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 Books for Teens

In a year that the new John Green book doesn't make our Best of the Year list, you know it was a great year for Young Adult literature. In fact, there were so many additional books we loved this year, that we can't resist also adding a Honorable Mentions list!

The 2017 committee includes:

• Chris, Circulation Clerk, Mt. Washington Branch Library
• Crystal, Circulation Clerk, Mt. Washington Branch Library
• Heather, BCPL Public Relations Administrative Assistant
• Stephanie S., Reference Services, Hillview Branch Library
• Tracy (that's me), BCPL Public Relations Coordinator & Committee Organizer

FICTION

American Street by Ibi Zoboi

Chris says:
From the start, this book grips you in an emotional struggle and doesn’t let go.

Tracy says:
Magical and gritty and completely original. I usually move from one book to the next easily, but with this book, I was compelled to pause a bit to breathe it in and absorb the experience fully.

At the Edge of the Universe by Shaun David Hutchinson
Heather says:
A bizarre, intriguing journey into a brilliant mind that made me think I was losing mine! Incredible relationship dynamics and characters I wanted to drown in.
Tracy says:
Gripping from the first page, this mind-bending sci-fi gem delivers a little of everything, from complex, dynamic characters and stunning writing to a visceral, almost claustrophobic level of suspense.

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
Crystal says:
Loved, loved, LOVED this one! I cannot recommend this series enough.
Steph says:
THIS WAS FANTASTIC! I am amazed that a third book in a series is keeping up so well, maybe even surpassing its prequels.

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner 
Steph says:
An exceptionally well-written roller coaster of emotions. 
Good luck putting this one down!

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee
Heather says:
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!
Tracy says:
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, brash, 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!

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Heather says:
This book has wickedly clever writing, and a narrator whose voice is pure gold. I read it two days, hooked and unable to stop!
Tracy says:
A well-written, fast-paced read with substance! This is an important book that is also enjoyable to read, featuring a great, authentic voice and wonderful character development.

A List of Cages by Robin Roe
Steph says:
What a haunting and heartbreaking story about the foster care system and the power of love. The two main characters are so well-developed and relatable, you will love them. This story will stick with you. But seriously, you will need tissues.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Crystal says:
I really liked this one. It left you wondering what choice Will was going to make.That kind of ambiguity usually bothers me in endings, but I think it worked really well with this book.
Heather says:
Breathtaking and poetic; raw and anguished. I loved this and walked away from this book with a total author crush on Jason Reynolds.
Tracy says:
The verse is strong, and there is a mesmerizing tension that will transfix even the most reluctant reader. I was stunned by the power, emotion, and insight Reynolds was able to infuse into this short book that essentially takes place in a matter of minutes. Reminds me of a strange, magical mashup of both Walter Dean Myers's Monster and A Christmas Carol.

Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson
Chris says:
I loved this book. There were so many moments that made me stop and close the book so I could digest them. A very powerful read.

Spill Zone by Scott Westerfeld and Alex Puvilland
Tracy says:
This graphic novel is creepily, eerily good! The intentionally messy art took some getting used to, but the frenzied lines and vivid, loud colors create the perfect backdrop for Westerfeld's mysterious, nightmarish world. This first installment of an intended duology introduces intriguing characters and plotlines full of complexity and nuance—I can't wait to see what will happen next.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Steph S. says:
A beautifully written story about an underdog who dared to dream. This book will remind you of why you fell in love with reading, or make you fall in love for the first time.
Crystal says:
This was my first time reading anything by this author. The world Taylor has created is like nothing I’ve ever read before. Skillfully written characters and an intriguing story. I could not put it down.

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Heather says:
This entirely un-put-downable book starts deep in the thick of tension and stays heart-pounding till the end. The tension is incredible, and the two narrators are the perfect voices to tell a story about dying too young—and knowing it's coming. Silvera has quickly become one of my favorite authors.

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
Chris says:
This book feels very personal and genuine. One of the most realistic depictions of modern teens I've seen in a book.

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones
Heather says:
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.

You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins
Chris says:
The characters felt like real people. I was surprised at how easy it was to be pulled in.
Steph says:
Strong characters and a great story.

Honorable Mentions:
Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
Bang by Barry Lyga
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
City of Saints and Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson
Far from the Tree by Robin Benway
Fire Color One by Jenny Valentine
History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo
The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Saints & Misfits by S.K. Ali
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley





NONFICTION

The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Saved Their Lives 
by Dashka Slater
Tracy says:
This is a powerful story about the flawed legal system, gender identity, and perception, centered on  two teens whose lives were changed by an impulsive crime—one the the victim, the other the perpetrator. An artful exploration in the healing power found in simple humanity, tolerance, and forgiveness.

How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child by Sandra Uwiringiyimana
Tracy says:
A gut-wrenching and inspiring memoir about growing up in a conflict zone, adapting to life in the U.S., and finding your voice. Told in conversational language with almost brutal honesty, Sandra's story is both eye-opening and thoughtful, neither sensationalizing nor downplaying her experiences.

Spinning by Tillie Walden
Heather says:
Gorgeous illustrations and an incredibly realistic story combine to make this memoir something that teens (and even adults) can relate to—particularly in aspects of bullying, sexual identity, and a feeling of isolation. I didn't put it down once I picked it up.

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.

UTB Spotlight: Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley

Greetings! And happy Teen Read Week!

Traditionally here at BCPL, Teen Read Week has become the time when we announce the latest additions to our annual Ultimate Teen Booklist. This year, we are trying something a little different. Instead of providing you with a utilitarian list of all the new additions, we've decided to tell you a little more about each of our picks—including an explanation of WHY we believe it deserves a spot on our Ultimate Teen Booklist. Over the next several weeks, we'll be highlighting new additions for our 2017 list one by one so that you can learn more about each of them. So while Teen Read Week may officially end after today, we'll be keeping the celebration going!

The first new addition to our 2017 list is Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley!

Whaley's third novel was a Best of 2016 selection and has since appeared as a Staff Pick from yours truly, so it may come as no surprise that it's joining the Ultimate Teen Booklist. I've read each of Whaley's books, and every one of them has been named to the BCPL Best of the Year list: Where Things Come Back appeared on our 2011 Best of the Year list (our very first!); Noggin made the 2014 list; and, finally, Highly Illogical Behavior was selected last year.

Where Things Come Back also won Michael L. Printz and Morris awards, and Noggin was a National Book Award finalist. Yet of the three, Highly Illogical Behavior is the first to make the cut for our Ultimate Teen Booklist. All of Whaley's books are extremely well written, with snappy dialog and intriguing characters, but Highly Illogical Behavior is the one that, for me, is the most memorable.

What it's about:
Sixteen-year-old Solomon Reed hasn't left his house in three years, and even the thought of doing so brings on crippling anxiety attacks. Solomon loves his family and Star Trek—and he's fairly content with the status quo, even if his parents continue to hope he will someday want more. Enter seventeen-year-old Lisa Payton, a type-A overachiever with an essay to write about her "personal experience" with mental illness. Solomon's breakdown three years ago was pretty public, so Lisa decides to "befriend" him and "fix" him to lock in the scholarship she's chasing. She also pulls her boyfriend Clark in on the scheme.

Why it belongs on the list:
This is highly readable story about mental illness, friendship, and taking chances. It's funny, bittersweet, though-provoking, smart, and sometimes eye-opening. Mental illness has become a popular topic of YA fiction in recent years, but Solomon's anxiety is depicted so vividly that it feels like the realest, truest picture of anxiety I've encountered yet in fiction. Whaley has done a remarkable job of making the thoughts and fears of a teenage agoraphobe relatable.

The characters of Highly Illogical Behavior are complex and often defy stereotypes, from Solomon—who is so much more than the labels others might use to define him—to the sweet, unexpectedly layered Clark, who couldn't be further from the standard one-dimensional "jock" character we've come to expect in fiction. Then there's Lisa, who's self-serving scheme should make her an easy character to loath, and yet the reader can't help but see her redeeming qualities or at least understand her—and not just because of some "noble sacrifice" manufactured by the author to make her redeemable. Thankfully, Whaley has also avoided the too-common YA trope of absent or vilified parents—Solomon's are pretty great without being too ridiculously perfect either. While the book's characters act in a way that is completely believable, they still keep you guessing. Just when you feel a situation is taking a turn toward the predictable, it goes somewhere so much better and infinitely more honest.

Witty dialog, prose that seems effortless, and oodles of quirky charm make this book a joy to read, and the book is further elevated by the thoughtful, multi-dimensional treatment of a character with anxiety disorder. It's a book that makes you think about friendship, about forgiveness, and about personal courage—not the courage that wins medals and acclaim, but the small braveries that can be found in each and every day.

BEST OF 2016: Our Favorite Books for Teens

From the fantastic world building of top-notch fantasies to historical dramas and gritty realistic fiction that left me stunned, 2016 was a fantastic year for young adult literature. I've laughed at clever repartee (Highly Illogical Behavior), I've been mesmerized by gorgeous storytelling (The Sun Is Also a Star), and I've been completely engrossed by not one but two stories featuring teenage killers (Scythe and The Female of the Species).

And those are just some of the YA books I've read and loved over the past year. Our Best of 2016 list is a joint effort and includes a wide variety of fiction and a few standout nonfiction titles.

The 2016 committee includes:

• Brandy, Circulation Clerk
• Crystal, Circulation Clerk
• Elizabeth, Technology Support
• Stephanie S., Reference Services, Hillview Branch Library
• Tracy (that's me), BCPL Public Relations Coordinator & Committee Organizer

Fiction

Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina

I say:
Well-developed, authentic characters and a unique setting make Burn Baby Burn one of my most memorable reads of 2016. The juxtaposition of the fear that permeated New York City during the Summer of Sam with Nora's own troubled home life creates a sense of edgy urgency that pulled me into the story completely.

The Bitter Side of Sweet by Tara Sullivan

Crystal says:
This is a book that grabbed my interest with just the summary, and it definitely did not disappoint. Not only was the plot engaging, but the characters and setting really made me think.

The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas

Crystal says:
I loved the premise of this story from the beginning, and it was a very engaging read. The author's ability to take such a dark topic like murder and shape the story in a way that demonstrates the characters' maturity was quite fascinating for me.

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis

I say:
A teenage killer who volunteers at an animal shelter, a preacher's kid with her own secret rebellions, and a player who struggles with the fear that he really is a douchebag may seem like an unlikely trio of narrators, but Mindy McGinnis gives readers a gift with each of these characters. This is an unsettling, brutal book in many respects, but it's also complex, riveting, and completely brilliant. 

The First Time She Drowned by Kerry Kletter

Elizabeth says:
 It grabbed me from the start! I had to find out why she was in the mental institution and if she was ever going to get out and come to terms with her past.  

The Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse

Elizabeth says: 
This is such a great story about a girl drawn into the search for a missing Jewish girl during WWII. A story with mystery, betrayal, and heroism. 

Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley

I say:
I can't say enough good things about this book! Unlike some of the other "award worthy" books of the year, Highly Illogical Behavior doesn't feel like it's actually trying to win an award, if you know what I mean. Instead, there's an unselfconscious ease and wit, creating a highly readable story about mental illness, friendship, and taking chances. The characters are quirky and immensely likable despite their flaws, and Whaley has done a remarkable job of making the thoughts and fears of a teenage agoraphobe relatable.  Even better, he has created a fully rounded character with Sol that is so much more than the fear others use to define him.

The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

Elizabeth says:
It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did I couldn't wait to see how everything would play out!

The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry

Crystal says:
Intriguing and enlightening from start to finish, this book taught me a lot about a time in world history that I knew very little about. It was the kind of book that kept me guessing, and that definitely makes for a great reading experience.

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

Crystal says:
I listened to the audiobook and was instantly drawn back into the world of Stiefvater's Raven Cycle, thanks to her brilliant use of description and her enigmatic characters. This book perfectly completes the story that began in the first book and kept my interest from start to finish.

Stephanie says:
A good storyteller effortlessly compels you to experience the spectrum of emotion; I laughed, I cried, etc. This is true of Stiefvater, and especially true in The Raven King. The book grips you from the first sentence and doesn't let you go. You will be on the edge of your seat until the end, and what an ending it will be.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

I say:
I loved the different points of view and the fact that readers were given the perspectives of characters who are seldom represented in literature about World War II. Here we get a young Lithuanian nurse traveling with a group of refugees, a Prussian apprentice on a self-appointed mission, a determined fifteen-year-old Polish girl with a sad past, and a young Nazi who is staunchly loyal to Hitler's propaganda, all on a journey to a doomed ship without knowing the greater danger that awaits. Sepetys does a remarkable job of bringing to life a historical event that deserves to be much better known.

Elizabeth says:
The story flowed easily and never lost my interest. I loved all the different points of view!

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

I say:
Set in a world where humans are virtually immortal and ordained killers known as Scythes are used to keep overpopulation in check, this is a gripping sci-fi thriller that raises thought-provoking questions about morality and human nature. I can't wait for the next two books in the planned trilogy!

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

I say:
Nicola Yoon's follow-up to Everything, Everything is an an intensely moving and thought-provoking journey from beginning to end. What is on the surface a meet-cute romance becomes so much more as questions of destiny and chance arise and underlying connections are unraveled.

Nonfiction

Bubonic Panic: When Plague Invaded America by Gail Jarrow

Elizabeth says:
Going into this book I had a very limited knowledge of the bubonic plague. It answered many of my questions and I found it interesting. I’ll never think of fleas the same again!

March: Book Three by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin & Nate Powell

I say:
I can't believe I waited so long to start this series! March: Book Three deserves all the accolades it has been getting and more.

Radioactive!: How Irène Curie and Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World by Winifred Conkling

Brandy says:
This book is abundantly full of pertinent and interesting facts.

Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune by Pamela S. Turner

I say:
With fluid prose and the occasional snarky aside, this epic warrior tale reads like a novel while creating a fascinating (and often violent) picture of 12th century Japan and a man who became a legend.

Uprooted: The Japanese American Experience During World War II by Albert Marrin

I say:
So much of World War II history focuses on the war itself, Hitler, and the European experience, but I have been fascinated by the Japanese-American experience during that time ever since I read John Okada's No-No Boy as a college undergrad. With Uprooted, Marrin presents a well-researched, accessible account of a dark moment of American history that might also serve as a cautionary tale.