literature, and satire.

THE OPPOSITE OF EVERYONE by JOSHILYN JACKSON

What it’s about:  Fiercely independent divorce lawyer Paula Vauss spent the first decade of her life on the road with her free-spirited young mother, Kai, an itinerant storyteller who reinvented their history as they moved from town to town, and Kai moved from boyfriend to boyfriend.  When one move landed mother and daughter with a low-level drug dealer, Paula made an ill-fated phone call that would send Kai to prison and Paula to foster care, and drive a wedge through their relationship. Years later, Paula is still trying to atone for that devastating act when she receives word that her estranged mother is terminally ill, maybe already dead. Then Kai’s most closely held secret lands on Paula’s doorstep, throwing her life into chaos and transforming her from only child to older sister. 

Why you might like it:  The Opposite of Everyone is a gritty, bittersweet story laced with “earthy” language and sharp humor.  Paula is tough-as-nails and relentless in ferreting out the secrets that lead to sizable settlements for her clients, but after years spent guarding her heart, her greatest risk may be in letting family and love back into her life.

For fans of:  unconventional family stories, hard-boiled detective fiction, legal thrillers.

THE UNRAVELING OF MERCY LOUIS by KEIJA PARSSINEN

What it’s about:  In Port Sabine, a Texas refinery town, all eyes are on Mercy Louis, the star of the championship girls' basketball team.  Mercy seems destined for greatness, but the road out of town is riddled with obstacles, among them Mercy's strict evangelical grandmother, a boy who is becoming more than a passing distraction from Mercy's rigid discipline, and the specter of Mercy's own disappointing performance at the last state championship game.  At the periphery of Mercy's world floats team manager Illa Stark, a lonely girl whose days are spent caring for her chronically depressed, wheelchair-bound mother. When the body of a newborn baby is found near the high school, public scrutiny of Port Sabine's girls intensifies, and as every teenage girl in town becomes a suspect, a mysterious ailment begins to afflict them one by one.

Why you might like it:  The Unraveling of Mercy Louis is a dark, atmospheric coming-of-age story wrapped in a small town's secrets.

For fans of: southern gothic fiction, works inspired by the Salem witch trials

THE ALICE NETWORK by KATE QUINN

What it’s about:  In the aftermath of World War II, American college student Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She's also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie's parents banish her to Europe to have her "little problem" taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to Rose. Following her only lead, Charlie barges into the home of Eve Gardiner, a reclusive former spy, demanding information and launching them both on a mission to find the truth.

Why you might like it:  Suspenseful, engrossing, and brimming with period detail, this story of two courageous, unconventional women spans decades and continents, and introduces readers to the real-life network of female spies that operated in Europe during World War I.

For fans of:  strong female characters, historical fiction, thrillers and suspense

THE FIFTH PETAL by BRUNONIA BARRY

What it’s about: Salem’s Chief of Police John Rafferty finds himself challenged by a murder case tied to the town’s 17th-century witch trials and the “Goddess Murders” that took place twenty-five years ago. Historian Rose Whelan, suspected of both killings, and Callie Cahill, a descendant of one of the accused witches, use their cumulative knowledge and powers of alternative healing to help solve both crimes. 

Why you might like it:  This book shares details about witchcraft, sound therapy, deja vu experiences, Celtic lore, ancient religious symbolism, and the cultural climate of 17th-century Salem-- unusual topics, yes, but intriguing to consider. Trying to “solve” the crimes in the context of the story’s twists and tangents is a fun challenge, too!

For fans of: contemporary fiction with historical links, murder mysteries, stories set in Massachusetts, supernatural themes

SOURDOUGH by ROBIN SLOAN

What it’s about: As a newly hired software developer for a robotic arm manufacturer, Lois Clary quickly realizes her day-to-day routine is one-dimensional and boring. She decides to use the sourdough starter she was gifted from a restaurant friend to sell bread at a quirky, innovative San Francisco farmers’ market. “Armed” with an obsolete prototype from her former employer, Lois prepares bread on a large scale, but the market’s ambitions grow beyond her personal comfort level-- and may impact society as a whole. She must decide how to leverage the accumulated wisdom from her former experiences to balance the conflicting realities of producing our food of the future.

Why you might like it… This story can be savored in small bites or devoured whole in a weekend. Either way, it’s an easily digested read, but one that can be unsettling over time. It models the unpredictable journey of someone who takes a chance to try something new, succeeds, but eventually questions what really matters in life.

For readers who enjoy:  food, robotics, unusual ideas, questioning choices, & stories set in the near future

THE LOST CITY OF THE MONKEY GOD by DOUGLAS PRESTON

What it’s about: A group of scientists and media professionals use cutting-edge technology to peer beneath the canopy of the mountainous rainforests of Honduras. Their search for the rumored Lost City of the Monkey God not only uncovers a here-to-fore unknown civilization, but also raises troubling questions about its demise. Current thinking about the impacts of globalization infuses the storyline. 

Why you might like it… Written by a CSW-alum, this book documents what may be one of the most important discoveries of the twenty-first century. It includes a fair share of suspenseful moments, plot twists, and compelling narrative-- engaging the reader through its swings from significant historical events in Central America to contemporary technological challenges. 

For folks who like to read: adventure stories, medical and scientific mysteries, stories about social justice