Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Title: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

Author: Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Holiday

In this holiday meet-cute by authors David Levithan and Rachel Cohn, pessimistic, Christmas curmudgeon Dash (short for Dashiel) and holiday hype-queen Lily meet through a "book of dares" she strategically places in the Salinger section of the Strand bookstore in New York. With the help of various extended family members, Dash and Lily exchange their book of dares, each time adding a new entry, and getting to know each other only through their words, and their respective holiday thoughts, anxieties and dreams. 

With a couple of surprise turns, as narrated in Levithan and Cohn's typical camp and melodrama style, this book is sure to bring a smile, even to the Dashiels of the world. Witty, smart, and fun, this Rudolph romp was recently turned into a Netflix miniseries, and also possesses two sequels, The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily and Mind the Gap, Dash & Lily, which all provide hours of NYC holiday cheer, enchantment, and humor for the hearthside reader- even if, like most New Yorkers (except for Lily's eccentric great-aunt) we Milwaukeeans must instead settle for a space heater and hot chocolate as we revel in the trials, tears, and triumphs of first love in an urban wonderland. But a boy can dream- and Dash and Lily's adventures give much to dream about.

- Adam

Check out Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Sarah Cohn and David Levithan @ the library!

Books! Live With Katie 01.27.2021

Join Katie as she talks about some self care books for the new year! Here are some of the titles she discussed: Silver Hair Handbook by Lorraine Massey The Skin Nerd by Jennifer Rock Make-Up by Michelle Phan Making it Up by Nicole Thompson Badass Habits by Jen Sincero Better, Not Perfect by Max Bazerman I Had to Change so You Don't Have To by Loni Love

Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith

Title: Troubled Blood

Author: Robert Galbraith

Genre: Mystery

If you enjoyed previous books in the Cormoran Strike series, you will likely appreciate the latest installment, Troubled Blood. The primary mystery sees Strike and his partner at the detective agency, Robin Ellacott, investigate a 40-year-old cold case involving a missing woman. But the duo must also juggle other cases, learn to deal with new colleagues they hired to help with the workload, and grapple with personal concerns. We learn more about Strike’s connection to Cornwall, where an aunt and uncle partly raised him, and we watch Robin grow confident in her detecting skills even as she gets dismissed by various men around her. We know Strike and Robin will solve the disappearance of Margot Bamborough by the book’s end, but the real mystery is this: will they finally acknowledge their feelings for each other?

- Sarah L.

Check out Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith @ the library!

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

Title: The Bromance Book Club

Author: Lyssa Kay Adams

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Hey guys, have you ever looked at romance novels as the way to a gal's heart? The book club founded by a few of the Nashville Legends baseball team members does just that. When your marriage is on the rocks or your girlfriend has had enough, these sports-minded guys discuss romance novels to up their game.

When they find their second baseman in a cheap hotel drinking his feelings they decide to let him in on their secret. Gavin is skeptical at first, but decides he has too much to lose not to give their unorthodox methods a shot. His wife, Thea, has asked for a divorce and Gavin has precious little time to win her back before she takes their twin girls and moves on with her life without him. Can Gavin be coached to the most important win of his life by a paperback novel and a handful of teammates?

- Sarah R.

Check out The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams @ the library!

2020 Staff Favorites

We asked West Allis Public Library staff members for their favorite reads of the year. See their recommendations below!

 

1. Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi: This is a ‘remix’ of Dr. Kendi’s book Stamped from the Beginning, written for teenagers by Jason Reynolds.  Reynolds is a very talented and prolific author of books for teens and kids. He did an impressive job of taking Dr. Kendi’s book and writing it in a way that is relatable and digestible for not only teens but also adults. It is a book that explores racism and anti-racism from the beginning of those ideas, but as the first sentence states, ‘This is not a history book.’ - Beth
2. The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan: I finished reading the Wheel of Time series, an incredible fantasy adventure. It has the major aspects of a hero’s journey but was very unpredictable. It was my goal to finish the 14th book before the TV series would air in 2021. Unfortunately, it seems I will have to wait a bit longer to watch the show. Though I feel accomplished finally having finished them all, it is a bittersweet victory because the story is over. - Gina
3. The Sherlockian by Graham Moore: The Sherlockian by Graham Moore is a quick read, and a fairly gore-free introduction to the mystery genre. If you like Sherlock Holmes or just a quick mystery read, this one would be a great option. - Elizabeth
4. Longbourn by Jo Baker: If you like Jane Austen’s novels and the insight into downstairs life in Downton Abbey, you will love this book. Set in the home of the Bennet family (of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice) the story is about Sarah, who is one of the Bennet family’s servants. Drama, romance and historical references all combine to provide an alternate perspective on the Bennets and Bingleys. -Elizabeth
5. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes: In The Giver of Stars, you'll meet five remarkable women as they become involved in First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s Depression-era Pack Horse Library Project of Kentucky. They are tasked with getting library books to needy families living in the remote hills of Appalachia. The history of this time is fascinating, and the backstories of each of these ladies and their eventual love and respect for one another and the people they serve makes for great reading. This is a book I highly recommend. - Karen
6. In the Woods by Tana French: Tana French has quickly become one of my favorite authors as I’m reading through her Dublin murder mystery series. There’s something so incredibly haunting about In the Woods that instantly had me hooked and has been my favorite in the series so far. You never quite know where the story’s going to go, and the ending may leave you with more questions than answers...and I absolutely love it! -Nikki
7. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke: I loved Clarke’s first novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. In her second, equally terrific novel, Piranesi cannot leave the unusual house in which he lives with curious statues, human remains and tides that flood rooms. But he finds beauty in his surroundings even as he learns more about his mysterious visitor and himself. This magical, timely book shows us how powerful perspective can be. -Sarah L.
8. Cat Dog Dog by Nelly Buchet: My favorite 2020 picture book was Cat Dog Dog by Nelly Buchet. A young couple gets married, and their offspring (pets) must learn to live together. The book uses essentially three words to tell the story (cat dog dog), but it blends so well with the charming illustrations. It’s very heartwarming, funny and has a lovely twist at the end. -Mary
9. The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman: My favorite middle grade book was the wonderfully researched Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman. A story of enduring friendship that takes place in Pripyat, Ukraine, and the Soviet Union (now Russia) during the Chernobyl nuclear power station crisis. Two young girls forge a unique bond and consider themselves blackbirds which are symbols of eternal friendship. -Mary
10. Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger: My favorite novel that I read in 2020 was Ordinary Grace by William Kent Kruger. It was published in 2013. Forty years after a fateful summer where five people were killed, the narrator Frank looks back at the impact on him, as a 13 year old, his family, and his small rural Minnesota town. -Mary
11. Don't Touch My Hair! by Sharee Miller: A simple book with an amazing message about respecting people’s boundaries. The lessons taught are poignant, and I personally wished the book was around when I was growing up. I would highly recommend this book to adults and children. -Angelina
12. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by Victoria Schwab: 'Never make a deal with the gods that answer after dark.’ Wise words from Adeline’s neighbor that in a moment of desperation she decides to ignore. What follows is a deal with the devil that will allow her to live free but not be remembered. Follow Addie as she navigates the extent of her curse. Will she continue to confound death, or will she give up and walk to him with open arms? I am generally not a time-traveling story person, but I really liked this one—just be sure to note the date at the start of each chapter because it does skip around from past to present. -Sarah R.
13. The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily by Rachel Kohn and David Levithan: The first book in a three-book young adult series, Levithan and Cohn’s Dash & Lily is the perfect YA meet-cute. It was recently adapted into a Netflix special, which was wonderfully rendered and a sheer delight this COVID-inflected holiday season, which inspired me to read all three books in the series. To give a sense of the book’s style, Cohn and Levithan have co-written several other books, most notably and most popularly Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Much like Nick & Norah, this series is clever, witty, endearing, and has just enough campy, melodramatic twists and turns that it makes for the perfect winter read, gently easing me into this otherwise too-often bleak time of year. -Adam
14. Sourdough by Robin Sloan: I usually read a ton of books, but this year I found it really hard to focus on reading. This book brought me back to it. I listened to the audiobook, and it was the perfect mix of entertaining light story, escapist setting, and characters that were quirky and real. Maybe it will even inspire you to bake sourdough bread! -Jamie
15. Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb: Nobody Will Tell You This but Me by Bess Kalb is one of those books I didn’t want to end. This is the story of four generations of women shared in the voice of the author’s grandmother. Told through remembered conversations, and peppered with voice mails, emails and texts, this family history of love and struggle can be appreciated by readers of all ages. - Katie

Husband Material by Emily Belden

Title: Husband Material

Author: Emily Belden

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Charlotte Rosen is no stranger to tragedy. She buries herself in work and trying to create a dating app to avoid thinking about her past. Then one day, her past lands in her lap in the form of an urn. Yep, the kind with someone in it. Now the mother of the urn is trying to take it back, the best friend of the urn is repeatedly turning up in Charlotte's life, and Charlotte is starting to lose it. Will the urn find a final resting place? Will Charlotte get her dating app off the ground? What secret did the person in the urn take to their grave? Read Husband Material to find out.

- Sarah R.

Check out Husband Material by Emily Belden @ the library!