Fall Staff Picks
FICTION:
Mother Doll: A Novel by Katya Apekina – Katya Apekina’s novel tells the story of four generations of Russian mothers and daughters. Part historical fiction and part ghost story, the author blends genres beautifully and touches on motherhood, immigration, identity, inherited trauma, and the connection between women across generations. I couldn’t put it down. -Sarah’s pick
Hot Cocoa Calm by Kira Willey – This sweet, beautifully illustrated board book is part of Kira Willey’s “Mindfulness Moments for Kids” series. In this story, an adorable fox and his woodland friends invite the reader to practice deep breathing, relaxation, and mindfulness over a cup of hot cocoa. The illustrations are cozy, colorful, and invite a sense of wonder for readers of all ages. Be sure to also check out Breathe Like A Bear, Listen Like An Elephant, and Bunny Breaths for more mindful moments! -Alena’s pick
Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek – This is a cozy young adult fantasy read with inspiration from Polish folktales. This novel is full of magic, creatures, and the journey of finding one’s place in the world while accepting and loving your differences. Perfect for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses and Howl’s Moving Castle! -Julia’s pick
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue – University student Rachel is busy juggling a precarious love pentagon involving her Victorian Literature professor, her gay best friend James, her boss (who happens to be the professor’s wife), and her boyfriend. Naturally, mistakes are made. The novel is funny, but not a farce; it’s a story about forgiveness for the harm done to us and the harm we do to others. Is it too much to say I loved this book? I would certainly recommend it to book discussion groups. I also highly recommend the audiobook version (available through Libby). –Beth’s pick
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn – An absorbing, compelling look at the residents of an all-female boarding house in Washington, DC set during the McCarthy era. This historical novel weaves mystery, murder and recipes throughout. Notable too for how little life has changed, it is full
of great characters and a whodunit that will keep you going until the end. -Sara’s pick
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid – In this short suspense thriller, an unnamed narrator recounts a visit to her new boyfriend’s parents’ house in the countryside, but all the while, she’s thinking of ending things. Everything is not as it seems, and things gets weirder and creepier as the trip progresses. Eerie from start to finish, Reid will have you feeling scared-but you won’t really know why. A perfect spooky read for fall! -Reine’s pick
After Oz by Gordon McAlpine – This dark spin-off from The Wizard of Oz depicts the devastating aftermath of the tornado in 1896 Kansas on the Gale farm and the surrounding community, but especially on the life of Dorothy Gale, as she relates her experience in the magical world of Oz. It includes a murder mystery that reveals long-kept secrets and a portrayal of a closed prejudicial community of the Midwest in the late nineteenth century. –Davonne’s pick
NONFICTION:
Tiny Humans , Big Emotions by Alyssa Campbell and Lauren Stauble – An excellent book for parents and other adults seeking an understanding of children’s emotional behavior. Part 1 focuses on our own emotions and lays the foundation for appreciating and positively managing children’s behavior. Parts 2 and 3 present scenarios that will be familiar to most families. The authors’ suggested responses to situations are creative and carefully thought out, acknowledging a child’s emotions while developing a solution. There is a large amount of information and suggested approaches for adults to absorb in this book, therefore the reader might want to spread out their reading over several days. -Susan’s pick
Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe – The amazing, insightful and ultimately sad history of the Vanderbilt empire from the 1860s through the current day. Author, TV news anchor and Vanderbilt descendant Cooper walks us through the intriguing history, passions, self-absorbed personalities and self- destructive traits that took the family from the rise of industrialist Cornelius Vanderbilt (in the 1860s) to the squandering of his fortune through the 1980s. I found the insights about American landmarks, institutions and historic moments (like the sinking of the Lusitania) to be interesting and surprising. –Tom’s pick
Old Jules by Mari Sandoz – Sandoz, a Nebraskan that came to be known as one of the foremost writers about the American west in the early 1900s, focuses her keen eye on her own father in this 1935 biography. Old Jules, as he was known both affectionately and with animosity, was a far-sighted pioneer that helped lead the settlement of western Nebraska. While the tale of his building up this part of the early country is worth reading in and of itself, Sandoz tells his story, that of a character with a capital C, like the best fiction– thrilling, dramatic, and in one word, extraordinary. -Ryan’s pick