Advanced Search

Search

Advanced Search

See current CPL location closures, temporary hours changes and our COVID-19 response FAQs for help planning your visit.

Jacket cover images copied to clipboard.

General Recommendations

Best Books of 2018

By:

ChiPubLib_Adults

Chicago Public Library

Staff-created list

Chicago Public Library recommends these titles as the best books published in 2018.

By:

ChiPubLib_Adults

Chicago Public Library

1-25 of 100 items

1-25 of 100 items

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

by Turton, Stuart

Book - 2018

A man dressed in a tuxedo wakes up in a forest with no idea where or who he is, only that he is looking for a woman. Stumbling out of the forest, he sees ...Show more A man dressed in a tuxedo wakes up in a forest with no idea where or who he is, only that he is looking for a woman. Stumbling out of the forest, he sees a country house in the distance, and when he arrives at the door, he discovers that he is part of a weekend house party, although he recognizes no one. After fumbling through a confusing day, he awakens the next morning – to find that he is inhabiting the body of a different person at the house party, and that it is the same day he lived through yesterday. As he struggles to figure out what is going on, he continues to wake up as different people and learns that there may be other guests who are switching from body to body. Cleverly plotted and beautifully written, this is a non-traditional mystery, despite the gothic atmosphere, 1920s English country house setting, locked door/closed loop structure, and a murder that doesn't appear to be a murder. Readers who like detailed puzzles, an inventive plot, and giving their "little grey cells" a workout (and don’t mind being confused for a while) will find this mystery difficult to put down. Show less

A man dressed in a tuxedo wakes up in a forest with no idea where or who he is, only that he is looking for a woman. Stumbling out of the forest, he sees ...Show more A man dressed in a tuxedo wakes up in a forest with no idea where or who he is, only that he is looking for a woman. Stumbling out of the forest, he sees a country house in the distance, and when he arrives at the door, he discovers that he is part of a weekend house party, although he recognizes no one. After fumbling through a confusing day, he awakens the next morning – to find that he is inhabiting the body of a different person at the house party, and that it is the same day he lived through yesterday. As he struggles to figure out what is going on, he continues to wake up as different people and learns that there may be other guests who are switching from body to body. Cleverly plotted and beautifully written, this is a non-traditional mystery, despite the gothic atmosphere, 1920s English country house setting, locked door/closed loop structure, and a murder that doesn't appear to be a murder. Readers who like detailed puzzles, an inventive plot, and giving their "little grey cells" a workout (and don’t mind being confused for a while) will find this mystery difficult to put down. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Air Traffic

Air Traffic

A Memoir of Ambition and Manhood in America

by Pardlo, Gregory

Paperback - 2018

Pro tip: when a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet turns to prose, you know you're in for some particularly fine writing. At the core of Pardlo's family history ...Show more Pro tip: when a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet turns to prose, you know you're in for some particularly fine writing. At the core of Pardlo's family history is the impact of the air traffic controllers strike of 1981, which knocked his brilliant, confident father off course for decades, and to some extent the entire family. He also writes about his own and his family's experiences with addiction, including their stint on TV's Intervention featuring his brother Robbie, a successful but alcoholic R&B musician. And Pardlo's love of literature comes shining through in every essay, adding resonance to every topic he considers. Highly recommended for fans of Tracy K. Smith, Leslie Jamison and the culturally astute Margo Jefferson. Show less

Pro tip: when a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet turns to prose, you know you're in for some particularly fine writing. At the core of Pardlo's family history ...Show more Pro tip: when a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet turns to prose, you know you're in for some particularly fine writing. At the core of Pardlo's family history is the impact of the air traffic controllers strike of 1981, which knocked his brilliant, confident father off course for decades, and to some extent the entire family. He also writes about his own and his family's experiences with addiction, including their stint on TV's Intervention featuring his brother Robbie, a successful but alcoholic R&B musician. And Pardlo's love of literature comes shining through in every essay, adding resonance to every topic he considers. Highly recommended for fans of Tracy K. Smith, Leslie Jamison and the culturally astute Margo Jefferson. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

All You Can Ever Know

All You Can Ever Know

A Memoir

by Chung, Nicole

Book - 2018

Growing up in a mostly white town in Oregon, raised by her white adoptive parents, Nicole Chung had no connection to her Korean ancestry. She knew she loo...Show more Growing up in a mostly white town in Oregon, raised by her white adoptive parents, Nicole Chung had no connection to her Korean ancestry. She knew she looked different from everyone around her, and knew she didn't like being different, but it wasn't until she was pregnant with her own daughter that she decided to investigate her Korean roots. What she found was nothing like what she was expecting. Her narrative is interwoven with the story of her biological sister, raised by their parents and told that her baby sister had died. This is a fascinating, heartwarming and heartbreaking story of ancestry, family and racial identity in America. Show less

Growing up in a mostly white town in Oregon, raised by her white adoptive parents, Nicole Chung had no connection to her Korean ancestry. She knew she loo...Show more Growing up in a mostly white town in Oregon, raised by her white adoptive parents, Nicole Chung had no connection to her Korean ancestry. She knew she looked different from everyone around her, and knew she didn't like being different, but it wasn't until she was pregnant with her own daughter that she decided to investigate her Korean roots. What she found was nothing like what she was expecting. Her narrative is interwoven with the story of her biological sister, raised by their parents and told that her baby sister had died. This is a fascinating, heartwarming and heartbreaking story of ancestry, family and racial identity in America. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

America Is Not the Heart

America Is Not the Heart

by Castillo, Elaine

Book - 2018

In this debut family saga, Pol and Paz are forced to leave the Philippines due to political upheaval. Five years later, their niece Hero must do the same ...Show more In this debut family saga, Pol and Paz are forced to leave the Philippines due to political upheaval. Five years later, their niece Hero must do the same and join them in the San Francisco Bay Area. As Hero adjusts to her new life in California, while looking after her cousin Roni, glimpses of her traumatic yet hopeful past gradually unfold. Flashbacks unveil her life as a doctor in the New People's Army as well as her pursuant capture. The majority of this story about identity, survival and new beginnings, set in the early 90s, touches on the physical and emotional pain of a past life. It looks closely at what makes a family, while questioning if the past can ever really be left behind. Fans of literary fiction about extended families will be pleased with this fresh take on the immigrant experience. Show less

In this debut family saga, Pol and Paz are forced to leave the Philippines due to political upheaval. Five years later, their niece Hero must do the same ...Show more In this debut family saga, Pol and Paz are forced to leave the Philippines due to political upheaval. Five years later, their niece Hero must do the same and join them in the San Francisco Bay Area. As Hero adjusts to her new life in California, while looking after her cousin Roni, glimpses of her traumatic yet hopeful past gradually unfold. Flashbacks unveil her life as a doctor in the New People's Army as well as her pursuant capture. The majority of this story about identity, survival and new beginnings, set in the early 90s, touches on the physical and emotional pain of a past life. It looks closely at what makes a family, while questioning if the past can ever really be left behind. Fans of literary fiction about extended families will be pleased with this fresh take on the immigrant experience. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

An American Marriage

An American Marriage

by Jones, Tayari

Book - 2018

Told in three distinct parts, through three narrators – Roy, Celestial and Andre – this novel explores love, circumstance and the marriage of a young coup...Show more Told in three distinct parts, through three narrators – Roy, Celestial and Andre – this novel explores love, circumstance and the marriage of a young couple. Roy is an up-and-coming business man who ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time. His wife Celestial is a force in her own right – strong, independent and free-spirited. And Andre is a friend and sounding board, respectively. During a fateful visit to see Roy’s parents, Celestial and Roy’s lives descend into the heartbreaking reality of a life neither of them planned when Roy is unjustifiably arrested for a crime he did not commit. While Roy is incarcerated, they attempt to nurture their once hopeful marriage, yet struggle with their new reality. The distinct voices and character-driven plot beautifully, and achingly, examine the lengths of romantic and familial love when placed under the harshest conditions. Perfect for fans of Sing, Unburied, Sing or contemporary fiction with present-day themes. Show less

Told in three distinct parts, through three narrators – Roy, Celestial and Andre – this novel explores love, circumstance and the marriage of a young coup...Show more Told in three distinct parts, through three narrators – Roy, Celestial and Andre – this novel explores love, circumstance and the marriage of a young couple. Roy is an up-and-coming business man who ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time. His wife Celestial is a force in her own right – strong, independent and free-spirited. And Andre is a friend and sounding board, respectively. During a fateful visit to see Roy’s parents, Celestial and Roy’s lives descend into the heartbreaking reality of a life neither of them planned when Roy is unjustifiably arrested for a crime he did not commit. While Roy is incarcerated, they attempt to nurture their once hopeful marriage, yet struggle with their new reality. The distinct voices and character-driven plot beautifully, and achingly, examine the lengths of romantic and familial love when placed under the harshest conditions. Perfect for fans of Sing, Unburied, Sing or contemporary fiction with present-day themes. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

American Prison

American Prison

A Reporter's Undercover Journey Into the Business of Punishment

by Bauer, Shane

Book - 2018

Investigative journalist, Bauer, goes undercover as a corrections officer in Winnfield, Louisiana to learn in depth about the business of private prisons....Show more Investigative journalist, Bauer, goes undercover as a corrections officer in Winnfield, Louisiana to learn in depth about the business of private prisons. Chapters alternate between Bauer’s eye-opening account of life inside the prison and the history of prisons for profit. While his experience as a former prisoner in Iran initially influences his performance on the job, a lost recognition of himself begins to creep in the longer he stays. Thoroughly researched, with the notes to prove it, Bauer provides a comprehensive and gritty account of the disturbing business of prisons and those who benefit from it. Show less

Investigative journalist, Bauer, goes undercover as a corrections officer in Winnfield, Louisiana to learn in depth about the business of private prisons....Show more Investigative journalist, Bauer, goes undercover as a corrections officer in Winnfield, Louisiana to learn in depth about the business of private prisons. Chapters alternate between Bauer’s eye-opening account of life inside the prison and the history of prisons for profit. While his experience as a former prisoner in Iran initially influences his performance on the job, a lost recognition of himself begins to creep in the longer he stays. Thoroughly researched, with the notes to prove it, Bauer provides a comprehensive and gritty account of the disturbing business of prisons and those who benefit from it. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Asymmetry

Asymmetry

A Novel

by Halliday, Lisa

Paperback - 2018

A sensation in literary New York when it was first published, this brilliant debut novel is written in 3 parts: in part 1 ("Folly"), Alice, a pu...Show more A sensation in literary New York when it was first published, this brilliant debut novel is written in 3 parts: in part 1 ("Folly"), Alice, a publishing assistant in her 20s is approached one day in Central Park by a highly celebrated author in his 70s named Ezra Blazer and the two take up an affair. (Ezra is reminiscent of Philip Roth, with whom Halliday once had an affair in real life.) In part 2 ("Madness"), a young Iraqi-American named Amar is detained in Heathrow airport while trying to visit his brother in Kurdistan. The narrative sweeps back to tell his life story and that of his family both in the US and Iraq. Then in a brief coda, a radio interview with Ezra, we get a hint at how the first two sections may be related. And chances are you'll then pore back over the book to think about the subtle connections in this deceptively layered tour de force. A meditation on post-9/11 America, imbalances of power, and the role of literature itself, Halliday's novel is best appreciated by fans of literary puzzles and close reading. Show less

A sensation in literary New York when it was first published, this brilliant debut novel is written in 3 parts: in part 1 ("Folly"), Alice, a pu...Show more A sensation in literary New York when it was first published, this brilliant debut novel is written in 3 parts: in part 1 ("Folly"), Alice, a publishing assistant in her 20s is approached one day in Central Park by a highly celebrated author in his 70s named Ezra Blazer and the two take up an affair. (Ezra is reminiscent of Philip Roth, with whom Halliday once had an affair in real life.) In part 2 ("Madness"), a young Iraqi-American named Amar is detained in Heathrow airport while trying to visit his brother in Kurdistan. The narrative sweeps back to tell his life story and that of his family both in the US and Iraq. Then in a brief coda, a radio interview with Ezra, we get a hint at how the first two sections may be related. And chances are you'll then pore back over the book to think about the subtle connections in this deceptively layered tour de force. A meditation on post-9/11 America, imbalances of power, and the role of literature itself, Halliday's novel is best appreciated by fans of literary puzzles and close reading. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Bad Blood

Bad Blood

Secrets and Lies in A Silicon Valley Startup

by Carreyrou, John

Book - 2018

Silicon Valley has a term for products that are being hyped to investors, but aren't ready: vaporware. But what if the company used vaporware to test pati...Show more Silicon Valley has a term for products that are being hyped to investors, but aren't ready: vaporware. But what if the company used vaporware to test patients' blood and give medical results? After a tip, journalist John Carreyrou began to investigate what was really happening at Theranos, a tech company that claimed to be able to test for hundreds of diseases from a single pinprick of blood. His Wall Street Journal articles and the resulting FDA scrutiny revealed a company that had taken millions from investors and produced a machine that never really worked. One former employee described it as "trying to drive the bus while you're building it--very dangerous." At the center of it is CEO Elizabeth Holmes, a Stanford dropout who started the company at 19 using a network of contacts that she parlayed into a board full of big names and partnerships with Walgreens and Safeway. The book is a fascinating look at the culture of start-ups and a disturbing description of a company that silenced dissent, bullied employees, and threatened anyone - including Carreyrou - who went against it. (Readers wanting to learn more about the dark side of Silicon Valley might also want to try Brotopia and Live Work Work Work Die.) Show less

Silicon Valley has a term for products that are being hyped to investors, but aren't ready: vaporware. But what if the company used vaporware to test pati...Show more Silicon Valley has a term for products that are being hyped to investors, but aren't ready: vaporware. But what if the company used vaporware to test patients' blood and give medical results? After a tip, journalist John Carreyrou began to investigate what was really happening at Theranos, a tech company that claimed to be able to test for hundreds of diseases from a single pinprick of blood. His Wall Street Journal articles and the resulting FDA scrutiny revealed a company that had taken millions from investors and produced a machine that never really worked. One former employee described it as "trying to drive the bus while you're building it--very dangerous." At the center of it is CEO Elizabeth Holmes, a Stanford dropout who started the company at 19 using a network of contacts that she parlayed into a board full of big names and partnerships with Walgreens and Safeway. The book is a fascinating look at the culture of start-ups and a disturbing description of a company that silenced dissent, bullied employees, and threatened anyone - including Carreyrou - who went against it. (Readers wanting to learn more about the dark side of Silicon Valley might also want to try Brotopia and Live Work Work Work Die.) Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Bearskin

Bearskin

by McLaughlin, James A.

Book - 2018

When Rice Moore discovers a bear carcass on the grounds of the remote forest preserve in the Appalachians where he has recently been hired as caretaker, h...Show more When Rice Moore discovers a bear carcass on the grounds of the remote forest preserve in the Appalachians where he has recently been hired as caretaker, his world turns upside down. Rice had been looking forward to quietly observing the local flora and fauna while maintaining a low profile from the drug lords he betrayed in his former life in Arizona, but now he must solve the mystery of the dead bear. As Rice follows leads provided by the surly locals, he begins to lose himself to his shadowy forest surroundings. In spare prose, McLaughlin demonstrates a keen knowledge of and respect for the natural world. Outdoorsy types and lovers of eco-thrillers will enjoy this tightly-plotted debut. Show less

When Rice Moore discovers a bear carcass on the grounds of the remote forest preserve in the Appalachians where he has recently been hired as caretaker, h...Show more When Rice Moore discovers a bear carcass on the grounds of the remote forest preserve in the Appalachians where he has recently been hired as caretaker, his world turns upside down. Rice had been looking forward to quietly observing the local flora and fauna while maintaining a low profile from the drug lords he betrayed in his former life in Arizona, but now he must solve the mystery of the dead bear. As Rice follows leads provided by the surly locals, he begins to lose himself to his shadowy forest surroundings. In spare prose, McLaughlin demonstrates a keen knowledge of and respect for the natural world. Outdoorsy types and lovers of eco-thrillers will enjoy this tightly-plotted debut. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Beneath A Ruthless Sun

Beneath A Ruthless Sun

A True Story of Violence, Race, and Justice Lost and Found

by King, Gilbert

Book - 2018

One of the more disturbing stories to come out of the Jim Crow South, King's history narrative tells the story of the unchecked power of a small-town sher...Show more One of the more disturbing stories to come out of the Jim Crow South, King's history narrative tells the story of the unchecked power of a small-town sheriff and the institutional discrimination that kept him in power. An assault of a citrus baron's wife was blamed on a disabled nineteen year old who was sent to rot in the Florida state hospital for the insane. Newspaper reporter Mabel Norris Reese felt there was something fishy about the story and worked for years to get to the bottom of it. What she found implicated many in the law enforcement community. Racism, murder, conspiracy, and a host of other crimes were prominent in Jim Crow-era Florida, and this story boggles the mind. Brutal and essential, a sad expose of the treatment of American citizens. Show less

One of the more disturbing stories to come out of the Jim Crow South, King's history narrative tells the story of the unchecked power of a small-town sher...Show more One of the more disturbing stories to come out of the Jim Crow South, King's history narrative tells the story of the unchecked power of a small-town sheriff and the institutional discrimination that kept him in power. An assault of a citrus baron's wife was blamed on a disabled nineteen year old who was sent to rot in the Florida state hospital for the insane. Newspaper reporter Mabel Norris Reese felt there was something fishy about the story and worked for years to get to the bottom of it. What she found implicated many in the law enforcement community. Racism, murder, conspiracy, and a host of other crimes were prominent in Jim Crow-era Florida, and this story boggles the mind. Brutal and essential, a sad expose of the treatment of American citizens. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

The Big Fella

The Big Fella

Babe Ruth and the World He Created

by Leavy, Jane

Book - 2018

The term superstar gets thrown around pretty liberally in today’s cult of celebrity, where social media and the 24-hour news cycle can make one famous sim...Show more The term superstar gets thrown around pretty liberally in today’s cult of celebrity, where social media and the 24-hour news cycle can make one famous simply for being famous (the Kardashians come to mind). With this as perspective, it is almost impossible to fathom the type of fame and adulation enjoyed by George Herman "Babe" Ruth in an era before social media was the engine driving celebrity. Jane Leavy, author of previous baseball biographies on Sandy Koufax (Sandy Koufax: a Lefty's Legacy) and Mickey Mantle (The Last Boy), has succeeded in taking on the herculean task of conveying to the reader just what a superstar the Babe was in her new book The Big Fella. This is where the strength of the book lies. Those expecting a recitation of pitch by pitch game accounts may be disappointed, but will come away with an appreciation of the Babe’s rags-to-riches rise from a dysfunctional childhood to become an icon of the Roaring Twenties. Along the way, several enduring myths about the Babe are addressed. The Big Fella will appeal to social historians, human-interest lovers, and baseball fans alike. Show less

The term superstar gets thrown around pretty liberally in today’s cult of celebrity, where social media and the 24-hour news cycle can make one famous sim...Show more The term superstar gets thrown around pretty liberally in today’s cult of celebrity, where social media and the 24-hour news cycle can make one famous simply for being famous (the Kardashians come to mind). With this as perspective, it is almost impossible to fathom the type of fame and adulation enjoyed by George Herman "Babe" Ruth in an era before social media was the engine driving celebrity. Jane Leavy, author of previous baseball biographies on Sandy Koufax (Sandy Koufax: a Lefty's Legacy) and Mickey Mantle (The Last Boy), has succeeded in taking on the herculean task of conveying to the reader just what a superstar the Babe was in her new book The Big Fella. This is where the strength of the book lies. Those expecting a recitation of pitch by pitch game accounts may be disappointed, but will come away with an appreciation of the Babe’s rags-to-riches rise from a dysfunctional childhood to become an icon of the Roaring Twenties. Along the way, several enduring myths about the Babe are addressed. The Big Fella will appeal to social historians, human-interest lovers, and baseball fans alike. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Blackfish City

Blackfish City

by Miller, Sam J.

Book - 2018

The lives of four strangers intersect in a post-apocalyptic world largely destroyed by climate change and rising water levels. The setting is Quaanaaq, an...Show more The lives of four strangers intersect in a post-apocalyptic world largely destroyed by climate change and rising water levels. The setting is Quaanaaq, an eight-armed steel grid city built above the Artic Sea, where each arm houses different socioeconomic groups of people. Quaanaq is already reeling not only from an epidemic of "the breaks," scorned by the wealthy as a poor person's disease, but also from rampant crime and corruption. The city is largely run by tech and a strange underground podcast with an anonymous author. The fragile peace is disrupted when the orcamancer arrives, a woman nanobonded - psychically connected - to a killer whale. No one know what her agenda is, and initially she lets no one close to her. The strangers come together and connect with the orcamancer and Quaanaaq is forever changed. Featuring a diverse cast of characters, Miller's book asks thought-provoking questions: what is right and what is fair, how do we treat others different from us, how much technology is too much, and what is it to be human? Show less

The lives of four strangers intersect in a post-apocalyptic world largely destroyed by climate change and rising water levels. The setting is Quaanaaq, an...Show more The lives of four strangers intersect in a post-apocalyptic world largely destroyed by climate change and rising water levels. The setting is Quaanaaq, an eight-armed steel grid city built above the Artic Sea, where each arm houses different socioeconomic groups of people. Quaanaq is already reeling not only from an epidemic of "the breaks," scorned by the wealthy as a poor person's disease, but also from rampant crime and corruption. The city is largely run by tech and a strange underground podcast with an anonymous author. The fragile peace is disrupted when the orcamancer arrives, a woman nanobonded - psychically connected - to a killer whale. No one know what her agenda is, and initially she lets no one close to her. The strangers come together and connect with the orcamancer and Quaanaaq is forever changed. Featuring a diverse cast of characters, Miller's book asks thought-provoking questions: what is right and what is fair, how do we treat others different from us, how much technology is too much, and what is it to be human? Show less

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Burning Down the Haus

Burning Down the Haus

Punk Rock, Revolution, and the Fall of the Berlin Wall

by Mohr, Tim

Book - 2018

In 1980, a Sex Pistols concert broadcast from a British military radio show kicked off a revolution in East Germany. A handful of teenagers sparked a move...Show more In 1980, a Sex Pistols concert broadcast from a British military radio show kicked off a revolution in East Germany. A handful of teenagers sparked a movement that stood up to a dictatorship and showed bravery in a time when conformity was not just the norm, but a necessity. East German punk rockers started bands, were jailed, staged protests, endured torture, and started an underground movement that helped bring down the wall. The West has a tendency to mythologize that Reagan brought down the wall single-handedly. However it is now becoming clear that many factors, including these brave punks, helped end a regime and bring forth a new era. Show less

In 1980, a Sex Pistols concert broadcast from a British military radio show kicked off a revolution in East Germany. A handful of teenagers sparked a move...Show more In 1980, a Sex Pistols concert broadcast from a British military radio show kicked off a revolution in East Germany. A handful of teenagers sparked a movement that stood up to a dictatorship and showed bravery in a time when conformity was not just the norm, but a necessity. East German punk rockers started bands, were jailed, staged protests, endured torture, and started an underground movement that helped bring down the wall. The West has a tendency to mythologize that Reagan brought down the wall single-handedly. However it is now becoming clear that many factors, including these brave punks, helped end a regime and bring forth a new era. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

The Cabin at the End of the World

The Cabin at the End of the World

A Novel

by Tremblay, Paul

Book - 2018

In a remote New Hampshire cabin, 7-year-old Wen and her dads are enjoying a peaceful getaway when four strangers emerge from the woods with oddly coordina...Show more In a remote New Hampshire cabin, 7-year-old Wen and her dads are enjoying a peaceful getaway when four strangers emerge from the woods with oddly coordinated clothing and shoddily-constructed tools - or are they weapons? Leonard, their presumed leader, tells Wen they aren't going to hurt her, but their mission is one of utmost importance: nothing less than preventing the end of the world. Bram Stoker Award-winning author Paul Tremblay (Head Full of Ghosts) has created a stunningly tense and character-driven thriller that will leave you breathless as the story moves between quiet moments of reflection and horrific violence. The home invasion or "cabin in the woods" trope will feel familiar to many horror and suspense fans, yet it is still not quite like anything you've ever read before. Despite the simplicity of the writing style, this novel asks some big, heavy questions about faith, survival, and the apocalypse. Fans of Stephen King and Ruth Ware, take note. Show less

In a remote New Hampshire cabin, 7-year-old Wen and her dads are enjoying a peaceful getaway when four strangers emerge from the woods with oddly coordina...Show more In a remote New Hampshire cabin, 7-year-old Wen and her dads are enjoying a peaceful getaway when four strangers emerge from the woods with oddly coordinated clothing and shoddily-constructed tools - or are they weapons? Leonard, their presumed leader, tells Wen they aren't going to hurt her, but their mission is one of utmost importance: nothing less than preventing the end of the world. Bram Stoker Award-winning author Paul Tremblay (Head Full of Ghosts) has created a stunningly tense and character-driven thriller that will leave you breathless as the story moves between quiet moments of reflection and horrific violence. The home invasion or "cabin in the woods" trope will feel familiar to many horror and suspense fans, yet it is still not quite like anything you've ever read before. Despite the simplicity of the writing style, this novel asks some big, heavy questions about faith, survival, and the apocalypse. Fans of Stephen King and Ruth Ware, take note. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Calypso

Calypso

by Sedaris, David

Book - 2018

David Sedaris has been entertaining fans with humorous stories about his family for decades now. This new collection of essays does the same, but in a muc...Show more David Sedaris has been entertaining fans with humorous stories about his family for decades now. This new collection of essays does the same, but in a much more serious way than previous books. This time around he delves deeper into his sister's suicide, his mother's alcoholism, and his concerns about his 90-something father who still lives on his own. He still manages to find humor in these serious subjects, though, and fans will still find plenty to laugh at in between a few tears. Show less

David Sedaris has been entertaining fans with humorous stories about his family for decades now. This new collection of essays does the same, but in a muc...Show more David Sedaris has been entertaining fans with humorous stories about his family for decades now. This new collection of essays does the same, but in a much more serious way than previous books. This time around he delves deeper into his sister's suicide, his mother's alcoholism, and his concerns about his 90-something father who still lives on his own. He still manages to find humor in these serious subjects, though, and fans will still find plenty to laugh at in between a few tears. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Circe

Circe

A Novel

by Miller, Madeline

Book - 2018

A figure in Greek mythology, Circe is best known from her minor role in The Odyssey, the ancient epic that is one of the founding texts of Western civiliz...Show more A figure in Greek mythology, Circe is best known from her minor role in The Odyssey, the ancient epic that is one of the founding texts of Western civilization. Here novelist Miller (Song of Achilles) tells Circe’s full story, drawing not only on The Odyssey but also ingeniously weaving in other classic myths such as the Minotaur. To list more might spoil some of the pleasure of this tale which comes from immersing yourself in the point of view of this immortal from her birth on. It’s not at all necessary to have read The Odyssey to enjoy the old-fashioned storytelling here, but those who have will especially appreciate Miller’s accomplishment. This novel also features one of the most satisfying endings in recent fiction. Fans of historical fiction, fantasy fiction and the classics are in for a treat. Show less

A figure in Greek mythology, Circe is best known from her minor role in The Odyssey, the ancient epic that is one of the founding texts of Western civiliz...Show more A figure in Greek mythology, Circe is best known from her minor role in The Odyssey, the ancient epic that is one of the founding texts of Western civilization. Here novelist Miller (Song of Achilles) tells Circe’s full story, drawing not only on The Odyssey but also ingeniously weaving in other classic myths such as the Minotaur. To list more might spoil some of the pleasure of this tale which comes from immersing yourself in the point of view of this immortal from her birth on. It’s not at all necessary to have read The Odyssey to enjoy the old-fashioned storytelling here, but those who have will especially appreciate Miller’s accomplishment. This novel also features one of the most satisfying endings in recent fiction. Fans of historical fiction, fantasy fiction and the classics are in for a treat. Show less

All copies in use Availability details Holds: 5 on 89 copies

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

The Court Dancer

The Court Dancer

by Sin, Kyŏng-suk

Book - 2018

Kyung-Sook Shin’s beautifully written novel gives a unique perspective on the complex themes of identity, patriotism and assimilation through the familiar...Show more Kyung-Sook Shin’s beautifully written novel gives a unique perspective on the complex themes of identity, patriotism and assimilation through the familiar lenses of love, family and loyalty. The central figure is court lady Yi Jin, an intelligent, gifted dancer and devoted servant of the Queen. Jin has lived a sheltered life in the royal court, but all that changes when French diplomat Victor Collin de Plancy falls deeply in love with her after watching her dance for the court. Jin's life dramatically opens up to new experiences and unfettered freedom as she relocates to France with Victor. There she discovers that even progressive societies foster their own forms of oppression and marginalization. As Jin’s story unfolds, so does the riveting account of Korea's history at the end of the Joseon period. Shin cleverly mirrors the joy, pain, transformation and self-discovery that Jin experiences along her life journey with that of ancient Korea as the country desperately strives to elevate its status and influence in the world. Shin’s emotionally moving story of richly-drawn characters is an insightful introduction to Korean culture that challenges the reader to consider the significant imprint culture has on personal identity and the pivotal decisions one makes. Show less

Kyung-Sook Shin’s beautifully written novel gives a unique perspective on the complex themes of identity, patriotism and assimilation through the familiar...Show more Kyung-Sook Shin’s beautifully written novel gives a unique perspective on the complex themes of identity, patriotism and assimilation through the familiar lenses of love, family and loyalty. The central figure is court lady Yi Jin, an intelligent, gifted dancer and devoted servant of the Queen. Jin has lived a sheltered life in the royal court, but all that changes when French diplomat Victor Collin de Plancy falls deeply in love with her after watching her dance for the court. Jin's life dramatically opens up to new experiences and unfettered freedom as she relocates to France with Victor. There she discovers that even progressive societies foster their own forms of oppression and marginalization. As Jin’s story unfolds, so does the riveting account of Korea's history at the end of the Joseon period. Shin cleverly mirrors the joy, pain, transformation and self-discovery that Jin experiences along her life journey with that of ancient Korea as the country desperately strives to elevate its status and influence in the world. Shin’s emotionally moving story of richly-drawn characters is an insightful introduction to Korean culture that challenges the reader to consider the significant imprint culture has on personal identity and the pivotal decisions one makes. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

The Death of Mrs. Westaway

The Death of Mrs. Westaway

by Ware, Ruth

Book - 2018

After her mother was killed by a hit-and-run driver when she was eighteen, Harriet Westaway took over her mother’s tarot reading booth on Brighton Pier an...Show more After her mother was killed by a hit-and-run driver when she was eighteen, Harriet Westaway took over her mother’s tarot reading booth on Brighton Pier and borrowed some money from a kindly stranger. Three years later, a loan shark is leaning on her for the interest while her bills pile up and she struggles to support herself. When a letter arrives from a solicitor telling her she is an heir to her grandmother's estate, it seems like the answer to a prayer – except that Harriet’s grandmother Westaway died twenty years ago. Hoping to maintain her sham identity long enough to collect a modest bequest, she travels to Trepessan House in Cornwall for the funeral where she is stunned to learn that she has been left the whole estate. Photographs soon convince her that she is connected to the family, but establishing her real identity proves to be a dangerous endeavor. Readers will be rooting for the plucky, sympathetic heroine as she uncovers the secrets of the Westaway family in this update on the classic gothic thriller. Show less

After her mother was killed by a hit-and-run driver when she was eighteen, Harriet Westaway took over her mother’s tarot reading booth on Brighton Pier an...Show more After her mother was killed by a hit-and-run driver when she was eighteen, Harriet Westaway took over her mother’s tarot reading booth on Brighton Pier and borrowed some money from a kindly stranger. Three years later, a loan shark is leaning on her for the interest while her bills pile up and she struggles to support herself. When a letter arrives from a solicitor telling her she is an heir to her grandmother's estate, it seems like the answer to a prayer – except that Harriet’s grandmother Westaway died twenty years ago. Hoping to maintain her sham identity long enough to collect a modest bequest, she travels to Trepessan House in Cornwall for the funeral where she is stunned to learn that she has been left the whole estate. Photographs soon convince her that she is connected to the family, but establishing her real identity proves to be a dangerous endeavor. Readers will be rooting for the plucky, sympathetic heroine as she uncovers the secrets of the Westaway family in this update on the classic gothic thriller. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Directorate S

Directorate S

The C.I.A. and America's Secret Wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan

by Coll, Steve

Book - 2018

This sequel to the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Ghost Wars is another masterly work of history by investigative journalist Steve Coll. The book takes its n...Show more This sequel to the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Ghost Wars is another masterly work of history by investigative journalist Steve Coll. The book takes its name from the Pakistani equivalent to the C.I.A.’s Special Activities Unit. "Directorate S," as it is designated by the U.S. intelligence community, is comprised of elite spies who operate deep undercover to advance Pakistan’s interests throughout the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Coll begins his second installment where Ghost Wars leaves off, with the assassination of Ahmad Shah Massoud just days before the September 11th 2001 attacks. The reader follows Coll as he moves with CIA operatives through the tribal areas of northern Pakistan, bombed out addresses in Afghan city centers, and the cavernous Hindu Kush. The narrative is unhurried, methodical and complete. It draws from the author's interviews with the major actors while gathering intelligence from memoirs and government documents. Directorate S tells the story behind the story of the "War on Terror" and will be cited extensively in future histories of the period. Show less

This sequel to the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Ghost Wars is another masterly work of history by investigative journalist Steve Coll. The book takes its n...Show more This sequel to the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Ghost Wars is another masterly work of history by investigative journalist Steve Coll. The book takes its name from the Pakistani equivalent to the C.I.A.’s Special Activities Unit. "Directorate S," as it is designated by the U.S. intelligence community, is comprised of elite spies who operate deep undercover to advance Pakistan’s interests throughout the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Coll begins his second installment where Ghost Wars leaves off, with the assassination of Ahmad Shah Massoud just days before the September 11th 2001 attacks. The reader follows Coll as he moves with CIA operatives through the tribal areas of northern Pakistan, bombed out addresses in Afghan city centers, and the cavernous Hindu Kush. The narrative is unhurried, methodical and complete. It draws from the author's interviews with the major actors while gathering intelligence from memoirs and government documents. Directorate S tells the story behind the story of the "War on Terror" and will be cited extensively in future histories of the period. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Disoriental

Disoriental

by Djavadi, Négar

Paperback - 2018

Djavadi's engrossing multigenerational debut shifts between timeframes, centering on the sprawling Iranian family of Kimia Sadr. We meet Kimia in a fertil...Show more Djavadi's engrossing multigenerational debut shifts between timeframes, centering on the sprawling Iranian family of Kimia Sadr. We meet Kimia in a fertility office in Paris in 1996, where she begins to tell family stories which dovetail with the tumultuous history of Iran. Kimia's parents, a journalist and a professor living in Tehran, openly and proudly challenge the repressive regimes they live under, until the family is forced into exile in 1979, when Kimia is ten. The journey with her mother and sisters to an uncertain future in France is harrowing, and each member of the Sadr family has their own response to exile. While she grows to discover and appreciate her independent side, Kimia experiences the profound loneliness of losing her uniquely Persian home, culture, and identity. Fans of family sagas and literature in translation will love this introspective, funny exploration of the immigrant experience. Show less

Djavadi's engrossing multigenerational debut shifts between timeframes, centering on the sprawling Iranian family of Kimia Sadr. We meet Kimia in a fertil...Show more Djavadi's engrossing multigenerational debut shifts between timeframes, centering on the sprawling Iranian family of Kimia Sadr. We meet Kimia in a fertility office in Paris in 1996, where she begins to tell family stories which dovetail with the tumultuous history of Iran. Kimia's parents, a journalist and a professor living in Tehran, openly and proudly challenge the repressive regimes they live under, until the family is forced into exile in 1979, when Kimia is ten. The journey with her mother and sisters to an uncertain future in France is harrowing, and each member of the Sadr family has their own response to exile. While she grows to discover and appreciate her independent side, Kimia experiences the profound loneliness of losing her uniquely Persian home, culture, and identity. Fans of family sagas and literature in translation will love this introspective, funny exploration of the immigrant experience. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Dopesick

Dopesick

Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America

by Macy, Beth

Book - 2018

The epidemic of opioid addiction gets a masterful overview, including a thorough history, from investigative journalist Beth Macy in this indispensable new book. The epidemic of opioid addiction gets a masterful overview, including a thorough history, from investigative journalist Beth Macy in this indispensable new book. Show less

The epidemic of opioid addiction gets a masterful overview, including a thorough history, from investigative journalist Beth Macy in this indispensable new book. The epidemic of opioid addiction gets a masterful overview, including a thorough history, from investigative journalist Beth Macy in this indispensable new book. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Educated

Educated

A Memoir

by Westover, Tara

Book - 2018

Tara Westover's memoir is like no other. Raised by survivalists in the Idaho mountains, Westover never attended school; instead she helped with her mother...Show more Tara Westover's memoir is like no other. Raised by survivalists in the Idaho mountains, Westover never attended school; instead she helped with her mother's natural healing business and salvaged in her father's junkyard. Her family came together around lessons on avoiding modern medicine and the government as well as preparing for the end times. But as Westover grew older, her family life grew darker. Education offered a way out. After teaching herself enough to take the ACT, Westover lands at Brigham Young University. Encouraged by supportive professors, Westover's desire for knowledge - and her confidence in herself - flourishes. She studies at Harvard and Cambridge universities, earning graduate degrees and building a life of her own. However, her new perspectives are at odds with her family, and she struggles to find her place in both worlds. This highly engrossing memoir is recommended for fans of The Glass Castle and Jesus Land. Show less

Tara Westover's memoir is like no other. Raised by survivalists in the Idaho mountains, Westover never attended school; instead she helped with her mother...Show more Tara Westover's memoir is like no other. Raised by survivalists in the Idaho mountains, Westover never attended school; instead she helped with her mother's natural healing business and salvaged in her father's junkyard. Her family came together around lessons on avoiding modern medicine and the government as well as preparing for the end times. But as Westover grew older, her family life grew darker. Education offered a way out. After teaching herself enough to take the ACT, Westover lands at Brigham Young University. Encouraged by supportive professors, Westover's desire for knowledge - and her confidence in herself - flourishes. She studies at Harvard and Cambridge universities, earning graduate degrees and building a life of her own. However, her new perspectives are at odds with her family, and she struggles to find her place in both worlds. This highly engrossing memoir is recommended for fans of The Glass Castle and Jesus Land. Show less

Checking Availability...

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Eternal Life

Eternal Life

A Novel

by Horn, Dara

Book - 2018

Imagine what life would be like if you never die. Rachel as a young woman makes a sacred vow in desperation in order to save the life of her firstborn chi...Show more Imagine what life would be like if you never die. Rachel as a young woman makes a sacred vow in desperation in order to save the life of her firstborn child, never thinking of what living forever would really mean. The story travels between modern day and her time as a jewish girl in Roman-occupied Jerusalem. In the modern day Rachel is ready to die. She does not want to bury another husband and outlive her children. She does not want to learn how to start over again with a new life when the the time comes. A gripping story exploring the importance of faith and the question of what gives life meaning when you live forever. Show less

Imagine what life would be like if you never die. Rachel as a young woman makes a sacred vow in desperation in order to save the life of her firstborn chi...Show more Imagine what life would be like if you never die. Rachel as a young woman makes a sacred vow in desperation in order to save the life of her firstborn child, never thinking of what living forever would really mean. The story travels between modern day and her time as a jewish girl in Roman-occupied Jerusalem. In the modern day Rachel is ready to die. She does not want to bury another husband and outlive her children. She does not want to learn how to start over again with a new life when the the time comes. A gripping story exploring the importance of faith and the question of what gives life meaning when you live forever. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Everything Here Is Beautiful

Everything Here Is Beautiful

by Lee, Mira T.

Book - 2018

Miranda and Lucia are sisters raised by their widowed Chinese mother in New York. Miranda, older than Lucia by seven years, has always been the protective...Show more Miranda and Lucia are sisters raised by their widowed Chinese mother in New York. Miranda, older than Lucia by seven years, has always been the protective and nurturing sister while Lucia has been a dreamer and traveler, never settling down in one place for long. Soon after their mother dies from cancer, Lucia, in her mid-twenties, marries Yonah, a divorced older man, and Miranda is content to see her happy and in love. Then one day she gets a phone call from Yonah saying that "Something is happening" and Miranda’s unspoken fear is realized, that Lucia's mental illness has returned. Fans of Girl, Interrupted and Prozac Nation will appreciate this story of the lifelong challenges faced by families affected by mental illness. Show less

Miranda and Lucia are sisters raised by their widowed Chinese mother in New York. Miranda, older than Lucia by seven years, has always been the protective...Show more Miranda and Lucia are sisters raised by their widowed Chinese mother in New York. Miranda, older than Lucia by seven years, has always been the protective and nurturing sister while Lucia has been a dreamer and traveler, never settling down in one place for long. Soon after their mother dies from cancer, Lucia, in her mid-twenties, marries Yonah, a divorced older man, and Miranda is content to see her happy and in love. Then one day she gets a phone call from Yonah saying that "Something is happening" and Miranda’s unspoken fear is realized, that Lucia's mental illness has returned. Fans of Girl, Interrupted and Prozac Nation will appreciate this story of the lifelong challenges faced by families affected by mental illness. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

A False Report

A False Report

A True Story of Rape in America

by Miller, T. Christian

Book - 2018

Journalists Miller and Armstrong thoroughly investigate how sexual assault and rape are handled by law enforcement, while telling the harrowing true-crime...Show more Journalists Miller and Armstrong thoroughly investigate how sexual assault and rape are handled by law enforcement, while telling the harrowing true-crime tale of a serial rapist, a dogged investigation by two female law enforcement agents, and a report of rape that was mishandled resulting in horrendous consequences for the victim. When 18-year-old Marie reported being raped by an unknown man who broke into her apartment near Seattle in 2008, her story was met with skepticism. A series of events led Marie to recant her story, and she was eventually charged with making a false report. A few years later, Stacy Galbraith was investigating a rape in Colorado that shared similarities to another rape that happened nearby. Galbraith soon found herself collaborating with another detective, Edna Hendershot, in tracking down what they suspected was a serial rapist. While telling Marie’s story, as well as this string of rapes and the ensuing investigation, Miller and Armstrong also tell the story of how rapes have historically been dealt with by law enforcement and reveal troubling patterns that continue today. This is both an engrossing story and great journalism on an important subject. Show less

Journalists Miller and Armstrong thoroughly investigate how sexual assault and rape are handled by law enforcement, while telling the harrowing true-crime...Show more Journalists Miller and Armstrong thoroughly investigate how sexual assault and rape are handled by law enforcement, while telling the harrowing true-crime tale of a serial rapist, a dogged investigation by two female law enforcement agents, and a report of rape that was mishandled resulting in horrendous consequences for the victim. When 18-year-old Marie reported being raped by an unknown man who broke into her apartment near Seattle in 2008, her story was met with skepticism. A series of events led Marie to recant her story, and she was eventually charged with making a false report. A few years later, Stacy Galbraith was investigating a rape in Colorado that shared similarities to another rape that happened nearby. Galbraith soon found herself collaborating with another detective, Edna Hendershot, in tracking down what they suspected was a serial rapist. While telling Marie’s story, as well as this string of rapes and the ensuing investigation, Miller and Armstrong also tell the story of how rapes have historically been dealt with by law enforcement and reveal troubling patterns that continue today. This is both an engrossing story and great journalism on an important subject. Show less

Available in some locations

Place a Hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

1-25 of 100 items

1
2
3
4

Powered by BiblioCommons.

BiblioCore: app12 Version 8.36.4 Last updated 2021/03/16 20:18

[]

[]

To Top