The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Title: The Wedding People
Author: Alison Espach
Genre: Fiction

Phoebe is having a rough time. Her husband left her for a colleague, and they all still teach at the same college. Then her cat dies. So she heads to a beautiful hotel on the Rhode Island coast determined to end it all. Instead, she meets a bride-to-be who ropes her into becoming one of the wedding party. And she meets a guy she has an instant connection with ... who turns out to be the groom. Funny and poignant, this story is one of my favorite reads of the year. If you like audiobooks, be sure to listen to this one!

- Sarah

Check out The Wedding People by Alison Espach @ the library!

This Wretched Valley by Jenny Kiefer

Title: This Wretched Valley
Author: Jenny Kiefer
Genre: Horror; Thriller

The general plot is simple enough, a group of friends goes out to document and climb a previously un-mapped rock face in rural Kentucky. The author herself rock climbs as a hobby but the reader needs no climbing knowledge to enjoy. She never slows the story down explaining too much or looses focus on the action.

Things begin to go wrong for the group even before they set up camp. It's no spoiler that they don't make it out of the woods alive, the story is just how their bodies wound up in such strange conditions.

The woods and it's ghosts are hungry and Kiefer spares not a single vivid, gory, detail in her writing. It's both beautiful and completely disgusting. This novel is not at all for the weak of stomach.

Anything more would spoil the fun, there are plenty of surprises to keep horror fans on their toes.

- Kate

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Neither Snow Nor Rain by Devin Leonard

Title: Neither Snow Nor Rain: A History of the United States Postal Service
Author: Devin Leonard
Genre: Non-fiction

A fun, readable history of the long, sometimes wild history of the USPS. This is a story that really hammers home what a miracle the post office is, even if you find yourself frustrated by lost packages or stamp prices. What they manage to accomplish--and some of the unbelievable things they used to do to get the mail to people all over the US--will astonish you.

- Meagan

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The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer

Title: The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present
Author: David Treuer
Genre: Non-fiction

In looking at what happened after the massacre at Wounded Knee, and with the closing of the frontier and the end, at least in the public's imagination, of a certain Indian life, Treuer sets a huge task for himself. The history is complicated not only by the sheer scope of Indian life in the US, but also by the diverse way that the various tribes interacted with the US government. Overall, the theme that made me cry most is summed up in this question he asks: "At what point do we cease to be Indian and just be people descended from Indians?" He eloquently and heartbreakingly exposes the deep philosophical questions of what it means to be Indian today, and how some people are trying to understand that. This is a beautiful, important book.

- Meagan

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Youth Group by Bowen McCurdy & Jordan Morris

Title: Youth Group
Author: Bowen McCurdy & Jordan Morris
Genre: Graphic Novel

Kay reluctantly agrees to go to youth group at her Mom’s new church, even though she’s pretty sure it isn’t the place for her. The cheesy music and the overly peppy youth leader are just not her vibe.

Imagine her surprise when she catches Meg and Cortland, the youth group leaders, exorcising a demon in the woods with Pastor Doug. It turns out that after the church service is over, they fight lessor demons that can’t inhabit their own form who possess unsuspecting people.

Kay joins them, as she is a blight, a person who is immune to being possessed. They quickly discover that these lessor demons have a plan, and only they can stop it!

Youth Group is a nostalgic read for fans of shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Anyone who came of age in the ‘90s will enjoy the pop culture mentions, and if you ever attended a super church youth group and felt out of place, this book is for you!

- Katie

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A Country Road, A Tree

Title: A Country Road, A Tree
Author: Jo Baker
Genre: Fiction

This is the fictionalized story of Samuel Beckett, working with the Resistance and the maquis in France during WWII. It's really the story of survival, not only of the human body but of the creative spirit in the face of the worst sorts of pain, betrayal, fear, and hopelessness.

- Meagan

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Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren

Title: Tangled Up in You
Author: Christina Lauren
Genre: Romance

Ren is very excited to start Corona Collage, and nervous about leaving the homestead for the first time ever. She is staring as a 22 year old, and has always lived with Gloria and Steve away from the rest of the world. Starting college will be her first time in the real world, and she can’t wait to learn.

When Fitz meets Ren he can’t help but think she is never going to make it on campus. She knows everything about the building on campus, yet has little knowledge of the real world. But there is something that sets him a bit off, and he can’t afford to be blown off track. He needs to graduate at the top of his class to start his life fresh, and Ren is a temporary distraction.

Then an assignment for an immunology class brings up a surprise from Ren’s past, and catches Fitz in a compromising position, the two embark on a reluctant road trip to find out who they really are.

This modern take on Rapunzel will delight fans of fairy tales. While this entry into the Meant To Be series requires a bit more suspension of belief, you will find yourself rooting for Fitz and Ren.

Tangled Up in You is a light read, perfect for those last summer weekends. 

- Katie

Check out Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren @ the library!