Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley

Title: Run Towards the Danger

Author: Sarah Polley

Genre: Memoir, Essays

This terrific, beautifully written collection of essays from the actor/director focuses on challenging events in her life and how she learned to run towards the danger to heal. She addresses stage fright, a complicated pregnancy, her version of a Me Too story, a difficult movie shoot, and her recovery from a concussion. She may inspire you to adopt her philosophy! Highly recommend.

- Sarah

Check out Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley @ the library!

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

Title: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

Author: Hank Green

Genre: YA/Sci-Fi

I somehow put off reading this incredible book for years, even though I knew about it before it was published. The description didn't quite hook me, and so I didn't pick it up. This delay is something I regret, because as soon as I did open it, I couldn't stop reading it! An Absolutely Remarkable Thing weaves a story consisting of conspiracy theories and social media, modern culture and those events that happen that don't quite have a clear explanation, and ends up with a story that is certainly more than the sum of its parts! Read this for a timely take on just how much a person can get swept away by the events happening all around them, and the impact a single person can still have on events playing out on an international scale. (And then, be ready to track down the sequel immediately!)

- Katrina

Check out An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green @ the library!

Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang

Title: Joan is Okay

Author: Weike Wang

Genre: Fiction

Spend time with Joan: a human who prefers machines to people, a workaholic too busy to grieve for her father, a doctor who treats patients at the hospital during the pandemic, a Chinese-American who averts her gaze to avoid anti-Asian sentiments, a woman whose rage remains in her head. Most of the novel takes place before the 2020 lockdown, and the story follows Joan as she attempts to ignore her problems—until she no longer can. There is humor here and a heroine you'll root for. If you enjoyed Normal People or Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, give Joan a try.

- Sarah

Check out Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang @ the library!

Coming Back by Jessi Zabarsky

Title: Coming Back

Author: Jessi Zabarsky  

Genre: Graphic novel, Fantasy, Queer

This graphic novel is whimsically illustrated with a sweet story. It focuses on a young couple that must go on separate journeys to find themselves. They realize that traditions keep you connected to the past but some change can build stronger relationships and communities.

- Gina

Check out Coming Back by Jessi Zabarsky @ the library!