Darcy Poletti Harp
PR and Programming Librarian

Just Like You by Nick Hornby

Clever and immensely readable, I devoured this book in single weekend. I’ve always loved Nick Hornby’s smart, funny writing- About a Boy and High Fidelity are my favorites. This novel is the tale of a two Londoners who fall in love despite the lines between class, race, education, and age that place them in separate parts of British society. Set in 2016, the novel does an excellent job of capturing the zeitgeist of the Brexit referendum as well as the the trials of modern dating and parenting struggles.

The Nightwatchman by Louise Erdrich

Erdrich is one of my favorite writers and this book doesn’t disappoint. Set in North Dakota on a Native American Reservation in the 1950s, this book tells the story of a tribe fighting for their land and sovereignty. Like most of Erdrich’s books, it’s full of rich and unique characters, magical realism, and the small and large heartbreaks of life on a reservation.

Writers and Lovers by Lily King

I loved King’s previous book Euphoria about the anthropologist Margaret Mead, but this novel about a struggling young writer is a turn in a totally different direction. I felt like I was right there beside the main character as she struggled with the complexities of modern life- dating, working, female friendships, student loans, gender inequality- all while trying to pursue her dreams of becoming a novelist. 

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

I love books that open a window into a new world for me. Told in a unique narrative style, this novel weaves the stories of characters that defy the norms of gender and sexuality in the political turbulence of 1990’s Nigeria.

Ottolenghi Flavor by Yotam Ottolenghi

I LOVE Yotam Ottolenghi’s cookbooks- I cook from his books more than any other cookbooks on my shelf. I’ve been cooking multiple recipes from Flavor every week since I bought it a few months ago. These recipes are full of the bold, fresh, and innovative flavors Ottolenghi is known for, and like all his recipes, I’ve never been disappointed by a dish. I mean, MISO BUTTER ONIONS?! Don’t be daunted by the long list of ingredients and steps in many recipes- a savvy cook can tell where to cut corners or substitute- I call my adaptations “Yotam Lite.” 

Elizabeth vonTauffkirchen
Digital Services and Media Hub Manager

The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai 

This sweeping family saga takes place in North Vietnam. It is beautifully written and the characters are deep and fully developed. There are definitely some ugly moments, as the book covers two violent periods in the history of the country. However, there are so many wonderful descriptions of the flora, fauna, and food of the region too. This book is evocative of place, and the language is elegant and precise. Although this is her first novel, Quế Mai has previously published poetry (in Vietnamese) and it shows in her exquisite use of English in this novel. She also uses Vietnamese proverbs in the book, which further enhance the exceptional portrayal of her home country. Five stars. 

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

This exquisite YA book is written in verse. I listened to the audio version and found myself several times on the verge of tears while walking my dog. The story revolves around two older teen women who each lost their father in a plane crash between New York and the Dominican Republic. These two female characters are so beautifully written that I feel as if I know and love them both. Such a heart-wrenching, touching, lovely book. Five stars. 

Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline

This long-awaited sequel to Ready Player One was such a fantastic read! I was a bit concerned, to be honest, as the first book was practically perfect in every way. I thought there was almost no chance Cline would be able to pull off the atmosphere and excitement of the first book with this follow-up book but I was completely wrong. This book has a very similar feel to the first, with a quest, billions of lives at stake, plucky, likable characters, and oh so much eighties nostalgia. Brilliant! Five stars. 

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

This sweeping, generational tale was fascinating to read. Two identical light-skinned black women grow up with radically different lives, one embracing her black heritage and one shunning it and pretending (quite successfully) to be white. The story continues, including the college life of the daughter of one of the sisters, who encounters so many interesting people on her journey, including her estranged aunt. This story examines race and identity while conveying a deeply detailed family saga with well developed and interesting characters throughout. I loved it! Five stars. 

Network Effect by Martha Wells

This is the first long-form work in a series that began with four short novellas, the first of which is All Systems Red. This hard science fiction series is actually a fascinating examination of what it means to be a “person.” The title character, who calls itself “Murderbot,” is a security unit which has hacked its own governor module. However, instead of going on a murderous rampage, which is what the humans in the stories assume any Sec Bot who has a hacked governor module will do, Murderbot uses the freedom to watch serial dramas during downtime while continuing to keep the human clients safe. This character is as fully fleshed out as any human character I’ve ever read about and it’s twice as fascinating. I love Murderbot! Five stars.

Shelley Walchak
Library Director

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

Lydia Wacasey
Library Specialist

Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks

Denizens of an exclusive, high-tech community are cut off from society and left to battle the harsh elements of the Pacific Northwest and defend themselves against a gang of predators.   

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia 

A feisty female protagonist, Noemi Taboada, is stranded in a remote and decaying estate with a deeply disturbed family. Fans of Emily Brontë and Mary Shelley will enjoy this gothic horror story. 

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

This novel focuses on a summer getaway turned wrong when an unexplained blackout leaves a family removed from civilization. A knock on the door of their remote vacation home kicks off an eerie examination of race, class, and consumer culture.

Brenda Marshall 
Assistant Director

Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian