Books! Live with Katie Reading Resolutions

Katie shares some tips and ideas on creating a reading resolution for 2021! Here are some of the resources shared: NPR's Book Concierge: https://apps.npr.org/best-books/#view=covers&year=2020 BookRiot's Best Books of 2020 and Reading Goals: https://bookriot.com/best-books-of-2020 https://bookriot.com/reading-goals Tips for reading more this year: https://www.inc.com/john-rampton/25-ways-to-read-a-lot-more-books-this-year.html

Sign up for the Library's Winter Reading Program: westallislibrary.beanstack.com

A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses Series

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

If you're looking for a book series with outstanding world building and character development, Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses series is for you. Affectionally called ACOTAR by its fans, this book series follows Feyre, a poor human, as she is forced to go into the world of fairies after "accidentally" (you decide if it's actually an accident) killing a fey disguised as a wolf. While in the fairy world, Feyre finds trouble, but also love. This series has a lot of twists and turns throughout it so you will not want to put it down!

While it is currently listed as YA, there are some serious adult themes. The newest book in the series, A Court of Silver Flames, comes out next year and you can bet I will be one of the first on the holdlist when it comes out!

- Megan

Check out A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas @ the library!

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

Title: Flowers for Algernon

Author: Daniel Keyes

Genre: Science Fiction

This book is a classic for a reason! Told in diary entries, we meet Charlie, a mentally disabled man who undergoes an experiment to increase his intelligence. As the experimental procedure takes effect, Charlie's intelligence expands until it surpasses that of the doctors who engineered it. As time progresses, Algernon, the mouse who originated the experiment, starts to deteriorate. Will the same happen to Charlie?

A short read that is always impactful. Be aware that they do use some outdated offensive terminology for mental disabilities. Aside from this, Flowers for Algernon is a wonderful look into what is intelligence and how it can impact your life.

- Megan

Check out Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes @ the library!

A Danger to Herself and Others by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Title: A Danger to Herself and Others

Author: Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Genre: Young Adult

It was an accident. Hannah will be released very soon. That is what she's telling herself as she waits for Dr. Lightfoot to evaluate her. She doesn't belong in a facility for mentally ill girls. It's all a big mistake.

Agnes, her best friend and roommate at the summer program, is hurt. Bad. Sure Hannah wanted Agnes's boyfriend - after all she saw him first, but she was smart enough to work that out on her own.

Now she's locked in a small room, which is so boring until her new roommate, Lucy, shows up. Lucy makes things bearable. Lucy gets her and shares some secrets of her own.

Will Hannah come to grips with what really happened to Agnes? Will Lucy be the one to send Hannah over the edge? Read A Danger to Herself and Others to find out.

- Sarah R.

Check out A Danger to Herself and Others by Alyssa B. Sheinmel @ the library!

The Mall by Megan McCafferty

Title: The Mall

Author: Megan McCafferty

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Young Adult

The year is 1991, and the place to work in Pineville, New Jersey is the Parkway Center Mall. Cassie is looking forward to her last summer in New Jersey before the rest of her life starts in New York this fall. Her carefully planned out life includes her boyfriend Troy, and their futures at Barnard and Colombia. All that stands between her and her future is this summer and her job at America’s Best Cookie. Of course her day is better because it's her first day post 6-week mono quarantine.

Instead of a nice first day back into the real world, Cassie is assaulted by Cucumber Melon Bath and Body spray, delivered by Troy’s new girlfriend. To add insult to injury, she no longer is employed at America’s Best Cookie. With money for school on the line, and a summer that needs to be saved from her parents' expectations, Cassie ends up finding a job with former best friend Drea at Bellarosa, a boutique a little bit outside of Cassie’s tastes. Secret mall parties, a legend of lost money, and maybe a new crush at the Sam Goody, Cassie’s summer is turning out to be better than expected. Of course, as with anything that happens in Jersey, there is drama.

While this is a YA book, it is best suited for those readers who were teens in the 1990’s. If you ever went to a mall food court for a date, argued whether compact discs were the best way to listen to music, or participated in a mall fashion show, this is the book for you. For an extra double feature, watch Mall Rats and read The Mall by Megan McCafferty.

- Katie

Check out The Mall by Megan McCafferty @ the library!

Books! Live With Katie Books to Give

Looking for suggestions of books to give the readers in your life? Join Katie in this recording of December 2nd, 2020's Books! Live with Katie where she shares the following titles: Eat a Peach by David Chang The Last Days of John Lennon by James Patterson Dolly Parton Songteller by Dolly Parton She Come By It Natural by Sarah Smarsh Alright, Alright, Alright: The Oral History of David Linklater's Dazed and Confused by Melissa Maerz Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey Cary Grant by Scott Eyman Accidentally Wes Anderson by Wally Koval The Neil Gaiman Reader by Neil Gaiman The Best of Me by David Sedaris I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf by Grant Snider #wapl #westallispubliclibrary #bookslivewithkatie #bookstogive #givebooks

Recommended For You by Laura Silverman

Title: Recommended For You

Author: Laura Silverman

Genre: Young Adult

Shoshanna Greenberg loves her job at Once Upon, a mall bookstore. This is good because otherwise things are a bit stressful: her moms are fighting, money is tight, and her car is kaput. The fighting she can't do much about, but her boss just announced a competition for the booksellers. If she outshines her peers, she can get the money she needs to fix her elderly auto. Enter Jake. He's new, he's curt, he's cute, and he's determined to win that bonus for himself. I don't want to spoil the fun but there's baking, a goth-couple, a store intercom shaming, a YouTube star wannabe, and even Santa puts in an appearance. You don't think one book can have all that? Read Recommended For You and see.

- Sarah R

Check out Recommended For You by Laura Silverman @ the library!

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Title: Mexican Gothic

Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Genre: Gothic Horror, Mystery

Mexican Gothic is a very moody and dark novel, suspenseful and a little spooky. It does contain some horror-genre elements, so be aware of that too. Main character Noemi receives a strange and erratic letter from her cousin Catalina, so she heads out to Catalina's husband's estate to check things out. Set in the 1950s in a small town in Mexico, the book's setting is fantastic, full of atmosphere and just the right amount of fog.

Strange things begin to happen to Noemi, and Catalina's new family is utterly bizarre, with very specific rules to follow while she is visiting. The book moves along as a standard psychological thriller might, but then about two thirds of the way in it gets really, really odd (don't say I didn't warn you!) but odd in a way that compels you to keep reading! Needless to say, this ends up being one really weird book, but in a very unique way. The perfect novel to dig into this fall or winter when you could use a change of scenery, even if that scenery is nightmarish!

- Jamie

Check out Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia @ the library!

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

Title: The Sun Down Motel

Author: Simone St. James

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

The Sun Down Motel is a suspenseful read that alternates between two time periods, 1982 and present day. Viv works as a night clerk at the hotel in 1982 until she mysteriously disappears. Her niece, Carly, in present day tries to unravel what happened to her aunt, leading her down a twisty road to solving the mystery. Creepy things happen some nights at the motel, and both Viv and Carly meet interesting characters throughout the book. You never are quite sure if these characters are quite who they seem. If you're looking for a spooky book to read this fall, give The Sun Down Motel a shot!

- Jamie

Check out The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James @ the library!

Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block

Title: Weetzie Bat

Author: Francesca Lia Block

Genre: Young Adult, Surrealism

"Weetzie Bat" by Francesca Lia Block is a well-loved YA cult-classic that you've probably heard of only in passing, if at all. Following the story of Weetzie Bat herself, who is gifted a genie's lamp by her friend Dirk's grandmother before she dies, Weetzie makes three wishes that come true in quick succession: having a safe place in the world to call her own, a love, or "Duck" for her friend Dirk, and a Secret-Agent-Lover-Man for herself.

Controversial at the time of its publishing for its themes of outsider identity, mixed families, single parent households/single mothers, drug use, and at the end of the book, its handling of the early years of the AIDS epidemic, "Weetzie Bat" is a lyrical frolic of a book, better suited to be read as a poetic allegory than an attempt at realism. Nonetheless, it offers readers an interesting look at the cultural shifts that have (and have not) occurred since the late 80's and early 90's.

I would say, based on the material of this book, that it's far better suited to mature adolescents in their late teens and early twenties, but nonetheless a dreamy and evocative read that can easily be digested in one sitting.

- Adam

Check out Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block @ the library!

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

                                             

Title: Take a Hint, Dani Brown

Author: Talia Hibbert

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Dani Brown is driven professionally, academically, and hormonally. She is not up for a relationship, but she is very interested in having a friend with benefits. Zafir Ansari is recovering from a long-ago tragedy. One that was so bad he gave up his professional rugby career and is now a security guard at a college. Therapy, romance novels, and his own start-up to help children get in touch with their feelings have given him the strength to tackle life. After months of exchanging coffee and breakfast bars, these two are going to be flung together for a noble reason, but will it ruin any chance they have to find a happy ending?

If you like the fake dating trope, this is for you. If you don't like raunchy talk and detailed descriptions of intimacy, this isn't for you.

- Sarah R.

Check out Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert @ the library!

Books! Live with Katie October 2020

Katie shares some fall and spooky book recommendations with you!

Titles include:

Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks Through the Woods by Emily Carroll Hunted Wisconsin by Michael Norman Rotters by Daniel Kraus Making the Monster Kathryn Harkup Who Was Dracula? Jim Steinmeyer Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare The Good House by Tananarive Due Feed by M.T. Anderson The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Next Books! Live with Katie will be December 2nd at 10 AM!

Folklords by Matt Kindt

Title: Folklords

Author: Matt Kindt

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy

I love binge reading graphic novels! So to start a series like this and only being able to read one book is very hard! The story begins by explaining that everyone in their village goes on a quest at the age of 18, and this is the year the main character Ansel will choose and go on his quest. He has been having visions of a strange modern world, one with lighters, and automobiles. He wants to choose to go seek out the Folklords. However, the librarians have forbidden this knowledge. The librarians are the scary/creepy kind that you hope to never come across. This first installment ends right when the story starts getting good and I am looking forward to the next one.

- Gina

Check out Folklords by Matt Kindt @ the library!

No Offense by Meg Cabot

Title: No Offense

Author: Meg Cabot

Genre: Romance

When the new children's librarian, Molly Montgomery, finds an abandoned baby in the women's bathroom, she calls the town's sheriff, John Hartwell, to come investigate. While he's more worried about arresting the person who left the baby, Molly is more worried about the baby and the mother's safety. The two consistently butt heads, but slowly realize that even in these tough moments, they are falling for each other.

A very unique premise with an adorable love story. While this is a part of Meg Cabot's new "Little Bridge Island Series", you do not need to read the first book to enjoy this one. This romance novel was super cute and the side characters were some of my favorites. Can’t wait to read the next books that are a part of this universe.

- Megan

Check out No Offense by Meg Cabot @ the library!

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

Title: The Grace Year

Author: Kim Liggett

Genre: Young Adult

In this dystopian YA tale, all the girls in Garner Country must take part in The Grace Year. However, no one is allowed to talk about it or what happens during it. All they know is that the girls leave the village for a year with their magic and return without it, ready for marriage...if they return at all. 16 year old Tierney wants a life where she isn't someone's property and where the girls aren't always pitting themselves against each other. When it's time for her Grace Year, she realizes that what she was told to fear isn't what she should actually fear.
This book felt like the perfect combination of The Handmaid's Tale and The Salem Witch Trials. There's suspense, fear, survival, and female empowerment all rolled up into one amazing book. Easily the best book I've read this year!

- Megan

Check out  The Grace Year by Kim Liggett @ the library!

I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

Title: I'm Thinking of Ending Things

Author: Iain Reid

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Horror, Suspense 

A  young woman is thinking of ending things with her boyfriend, Jake. She likes him but doesn't see the relationship as long term. She hasn't even told Jake about the mysterious voicemails she's been receiving on a regular basis from her own number. Someone would tell a serious boyfriend about that, right? Even though she is thinking of ending things, she agrees to go to Jake's childhood home to meet his parents. Since she's thinking of ending things, there is no pressure. They drive through a worsening snowstorm to the country farmhouse. Jake's parents are odd and ask her unsettling questions, but it is the drive home when things take a turn for the worse. 

 

I'm Thinking of Ending Things is a psychological thriller that really gets your adrenaline pumping after that detour. You'll find yourself questioning what you're reading and if you missed any clues along the way. Now a movie on Netflix, this is a quick thriller that is perfect for a dark and stormy night. 

- Beth

Check out I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid @ the library!

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Title: The Great Alone

Author: Kristin Hannah

Genre: Domestic Fiction

Ernt Allbright returns from Vietnam a troubled, broken man. After losing yet another job and discovering he's inherited a house in Alaska, he tells his wife, Cora, and his daughter, Leni, that they are moving. In Alaska, the Allbrights get a crash course in homesteading and with the help of a handful of other "colorful" Alaskan transplants, the Ernt family learns to survive and finds that the sunny Alaskan summer combined with manual labor helps Ernt’s PTSD. Leni and Cora are hopeful that things will be better in Alaska, but Leni quickly realizes that Ernt’s good mood won’t last long. The darkness of winter is coming.

The bulk of the book is the relationship between mother and daughter and the coming of age story of Leni. She starts school, meets a local boy, Matthew, and falls in love with both him and the untamed beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. Growing up dealing with her erratic father and her mother's ever present denial of her husband's increasing irrational and abusive behavior are the real tests of survival. These prove to be harsher and more threatening than the most brutal Alaskan winter. In the end, Cora and Leni are lead to a desperate act that impacts the rest of their lives.

- Karen 

Check out  The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah @ the library!