People From My Neighborhood by Hiromi Kawakami

Title: People From My Neighborhood

Author: Hiromi Kawakami

Genre: Fiction Short Stories

An amusing collection of stories centered on (as the title states) people from a neighborhood. The stories have threads that connect each character, so it reads a bit more like a novel, however each story also can stand on its own. There are also whimsical elements to each story, which take the reader out of the confines of our normal world. A quick read that really transports you to this small neighborhood.

- Jamie

Check out People From My Neighborhood by Hiromi Kawakami @ the library!

The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart

Title: The Bone Shard Daughter

Author: Andrea Stewart

Genre: Fantasy

It has been a while since I have read a fantasy book this good! It included many common themes found in typical fantasy novels but the story felt fresh and inspired. The chapters alternate through the point of views of at least 4 characters, providing many different perspectives revolution central to the plot. I look forward to continuing the series!

- Gina

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The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

Title: The School for Good Mothers 

Author: Jessamine Chan

Genre: Dystopian

Frida had a bad day. A really bad day. On Frida's bad day she left her 1 year old home alone for over 2 hours. The police were called. Custody was given to Frida's ex-husband and his girlfriend--the woman he left Frida for. To regain custody rights, Frida must attend a reform school for 1 year where she will learn to be a better mother. Frida and the other mothers, with varying offenses, must recite, "I am a bad mother, but I am learning to be good." Each mother is paired with a lifelike child robot as they learn to be "good." Mothers are recorded, psychoanalyzed, and abused as they work to achieve a moving target that's reward is the return of their children.

A timely dystopian story that will have you both judging the mother's choices and empathizing with their plight.

- Beth

Check out The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan @ the library!

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Title: Beartown

Author: Fredrik Backman

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Do you ever look for a book that can make you cheer? Cry? Hope? And really think about the world that you are living in? 

This book doesn't offer any simple answers. It is a vivid account of a town torn apart by the events of a single night, and of the week that followed. It is about a town that is built on dreams, and that survives by casting those dreams on the newest generations. It is a town that is united by hockey... and torn apart by hockey, just as easily. 

This story, this town, this community stole my heart and made me wish, just for a moment, that problems could come with simple solutions. I wished that there was an answer that let everyone win, and ended with everyone feeling satisfied with the consequences. But this book is set in reality, and those answers seldom exist.

However, this book, told from many perspectives embodying the story of the town itself, welcomes the reader in to see the situation from all sides, to genuinely hope for the "little guy" to find the strength to do the right thing, and to be surprised at where loyalties lie when it all falls apart.

Besides, there's a hockey season next year, too.

- Katrina

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Close Enough to Touch by Colleen Oakley

Title: Close Enough to Touch

Author: Colleen Oakley

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Are you someone who is still waiting for this pandemic to end to "go back to normal"? This story is about a woman who is unable to be touched by anyone, and thus stays isolated from the rest of the world. But this isn't a temporary situation, and there's no hope to "go back to normal," as she is allergic to a protein in other people's DNA that isn't present in her own. She was diagnosed as a child, and now lives by herself, mostly conducting her life online or through the occasional phone call. But the circumstances change, and she is forced to leave her own bubble and experience the outside world again. It is a difficult process, but she suddenly lives a life that is filled with much more adventure, love - and danger! - than she had ever imagined. Is it worth it?

- Katrina

Check out Close Enough to Touch by Colleen Oakley @ the library!