Educated by Tara Westover

Title: Educated

Author: Tara Westover

Genre: Memoir

When a person learns of Tara Westover's educational accomplishments, they wouldn't suspect that she never attended school like most children. A hard knock life is probably a fair description of her life. Living as off the grid as possible and prepping for doomsday was her normal. There are lots of stories of her midwife mom, her junkyard dad, and her brothers and sister as they grow up with a strict religious background. 

It also follows her gradual introduction to the world of academia and its influence on her life. Her many stories about her family, her experiences, and her path to higher education make you wonder how one person could go through so much. 

- Sarah R.

Check out Educated @ the library.

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Title: It's Kind of a Funny Story
Author: Ned Vizzini
Genera: Realistic Fiction

Craig is depressed.

Craig has a normal life. He has friends and a supportive family. He got into an exclusive high school, and now feels like he can't keep up. That's why he needs to hide in the bathroom at parties. That's why he sees a shrink. That's why he takes Zoloft.

But it's still hard.

Sometimes he can't eat, it just comes back up. Sometimes he can't get out of bed to do the things he needs to do, he just lays there. Sometimes he doesn't know how to say how he feels, or that there are tentacles pulling him down. Sometimes he wonders what it might be like to end it all.

The night he plans on going through with it, he finds the number for a hotline. The woman on the other end encourages him to check into a hospital to get the help he needs. That's how he ends up at North 6, with the other people how need to be observed before they can go back to a more normal life. With the help of the other residents of North 6, as well as his family and medical professionals, Craig finds out that life is really worth living. No matter what was bringing him down before, there is a reason for him to be alive.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, It's Kind of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini is going to be part of a Community Read. You are invited to read the book and join us in a variety of programs making our communities mental health an issue we discuss. Craig's story give us a glimpse into the workings of a depressed mind, and raises understating about mental health issues.

There will be events surrounding the book throughout the month of May, so check out the our website over at: www.westalliswi.gov/communityread. A community book discussion will be held on May 18th at 10 AM over at City Hall, and copies of the book will be available throughout West Allis at little free libraries, in addition to the copies the library has for check out.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, please do not hesitate to call the National Hopeline at 1-800-784-2433. Help is always available and your life is worth living.

-Katie H

Check out It's Kind of a Funny Story @ the library.

Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal

Title: Unmarriageable

Author: Soniah Kamal

Genre: Romance, Retellings

Fans of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, rejoice! Here is a page-turner of a retelling of her beloved classic. Head to India and meet the ill-fated Binat family. Alys Binat is the second of five daughters and she teaches English at the local school. Despite her mother's efforts, she has reached the age of 29 without finding a suitable marriage partner. Her luck and the luck of her sisters may be about to change when the Binats are invited to a prestigious wedding to which eligible bachelors Fahad “Bungles” Bingla and Valentine Darsee are invited... 

- Elizabeth

Check out Unmarriageable @ the library.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Title: The Rosie Project

Author: Graeme Simsion

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Genetics professor, Don Tillman, has decided he wants to get married. Being of a scientific mind, he has decided to create a test to narrow down his dating pool to an acceptable puddle of women. 

Bartender Rosie is desperate to find her dad, but with her secretive mother deceased, it seems like she will never know the answer to her lifelong question.

When these two collide, Don decides that he will help Rosie with her "Father Project." Will these two discover who Rosie's  father really is and is that all they'll find when all is said and done? Read The Rosie Project to learn more.

- Sarah R.

Check out The Rosie Project @ the library.