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General Recommendations

Best Books of 2022

By:

ChiPubLib_Adults

Chicago Public Library

Staff-created list

Chicago Public Library recommends these titles as the best books published in 2022.

By:

ChiPubLib_Adults

Chicago Public Library

26-50 of 100 items

26-50 of 100 items

Demon Copperhead

Demon Copperhead

A Novel

by Kingsolver, Barbara

Book - 2022

Growing up in a trailer home in Appalachia, Damon Fields is orphaned at a young age. Nicknamed Demon Copperhead (the latter because of his red hair), he s...Show more Growing up in a trailer home in Appalachia, Damon Fields is orphaned at a young age. Nicknamed Demon Copperhead (the latter because of his red hair), he struggles with poverty, hunger, foster living and opioid addiction. This page-turning modern retelling of Charles Dickens’s classic David Copperfield is sure to please fans of Tess Gunty's The Rabbit Hutch and Beth Macy's Dopesick. Show less

Growing up in a trailer home in Appalachia, Damon Fields is orphaned at a young age. Nicknamed Demon Copperhead (the latter because of his red hair), he s...Show more Growing up in a trailer home in Appalachia, Damon Fields is orphaned at a young age. Nicknamed Demon Copperhead (the latter because of his red hair), he struggles with poverty, hunger, foster living and opioid addiction. This page-turning modern retelling of Charles Dickens’s classic David Copperfield is sure to please fans of Tess Gunty's The Rabbit Hutch and Beth Macy's Dopesick. Show less

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Devil House

Devil House

by Darnielle, John

Book - 2022

John Darnielle is known for his band The Mountain Goats, but his postmodern novels demonstrate the reach of the singer-songwriter's literary talent. His n...Show more John Darnielle is known for his band The Mountain Goats, but his postmodern novels demonstrate the reach of the singer-songwriter's literary talent. His newest book may be his best yet. Adorned in a stark contrasting black and red cover, it gives off a retro California vibe entrenched in strangeness, seediness and metafiction, much like Darnielle's previous work. True crime author Gage Chandler is writing a book about a murder that took place in his new house - Devil House - years before, at the height of the Satanic Panic. Going back and forth between eras with little distinction, we follow the events of the crimes in small town California as Gage researches and writes his new bestseller. Simultaneously, Gage also reflects on his previous true crime book about a murder that took place 200 miles down the coast, which gained him popularity and acclaim but was viewed as sensationalist by locals. Fictional reimagining of crime is popular these days (Richard Chizmar's recent Chasing the Boogeyman and Tarantino's movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), but Darnielle makes Devil House entirely his own. Recommended for readers who can handle descriptions of violent crime and enjoy unconventional narratives. Show less

John Darnielle is known for his band The Mountain Goats, but his postmodern novels demonstrate the reach of the singer-songwriter's literary talent. His n...Show more John Darnielle is known for his band The Mountain Goats, but his postmodern novels demonstrate the reach of the singer-songwriter's literary talent. His newest book may be his best yet. Adorned in a stark contrasting black and red cover, it gives off a retro California vibe entrenched in strangeness, seediness and metafiction, much like Darnielle's previous work. True crime author Gage Chandler is writing a book about a murder that took place in his new house - Devil House - years before, at the height of the Satanic Panic. Going back and forth between eras with little distinction, we follow the events of the crimes in small town California as Gage researches and writes his new bestseller. Simultaneously, Gage also reflects on his previous true crime book about a murder that took place 200 miles down the coast, which gained him popularity and acclaim but was viewed as sensationalist by locals. Fictional reimagining of crime is popular these days (Richard Chizmar's recent Chasing the Boogeyman and Tarantino's movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), but Darnielle makes Devil House entirely his own. Recommended for readers who can handle descriptions of violent crime and enjoy unconventional narratives. Show less

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Diary of A Misfit

Diary of A Misfit

A Memoir and A Mystery

by Parks, Casey

Book - 2022

Journalist Parks was raised Pentecostal in rural Louisiana with a mother who weaved in and out of opioid abuse. When she came out as queer as a young adul...Show more Journalist Parks was raised Pentecostal in rural Louisiana with a mother who weaved in and out of opioid abuse. When she came out as queer as a young adult, her mother had a strongly negative reaction, but her grandmother, who reacted nonchalantly, was an unlikely ally eventually revealing that once she lived across the street from a woman who lived as a man named Roy Hudgins. After college Parks finds herself in progressive Portland working as a newspaper reporter, but the life of Roy Hudgins continues to intrigue her and over a period of years she continues to travel back to Louisiana to research Roy and also reconcile the complicated feelings she holds about her rural Southern upbringing. Captivating and empathetic, Parks is a gifted storyteller, and her exploration of marginalized queer, poor and rural subjects, make this a standout memoir. Show less

Journalist Parks was raised Pentecostal in rural Louisiana with a mother who weaved in and out of opioid abuse. When she came out as queer as a young adul...Show more Journalist Parks was raised Pentecostal in rural Louisiana with a mother who weaved in and out of opioid abuse. When she came out as queer as a young adult, her mother had a strongly negative reaction, but her grandmother, who reacted nonchalantly, was an unlikely ally eventually revealing that once she lived across the street from a woman who lived as a man named Roy Hudgins. After college Parks finds herself in progressive Portland working as a newspaper reporter, but the life of Roy Hudgins continues to intrigue her and over a period of years she continues to travel back to Louisiana to research Roy and also reconcile the complicated feelings she holds about her rural Southern upbringing. Captivating and empathetic, Parks is a gifted storyteller, and her exploration of marginalized queer, poor and rural subjects, make this a standout memoir. Show less

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Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs

A Novel

by Millet, Lydia

Book - 2022

Recently jilted, Gil moves from New York to Arizona where he becomes friends with the family next door who live in a modern contraption of glass architect...Show more Recently jilted, Gil moves from New York to Arizona where he becomes friends with the family next door who live in a modern contraption of glass architecture that allows him, whether he wants it a not, a glimpse into their domestic lives. Gil befriends their troubled son, who's being bullied, and slowly finds ways to fit into a new community, rebuild his life and make contributions to others. This is a low-key story that reads quickly and would be easy to dismiss if it didn't so carefully earn its insights. Despite its gentle good humor, it marks an arguably radical and refreshing approach to the issue of masculinity in fiction, asking How does one live a good life? Show less

Recently jilted, Gil moves from New York to Arizona where he becomes friends with the family next door who live in a modern contraption of glass architect...Show more Recently jilted, Gil moves from New York to Arizona where he becomes friends with the family next door who live in a modern contraption of glass architecture that allows him, whether he wants it a not, a glimpse into their domestic lives. Gil befriends their troubled son, who's being bullied, and slowly finds ways to fit into a new community, rebuild his life and make contributions to others. This is a low-key story that reads quickly and would be easy to dismiss if it didn't so carefully earn its insights. Despite its gentle good humor, it marks an arguably radical and refreshing approach to the issue of masculinity in fiction, asking How does one live a good life? Show less

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Dr. No

Dr. No

A Novel

by Everett, Percival

Paperback - 2022

Supervillain John Sill wants an unassuming math professor to break into Fort Knox and steal a box of nothing. How does one do this? Find out in Dr. No, th...Show more Supervillain John Sill wants an unassuming math professor to break into Fort Knox and steal a box of nothing. How does one do this? Find out in Dr. No, the latest from Percival Everett, a hilarious look at pop culture from an author who has many faces. The Booker-shortlisted author switches gears after 2021's The Trees and takes the reader on a strange journey with this cerebral yet laugh-out-loud spy thriller parody. Fans of Paul Beatty, Colson Whitehead and Gary Shteyngart are sure to have a blast. Show less

Supervillain John Sill wants an unassuming math professor to break into Fort Knox and steal a box of nothing. How does one do this? Find out in Dr. No, th...Show more Supervillain John Sill wants an unassuming math professor to break into Fort Knox and steal a box of nothing. How does one do this? Find out in Dr. No, the latest from Percival Everett, a hilarious look at pop culture from an author who has many faces. The Booker-shortlisted author switches gears after 2021's The Trees and takes the reader on a strange journey with this cerebral yet laugh-out-loud spy thriller parody. Fans of Paul Beatty, Colson Whitehead and Gary Shteyngart are sure to have a blast. Show less

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Ducks

Ducks

Two Years in the Oil Sands

by Beaton, Kate

Book - 2022

In her first full-length graphic novel, Kate Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant) shares her post-graduate experiences working in the Alberta oil industry. Beaton's m...Show more In her first full-length graphic novel, Kate Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant) shares her post-graduate experiences working in the Alberta oil industry. Beaton's memoir touches on many things both natural and unnatural, including isolation, trauma, and the bleak reality of being a woman in a male-dominated work environment. Though this is a single person's perspective, Ducks provides a view into an industrial work setting sustained in an all-consuming, harsh working environment with a workforce that toils day in and day out to keep it going. The impact of this memoir is only heightened by its graphic novel format. The greyscale palette, inking, and illustrative work add so much to Kate's narrative that would have been difficult to fully articulate in a text-only novel. There are numerous full- and cross-page landscapes of both the industrial oil sands and natural scenes that capture both a sense of place and vastness. Ducks is beautiful, yet very real and unvarnished, a truly immersive memoir with a setting that is not often written about. Be sure to read the afterword for more insight into Beaton's experiences and her writing process. Show less

In her first full-length graphic novel, Kate Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant) shares her post-graduate experiences working in the Alberta oil industry. Beaton's m...Show more In her first full-length graphic novel, Kate Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant) shares her post-graduate experiences working in the Alberta oil industry. Beaton's memoir touches on many things both natural and unnatural, including isolation, trauma, and the bleak reality of being a woman in a male-dominated work environment. Though this is a single person's perspective, Ducks provides a view into an industrial work setting sustained in an all-consuming, harsh working environment with a workforce that toils day in and day out to keep it going. The impact of this memoir is only heightened by its graphic novel format. The greyscale palette, inking, and illustrative work add so much to Kate's narrative that would have been difficult to fully articulate in a text-only novel. There are numerous full- and cross-page landscapes of both the industrial oil sands and natural scenes that capture both a sense of place and vastness. Ducks is beautiful, yet very real and unvarnished, a truly immersive memoir with a setting that is not often written about. Be sure to read the afterword for more insight into Beaton's experiences and her writing process. Show less

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Easy Beauty

Easy Beauty

A Memoir

by Cooper Jones, Chloé

Book - 2022

In this thought-provoking memoir, a balm for anyone who has been othered by strangers, a young Brooklyn-based writer and philosophy professor grapples wit...Show more In this thought-provoking memoir, a balm for anyone who has been othered by strangers, a young Brooklyn-based writer and philosophy professor grapples with her disability and the way she is seen by the outside world. Born with sacral agenesis, a deformity of the spine, Cooper Jones walks differently than most, which prompts unwelcome comments from the public at large and even those she considers friends. When a seemingly innocent conversation with philosophy student friends at a bar turns to an ugly inquiry into her right to exist, Jones enters a mental space she calls The Neutral Room, a place of detachment and retreat. Seeking a healthier way to internalize unsolicited feedback, Jones embarks on a series of trips where she interrogates the meaning of "Easy Beauty," including a trip to the Galleria Borghese in Rome, a Beyoncé concert in Milan, a tennis tournament in California, and a film festival in Utah. Fans of memoir and armchair travel will enjoy Jones's intimate story and evocative prose. Show less

In this thought-provoking memoir, a balm for anyone who has been othered by strangers, a young Brooklyn-based writer and philosophy professor grapples wit...Show more In this thought-provoking memoir, a balm for anyone who has been othered by strangers, a young Brooklyn-based writer and philosophy professor grapples with her disability and the way she is seen by the outside world. Born with sacral agenesis, a deformity of the spine, Cooper Jones walks differently than most, which prompts unwelcome comments from the public at large and even those she considers friends. When a seemingly innocent conversation with philosophy student friends at a bar turns to an ugly inquiry into her right to exist, Jones enters a mental space she calls The Neutral Room, a place of detachment and retreat. Seeking a healthier way to internalize unsolicited feedback, Jones embarks on a series of trips where she interrogates the meaning of "Easy Beauty," including a trip to the Galleria Borghese in Rome, a Beyoncé concert in Milan, a tennis tournament in California, and a film festival in Utah. Fans of memoir and armchair travel will enjoy Jones's intimate story and evocative prose. Show less

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Eating to Extinction

Eating to Extinction

The World's Rarest Foods and Why We Need to Save Them

by Saladino, Dan

Book - 2022

Over the past few decades, advances in science and technology, along with globalization, have led to a drastic reduction in the variety of foods that huma...Show more Over the past few decades, advances in science and technology, along with globalization, have led to a drastic reduction in the variety of foods that humans eat. While it may seem like our food choices have never been greater, the variety of ingredients has been shrinking dramatically. This lack of biodiversity could have drastic consequences for our future. Dan Saladino takes readers around the world, in search of food sources and ingredients that we are in grave danger of losing, and some that we already have. From the Kazakhstan forest where the apple was born, to the Hadza people in Tanzania, who communicate with a bird to hunt out wild honey, readers are taken on a journey through the history of humanity's relationship with food, and given a look at what the future might hold if we don't preserve the vital biodiversity of our food. Show less

Over the past few decades, advances in science and technology, along with globalization, have led to a drastic reduction in the variety of foods that huma...Show more Over the past few decades, advances in science and technology, along with globalization, have led to a drastic reduction in the variety of foods that humans eat. While it may seem like our food choices have never been greater, the variety of ingredients has been shrinking dramatically. This lack of biodiversity could have drastic consequences for our future. Dan Saladino takes readers around the world, in search of food sources and ingredients that we are in grave danger of losing, and some that we already have. From the Kazakhstan forest where the apple was born, to the Hadza people in Tanzania, who communicate with a bird to hunt out wild honey, readers are taken on a journey through the history of humanity's relationship with food, and given a look at what the future might hold if we don't preserve the vital biodiversity of our food. Show less

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Either/or

Either/or

by Batuman, Elif

Book - 2022

Batuman's sequel to The Idiot (which is required reading in order to fully enjoy this follow-up) picks up where The Idiot left off. Summer is over and Sel...Show more Batuman's sequel to The Idiot (which is required reading in order to fully enjoy this follow-up) picks up where The Idiot left off. Summer is over and Selin is back at Harvard for her sophomore year. Her former love interest Ivan remains on the periphery as Selin approaches her entire existence, not just academics, as a sort of rigorous intellectual pursuit. The lack of plot and traditional narrative arc will frustrate some readers, but the exceptionally intelligent and incisively funny Selin continues to be a compelling voice. Many readers will wonder if Batuman's project is one of autofiction and if the project has concluded or will continue with a third volume, perhaps picking up junior year. Fans of literary and cultural criticism will be enamored with Batuman's work. Show less

Batuman's sequel to The Idiot (which is required reading in order to fully enjoy this follow-up) picks up where The Idiot left off. Summer is over and Sel...Show more Batuman's sequel to The Idiot (which is required reading in order to fully enjoy this follow-up) picks up where The Idiot left off. Summer is over and Selin is back at Harvard for her sophomore year. Her former love interest Ivan remains on the periphery as Selin approaches her entire existence, not just academics, as a sort of rigorous intellectual pursuit. The lack of plot and traditional narrative arc will frustrate some readers, but the exceptionally intelligent and incisively funny Selin continues to be a compelling voice. Many readers will wonder if Batuman's project is one of autofiction and if the project has concluded or will continue with a third volume, perhaps picking up junior year. Fans of literary and cultural criticism will be enamored with Batuman's work. Show less

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The Emergency

The Emergency

A Year of Healing and Heartbreak in A Chicago ER

by Fisher, Thomas, (Board-certified emergency medicine physician)

Book - 2022

Hospital emergency rooms are often treated as the stuff of medical drama in pop culture, but reality is another matter. In his sobering new book, Thomas F...Show more Hospital emergency rooms are often treated as the stuff of medical drama in pop culture, but reality is another matter. In his sobering new book, Thomas Fisher draws on a remarkable career to express the deep frustration with the American health care system experienced by E.R. doctors. In alternating chapters, he narrates typical days in his work as an E.R. doctor at the University of Chicago in Hyde Park, then writes "letters" to patients he was only able to see briefly. In these letters, he pours out long, insightful explanations about why the patient received the care that they received - why they waited so long, why the doctor had so little time to spend with them, why their options were limited. Fisher also shares a bit about the impact of this work on his life and relationships, but his service ideals are always front and center. Readers should note that although much of this book takes place during the COVID pandemic, COVID is not the focus here. The state of American medical care is, and the author makes clear that "the emergency" of the title clearly predates the pandemic. This is yet another recent example of the vibrant publishing scene rooted in Chicago's South Side culture, and it is sure to be one of the more important health care books of the season. Show less

Hospital emergency rooms are often treated as the stuff of medical drama in pop culture, but reality is another matter. In his sobering new book, Thomas F...Show more Hospital emergency rooms are often treated as the stuff of medical drama in pop culture, but reality is another matter. In his sobering new book, Thomas Fisher draws on a remarkable career to express the deep frustration with the American health care system experienced by E.R. doctors. In alternating chapters, he narrates typical days in his work as an E.R. doctor at the University of Chicago in Hyde Park, then writes "letters" to patients he was only able to see briefly. In these letters, he pours out long, insightful explanations about why the patient received the care that they received - why they waited so long, why the doctor had so little time to spend with them, why their options were limited. Fisher also shares a bit about the impact of this work on his life and relationships, but his service ideals are always front and center. Readers should note that although much of this book takes place during the COVID pandemic, COVID is not the focus here. The state of American medical care is, and the author makes clear that "the emergency" of the title clearly predates the pandemic. This is yet another recent example of the vibrant publishing scene rooted in Chicago's South Side culture, and it is sure to be one of the more important health care books of the season. Show less

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Every Good Boy Does Fine

Every Good Boy Does Fine

A Love Story, in Music Lessons

by Denk, Jeremy

Book - 2022

Concert pianist Jeremy Denk crafts a beautiful memoir out of a lifetime of music lessons. As a child prodigy (both musically and academically), he was tra...Show more Concert pianist Jeremy Denk crafts a beautiful memoir out of a lifetime of music lessons. As a child prodigy (both musically and academically), he was tracked into a regimen of long hours of practice and study. With so much of his life devoted to the piano, his teachers took up a large and unusually important place in his life, and his memoir relates tales of the triumphs and many ego-bruising humiliations he experienced in the course of study, not to mention the inspiration he took from them along the way. Sprinkled throughout the book, he shares his own lessons about musical concepts such as melody, harmony, and rhythm, illustrated with examples from great composers like Bach, Beethoven and Brahms that may inspire you to seek recordings. Deftly written with a vivid gift for metaphor, an appealing sense of humor and a sharp wit, this is a love letter to the bond between music teachers and students that conveys a deep love of classical music. Show less

Concert pianist Jeremy Denk crafts a beautiful memoir out of a lifetime of music lessons. As a child prodigy (both musically and academically), he was tra...Show more Concert pianist Jeremy Denk crafts a beautiful memoir out of a lifetime of music lessons. As a child prodigy (both musically and academically), he was tracked into a regimen of long hours of practice and study. With so much of his life devoted to the piano, his teachers took up a large and unusually important place in his life, and his memoir relates tales of the triumphs and many ego-bruising humiliations he experienced in the course of study, not to mention the inspiration he took from them along the way. Sprinkled throughout the book, he shares his own lessons about musical concepts such as melody, harmony, and rhythm, illustrated with examples from great composers like Bach, Beethoven and Brahms that may inspire you to seek recordings. Deftly written with a vivid gift for metaphor, an appealing sense of humor and a sharp wit, this is a love letter to the bond between music teachers and students that conveys a deep love of classical music. Show less

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Fellowship Point

Fellowship Point

A Novel

by Dark, Alice Elliott

Book - 2022

Agnes and Polly, two women in their later years, couldn't be more different from each other, but their friendship has stood the test of time. Everything f...Show more Agnes and Polly, two women in their later years, couldn't be more different from each other, but their friendship has stood the test of time. Everything from personal secrets to life-altering events has intertwined their lives. As decades unravel through a story about the past within a story about the future, various themes - including nature, what it means to own something, women's roles and the lengths of familial and romantic love - are deeply examined through well-defined characters who understand the importance of learning as life moves on. The history of visiting Fellowship Point each summer is what ties the families together, but self-discovery ends up being the heart of a place they hold dear. Everyday life is examined in this enlightening contemporary novel and will appeal to fans of all-encompassing literary fiction. Show less

Agnes and Polly, two women in their later years, couldn't be more different from each other, but their friendship has stood the test of time. Everything f...Show more Agnes and Polly, two women in their later years, couldn't be more different from each other, but their friendship has stood the test of time. Everything from personal secrets to life-altering events has intertwined their lives. As decades unravel through a story about the past within a story about the future, various themes - including nature, what it means to own something, women's roles and the lengths of familial and romantic love - are deeply examined through well-defined characters who understand the importance of learning as life moves on. The history of visiting Fellowship Point each summer is what ties the families together, but self-discovery ends up being the heart of a place they hold dear. Everyday life is examined in this enlightening contemporary novel and will appeal to fans of all-encompassing literary fiction. Show less

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Finding Me

Finding Me

by Davis, Viola

Book - 2022

Davis, the first African American to win the "Triple Crown of Acting," recounts intimate details about her heartbreaking yet triumphant path to ...Show more Davis, the first African American to win the "Triple Crown of Acting," recounts intimate details about her heartbreaking yet triumphant path to find purpose and discover her voice in an unkind and unfamiliar world. Poverty, racism, acts of domestic abuse, and molestation in Central Falls, Rhode Island, plagued Viola's childhood. Still she thrived due to the close bond and tremendous support from educators, acting coaches, and friends. She encourages readers to look back and embrace childhood dreams or failures, let go of shame, then move forward to become the best version of themselves. During Viola's early years, she experienced such a shaky past and could not understand self-love. She never felt worthy of many accomplishments. However, acting became a vehicle that helped her release childhood trauma during her teenage years. Viola wrote this book for "anyone running through life untethered, desperate and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get to some form of self-love." Show less

Davis, the first African American to win the "Triple Crown of Acting," recounts intimate details about her heartbreaking yet triumphant path to ...Show more Davis, the first African American to win the "Triple Crown of Acting," recounts intimate details about her heartbreaking yet triumphant path to find purpose and discover her voice in an unkind and unfamiliar world. Poverty, racism, acts of domestic abuse, and molestation in Central Falls, Rhode Island, plagued Viola's childhood. Still she thrived due to the close bond and tremendous support from educators, acting coaches, and friends. She encourages readers to look back and embrace childhood dreams or failures, let go of shame, then move forward to become the best version of themselves. During Viola's early years, she experienced such a shaky past and could not understand self-love. She never felt worthy of many accomplishments. However, acting became a vehicle that helped her release childhood trauma during her teenage years. Viola wrote this book for "anyone running through life untethered, desperate and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get to some form of self-love." Show less

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The Furrows

The Furrows

An Elegy : A Novel

by Serpell, Namwali

Book - 2022

In Serpell's keenly observed, shapeshifting meditation on grief, Cee harbors the emotional weight of the loss of her brother Wayne, who died in her care w...Show more In Serpell's keenly observed, shapeshifting meditation on grief, Cee harbors the emotional weight of the loss of her brother Wayne, who died in her care when she was 12 and he was 7. The novel begins with Cee recounting the circumstances of Wayne's death, but in keeping with the surreal nature of loss, the location and means of death change. First Wayne drowns on a beach, then gets hit by a car, then disappears from a carousel. Cee wonders where Wayne is as her parents and grandparents begin to process the situation, the fact that the body was never found complicating matters. Her father presses Cee for concrete answers, eventually leaving the family, while her mother insists that Wayne is missing, not dead, going on to create Vigil, an organization dedicated to missing children. As an adult, Cee begins to have encounters with young men resembling Wayne in dreamlike scenarios that end in disaster. The second half of the novel adds a layer that turns what the reader learned earlier on its head. Fans of Jesmyn Ward and Jacqueline Woodson will enjoy this introspective, heartfelt novel. Show less

In Serpell's keenly observed, shapeshifting meditation on grief, Cee harbors the emotional weight of the loss of her brother Wayne, who died in her care w...Show more In Serpell's keenly observed, shapeshifting meditation on grief, Cee harbors the emotional weight of the loss of her brother Wayne, who died in her care when she was 12 and he was 7. The novel begins with Cee recounting the circumstances of Wayne's death, but in keeping with the surreal nature of loss, the location and means of death change. First Wayne drowns on a beach, then gets hit by a car, then disappears from a carousel. Cee wonders where Wayne is as her parents and grandparents begin to process the situation, the fact that the body was never found complicating matters. Her father presses Cee for concrete answers, eventually leaving the family, while her mother insists that Wayne is missing, not dead, going on to create Vigil, an organization dedicated to missing children. As an adult, Cee begins to have encounters with young men resembling Wayne in dreamlike scenarios that end in disaster. The second half of the novel adds a layer that turns what the reader learned earlier on its head. Fans of Jesmyn Ward and Jacqueline Woodson will enjoy this introspective, heartfelt novel. Show less

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The Golden Enclaves

The Golden Enclaves

A Novel

by Novik, Naomi

Book - 2022

The wait for the final book in the spectacular Scholomance trilogy is finally over. El is possibly the most dangerous dark wizard in a generation, except ...Show more The wait for the final book in the spectacular Scholomance trilogy is finally over. El is possibly the most dangerous dark wizard in a generation, except she doesn't actually want to spend her life enslaving armies and setting off super volcanoes. In a school where only half the students survive through graduation, she has to find a way to use her powers to save her fellow young magicians, instead of destroying them. Anyone who wants to spend some time in a more diverse, witty, and dangerous magical school than Hogwarts needs to pick up this series as soon as possible. Show less

The wait for the final book in the spectacular Scholomance trilogy is finally over. El is possibly the most dangerous dark wizard in a generation, except ...Show more The wait for the final book in the spectacular Scholomance trilogy is finally over. El is possibly the most dangerous dark wizard in a generation, except she doesn't actually want to spend her life enslaving armies and setting off super volcanoes. In a school where only half the students survive through graduation, she has to find a way to use her powers to save her fellow young magicians, instead of destroying them. Anyone who wants to spend some time in a more diverse, witty, and dangerous magical school than Hogwarts needs to pick up this series as soon as possible. Show less

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Grey Bees

Grey Bees

by Kurkov, Andreĭ

Paperback - 2022

Ukrainian author Kurkov's novel opens in a tiny village in the "Grey Zone," the border between Pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian troops wher...Show more Ukrainian author Kurkov's novel opens in a tiny village in the "Grey Zone," the border between Pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian troops where only two of the village's residents remain trying to eke out a survival in their war-ravaged town. Divorced beekeeper Sergey and his lifelong "frenemy" Pashka are trying to get by without electricity and limited access to food in the midst of intermittent shelling. Eventually Sergey sets out with his bees to find a better environment for them to thrive. He first passes through a larger town where he forges a relationship with a widowed shopkeeper and then moves onto Crimea in search of Akhten, a fellow beekeeper he befriended at a beekeeping conference. Grey Bees is a spare, touching tale laced with gentle humor about the inhumanity of war. Andrey's characters are very well-drawn, both exhausted by their dire circumstances but also able to find meaning in simple joys and small moments. Kurkov is a well-known novelist in his native Ukraine and deserves to be read by a wider audience. Show less

Ukrainian author Kurkov's novel opens in a tiny village in the "Grey Zone," the border between Pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian troops wher...Show more Ukrainian author Kurkov's novel opens in a tiny village in the "Grey Zone," the border between Pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian troops where only two of the village's residents remain trying to eke out a survival in their war-ravaged town. Divorced beekeeper Sergey and his lifelong "frenemy" Pashka are trying to get by without electricity and limited access to food in the midst of intermittent shelling. Eventually Sergey sets out with his bees to find a better environment for them to thrive. He first passes through a larger town where he forges a relationship with a widowed shopkeeper and then moves onto Crimea in search of Akhten, a fellow beekeeper he befriended at a beekeeping conference. Grey Bees is a spare, touching tale laced with gentle humor about the inhumanity of war. Andrey's characters are very well-drawn, both exhausted by their dire circumstances but also able to find meaning in simple joys and small moments. Kurkov is a well-known novelist in his native Ukraine and deserves to be read by a wider audience. Show less

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The Grimkes

The Grimkes

The Legacy of Slavery in An American Family

by Greenidge, Kerri K.

Book - 2023

Sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimke left South Carolina for Philadelphia in the 1820s and became noted abolitionists while their brother Henry remained behi...Show more Sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimke left South Carolina for Philadelphia in the 1820s and became noted abolitionists while their brother Henry remained behind and fathered several children with an enslaved woman. Historian Greenidge brings this fascinating American extended family to life and probes the hypocrisy of white abolitionists who focused on personal redemption, but Greenidge also explores the ways in which Henry’s children (which included a co-founder of the DC chapter of the NAACP) carried on racist attitudes as well. Expertly tracing a century of family history, the author has created a blend of history and family biography teeming with insight. Show less

Sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimke left South Carolina for Philadelphia in the 1820s and became noted abolitionists while their brother Henry remained behi...Show more Sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimke left South Carolina for Philadelphia in the 1820s and became noted abolitionists while their brother Henry remained behind and fathered several children with an enslaved woman. Historian Greenidge brings this fascinating American extended family to life and probes the hypocrisy of white abolitionists who focused on personal redemption, but Greenidge also explores the ways in which Henry’s children (which included a co-founder of the DC chapter of the NAACP) carried on racist attitudes as well. Expertly tracing a century of family history, the author has created a blend of history and family biography teeming with insight. Show less

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The Hacienda

The Hacienda

by Cañas, Isabel

Book - 2022

In this mix of classic gothic tale and historical fiction set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, Beatriz's father, a general, is execute...Show more In this mix of classic gothic tale and historical fiction set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, Beatriz's father, a general, is executed and her home set on fire as the fight for Mexican independence from Spain comes to a close. She must marry, and fast. Getting a wealthy, well-respected husband is the only way she can provide for her family. Given her circumstances, she cannot be picky, and thinks herself lucky to get a seemingly normal man with a large estate. As she makes the hacienda her home she finds deep dark secrets at every turn. Her only ally as she fights the darkness and tries to get to the bottom of all these secrets is Andres, a most peculiar priest. But this priest has secrets of his own, secrets that, in fear of the Inquisition, he's kept well buried - until now. Exploring themes such as the Mexican caste system and the plight of women in a newly independent country, this book is perfect for readers of gothic novels, period dramas, and fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Show less

In this mix of classic gothic tale and historical fiction set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, Beatriz's father, a general, is execute...Show more In this mix of classic gothic tale and historical fiction set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, Beatriz's father, a general, is executed and her home set on fire as the fight for Mexican independence from Spain comes to a close. She must marry, and fast. Getting a wealthy, well-respected husband is the only way she can provide for her family. Given her circumstances, she cannot be picky, and thinks herself lucky to get a seemingly normal man with a large estate. As she makes the hacienda her home she finds deep dark secrets at every turn. Her only ally as she fights the darkness and tries to get to the bottom of all these secrets is Andres, a most peculiar priest. But this priest has secrets of his own, secrets that, in fear of the Inquisition, he's kept well buried - until now. Exploring themes such as the Mexican caste system and the plight of women in a newly independent country, this book is perfect for readers of gothic novels, period dramas, and fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Show less

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Half American

Half American

The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad

by Delmont, Matthew F.

Book - 2022

In this vivid account written with a flair for narrative interest, historian Delmont takes inventory of the role of over a million Black men and women who...Show more In this vivid account written with a flair for narrative interest, historian Delmont takes inventory of the role of over a million Black men and women who served during World War II. Some leaders framed the effort as a fight for a double victory - victory over fascism abroad and over racism at home. Delmont shows the persistent discrimination faced during the war (German prisoners of war were often treated better) while soldiers hoped that their role would ultimately lead to advances in civil rights at home after the war. Delmont spotlights the contributions of contingents such as the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the 761st "Black Panther" Tank Battalion, among many other heroic examples. A definitive account of the significant role African Americans played during WWII. Show less

In this vivid account written with a flair for narrative interest, historian Delmont takes inventory of the role of over a million Black men and women who...Show more In this vivid account written with a flair for narrative interest, historian Delmont takes inventory of the role of over a million Black men and women who served during World War II. Some leaders framed the effort as a fight for a double victory - victory over fascism abroad and over racism at home. Delmont shows the persistent discrimination faced during the war (German prisoners of war were often treated better) while soldiers hoped that their role would ultimately lead to advances in civil rights at home after the war. Delmont spotlights the contributions of contingents such as the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the 761st "Black Panther" Tank Battalion, among many other heroic examples. A definitive account of the significant role African Americans played during WWII. Show less

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The Hero of This Book

The Hero of This Book

A Novel

by McCracken, Elizabeth

Book - 2022

A writer takes a trip to London less than a year after her beloved mother dies in this short, funny novel which is also something of a grief memoir and so...Show more A writer takes a trip to London less than a year after her beloved mother dies in this short, funny novel which is also something of a grief memoir and something like the type of autofiction she lectures her students not to write. But in McCracken’s hands, this portrait of a mother-daughter relationship is moving, insightful, witty and funny, not to mention a brilliant blend of genres. Show less

A writer takes a trip to London less than a year after her beloved mother dies in this short, funny novel which is also something of a grief memoir and so...Show more A writer takes a trip to London less than a year after her beloved mother dies in this short, funny novel which is also something of a grief memoir and something like the type of autofiction she lectures her students not to write. But in McCracken’s hands, this portrait of a mother-daughter relationship is moving, insightful, witty and funny, not to mention a brilliant blend of genres. Show less

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The High Desert

The High Desert

Black. Punk. Nowhere. : A Memoir

by Spooner, James

Book - 2022

This memoir presents an aspect of the Black experience that is not often discussed in contemporary media: Black punk rock. Readers are invited to consider...Show more This memoir presents an aspect of the Black experience that is not often discussed in contemporary media: Black punk rock. Readers are invited to consider what it means to be "Black," and Spooner gives flowers to the overlooked Black artists of punk culture. The illustrations drive the story effectively and reflect the identity and social struggles faced by young adults once they become aware of the social construct of race and the ways it impacts their daily lives. Highly recommended. Show less

This memoir presents an aspect of the Black experience that is not often discussed in contemporary media: Black punk rock. Readers are invited to consider...Show more This memoir presents an aspect of the Black experience that is not often discussed in contemporary media: Black punk rock. Readers are invited to consider what it means to be "Black," and Spooner gives flowers to the overlooked Black artists of punk culture. The illustrations drive the story effectively and reflect the identity and social struggles faced by young adults once they become aware of the social construct of race and the ways it impacts their daily lives. Highly recommended. Show less

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The Hurting Kind

The Hurting Kind

by Limón, Ada

Book - 2022

The latest from poet laureate Limón is an introspective collection binding Limón's life experiences with observations in the natural world. Attuned to the...Show more The latest from poet laureate Limón is an introspective collection binding Limón's life experiences with observations in the natural world. Attuned to the seasons, Limón delves into memories of childhood and aging, friends, family, and ancestral connections. Moving back and forth through the past and even into pandemic experiences, this collection has a soothing ebb and flow to it even in its rawer moments. These poems draw the reader into new perspectives, finding bits of humanity reflected in nature's surfaces, the movements of living beings ranging from the minuscule to the vast, and the sensations of the elements we all experience. Even though this collection is deeply rooted in Limón's life experiences and reflections, the bridges built between human and natural experiences are very much universal in their tune. From purple spiderwort flowers in the ditch's mud to a joke told in a sunbeam, Limón has created a unique space in this collection that will awaken your senses as you reflect on your own surroundings. Life is complex, intricate, and at times harsh, and what better way to experience it than through the natural world we are simultaneously part of and seemingly disconnected from. The Hurting Kind reveals connections that feel innate, yet somehow untrodden. This would be a great book discussion title and is a collection to revisit in solitude as the seasons change. Show less

The latest from poet laureate Limón is an introspective collection binding Limón's life experiences with observations in the natural world. Attuned to the...Show more The latest from poet laureate Limón is an introspective collection binding Limón's life experiences with observations in the natural world. Attuned to the seasons, Limón delves into memories of childhood and aging, friends, family, and ancestral connections. Moving back and forth through the past and even into pandemic experiences, this collection has a soothing ebb and flow to it even in its rawer moments. These poems draw the reader into new perspectives, finding bits of humanity reflected in nature's surfaces, the movements of living beings ranging from the minuscule to the vast, and the sensations of the elements we all experience. Even though this collection is deeply rooted in Limón's life experiences and reflections, the bridges built between human and natural experiences are very much universal in their tune. From purple spiderwort flowers in the ditch's mud to a joke told in a sunbeam, Limón has created a unique space in this collection that will awaken your senses as you reflect on your own surroundings. Life is complex, intricate, and at times harsh, and what better way to experience it than through the natural world we are simultaneously part of and seemingly disconnected from. The Hurting Kind reveals connections that feel innate, yet somehow untrodden. This would be a great book discussion title and is a collection to revisit in solitude as the seasons change. Show less

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If I Survive You

If I Survive You

by Escoffery, Jonathan

Book - 2022

In this debut collection of linked short stories (nominated for the National Book Award for fiction), Escoffery brings to life a proud Jamaican-American f...Show more In this debut collection of linked short stories (nominated for the National Book Award for fiction), Escoffery brings to life a proud Jamaican-American family in the Miami area. Trelawny, the bookish son, struggles to find a place. After Hurricane Andrew's devastation displaces the family, his peers in schools mistake him as Dominican or see him as somehow not Black enough, but later when he arrives in the Midwest for college he is treated as unquestionably Black; yet when he visits his family's homeland he is seen as no-longer Jamaican. His cousin Cukie is sent as a teen to meet his estranged father on the coast and learn the lobster trapping trade from him. And Trelawney's older brother, the seemingly most-favored child Delano who swaggers with all the confidence Trelawney lacks, dreams of being a musician. Perfect for readers who enjoyed Edwidge Dantcat's Everything inside, Dantiel Moniz's Milk Blood Heat or Bryan Washington's Lot, these stories are written with verve and uncommon skill. Show less

In this debut collection of linked short stories (nominated for the National Book Award for fiction), Escoffery brings to life a proud Jamaican-American f...Show more In this debut collection of linked short stories (nominated for the National Book Award for fiction), Escoffery brings to life a proud Jamaican-American family in the Miami area. Trelawny, the bookish son, struggles to find a place. After Hurricane Andrew's devastation displaces the family, his peers in schools mistake him as Dominican or see him as somehow not Black enough, but later when he arrives in the Midwest for college he is treated as unquestionably Black; yet when he visits his family's homeland he is seen as no-longer Jamaican. His cousin Cukie is sent as a teen to meet his estranged father on the coast and learn the lobster trapping trade from him. And Trelawney's older brother, the seemingly most-favored child Delano who swaggers with all the confidence Trelawney lacks, dreams of being a musician. Perfect for readers who enjoyed Edwidge Dantcat's Everything inside, Dantiel Moniz's Milk Blood Heat or Bryan Washington's Lot, these stories are written with verve and uncommon skill. Show less

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An Immense World

An Immense World

How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us

by Yong, Ed

Paperback - 2022

Yong's overview of sensory perception in the animal kingdom is a stunning tour de force of science writing. Organized by senses, this lively and sprawling...Show more Yong's overview of sensory perception in the animal kingdom is a stunning tour de force of science writing. Organized by senses, this lively and sprawling inventory goes far beyond the mere five that we humans are most experienced with, and he challenges his readers to imagine the world as animals experience them (using, for example, chemical, electrical and magnetic senses we lack). There are animals you'd expect to see featured here like bats and mole-rats but also starfish, elephants, catfish and several impressive species of insects, to name a few. Including cutting-edge research and Yong's exceptional explanatory skills, this is likely to stand as the definitive introduction on the topic for many years to come. Nature lovers, this is a feast you won't want to miss. Show less

Yong's overview of sensory perception in the animal kingdom is a stunning tour de force of science writing. Organized by senses, this lively and sprawling...Show more Yong's overview of sensory perception in the animal kingdom is a stunning tour de force of science writing. Organized by senses, this lively and sprawling inventory goes far beyond the mere five that we humans are most experienced with, and he challenges his readers to imagine the world as animals experience them (using, for example, chemical, electrical and magnetic senses we lack). There are animals you'd expect to see featured here like bats and mole-rats but also starfish, elephants, catfish and several impressive species of insects, to name a few. Including cutting-edge research and Yong's exceptional explanatory skills, this is likely to stand as the definitive introduction on the topic for many years to come. Nature lovers, this is a feast you won't want to miss. Show less

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In Love

In Love

A Memoir of Love and Loss

by Bloom, Amy

Book - 2022

In this short memoir by acclaimed novelist Bloom, she details a tragic yet beautiful love story. When her husband Brian was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he...Show more In this short memoir by acclaimed novelist Bloom, she details a tragic yet beautiful love story. When her husband Brian was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he ultimately decided to pursue assisted suicide. Bloom resisted but ultimately acceded to his wishes, and this book is the story of their late-in-life love affair (it was not the first marriage for either one of them), his diagnosis, and their arduous search for help. Her love of Brian shines through in writing that is heartbreaking, yet her bracing honesty about herself and her relationship can be surprisingly funny. You'll leave feeling you know this charming couple like close friends and convinced that they honored their love to the very end. Show less

In this short memoir by acclaimed novelist Bloom, she details a tragic yet beautiful love story. When her husband Brian was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he...Show more In this short memoir by acclaimed novelist Bloom, she details a tragic yet beautiful love story. When her husband Brian was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he ultimately decided to pursue assisted suicide. Bloom resisted but ultimately acceded to his wishes, and this book is the story of their late-in-life love affair (it was not the first marriage for either one of them), his diagnosis, and their arduous search for help. Her love of Brian shines through in writing that is heartbreaking, yet her bracing honesty about herself and her relationship can be surprisingly funny. You'll leave feeling you know this charming couple like close friends and convinced that they honored their love to the very end. Show less

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