Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri

Title: Everything Sad is Untrue

Author: Daniel Nayeri

Genre: Fictionalized Memoir

A boy named Khosrou (whom everyone calls "Daniel") tries to tell a story. His story. But Khosrou's stories, stretching back years, and decades, and centuries, are beautiful and terrifying, from the moment his family fled Iran in the middle of the night with the secret police moments behind them, back to the cement refugee camps of Italy, and further back to his grandmother's tragic childhood, and how it all led to Oklahoma.

This book was wonderful. Khosrou jumps around from story to story, often comparing himself to Scheherazade telling 1001 stories to stay alive, weaving together his childhood in Iran, Persian myths and legends, and his time in Oklahoma. He tells his stories both for school assignments and in an attempt to remember his history. As he says, "A patchwork story is the shame of a refugee," and Khosrou wants to remember all of his stories.

This book was the winner of the 2021 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature.

- Beth

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The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Title: The Midnight Library

Author: Matt Haig

Genre: Fantasy

Nora Seed has a decision to make. Actually, she has an infinite number of them once she arrives at the Midnight Library. With the help of her former librarian friend, she navigates regrets and tests out what-might-have-beens. Her time at the Midnight library is not infinite, though, and she will have to make a forever choice before her time is up.

I liked the premise of this book and the ways the author helps to introduce the multiverse idea to Nora (and the reader). If you choose the audiobook, you can enjoy Carey Mulligan's storytelling, as well.

- Sarah R.

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Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone

Title: Mirrorland

Author: Carole Johnstone

Genre: Fiction

Cat hasn’t seen her childhood home in Edinburgh in twenty years, and has no desire to leave L.A. and go back. Her estranged twin sister, El, never left Edinburgh and ends up returning to the house and buying it as an adult. She lives there with her husband, Ross. When El goes missing while out on her sailboat, a devastated Ross begs for Cat to return to Edinburgh. Cat obliges but is disturbed to find that the house is almost entirely unchanged from when she and her sister lived there as children.

Ross is hysterical, but Cat doesn’t actually think her sister is in peril. She thinks that everything El does is for attention, including pulling this disappearing act. Cat believes her suspicions are confirmed when she starts receiving emails from an unknown sender that lead her on a treasure hunt all through the house. As Cat uncovers each clue, she recalls more and more of her childhood, including the imaginary world she and her sister created under the pantry stairs: Mirrorland.

This book has aptly been compared to Gone Girl, and the dark themes reminded me of Stephen King. But Carole Johnstone has created something unique with Mirrorland; it is haunting, atmospheric, and full of twists I didn’t see coming.

- Desirae

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The Switch by Beth O'Leary

Title: The Switch

Author: Beth O'Leary

Genre: Fiction

Leena is super stressed at work and ends up with a 2 month leave. Her grandma, Eileen, is newly single and looking for love, but finds her small town doesn't have much to offer. The two of them decide to switch abodes, phones, and social circles. Join these two as they navigate the walking of recalcitrant dogs, online dating, festival planning, and amateur sleuthing.

By the time you're done, you're going to wish you had a friend like Eileen. She is a charming force of nature.

- Sarah R.

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Orangutan Hats by Richard Haynes

Title: Orangutan Hats and Other Tools Animals Use

Author: Richard Haynes, Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis

Genre: Children's Non-fiction, Animals

For a fun read about how different creatures use tools to complete their goals, pick up this new book in the children's section. I learned a lot about how animals in the wild manage to use the resources available to them to keep themselves safe, help them find food, or even just have a bit of fun. The book is complete with a glossary, an index, and references so you can find out more about the tool-using animals that intrigue you.

- Sarah R.

Check out Orangutan Hats by Richard Haynes @ the library!