Y/N by Esther Yi

 

Title: Y/N 
Author: Esther Yi
Genre: Literary Fiction

Y/N (an abbreviation for "Your Name" used in writing fanfiction when the author invites you to imagine you're the protagonist of the story) is about a Korean woman who lives in Germany. She develops a dangerous parasocial relationship with a K-Pop idol known only by his stage name, Moon. When Moon announces he's retiring from the public eye, she resolves to fly out to try and meet him.

The book's protagonist, who never gets her own name, becomes increasingly detached with reality the more she sinks into her imaginary relationship with Moon. There's no question how reliable she is as a narrator, the answer is; not at all. 

Y/N is vivid and strange, feeling like some sort of disjointed dream, but it invites the reader to decide just what to believe about the story being told.

- Kate

Check out Y/N by Esther Yi @ the library!

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova

Title: The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina
Author: Zoraida Córdova
Genre: Magical Realism, Contemporary Fiction

Orquídea has always been a mysterious type of person, someone whom even her children and grandchildren don't truly know much about in many ways. However, she has always demonstrated how important family is to her, and raised her children knowing that family is something that you prioritize and that you treasure. When she writes all of the far-flung members of her own family to tell them that her time of death is near, all are told to come and get their inheritance. They arrive to find that Orquídea's magic has barred all from entering her home, growing thorns and vines around to prevent those who arrive and knock. Finally, one of her granddaughters goes up and asks the door for entrance, and they are all able to see Orquídea, nearly rooted to the floor in the entranceway, visibly turning into a tree. This is just the start of what is quite a story, involving magic, a living fallen star, ghosts, and circuses!

- Katrina

Check out The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova @ the library!

All The Gold Stars by Rainesford Stauffer

Title: All the Gold Stars: Reimagining Ambition and the Ways We Strive
Author: Rainesford Stauffer
Genre: Non-fiction

An exploration of ambition and the role it plays in our lives, this book argues that there needs to be a broader and more inclusive understanding of ambition. It focuses a lot on moving from only an external, career based ambition to a more communal, relationship based ambition. This is explored through numerous examples and is a great book for anyone looking to reorient their lives and identities away from jobs and towards the other parts of their lives, whether that be friendship, family, spirituality, community, or even self-care.

- Meagan

Check out All the Gold Stars by Rainesford Stauffer @ the library!

Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton

Title: Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard
Author: Tom Felton
Genre: Memoir

Who hasn't imagined growing up in a world as filled with magic as Hogwarts is? It turns out, the answer to that question is Tom Felton, who apparently barely knew anything about the Harry Potter books before winning the role of Draco in what turned out to be 8 movies! This memoir offers a fantastic insight into Tom's life, before, during, and after those movies. It hasn't all been as magical as waving a wand to get what he wants - but he has gotten to learn from some of the best in the business! 

- Katrina

Check out Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton @ the library!