The Great American Read: Favorites from Jenn

BCPL is jumping on the Great American Reads bandwagon! 

Designed to spark a national conversation about reading, literacy, and the books that have inspired us, moved us, and shaped us, The Great American Read is an eight-part PBS series and nationwide competition that explores the joy of books and the power of reading through the prism of America’s 100 best-loved books, as voted on by the public. That’s a mission we can get behind! 

To that end, we'll be featuring a new series here on Book News & Reviews where staff talk about the books they're reading from the list of America's best-loved novels. To get us started this month, we're discussing some of our all-time favorites!

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Jenn, Assistant Director
Jenn's Number: 67 (she thinks) and counting

I know for sure that I've read 67 of the 100. To be honest, with some of them, I had to ask myself, "Did I actually read this or have I shelved it so many times that I just think I did?" Tom Clancy's Hunt for Red October falls into the latter category. Also, if I only read the first book in the series, and not the entire series, I didn't include it in my read list.

I was an English major in college, as well as spending 13 years as a bookseller before starting my library career. The experience of first encountering some of these books is seared into my memory; I can still smell the chlorinated water of the public pool where I devoured the Narnia series one summer while waiting for my younger brother to finish his swimming lessons.

However, I'd like to share a few that I've re-read over the years and found something valuable each time.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The unique narrator, Death personified, was the hook for me on the first read. Later, I chose it for my first selection for a book club I was starting up. I was a little nervous about choosing it for adults to read, but years later, the club was going strong, and we still talked about it! Although the setting is terrifying, the book's message about the power of literacy makes it an exceptionally inspiring read.

Get from the library

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

The exquisite writing in this imagined letter from an ailing 77-year-old preacher to his young son always gives me something new to ponder. In my opinion, it's an American classic.

Get from the library

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
We translated this from the French into English in my high school French class. I loved the illustrations; I will never forget the elephant inside the boa constrictor. I often re-read it to remind myself about the importance of seeing reality with fresh eyes.

Get from the library

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Join The Great American Read with BCPL! Learn how you can participate at bcplib.org/GreatAmericanRead.

BEST OF 2017: Our Favorite Fiction for Adults

This past year, our committee has traveled from magical lands in the Middle East and medieval Russia to the haunted landscape of modern America. We've journeyed across time and space and continents, reading stories that are stunning in their eye-opening realism and others that have taken us on a fantastical adventure. We read many magnificent books that didn't make the cut, including thrillers that left us reeling (Tanya loved Fiona Barton's The Child, for example) and the ambitious offerings of literary heavyweights like Jennifer Egan, Paul Auster, and George Saunders.

In the end, though, these are the books that have most stuck with us, the ones that entertained us, taught us, and inspired us. We hope you love them as much as we did!

The 2017 committee includes:

• Beth, Assistant Branch Manager, Lebanon Junction Branch Library
• Donna, Circulation Clerk, Ridgway Memorial Library
• Heather, BCPL Public Relations Administrative Assistant
• Stephanie S., Reference Services, Hillview Branch Library
• Tanya, Circulation Clerk, Mt. Washington Branch Library
• Tracy (that's me), BCPL Public Relations Coordinator & Committee Organizer
• Trish, Reference Clerk, Mt. Washington Branch Library

All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai 

Heather says:

This sci-fi novel is overflowing with personality. Insanely smart and intelligently written, Mastai has created art with words in a distant utopia, and given us a character that is endearing, funny, and a complete idiot. Loved every page of this one.

Tracy says:

Unless you count YA dystopia, sci-fi is SO not to my usual taste. But I adored this breezy, smartly written time travel caper with its bungling, strangely charming anti-hero. Mastai takes a concept that could've easily become trite or stale and breathes magnificent life into it. Once I got started, I couldn't put it down.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Donna says:

I did not think I would like this book, as it has a fantasy sticker on it, but I absolutely love it.  (Fantasy is not my usual style.)  It is set in medieval Russia.  This author made me believe the gods and demons are real in this timeframe.  I love Katherine Arden's  fresh style of writing. I almost could not put it down.

Heather says:

Beautifully written and darkly enchanting, this is a must-read for all lovers of fantasy and fairy tales. I was hooked from page one. It breathes a breath of fresh air on a genre that (usually) relies heavily on Germanic folklore by bringing to life little-known Russian fairy tales in an epic that keeps you on the edge of your seat and leaves you breathless.

The City of Brass by S.A.Chakraborty

Tracy says:

A spellbinding, addictive fantasy that steps outside the usual tropes and settings to create something truly memorable. Weaving in fascinating details of Islamic history and folklore, The City of Brass is a fast-paced, opulent roller-coaster ride drenched in intrigue, hidden dangers, and compelling world building. I hung on every word and can't wait to see what comes next for this fascinatingly complex cast of characters.

History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund

Donna says:

Very engrossing novel.  I could not put it down.   

Heather says:

Stunningly well-written and chock-full of visceral details. The short scenes pack big punches, and each thread interweaves in an incredible, connected stream of consciousness. Time is not linear, and there are moments of sheer brilliance in the writing. One of my favorite reads this year.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Steph says:

Wonderfully written and subtly stunning. I am going to have to read her first book.

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters by Emil Ferris

Heather says:

My favorite thing is this book! Surreal and mesmerizing, both in the words and the gorgeous illustrations. Storytelling and mythology interweave the narrative, creating a phenomenal exploration of the human monster, society, and the inner demons we all carry. Of all the books I've read this year, this one touched me at the deepest part of my psyche.

Panchinko by Min Jin Lee

Steph says:

This book does what all good fiction is supposed to. It entertains, it teaches, it crosses the stratum of emotions, and it leaves you thinking. A must read for fans of Amy Tan or The Joy Luck Club.

A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

Donna says:

I loved this book.  I read the first half straight through from about 2:30 AM till 5:30 AM. Stepping into the world of a woman that lived through much hardship and just got on with her family responsibilities without any doubt about what she should do or could do struck a chord with me. I hated for the book to end. 

Steph S. says:

I really enjoyed this book. It is beautifully written.

Tanya says:

I liked this book more than I expected to. It's a nicely written story and it kept me interested beginning to end.

Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett

Beth says:

Loved this book! A good coming-of-age story. 

Heather says:

A wildly fun romp through a little girl's screwed up world. It's like a mid-grade novel on steroids. 

The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman

Steph says:

This was fantastic!

Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
Donna says:
A generational story of wealthy refugees, this novel offers a view into a slice of life that we ordinarily do not see. The tense relations between the East and West areas of the world have been going on since time began, it seems. This story seems to close the distance just a little, and brings understanding of another culture with it.

See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt

Beth says:

"Lizzie Borden took an axe, and gave her mother 40 whacks! When she saw what she had done, she gave her father 41!" Lizzie Borden was acquitted of murdering her parents in 1892, but there has always been a question of whether she really did the deed, and the author presents a fictional tale of how the murders could have happened.

Heather says: 

What a ride! A gripping opening, razor-sharp dialogue, and an intense attention to detail that puts you right in the scene. The narrative flows into madness until Lizzie becomes real, and you question everything. This one has stuck with me for a while.

Sing, Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward

Tracy says:

An urgent, haunting exploration of the weight of history and how it echoes through today's reality. Reminiscent of Beloved, with a powerful, thoroughly modern spin.

The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hannah Tinti

Beth says:

Aa great read, especially when you figure out what the “twelve lives” are.

Tanya says:

This is one of my favorites. It travels back and forth between past and present in the book setting, but it flows perfectly. I had a hard time putting this one down. Excellent read.

Waking Lions by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen
Donna says:
I found this novel to be a true page turner. The characters are universal.  Even though the book is set in the middle east, the story could take place right here in the United States. If not for the mention of towns like Beersheba and lots of mentions of the desert, a person could forget exactly where the story takes place. The human emotions of fear, jealousy, and survival are the same in any language or country. I highly recommend this novel.

Staff Members Pick Their Top 5 Reads of the Year

Last year, I kicked off the New Year with my first Tracy's Year in Reading post. This year, I am putting a different spin on things and sharing the top 5 picks from a number of BCPL staffers. These are the books that we loved best in 2017, from the hottest new thrillers to enduring classics we read for the first (or 100th) time.

Amanda's Top 5:
Circulation Clerk, Ridgway Memorial

Come Sundown by Nora Roberts   
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU

Survivor in Death by J.D. Robb 

View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU

The Obsession by Nora Roberts   
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU

Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman   
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU | Get e-audiobook via KLU

Life of Lies by Sharon Sala

View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU

Anna's Top 5:
Circulation Clerk, Mt. Washington

We Were One by Patrick K. O'Donnell
Get e-audiobook via Hoopla

Rebel Mother by Peter Andreas
View in catalog | Get e-audiobook via Hoopla

Colonial Project, National Game by Andrew D. Morris
BCPL currently has no holdings for this title, but you can request an Interlibrary Loan!

Manchurian Legacy by Kazuko Kuramoto
BCPL currently has no holdings for this title, but you can request an Interlibrary Loan!

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Get e-book via KLU

Beth's Top 5:
Assistant Branch Manager, Lebanon Junction

Strange Weather by Joe Hill
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU
I love a scary story, and these 4 novellas give you that creepy feeling like you're being watched, and there IS a monster underneath your bed!! Joe Hill is proof that great horror writing is genetic—his father is Stephen King!

See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt
View in catalog | Get e-book via Hoopla | Get e-book via KLU | Get e-audiobook via KLU
"Lizzie Borden took an axe, and gave her mother 40 whacks! When she saw what she had done, she gave her father 41!" Lizzie Borden was acquitted of murdering her parents in 1892, but there has always been a question of whether she really did the deed, and the author presents a fictional tale of how the murders could have happened.

The Rift by Walter J. Williams
BCPL currently has no holdings for this title, but you can request an Interlibrary Loan!
Residents of the Midwest have been watching and waiting for the New Madrid Fault to produce "The Big One Earthquake"—many tremors have been felt in recent years. The Rift is this native Illinoisan's worst nightmare-an 8.9 earthquake rips through New Madrid, Missouri, changing lives there and throughout the country forever. I couldn't put it down—great beach read!!

The Perfect Neighbors by Sarah Pekkanen
View in catalog
Do you ever really know your neighbors? This book explores the lives of 3 families of a quiet cul-de-sac in a neighborhood that's rated one of "The Top Twenty Safest Neighborhoods in America," and the secrets that everyone hides, including the new neighbors. Another great beach read!

The Day the World Went Nuclear: Dropping the Atom Bomb and the End of WWII in the Pacific by Bill O'Reilly
View in catalog
Everyone knows the United States dropped atomic bombs on two cities in Japan in August 1945—Nagasaki and Hiroshima. O'Reilly tells the story of how the bomb was developed, who the key players were, and the dropping of the bombs and Japan's surrender just days after. It's a story everyone should know, and a story that should never be forgotten-and raises the age old question: Just because we can, should we??

Cheryl's Top 5:
Assistant Branch Manager, Ridgway Memorial

A Child Called It by Dave Peltzer
View in catalog
This book is number one in a series of four. This story will impact your life. You will either like or dislike the book, but you will never forget it!

Plain Fame by Sarah Price
View in catalog
Book one in a series of six. This is a story of an Amish girl getting involved with an Englisher. They have a whirlwind of a relationship with a lot of differences and sameness. Excellent series!

Last One Home by Debbie Macomber
View in catalog
Book one in a series of four called “New Beginnings.” It is a different side to Debbie Macomber, one that I truly enjoyed reading. It has all the good, the bad, and the ugly— just like real life.

Mind Game by Iris Johansen
View in catalog
I love a good mystery, one that you can’t easily figure out. That’s what Iris Johansen has done with this story. It follows the Jane MacGuire, daughter of Eve Duncan, to Scotland. She comes face to face with intrigue, mystery, and death.

The Trials of Mrs. Lincoln by Samuel A. Schreiner, Jr
View in catalog
Abraham Lincoln is my favorite person in history. Finding out Mrs. Lincoln was railroaded by her son, Robert, she was institutionalized in a mental hospital. Her finances cut short, reputation shattered, Mrs. Lincoln lives out the remainder of her days in Europe.

Crystal's Top 5:
Circulation Clerk, Mt. Washington

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU

Firstborn by Tosca Lee
View in catalog

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU

Heather's Top 5:

Administrative Assistant, Public Relations

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU | Get e-audiobook via Hoopla
A wild romp from page one! Written in a conversational, bantering tone from the point-of-view of an itinerant man of privilege, this book is absolutely laugh-out-loud funny. It's like nothing I've ever read before, and I didn't want it to end! I'm so excited there's a sequel coming in 2018!

All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai 
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU | Get e-audiobook via KLU
This sci-fi novel is overflowing with personality. Insanely smart and intelligently written, Mastei has created art with words in a distant utopia, and given us a character that is endearing, funny, and a complete idiot. Loved every page of this one.

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters by Emil Ferris
View in catalog
My favorite thing is this book! Surreal and mesmerizing, both in the words and the gorgeous illustrations. Storytelling and mythology interweave the narrative, creating a phenomenal exploration of the human monster, society, and the inner demons we all carry. Of all the books I've read this year, this one touched me at the deepest part of my psyche.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden 
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU | Get e-audiobook via KLU
Beautifully written and darkly enchanting, this is a must-read for all lovers of fantasy and fairy tales. I was hooked from page one. It breathes a breath of fresh air on a genre that (usually) relies heavily on Germanic folklore by bringing to life little-known Russian fairy tales in an epic that keeps you on the edge of your seat and leaves you breathless.

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU
Jae-Jones is an author with a true talent for painting with words. I couldn't put this book down! Rich and majestic, with an aching depth to the protagonist and a cruel vulnerability to the Erlking. Reckless and dark and oh-so-beautiful.

Tracy's Top 5:

Public Relations Coordinator

All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai 
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU | Get e-audiobook via KLU
Unless you count YA dystopia, sci-fi is SO not to my usual taste. But I adored this breezy, smartly written time travel caper with its bungling, strangely charming anti-hero. Mastai takes a concept that could've easily become trite or stale and breathes magnificent life into it. Once I got started, I couldn't put it down.

The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty
View in catalog | Get e-audiobook via Hoopla
The City of Brass is an absorbing fantasy that steps outside the usual tropes and settings to create something truly memorable. Weaving in fascinating details of Islamic history and folklore, it's a fast-paced, opulent roller-coaster ride drenched in intrigue, hidden dangers, and spellbinding world building. I hung on every word and can't wait to see what comes next for this fascinatingly complex cast of characters. Book 2 of this trilogy can't come fast enough for me.

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU | Get e-audiobook via Hoopla
Clearly, Heather and I need to stop reading all the same books! As she so perfectly describes, this book is a wild, delightful romp from page 1. I didn't even know or care where the plot was going for the first quarter of the book—I simply hung on for the ride. I loved almost everything about it from beginning to end: the sometimes stunning writing that caught me unaware, moving me quickly from laughter to admiration for the writer's skill; the deliciously layered characters and relationships; the breakneck pacing; and most of all Monty's witty, brazen, incorrigible, and occasionally vulnerable voice. Although I am gutted that the next book will have a different narrator, I can't wait for the sequel from Felicity's POV!

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
View in catalog
This sweeping, luminous debut was a late addition to our Best of 2016 Adult Fiction list. I discovered it in January, barely a week before our final Best of the Year list was released, and I insisted on adding it to the final selection. The beautiful, powerful writing; thought-provoking story; and strong characterizations that make up this historical saga still linger in my mind nearly a full year later.

You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie
View in catalog | Get e-book via KLU | Get e-audiobook via KLU
A hypnotic blend of poetry and prose provides a raw, searing portrait of grief, a complicated childhood, and—as can be expected from Alexie—the realities of life as a modern American Indian. It's also the book I've probably connected with the most this year on a personal level. I've been a fan of Alexie's work ever since a classmate introduced me to a story from The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven my sophomore year of college (read: a very, very long time ago). He's an author who's not afraid to be a bit controversial to make his point and tell his truth.

BEST OF 2016: Adult Fiction

If 2015 was the Year of the Super Long Book, then 2016 was an extraordinary year for short little gems. Four of the books to make our 2016 list—Another Brooklyn, Eleven Hours, Margaret the First, and The Vegetarian—come in at under 200 pages, and News of the World is just a tiny bit longer. Of course it's possible we were so exhausted from reading massive (but fabulous) tomes like 2015's Fates & Furies, A God in Ruins, and A Little Life that we were simply more apt to enjoy the shorter books this past year. But honestly, I think several 2016 releases nailed the ability to pack a truly powerful story into a slim volume, and we loved it.

In addition to these short-but-awesome reads, we also discovered some truly memorable, more average-length works across a variety of genres, including historical fiction, contemporary drama, and even romance. We were especially drawn to thrillers in this year's deliberations, and the committee had a tough time limiting the number to make the final list. But ultimately, we've created a list of titles we feel lives up to the designation "Best of the Year."

The 2016 committee includes:

• Beth, Assistant Branch Manager, Lebanon Junction Branch Library
• Donna, Circulation Clerk (various locations)
• Stephanie S., Reference Services, Hillview Branch Library
• Tanya, Circulation Clerk (various locations)
• Tobee, Lebanon Junction Branch Manager
• Tracy (that's me), BCPL Public Relations Coordinator & Committee Organizer
• Trish, Reference Services, Mt. Washington Branch Library

All Things Cease to Appear by Elizabeth Brundage

Donna says:
A suspenseful page turner!

Trish says:
I loved this book. There are so many twists and turns!

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson

I say:
Woodson, whether she is writing in verse or prose, can always be relied upon for her stunning imagery and use of language.

Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

Beth says:
I LOVED this book! It has a great story, and I could not put it down!

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

I say:
Patchett does a fantastic job of detailing the messiness of modern families.

Donna says:
I enjoyed this story as seen through the eyes of two families of children that are fused together through the dissolution of their own families and then joined by marriage. These children go through much chaos growing up, actually raising themselves. The bonds they form are lasting, and the stories they have to share are very eye opening and entertaining.

Eleven Hours by Pamela Erens

Tanya says:
Heartbreaking and mesmerizing at the same time. It's a beautiful, yet sad, portrayal of the emotions that different women can face during delivery. I read this in one night.

The Fireman by Joe Hill

I say:
There were passages in The Fireman that were so visceral and beautifully put that they held me in thrall. I was listening to the audiobook, so I often scanned back on the CD just to hear them again. Easily one of my favorites of the year.

Beth says:
Fans of Stephen King may already know that Joe Hill is his son, and you will see many nods to King's works in this riveting book. Hill’s work is getting progressively better—from Heart-Shaped Box, Horns, and NOS4A2, Hill seems to have found his niche and takes you on a ride you never want to end. The Fireman is a terrific read, with characters I cared about within the first 50 pages. Every time I put it down, I was burning to pick it up again to keep reading. The best book I've read all year!

First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Tobee says:
This is an excellent contemporary romance with well-developed characters. The plot is fast moving with several surprises, and the interactions between characters and their unique points of views pull you in immediately.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

I say:
Luminous. This sweeping saga begins in 18th-century Ghana and first follows two half sisters who are strangers to one another and then their descendants. While one sister's line remains on the Gold Coast, the other sister is transported to America. The story of each generation feels like an intimate, powerful tale all on its own, but together they all fit into one beautifully perfect book. It's a stunning debut and probably my favorite book of the year.

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

Donna says:
The book was a little slow for the first chapter or two, then it grabbed me with an iron fist! The plot is great, full of unexpected turns. I loved it. 5 stars!

Trish says:
When one of the reviewers said that they audibly gasped at one point while reading it I actually snorted. However, while reading this book one afternoon I gasped so hard that I dropped the book onto the ground. I highly recommend this book and I can honestly say that I loved it! Not one but TWO great twists!

Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye

Stephanie says:
To call Jane Steele a retelling of Jane Eyre is unfair. Although the heroines share more than just a first name, the books are very dissimilar. Where Jane Eyre sees no justice, Jane Steele revels in it. Where Jane Eyre seems a timid girl, Jane Steele is beyond bold. Even those who have never read Jane Eyre will enjoy Jane Steele, a thoroughly avant-garde anti-heroine.

Margaret the First by Danielle Dutton

Stephanie says:
Dutton’s fictional work paints a beautiful picture of a not-so-pleasant past. This historical work reads more like a contemporary novel, or maybe it’s just that “Mad Madge” was sooo ahead of her time.

The Mothers by Brit Bennet

Donna says:
This is a story about a high school love where choices become lifelong consequences. It's a story of two sides of a family, with two sides of emotions. It gives readers a lot to think about, and with the different viewpoints, I think the book offers something for everyone.

News of the World by Paulette Jiles

Tobee says:
Very well written and interesting! In a western setting, just after the Civil War, an elderly ex-military man is taxed with the mission of delivering a ten-year-old Indian captive to her relatives. Captain Kidd and Johanna surmount numerous challenges and defy swollen rivers, outlaws, and the less-than-understanding attitudes of other people. The somewhat reluctant Captain and the half wild child become grandfather and granddaughter in a family bond that lasts the rest of their lives.

The Opposite of Everyone by Joshilyn Jackson

Donna says:
I highly recommend this one! It's a story of a powerful love between a mother and daughter and how that love withstands the test of time, under extremely dysfunctional circumstances. It's a very entertaining story illustrating how many children with single parents that are seeking "true love" eventually find themselves. 

Tobee says:
The characters are wonderfully portrayed in all their good and bad traits, and the plot is riveting. Sometimes I laughed and sometimes I wanted to cry, but I always wanted to know what was going to happen next!

Redemption Road by John Hart

Beth says:
I LOVED this book! John Hart is such a wonderful storyteller. This is a really good crime story with a twisty plot and great characters.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Donna says:
There are parts of this book that are extremely hard to read or listen to, but it is so worth it. I loved it. This book really makes a person look at the world in a different way.

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead


I say:
This creative reimagining of the Underground Railroad as a literal railroad did more to aid my understanding of the risks undertaken by fugitive slaves and the Railroad's facilitators than anything I've read before. It's a wonderfully written book, with some passages I will probably never forget. 

The Vegetarian by Han King

Tanya says:
Not at all what I expected, but totally worth the read. I couldn't put it down; it was that good, that surprising.

The Widow by Fiona Barton

Tanya says:
What an excellent read! The book is experienced through the perspective of all the characters involved, plus there's a plot twist I didn't see coming at all.