The Library Book by Susan Orlean

Title: The Library Book

Author: Susan Orlean

Genre: True Crime, Journalism, Libraries

Here is a non-fiction, true crime suspense that reads like great fiction. Investigative journalist and author Susan Orlean tells the story of the seven hour fire that destroyed almost three quarters of the collection of the Los Angeles Public Library on April 28, 1986. She delves into the unique characters of the library's history and the world of librarianship and then into the history of Harry Peak's 'fumbling' possible involvement in the fire. She leaves no stone unturned so that the reader gets the most detailed and wide-ranging context for the fire in the history of the Los Angeles Public Library. The narrative from beginning to end is spellbinding and will leave you wanting to read more from Orlean as well as to visit and appreciate your local library again.

- Elizabeth

Check out The Library Book @ the library.

Vox by Christina Dalcher

Title: Vox

Author: Christina Dalcher

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian

Think of the number of words  you say in a given day. How would having a limit affect how you use them? In Christina Dalcher's book, Vox, America's latest political regime has decreed that females are not allowed more than 100 words per day - a far cry from the average 16,000 words they were used to. Add to that, women no longer have the same rights as men. Girls are no longer taught the same subjects. The new dichotomy for the sexes is clear, cold, and unforgiving. 

For Dr. Jean McClellan, a woman who has spent her life researching a cure for brain/speech issues, abiding by these new rules is especially hard. She and her fellow scientists were close to a cure, but she was forced to abandon her work - until the brother of the religious leader touting the changes has a problem with being able to talk. 

Will Jean help the man who is responsible for so much pain?  Can she find her voice and a voice for the rest of the female nation before it is silenced altogether? Pick up Vox at your local library to see.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes novels about dystopian futures - and especially for those who enjoyed Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. 

- Sarah R.

Check out Vox @ the library.

Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler

Title: Shotgun Lovesongs

Author: Nickolas Butler

Genre: Fiction

Shotgun Lovesongs follows the lives of a group of friends as they grow older. The story is set in rural Wisconsin and really brings that small town feel. Main character Lee has found success as a rock star and still maintains relationships with the guys he grew up with. Along for the ride is Beth, a woman who grew up with them. The differences and similarities in the group of friends shine as more is revealed about their past and present lives. This is an excellent novel to curl up with as the temperatures start to drop.

- Jamie

Check out Shotgun Lovesongs @ the library.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Author: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Genre: Historical Fiction

This story starts in January of 1946 and is told entirely through a series of letters. The majority of the missives are sent to/from Juliet Ashton, a British writer. Juliet had a successful wartime series, but is now looking to start a serious project. A letter out of the blue ends up inspiring her to visit Guernsey, a British island that was occupied by the Nazis during WWII. As Juliet gets drawn into the daily life of Guernsey and its inhabitants, she finds much more than the inspiration for her book.

The characters are what really shine through for this story. You can picture the people - you may even know someone in your acquaintance that comes to mind as they're described. 

As a bonus, because part of the tale is about a book club, you may be inspired to read some of the mentioned titles after this one!

- Sarah R.

Check out The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society @ the library.