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Was it only a dream?
Books have the remarkable ability to transport us to other worlds, but some narratives defy conventional reality altogether. These books feel like fever dreams— where the boundaries blur into a mesmerizing tapestry of imagination. Check out this selection that challenges our perceptions and leaves us questioning what is real.
House of Cotton by Monica Brashears
Magnolia Brown is nineteen years old, broke, and effectively an orphan. She feels stuck and haunted by her overdrawn bank account, her predatory landlord, and the ghost of her late grandmother, Mama Brown. One night, while working at her dead-end gas station job, a mysterious, slick stranger named Cotton offers to turn Magnolia’s luck around with a lucrative “modeling” job at his family’s funeral home. She accepts. But despite things looking up, Magnolia’s problems fatten along with her wallet. When Cotton’s requests become increasingly weird, Magnolia discovers there’s much more at stake than just her rent.
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
The Extinction of Irena Rey by Jennifer Croft
Eight sophisticated literary translators, initially identified only by their respective target languages, convene at a remote cabin near the Belarussian border to collaborate on reverent translations of a significant new work by Irena Rey. But something seems off with the world-renowned novelist, and when she disappears, perhaps into the vast Bialowieza forest or perhaps into some other life form altogether, the group searches for clues and descends into disarray.
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby
Vampires of el Norte by Isabel Canas
When the US attacks Mexico in 1846, Nena, a healer striving to prove her worth, and Néstor, a member of the auxiliary cavalry of ranchers and vaqueros, find their reunion overshadowed by the appearance of a nightmare made flesh.
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby
Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes
While part of a small space exploration crew on an abandoned planet, a psychologist confronts a gruesome murder and twisted secrets as she races to prevent history from repeating itself in the form of a space-borne madness.
July is National Ice Cream Month, a time to indulge in the creamy, delightful treat that brings joy to people of all ages. What better way to celebrate this delicious occasion than by combining two of life's greatest pleasures: ice cream and books? As temperatures rise and the summer sun beckons, why not cool off with a delightful read that tempts your taste buds? These covers promise a refreshing escape into new worlds and stories while capturing the essence of summer's favorite dessert.
The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman
As a child in 1913, Malka Treynovsky fled Russia for New York with her family--only to be crippled and abandoned in the streets. Taken in by a tough-loving Italian ice peddler, Malka survives. When she falls in love with Albert, they set off together across America in an ice cream truck to seek their fortune; slowly, she transforms herself into Lillian Dunkle, "The Ice Cream Queen of America"--doyenne of an empire of ice cream franchises and a celebrated television personality. Spanning 70 years, Lillian's rise, fraught with setbacks, triumphs, and tragedies, is inextricably linked to the course of American history itself, from Prohibition to the disco days of Studio 54. And when her past starts catching up with her, her world implodes spectacularly.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
The Unlikelies by Carrie Firestone
Five teens embark on a summer of vigilante good samaritanism in a novel that's part The Breakfast Club, part The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, and utterly captivating.
Rising high school senior Sadie braces for a long, lonely, and boring summer. But things take an unexpected turn when she steps in to help rescue a baby in distress, and a video of her good deed goes viral.
Suddenly internet-famous, Sadie's summer changes for the better when she's introduced to other "hometown heroes." These five very different teens form an unlikely alliance to secretly right local wrongs, but when they try to help a heroin-using friend, they get in over their heads and discover that there might be truth in the saying "no good deed goes unpunished." Can Sadie and her new friends make it through the summer with their friendships--and anonymity--intact?
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette
This book starts a charming, cozy mystery series set in an ice cream shop with a fabulous cast of quirky characters.
Recent MBA grad Bronwyn Crewse has just taken over her family's ice cream shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and she's going back to basics. Win is renovating Crewse Creamery to restore its former glory and filling the menu with delicious, homemade ice cream flavors-many from her grandmother's original recipes. Unexpected construction delays mean she misses the summer season, and the shop has a literal cold opening: the day she opens her doors, an early first snow descends on the village and keeps the customers away.
To make matters worse, that evening, Win finds a body in the snow, and it turns out the dead man was a grifter with an old feud with the Crewse family. Soon, Win's father is implicated in his death. It's not easy to juggle a new-to-her business while solving a crime, but Win is determined to do it. With the help of her quirky best friends and her tight-knit family, she'll catch the ice-cold killer before she has a meltdown . . .
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Dawn Dixon can hardly believe she's on a groomless honeymoon on beautiful Cape Cod . . . with her mother. Sure, Marnie Dixon is good company, but Dawn was supposed to be here with Kevin, the love of her life (or so she thought).
Marnie Dixon needs some time away from the absolute realness of life as much as her jilted daughter does, and she's not about to let her only child suffer alone--even if Marnie herself had been doing precisely that for the past month.
Given the circumstances, maybe it was inevitable that Marnie would do something as rash as buying a run-down ice cream shop in the town's tightly regulated historic district. After all, everything's better with ice cream.
Her exasperated daughter knows that she's the one who will have to clean up this mess. Even when her mother's impulsive real estate purchase brings Kevin back into her life, Dawn doesn't get her hopes up. Everyone knows that broken romances stay broken . . . don't they?
Reading a mystery or thriller is always a roller coaster. However, a compelling narrator can make or break those twists, lending us their unique points of view. Here are a few of our favorite narrators from the past few years!
Trust by Hernan Diaz
Told from the perspective of one woman bent on disentangling fact from fiction, this unrivaled novel about money, power, intimacy, and perception is centered around the mystery of how the Rask family acquired their immense fortune in 1920s-1930s New York City.
Find it at your library: Physical | Libby
Bunny by Mona Awad
Invited to join a popular clique at her university, a misfit artist with a dark imagination is drawn into ritualistic activities that transform her perspectives on reality.
Find it at your library: Physical | Libby
Cover Story by Susan Rigetti
During a summer internship at a magazine, an aspiring writer strikes up a friendship with the contributing editor and enigmatic daughter of a clean-energy mogul, who convinces her to drop out of NYU and become her ghostwriter.
Find it at your library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson
Years after establishing a literary career through his compilation of the mystery genre’s most unsolvable classics, an unsuspecting bookseller is tapped by the FBI for help solving murders that eerily mimic the books on his list.
Here at KHCPL, we're gearing up for our annual Summer Reading Program! Beginning with our Kickoff Party on June 7th at the Main Branch downtown, all ages can participate to win fun prizes and show off their reading streaks. To participate, read a little bit every day, and you can win too!
Follow our Summer Reading Program page to count down to the kickoff with us, find book lists related to our weekly themes, and locate instructions for logging your reading.
Adventure Begins at Your Library
2024 Summer Reading Program
On that exciting note, here are a few summer-set books to get us hyped and ready for the season!
ADULTS:
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
For the last few years, every woman who dated Justin immediately found her romantic soul mate after breaking up with him. When Emma sees a social media post about Justin, she immediately slides into his DMs since she has the same problem. But what if Emma and Justin were to date each other for a month or so? Would their quirky romantic superpowers cancel each other out? It is a proposal that is so crazy that it just might work.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby
Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo
When his best friend dies of an apparent suicide, Andrew uncovers lies and secrets left behind by the person he trusted most, discovering a family history soaked in blood and death.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
TEENS:
Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian
Seventeen-year-old Amelia is looking forward to her last summer before college working at the Meade Creamery. When the owner of the local landmark passes away, her nephew has big changes in mind.
Find it at the library: Physical | Hoopla
The June Boys by Court Stevens
High school senior Thea Delacroix, aided by her friends, seeks to catch the Gemini Thief, who abducts and releases boys unharmed -including her cousin- but begins to fear the criminal is someone very near.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
KIDS:
Isabel in Bloom by Mae Respicio
Starting a new school in San Francisco, 12-year-old Isabel, who has recently arrived from the Philippines, struggles to make friends until she joins the gardening and cooking clubs, where she starts to bloom.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby
Unhappy Camper by Lily LaMotte
When their parents send them to a Taiwanese American summer camp, sisters -and polar opposites- Claire and Michelle learn more about their culture and each other, forcing Michelle to decide whether to embrace her culture and family or assimilate into the popular group at school.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby
Audiobook Lovers Month is celebrated throughout June and is an excellent time for book enthusiasts everywhere to immerse themselves in captivating stories through audio. So grab your headphones, find a cozy spot, and let the narrators transport you to magical worlds, thrilling mysteries, and heartfelt romances.
Types of Narration in Audiobooks
Dual Narration (or Dual POV):
In dual narration, two distinct narrators portray different characters' perspectives. For example, if a novel alternates between the male and female protagonists, each narrator embodies their respective viewpoints. This approach adds depth and authenticity to the storytelling.
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
She is the very thing he's spent his whole life hunting.
He is the very thing she's spent her whole life pretending to be.
Only the extraordinary belong in the kingdom of Ilya—the exceptional, the empowered, the Elites. The powers these Elites have possessed for decades were graciously gifted to them by the Plague, though not all were fortunate enough to both survive the sickness and reap the reward. Those born Ordinary are just that—ordinary. And when the king decreed that all Ordinaries be banished to preserve his Elite society, lacking an ability suddenly became a crime—making Paedyn Gray a felon by fate and a thief by necessity.
Surviving in the slums as an Ordinary is no simple task, and Paedyn knows this better than most. Having been trained by her father to be keenly observant since she was a child, Paedyn poses as a Psychic in the crowded city, blending in with the Elites as best she can to stay alive and out of trouble...easier said than done.
When Paeydn unsuspectingly saves one of Ilya's princes, she finds herself thrown into the Purging Trials. The brutal competition exists to showcase the Elites' powers—the very thing Paedyn lacks. If the Trials and the opponents within them don't kill her, the prince she's fighting feelings for certainly will if he discovers what she is...completely Ordinary.
Libby
The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest
Shy, bookish, and admittedly awkward, Lily Greene has always felt inadequate compared to the rest of her accomplished family, who strive for Black excellence. She dreams of becoming a children's books editor, but she's been frustratingly stuck in the nonfiction division for years without a promotion in sight. Lily finds escapism in her correspondences with her favorite fantasy author, and what begins as two lonely people connecting over email turns into a tentative friendship and possibly something else Lily won't let herself entertain—until he ghosts her without a word.
Months later, Lily is still crushed, but she's determined to get a hold of her life, starting with finding a date for her sister's wedding. And the perfect person to help her is Nick Brown, her charming, attractive new neighbor, who she feels drawn to for reasons she can't explain. But little does she know, Nick is an author—her favorite fantasy author.
Nick, who has his reasons for using a pen name and pushing people away, soon realizes that the beautiful, quiet girl from down the hall is the same Lily he fell in love with over email months ago. Unwilling to complicate things even more between them, he agrees to set her up with someone else, though this simple favor between two neighbors is anything but—not when he can't get her off his mind...
Duet Narration:
Duet narration combines the voices of two narrators in real-time dialogue scenes. Rather than alternating chapters, both narrators perform simultaneously during conversations, creating an engaging and dynamic experience. Duet narration is particularly popular in romance audiobooks.
Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday
The fake Canadian boyfriend. It's a thing. The get-out-of-jail-free card for all kinds of sticky social situations. "I can't go to prom; I'm going to be out of town visiting my boyfriend in Canada." It's all over pop culture. But Aurora Evans did it first. Once upon a time, she met a teenage hockey player at the Mall of America. He was from Canada. He was a boy. She may have fudged the "friend" part a little, but it wasn't like she would ever see him again. It wasn't like she hurt anyone until she did—years later—on both counts.
When pro hockey player and recent widower Mike Martin walks into the dance studio where Aurora Evans teaches, he feels overwhelmed by the fact that his wife may not have been who he thought she was and the logistics of returning to work. As one of the few people his angry, heartbroken daughter connects with, Aurora agrees to be a pseudo-nanny to help him navigate the upcoming school year and hockey season. To his surprise, she also turns out to be the perfect balm for him. Aurora gets him—the real him underneath his pro jersey. And yet, he still finds himself holding back, unable to fully trust again—especially when he finds out the secret Aurora's been hiding from him.
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
Every serial killer needs a friend. Every game must have a winner.
When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive—the friendship of a like-minded, pitch-black soul. From small-town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country.
But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than their newfound love.
Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves?
Or have they finally met their match?
Butcher & Blackbird is the first book in the Ruinous Love dark romance trilogy of interconnected stand-alone dark romantic comedies. This dual POV novel ends on a HEA.
Single Narration:
Single narration involves a single narrator performing the entire audiobook. This traditional approach allows the listener to connect with one consistent voice throughout the story. Skilled narrators adeptly switch between characters, infusing emotion, and personality into each role.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases—a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old. It doesn't help that she has Asperger's and that French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by a pilot fish. She decides that she needs lots of practice—with a professional—which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese-Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and he agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan—from foreplay to more-than-missionary position... Before long, Stella learns to appreciate his kisses and crave all the other things he's making her feel. Their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the emerging pattern convinces Stella that love is the best kind of logic.
Only a Monster by Vanessa Len
It should have been the perfect summer. Sent to stay with her late mother's eccentric family in London, sixteen-year-old Joan is determined to enjoy herself. She loves her nerdy job at the historic Holland House, and when her super cute co-worker Nick asks her on a date, it feels like everything is falling into place.
But she soon learns the truth. Her family aren't just eccentric: they're monsters with terrifying, hidden powers. And Nick isn't just a cute boy: he's a legendary monster slayer who will do anything to bring them down.
As she battles Nick, Joan is forced to work with the beautiful and ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family that hates her own. She must embrace her own monstrousness to save herself and her family. Because in this story...
...she is not the hero.
Full Cast Narration:
Full-cast narration is akin to a theatrical production. Multiple actors voice different characters, complete with varying accents, tones, and styles. Sound effects and background music enhance the immersive experience. Full-cast audiobooks are prevalent in fantasy, science fiction, and epic sagas.
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations are at war over a planet that's little more than a speck at the edge of the universe. Now, with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra — who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to evacuate with a hostile warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A plague has broken out and is mutating with terrifying results; the fleet's AI may be their enemy, and nobody in charge will say what's happening. As Kady hacks into a web of data to find the truth, it's clear the only person who can help her is the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.
Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.
Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine
Kali Fajardo-Anstine's magnetic story collection breathes life into her Latina characters of indigenous ancestry and the land they inhabit. Set against the remarkable backdrop of Denver, Colorado–a place as fierce as it is exquisite–these women navigate the land the way they navigate their lives: with caution, grace, and quiet force.
In "Sugar Babies," ancestry and heritage are hidden inside the earth but tend to rise during land disputes. "Any Further West" follows a sex worker and her daughter as they leave their ancestral home in southern Colorado only to find a foreign and hostile land in California. In "Tomi," a woman leaves prison and finds herself in a gentrified city that is a shadow of the one she remembers from her childhood. In the title story, "Sabrina & Corina," a Denver family falls into a cycle of violence against women, coming together only through ritual.
Sabrina & Corina is a moving narrative of unrelenting feminine power and explores the universal experiences of abandonment, heritage, and an eternal sense of home.
With summer just around the corner, many people are busier than ever. The end of the school year, upcoming vacations, and events can make even the longest days feel short. Here are a few short books under 200 pages that you can tackle in one or two sittings- or listen to between open house parties!
Assembly by Natasha Brown
Page count: 112
Brown's provocative and lyrical debut follows a young Black British woman's navigation of the racism and sexism at her investment banking job while she contends with a breast cancer diagnosis.
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Page count: 144
"As a heartless killing machine, I was a terrible failure," confesses the AI narrator of this fast-paced SF adventure. After overriding its programming, security droid "Murderbot" saves lives instead of ending them--but only because letting all the humans die would interfere with its favorite activity: binge-watching his favorite media.
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong
Page count: 196
Struggling with disillusionment in the aftermath of a broken engagement, Ruth moves back home with her parents to discover that her professor father's erratic memory loss and her mother's eccentricity are manifesting in near-comical ways that help Ruth transform her grief.
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby
Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey
Page count: 176
In a post-apocalyptic American West, Librarians deliver Approved Materials to isolated towns and outposts. They are also unwittingly delivering Esther, who ran away from home to escape an arranged marriage. The future American Southwest is full of bandits, fascists, and librarian spies on horseback trying to do the right thing.
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
May is upon us, and in the United States, it’s a time to honor the rich culture, history, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, let’s explore a curated collection of romance novels penned by talented authors of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. Here are 6 books to get you started.
A Condition Called Love by Megumi Morino
Hotaru is a 16-year-old high school first-year who has always been ambivalent about love, preferring instead to have a lively life with her family and friends. So when she sees her schoolmate, Hananoi-kun, sitting in the snow after a messy, public breakup, she thinks nothing of offering to share her umbrella. But when he asks her out in the middle of her classroom the next day, she can't help but feel that her life is about to change in a big way
The Singles Table by Sara Desai
After a devastating break-up, celebrity-obsessed lawyer Zara Patel is determined never to open her heart again. She puts her energy into building her career and helping her friends find their happily-ever-afters. She's never faced a guest at the singles table she couldn’t match, until she crosses paths with the sinfully sexy Jay Dayal.
Former military security specialist Jay has no time for love. His life is about working hard, staying focused, and winning at all costs. When charismatic Zara crashes into his life, he's thrown into close contact with exactly the kind of chaos he wants to avoid. Worse, they're stuck together for the entire wedding season.
So they make a deal. She'll find his special someone if he introduces her to his celebrity clients. But when their arrangement brings them together in ways they never expected, they realize that the perfect match might just be their own.
A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli
Twenty-nine-year-old Niki Randhawa has always made practical decisions. Despite her love for music and art, she became an analyst for the stability. She's always stuck close to home, in case her family needed her. And she's always dated guys that seem good on paper, rather than the ones who give her butterflies. When she's laid off, Niki realizes that practical hasn't exactly paid off for her. So for the first time ever, she throws caution to the wind and books a last-minute flight for her friend Diya’s wedding.
Niki arrives in India just in time to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, where she meets London musician Sameer Mukherji. Maybe it's the splendor of Mumbai or the magic of the holiday season, but Niki is immediately drawn to Sam. At the wedding, the champagne flows and their flirtatious banter makes it clear that the attraction is mutual.
When Niki and Sam join Diya, her husband and their friends on a group honeymoon, their connection grows deeper. Free-spirited Sam helps Niki get in touch with her passionate and creative side, and with her Indian roots. When she gets a new job offer back home, Niki must decide what she wants out of the next chapter of her life—to cling to the straight and narrow like always, or to take a leap of faith and live the kind of bold life the old Niki never would have dreamed of.
The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu
Jasmine Tran has landed herself behind bars--maple bars that is. With no boyfriend or job prospects, Jasmine returns home to work at her parents' donut shop. Jasmine quickly loses herself in a cyclical routine of donuts, Netflix, and sleep. She wants to break free from her daily grind, but when a hike in rent threatens the survival of their shop, her parents rely on her more than ever. Help comes in the form of an old college crush, Alex Lai. Not only is he successful and easy on the eyes, to her parents' delight, he's also Chinese. He's everything she should wish for, until a disastrous dinner reveals Alex isn't as perfect as she thinks. Worse, he doesn't think she's perfect either. With both sets of parents against their relationship, a family legacy about to shut down, and the reappearance of an old high school flame, Jasmine must scheme to find a solution that satisfies her family's expectations and can get her out of the donut trap once and for all.
Shortcake Cake by Suu Morishita
When Ten moves out of her parents’ home in the mountains to live in a boardinghouse, she finds herself becoming fast friends with her male roommates. But can love and romance be far behind?
Ten Serizawa has a two-hour commute through the mountains to high school every day, so she can’t spend much time hanging out with her friends in the afternoon. She decides to move into the local boardinghouse, where one of her friends and three other boys are living. Ten’s friends consider her to be as oblivious as a rock when it comes to noticing boys and falling in love, but will she be able to keep her calm and steady heart in her new living situation?
Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho
What would you do if the world's biggest K-pop star asked you to prom? Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon, this hilarious and heartfelt novel brings the glamour and drama of the K-pop world straight to high school. Elena Soo has always felt overshadowed. Whether by her more successful older sisters, her more popular twin brother, or her more outgoing best friend, everyone except Elena seems to know exactly who they are and what they want. But she is certain about one thing - she has no interest in going to prom. While the rest of the school is giddy over corsages and dresses, Elena would rather spend her time working to save the local community center, the one place that's always made her feel like she belonged. So when international K-pop superstar Robbie Choi shows up at her house to ask her to prom, Elena is more confused than ever. Because the one person who always accepted Elena as she is? Her childhood best friend, Robbie Choi. And the one thing she maybe, possibly, secretly wants more than anything? For the two of them to keep the promise they made each other as kids: to go to prom together. But that was seven years ago, and with this new K-pop persona, pink hair, and stylish clothes, Robbie is nothing like the sweet, goofy boy she remembers. The boy she shared all her secrets with. The boy she used to love. Besides, prom with a guy who comes with hordes of screaming fans, online haters, and relentless paparazzi is the last thing Elena wants - even if she can't stop thinking about Robbie's smile...right?
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Their contributions are just one component of the rich cultural diversity available in the literary world today. Here are a few AAPI fantasy authors to have on your radar and their newest releases!
An Arrow to the Moon by Emily X.R. Pan
Navigating their families' enmity and secrets, Hunter and Luna find everything falling apart around them and must rely on their love to see them through, in this powerful story about the magic and mystery of the moon that connects us all.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby
Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan
Revolution is brewing in the semi-submerged city of Tiankawi, between humans and the fathomfolk who live in its waters. This gloriously imaginative debut fantasy, inspired by East Asian mythology and ocean folk tales, is a novel of magic, rebellion and change.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby
The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
Inspired by a classic of martial arts literature, S. L. Huang's The Water Outlaws are bandits of devastating ruthlessness, unseemly femininity, and dangerous philosophies who are ready to make history—or tear it apart.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
This dramatic, complete duology (Book 2 is "Heart of the Sun Warrior") follows the coming-of-age adventures of Xingyin, the half-mortal daughter of the Moon Goddess, a mythical being from Chinese folklore. She and her friends fight against usurpers to save both mortal and immortal realms. Lush world-building and richly detailed settings immerse readers in a compelling epic fantasy filled with power struggles, epic quests, and thrilling romantic entanglements.
If you're like me, you're always looking for another resource to read with. Many are familiar with Libby and Hoopla, two of our most popular resources. Today, take a look at a third resource on our Databases page: Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg is an online library of free eBooks and has been digitizing, archiving, and distributing literary works for over 50 years. It's the oldest eBook project on the internet! They publish classics and books in the public domain for free use. Currently, there are over 70,000 free eBooks to choose from. Here are a few great classics you can find FREE on Project Gutenberg, as well as a modern interpretation you can find at KHCPL!
Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley || The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
Click here to go to Project Gutenberg | Click here for The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald || The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
Click here to go to Project Gutenberg | Click here for The Chosen and the Beautiful
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott || Meg and Jo by Virginia Kantra
Click here to go to Project Gutenberg | Click here for Meg and Jo
A Study in Scarlet - Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle || A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
Click here to go to Project Gutenberg | Click here for A Study in Charlotte
In the enchanting realm of literature, where imagination knows no bounds, we invite you to explore a curated collection of fictional books that seamlessly blend science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These captivating narratives transport readers beyond the ordinary, sparking curiosity and igniting a passion for discovery.
Weird Little Robots by Carolyn Crimi
Eleven-year-old Penny Rose has just moved to a new town, and so far the robots she builds herself are her only company. But with just a bit of magic, everything changes: she becomes best friends with Lark, has the chance to join a secret science club, and discovers that her robots are alive. Penny Rose hardly remembers how lonely she used to feel. But then a fateful misstep forces her to choose between the best friend she's always hoped for and the club she's always dreamed of, and in the end it may be her beloved little robots that pay the price
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
Click’d by Tamara Ireland Stone
Allie Navarro can't wait to show her best friends the app she built at CodeGirls summer camp. CLICK'D pairs users based on common interests and sends them on a fun (and occasionally rule-breaking) scavenger hunt to find each other. And it's a hit. By the second day of school, everyone is talking about CLICK'D.
Watching her app go viral is amazing. Leaderboards are filling up! Everyone's making new friends. And with all the data Allie is collecting, she has an even better shot at beating her archenemy, Nathan, at the upcoming youth coding competition. But when Allie discovers a glitch that threatens to expose everyone's secrets, she has to figure out how to make things right, even if that means sharing the computer lab with Nathan. Can Allie fix her app, stop it from doing any more damage, and win back the friends it hurt-all before she steps on stage to present CLICK'D to the judges?
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero by Saadia Faruqi
Yusuf Azeem has spent all his life in the small town of Frey, Texas—and nearly that long waiting for the chance to participate in the regional robotics competition, which he just knows he can win.
Only, this year is going to be more difficult than he thought. Because this year is the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an anniversary that has everyone in his Muslim community on edge.
With “Never Forget” banners everywhere and a hostile group of townspeople protesting the new mosque, Yusuf realizes that the country’s anger from two decades ago hasn’t gone away. Can he hold onto his joy—and his friendships—in the face of heartache and prejudice?
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm
Eleven-year-old Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade. She misses her old best friend. She even misses her dearly departed goldfish. Then one day a strange boy shows up. He’s bossy. He’s cranky. And weirdly enough . . . he looks a lot like Ellie’s grandfather, a scientist who’s always been slightly obsessed with immortality. Could this pimply boy really be Grandpa Melvin? Has he finally found the secret to eternal youth?
With a lighthearted touch and plenty of humor, Jennifer Holm celebrates the wonder of science and explores fascinating questions about life and death, family and friendship, immortality . . . and possibility.
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby
The Incredible Magic of Being by Kathryn Erskine
Some might say Julian is sheltered. But he lives large, and his eternal optimism allows him to see infinite possibilities wherever he looks. Despite his optimism, he is anxious about his stressed family falling apart. Even his ability to uni-sense what’s happening with his sister is gone. If he can make his family focus on the magic in the universe, surely, they’ll appreciate life again. Now that they are moving from Washington, DC, to rural Maine, Julian can use his beloved telescope without any light pollution. He can discover a comet, name it for himself, and show his family how they’re all truly connected. As Julian searches the night sky, he encounters a force that may drive his plan apart. His neighbor, Mr. X, could bring an end to his parents’ dream of opening their B&B. Could one negative force unravel everything? An avid student of science, Julian understands that there is much about the universe that we don’t yet know. Who is to say what’s possible and what’s not?
Find it at the Library: Physical | Hoopla
You may have heard about a musician named Taylor Swift once or twice in the past few years. Her latest album promises to drop all the angst, heartbreak, and drama your heart could desire. If you're looking for books to make you feel the same way, you've come to the right place! Here are a few books that will bring ALL the emotions.
We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride
Whimsy is back in the hospital for treatment of clinical depression. When she meets a boy named Faerry, she recognizes they both have magic in the marrow of their bones. And when Faerry and his family move to the same street, the two start to realize that their lifelines may have twined and untwined many times before.
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
Out of Love by Hazel Hayes
Instead of moving forward through the emotional fallout of a break-up, Out of Love moves backward in time, weaving together an already unraveled tapestry, from tragic ending to magical first kiss. Each chapter jumps further into Angel and Theo's past, mining their history for the days and details that might help us understand love; how it happens and why it sometimes falls apart.
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
This first novel by poet Vuong is narrated by Little Dog, a Vietnamese refugee who grew up in Hartford with his mother and his maternal grandmother, Lan. A writer now, he addresses his story as a letter to his mother, who cannot read, "to tell you everything you'll never know."
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby
The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Asking her former college boyfriend, Max Harcourt, to go public as her songwriting muse, megastar Riley Wynn, when he joins her and her band on tour, starts to realize that, despite the sour notes in the past, their future could hold incredible things.
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby 
Just Another Epic Love Poem by Parisa Akhbari
Two best friends, bonded by their shared love of poetry, uncover all the different meanings of "I love you" their senior year of high school.
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby
Podcast hosts are all the rage right now, and that trend is popping up in every genre of fiction. Here are just a few novels featuring podcasts that have gotten all the buzz.
Sadie by Courtney Summers
Told from the alternating perspectives of nineteen-year-old Sadie who runs away from her isolated small Colorado town to find her younger sister's killer, and a true crime podcast exploring Sadie's disappearance.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn
Accompanying her younger sister and a podcast team on a cross-country search for their mother, who ran off with an accomplished con man years earlier, Jess unravels the mystery of where the couple disappeared to and why, and discovers a willingness to expand beyond the walls she's so carefully built.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
Conviction by Denise Mina
An upper-class Edinburgh housewife who enjoys listening to the sordid details of true-crime podcasts has her world turned upside down when a new podcast turns out to have connections to her own dark past.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
A studious girl and a quiet, straight-A boy start a controversial podcast together that challenges their courage and forces them to confront issues in the form of backlash and censorship.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin
When the halal restaurant where she waitresses is threatened by new competition, a rising podcaster uncovers a long-buried family secret and falls for a rival before their community is upended by a hate attack.
Cozy mysteries are in a niche genre of their own. There's the requisite murder, of course, but most of the gruesome details happen off-page. They focus on solving the mystery, usually with loveable characters and unique settings or circumstances. Some come with punny names, some with cutesy covers, but all with a lot of heart and warmth. Here are just a few recent releases we love at KHCPL!
How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin
After a fortune teller in 1965 predicts her murder, Frances spends her life searching for her best friend who disappeared at a county fair until she actually is murdered 60 years later, leaving her grand-niece Annie to solve both crimes.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby
Finlay Donovan by Elle Cosimano
When struggling suspense novelist and single mom Finlay Donovan is mistaken for a contract killer, she inadvertently accepts the offer to dispose of a problem husband in order to make ends meet, discovering that crime in real life is a lot harder than fiction.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes
Embracing country life as they prepare for the birth of their first child, Alice and her partner Joe instead find themselves suspects in a murder investigation when a dead body is discovered at the local prenatal class and team up with other moms-to-be to clear her name.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby
Under Lock and Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian
Tempest Raj, while visiting her dad's latest renovation project, discovers the body of her former stage double and wonders if she was the original target. As she dives into this impossible mystery, she wonders if the Raj family curse has finally come for her.
Are you ready to embark on a colorful journey through the captivating world of comics, manga, and graphic novels? Look no further than ComicsPlus, your digital gateway to an expansive collection of graphic narratives, superheroes, and fantastical tales. Whether you’re a seasoned comic aficionado or a curious newcomer, this platform promises an adventure that transcends ink and paper.
What Is ComicsPlus?
ComicsPlus, powered by LibraryPass, isn’t just a digital library—it’s a universe waiting to be explored. Imagine having a virtual comic shop at your fingertips, where every shelf holds treasures waiting to be discovered. Here’s what makes ComicsPlus a must-visit destination:
- Diverse Selection: From caped crusaders to intergalactic sagas, ComicsPlus offers a kaleidoscope of genres. Dive into classic superhero tales, unravel mysteries, or lose yourself in epic fantasy worlds. The choices are as varied as the colors on an artist’s palette.
- Unlimited Access: No more waiting in line or dealing with holds. With ComicsPlus, you have 24/7 access to an ever-growing library. Read at your own pace, binge-read the entire series, or revisit old favorites—it’s all at your command.
- Artistry Unleashed: Comics are more than words and pictures—they’re a symphony of storytelling. Explore the intricate illustrations, follow character arcs, and savor the visual feast. From bold lines to delicate shading, each panel is a masterpiece.
Here are six titles to get you started on your ComicsPlus Journey!
(To access the full ComicsPlus catalog, visit https://login.librarypass.com/, type in Kokomo-Howard County Public Library, and then enter your library card number. If you’re not sure what your library card number is, stop by any KHCPL location or call us at 765-457-3242, and we’d be happy to help get you that information.)
Please Note: When you click the links below, you will be required to enter your library card number to view the item.
The Fiancée Chosen by the Ring by Jyun Hayase
Aurora el la Porta is a noblewoman with one love -- the art of embroidery. While she attends the lavish evening parties her peers adore, she’s not looking for a dance but inspiration for a new design! On one such night, distracted by the many beautiful dresses on display, she’s struck in the face by a mysterious wedding ring. When she picks it up, one of the finest knights in the kingdom approaches, declaring her his new fiancée! Aurora has no idea what’s going on, but one thing’s for sure -- she’s got a big decision to make.
Bungo Stray Dogs by Kafka Asagiri
Having been kicked out of the orphanage, a despairing young man named Atsushi Nakajima rescues a strange man from a suicide attempt--Osamu Dazai. It turns out that Dazai is part of a detective agency staffed by individuals whose supernatural powers take on a literary bent!
Sasaki and Miyano by Shou Harusono
It all started like a typical old-school boys’ love plotline: a bad-boy senior meets an adorably awkward underclassman, one of them falls in love, and so on and so forth. But although Miyano is a self-proclaimed boys’ love expert, he hasn’t realized that he’s in one himself. It’s up to Sasaki to ensure their story has a happily ever after!
Cross-Dressing Villainess Cecilia Sylvie by Hiroro Akizakura
If they find out I’m a girl, I’m toast! All I want is a peaceful, drama-free life! Maybe in the manga adaptation, I can take it easy. I, Cecilia Sylive, woke up as the villainess in a reverse harem dating sim world. This means I’ve been fated to a Bad End if I keep living as a girl. And so, the only way to avoid becoming a Holy Maiden Candidate and halt the death flags in their tracks is to live as a boy! With the assistance of my brother Gilbert and a little bit of luck, maybe even I can find a happily ever after.
A Reincarnated Witch Spells Doom by Tail Yuzuhara
On her eighteenth birthday, shut-in Sena Shirai finally works up the courage to leave the comfort of her home—only to be hit by a truck! Luckily, she has a second chance at life as a witch in another world, but the only spells she can use are “explode” and “perish.” Unable to control her destructive power, Sena is shunned by the nearby villagers and doomed to live in isolation once again. But when a mysterious boy collapses at her doorstep on her (second) eighteenth birthday, will her fate finally turn around?
Lord Hades’s Ruthless Marriage by Ueji Yuho
Deep below the earth lies the abode of Lord Hades, the ruthless king of the Underworld. Ruling over the realm of the dead, he swears to never fall in love. Except, well, he kind of just took an arrow to the face courtesy of the primordial god of love, Eros. So...if someone could please pull this thing out of his head anytime this week, the lord god has places to be and people to see. He’ll even make a wish come true, so step right up! Chop-chop! Who will be the lucky duck to claim Hades’s prize?
On April 8, 2024, you may notice a few minutes of darkness in Kokomo! The 2024 solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime event that we will be celebrating here at KHCPL with a party on April 8 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at KHCPL South and additional eclipse-themed events in the weeks leading up to it.
Get ready for this big event by checking out these materials for reading/viewing before the big day!
For a complete list of resources including a countdown timer to the eclipse and information about eclipse glasses visit our Solar Eclipse 2024: Learn More About The Eclipse resource list.
Click here to visit our KHCPL Eclipse Events and Information page.
Book for adults:
American Eclipse by David Baron
In vibrant historical detail, American Eclipse animates the fierce jockeying that came to dominate late nineteenth-century American astronomy, revealing the challenges faced by three of the most determined eclipse chasers who participated in this adventure.
Find it at the library: Physical | Libby | Hoopla
Book for kids:
The Sun and the Moon by Carolyn C. Decristofano
This level 1 science book helps young readers understand the observations of the sun and the moon, and includes directions on the best way to keep a perception log
Find it at the Library: Physical | Libby
To Watch:
Eclipse Over America - NOVA
Join scientists and citizens alike as they observe the first total solar eclipse to traverse the US mainland in over a generation.
Find it at the library: Physical | Hoopla
In the vast literary landscape, there exists a powerful and heartwarming theme that resonates with readers across genres: the found family. These are the stories where connections are forged not by blood, but by shared experiences, loyalty, and unwavering support. Whether it’s a ragtag crew of misfits, a group of unlikely allies, or a quirky ensemble, the found family trope celebrates the idea that home is not always where you were born, but where you find acceptance and love.
Check out these 10 books that beautifully explore the dynamics of found families. From epic fantasy sagas to contemporary tales, these novels remind us that sometimes the most profound bonds are the ones we create ourselves. So grab your favorite cozy blanket, brew a cup of tea, and let’s embark on a literary journey where the ties that bind are forged in courage, laughter, and shared secrets.
Three Mages and a Margarita by Annette Marie
Broke, almost homeless, and recently fired. Those are my official reasons for answering a wanted ad for a skeevy-looking bartender gig. It went downhill the moment they asked me to do a trial shift instead of an interview -- to see if I'd mesh with their "special" clientele. I think that part went great. Their customers were complete dickheads, and I was an asshole right back. That's the definition of fitting in, right? I expected to get thrown out on my ass. Instead, they... offered me the job? It turns out this place isn't a bar. It's a guild. And the three cocky guys I drenched with a margarita during my trial? Yeah, they were mages. Either I'm exactly the kind of takes-no-shit bartender this guild needs, or there's a good reason no one else wants to work here. So what's a broke girl to do? Take the job, of course -- with a pay raise.
House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret. Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages. When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management, he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they're likely to bring about the end of days. But the children aren't the only secret the island keeps...
Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall
Rosaline Palmer is just barely holding her life together. Her paycheck might as well be parchment paper, her house is falling apart, and help from her parents is always served with a generous slice of disappointment and judgment. And the cherry on top? Now her daughter's school is charging all sorts of outlandish extra fees for trips that Rosaline can't afford. But where there's a whisk there's a way. . . and Rosaline has just landed a place on the nation's favorite baking show. Winning the prize money could change everything, but more than collapsing trifles stand between Rosaline and sweet, sweet victory. Charming and suave Alain Pope is just the type of person her parents planned for her to marry, and better yet, her fellow contestant is doing his best to sweep her off her feet. Yet while he says and bakes all the right things, it's friendly, down-to-earth electrician Harry Dobson who Rosaline finds as tempting as a midnight ice-cream sundae with salted caramel . . . and just as hard to resist. But as the competition -- and the ovens -- heat up, Rosaline starts to realize the most delicious recipes come about when you don't follow the recipe.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv, the orc barbarian, cashes out of the warrior's life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen. However, her dreams of a fresh start filling mugs instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune's shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners, and a different kind of resolve.
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
It's 1889. The city is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. Here, no one keeps tabs on dark truths better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. When the elite, ever-powerful Order of Babel coerces him to help them on a mission, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.
To hunt down the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin calls upon a band of unlikely experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian banished from his home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in arms if not blood.
Together, they will join Séverin as he explores the dark, glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the course of history--but only if they can stay alive.
The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
Here at Zalindov, the only person you can trust is yourself. Seventeen-year-old Kiva Meridan has spent the last ten years fighting for survival in the notorious death prison, Zalindov, working as the prison healer. When the Rebel Queen is captured, Kiva is charged with keeping the terminally ill woman alive long enough for her to undergo the Trial by Ordeal- a series of elemental challenges against the torments of air, fire, water and earth, assigned to only the most dangerous of criminals. Then a coded message from Kiva's family arrives, containing a single order- Don't let her die. We are coming. Aware that the Trials will kill the sickly queen, Kiva risks her own life to volunteer in her place. If she succeeds, both she and the queen will be granted their freedom. But no one has ever survived. With an incurable plague sweeping Zalindov, a mysterious new inmate fighting for Kiva's heart, and a prison rebellion brewing, Kiva can't escape the terrible feeling that her trials have only just begun.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb...
As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.
Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.
Spy x Family by Tatsuya Endo
Master spy Twilight is the best at what he does when it comes to going undercover on dangerous missions in the name of a better world. But when he receives the ultimate impossible assignment—get married and have a kid—he may finally be in over his head!
Not one to depend on others, Twilight has his work cut out for him procuring both a wife and a child for his mission to infiltrate an elite private school. What he doesn’t know is that the wife he’s chosen is an assassin and the child he’s adopted is a telepath!
Swordheart by T. Kingfisher
Halla is a housekeeper who has suddenly inherited her great-uncle's estate… and, unfortunately, his relatives. Sarkis is an immortal swordsman trapped in a prison of enchanted steel. When Halla draws the sword that imprisons him, Sarkis finds himself attempting to defend his new wielder against everything from bandits and roving inquisitors to her own in-laws… and the sword itself may prove to be the greatest threat of all.
The People We Keep by Allison Larkin
Little River, New York, 1994: April Sawicki is living in a motorless motorhome that her father won in a poker game. Failing out of school, picking up shifts at Margo’s diner, she’s left fending for herself in a town where she’s never quite felt at home. When she “borrows” her neighbor’s car to perform at an open mic night, she realizes her life could be much bigger than where she came from. After a fight with her dad, April packs her stuff and leaves for good, setting off on a journey to find a life that’s all hers.
As April moves through the world, meeting people who feel like home, she chronicles her life in the songs she writes and discovers that where she came from doesn’t dictate who she has to be.
March is Women's History Month, and KHCPL will be celebrating and supporting women all month long. Donate to our Days for Girls drive at any location all month, drop in on International Women's Day (March 8) to find out about local women-owned businesses, or join us for a special author event on March 12 (tickets free, but required). Here are just a few of our favorite books celebrating the contributions of women in history.
Wonder Women by Sam Maggs
In Wonder Women, author Sam Maggs tells the stories of the brilliant, brainy, and totally rad women in history who broke barriers as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, adventurers, and inventors. Also included are interviews with real-life women in STEM careers, an extensive bibliography, and a guide to women-centric science and technology organizations
We Go High by Nicole Ellis
Follow the life lessons of 30 remarkable women of color who are making their mark on society and culture. With 30 stunning, specially commissioned portraits, We Go High not only celebrates these remarkable women's achievements, but uncovers the personal beliefs, attitudes, and determination that drive them.
Women in...series (Sports, Science, Art) by Rachel Ignotofsky
A collection of beautifully illustrated and inspiring profiles of fifty pioneering women in sports, science, and art, from the eleventh century to today.
She Persisted...series (JUV) by Chelsea Clinton
Whether in science, the arts, sports or activism, women and girls throughout history have been determined to break barriers and change the status quo. They haven't let anyone get in their way and have helped us better understand our world and what's possible. In this series, Chelsea Clinton introduces readers to a group of incredible women who have shaped history all across the globe.
Did you know that the library has a movie streaming service that is FREE to use with your library card? KANOPY is full of popular TV shows and movies from channels like PBS and BBC to classic comedies and action flicks. Here are some Kanopy recommendations to go with some of our favorite books!
Loved One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid? - Try Past Lives
These romantic dramas confront notions of fate, love, and the choices that make a life.
Loved "Sherlock Holmes" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle? - Try "Luther"
This BBC drama series also features a genius, obsessive detective (Idris Elba) facing great evil and personal high stakes.
Loved "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen? - Try "Alone"
Although Brian didn't intend to end up stranded, the contestants on "Alone" face similar challenges for a reward that can change their lives. These are both thrilling wilderness survival stories.
Loved "Bringing Down the Duke" by Evie Dunmore? - Try "Mr. Malcolm's List"
These historical romances balance comedy with drama and are both light-hearted and engaging.
Celebrate Black History Month this month (and every month!) by checking out these nine books. For even more titles, check out our Featured Reads!
The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X by Les Payne
A revisionary portrait of the iconic civil rights leader draws on hundreds of hours of interviews with surviving family members, intelligence officers, and political leaders to offer new insights into Malcolm X's Depression-era youth, religious conversion, and 1965 assassination.
Physical | Libby | Hoopla
Paul Robeson: A Life of Activism and Art by Lindsey R. Swindall
Traces the life and multifaceted career of the African American icon and his dedicated commitment to promoting social change.
Physical
Black Women Will Save the World by April Ryan
The trailblazing White House correspondent reflects on 2020 and the unprecedented role of African American women in helping to uphold democracy and recalls her own personal journey from working-class Baltimore to the pinnacle of her profession.
Physical | Libby | Hoopla
Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America by John Lewis
In turbulent times Americans look to the Civil Rights Movement as the apotheosis of political expression. As we confront questions of social inequality, there's no better time to revisit the lessons of the '60s and no better leader to learn from than Congressman John Lewis. In Across That Bridge, Congressman Lewis draws from his experience as a leader of the Civil Rights Movement to offer timeless guidance to anyone seeking to live virtuously and transform the world. His wisdom, poignant recollections, and powerful ideas will inspire a new generation to usher in a freer, more peaceful society.
Physical | Libby
Civil Rights Queen by Tomiko Brown-Nagin
Civil Rights Queen captures the story of a remarkable American life, a figure who remade law and inspired the imaginations of African Americans across the country. Burnished with an extraordinary wealth of research, award-winning, esteemed Civil Rights and legal historian and dean of the Harvard Radcliffe Institute, Tomiko Brown-Nagin, brings Motley to life in these pages. Brown-Nagin compels us to ponder some of our most timeless and urgent questions–how do the historically marginalized access the corridors of power? What is the price of the ticket? How does access to power shape individuals committed to social justice? In Civil Rights Queen, she dramatically depicts some of the most profound judicial and societal changes made in twentieth-century America.
Physical
The Black Period: On Personhood, Race, and Origin by Hafizah Augusts Geter
Reclaiming her origin story as the queer daughter of a Muslim Nigerian immigrant and a Black American visual artist, the author creates a space for the beauty of Blackness, Islam, disability, and queerness to flourish, emerging from the erasures America imposes to exist proudly and unabashedly as herself.
Physical
The Chiffon Trenches by André Leon Talley
The Chiffon Trenches offers a candid look at the who's who of the last fifty years of fashion. At once ruthless and empathetic, this engaging memoir tells with raw honesty the story of how André not only survived the brutal style landscape but thrived--despite racism, illicit rumors, and all the other challenges of this notoriously cutthroat industry--to become one of the most renowned voices and faces in fashion.
Physical | Libby | Hoopla
The Three Mothers by Anna Malaika Tubbs
In her groundbreaking and essential debut, The Three Mothers, scholar Anna Malaika Tubbs celebrates Black motherhood by telling the story of the three women who raised and shaped some of America's most pivotal heroes: Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. Much has been written about Berdis Baldwin's son James, Alberta King's son Martin Luther, and Louise Little's son Malcolm. But virtually nothing has been said about the extraordinary women who raised them, who were all born at the beginning of the 20th century and forced to contend with the prejudices of Jim Crow as Black women. Berdis, Alberta, and Louise passed their knowledge to their children with the hope of helping them to survive in a society that would deny their humanity from the very beginning-from, Louise teaching her children about their activist roots to Berdis encouraging James to express himself through writing, to Alberta basing all of her lessons in faith and social justice.
Physical | Libby | Hoopla
Ida B. the Queen by Michelle Duster
Written by her great-granddaughter, a historical portrait of the boundary-breaking civil rights pioneer includes coverage of Wells' early years as a slave, her famous acts of resistance, and her achievements as a journalist and anti-lynching activist.
Physical | Hoopla
If you've perused the shelves at any of our library locations, you may have passed by a section labeled JR HIGH. What is JR HIGH? This collection focuses on the concerns and interests of middle school students, bridging the gap between elementary and YA fiction. It is a small but mighty collection, where you'll find Rick Riordan, AVI, and Soman Chainani, but it is FULL of hidden gems. Here are just a few that we love!
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
Sal Vidón, a type 1 diabetic and amateur magician with the inexplicable ability to open holes in the space-time continuum, adjusts to his new life at Miami's Culeco Academy of the Arts. The teachers are eccentric, his fellow students think he's a brujo (a bad witch), and every so often, Sal brings versions of his deceased mother over from other dimensions. Making friends with ambitious journalist Gabi Real and her unconventional family helps ease the transition. When Gabi's hospitalized baby brother takes a turn for the worse, Sal's power might be the solution they need—unless it destroys the universe.
York: The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby
This alternate-history series depicts three kids who try to solve a modern-world puzzle and complete a treasure hunt laid into the streets and buildings of New York City. Twins Tess and Theo Biedermann and their friend Jaime Cruz are determined to solve the clues left behind by legendary inventors who dazzled New York with fantastic technology and skyscrapers before vanishing. As the intrepid trio follows a chain of previously undiscovered hints, they're drawn deeper into the truth behind the so-called Old York Cipher. Come for the puzzles, stay for the robot caterpillars.
Mascot by Antony John
After a car crash leaves Noah in a wheelchair, he is adjusting to the changes in his life and the way that those around him treat him differently. With the help of his longtime friend Alyssa and new friend Dee-Dub, Noah embarks on a series of hilarious challenges to beat the bully, drive away his mom's new love interest, and right other wrongs.
Nothing but Trouble by Jacqueline Davies
Two smart girls in one small town use their combined genius to liven up their world--one prank at a time. Maggie never knew her father, but she has inherited his gift for pranks and uses his old notebooks as a guide. Once she joins forces with new student Lena, there's no stopping the girls from livening up their dismal middle school with playful surprises for classmates, much to the principal's dismay.