The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

Title: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Author: Alan Bradley

Genre: Mystery

From the first chapter, you will fall in love with the young, witty, 11 year-old Flavia de Luce. Her love for poisons and chemistry may get her into some trouble, but she always manages to outwit everyone, especially her two snobby older sisters. Along with her trusty bicycle, Gladys, Flavia is known to poke her nose into business that is definitely not suitable for the typical 11 year-old girl. This rings true when Flavia finds a dead bird on her family's doorstep: she decides that she must use her deductive skills to solve this mystery. However, this troublesome case is more twisted and complex than anyone could imagine. With 1950s England as a backdrop, this novel will both keep you on the edge of your seat and tickle your funny bone. And, readers rejoice, this is the first in a series of 11 current books!

- Carson

Check out The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley @ the library!

The Labrador Pact by Matt Haig

Title: The Labrador Pact

Author: Matt Haig

Genre: Fiction

If you're a dog person, this book is for you! This story is entirely in the point of view of a family's black lab dog, Prince. As the title suggests, Prince's number one job is to follow an ancient pact of dogs: he must keep his family together. Prince provides a unique, outside view of a family unit and all the troubles they face. Although heart wrenching, The Labrador Pact is such a fascinating and beautiful read.

- Carson

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Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

Title: Tell the Wolves I'm Home

Author: Carol Rifka Brunt

Genre: Fiction

The only person that fourteen-year-old June feels really understands her is her Uncle Finn. He is a renowned painter who lives in New York City, and June’s best friend. When Finn dies of AIDS, June is shattered. But Finn’s death brings a new friend into June’s life, Finn’s partner Toby. June’s family blames Toby for Finn’s illness, and so June is forced to keep their friendship a secret.

This is a coming-of-age story that takes place in 1987. June’s age and the time period are important to remember while reading and reflecting on some of her choices. But overall, this was a wonderful book with engaging characters that kept me captivated throughout.

- Beth

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A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones

Title: A Bad Day for Sunshine

Author: Darynda Jones

Genre: Mystery

Sunshine Vicram and her daughter Aurora (Auri) Vicram have just moved back to Del Sol, New Mexico, where Sunshine has been elected Sheriff (thanks to her parents entering her in the running – without her knowledge!) When a classmate of Auri’s goes missing, both Sunshine and (unofficially) Auri are on the case. Sybil St. Aubin is a shy, sweet girl who had a premonition that she would be abducted before her 15^th birthday, and after reading her diary, Sunshine is convinced that Sybil’s disappearance is not a hoax. While Sunshine and her team rush to locate Sybil and reveal the identity of her kidnapper, Auri helps to investigate by questioning classmates and unearthing clues at the high school. When a secret about Sunshine’s past comes to light, Sunshine and Auri must deal with the fallout on top of everything else going on; old flames, new crushes, school bullies, secret liaisons, and the quirky residents of Del Sol.

- Desirae

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The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Title: The Personal Librarian

Author: Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Genre: Historical Fiction

The Personal Librarian is a fictionalized telling of the life of J.P. Morgan's real-life librarian, Belle da Costa Greene. Greene curates Morgan's collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork, and in the process becomes one of the New York art world's most well-respected and powerful selectors and negotiators. She does this all while keeping a secret, a secret that if it ever got out would end not only her career, but that of her family's as well. Belle da Costa Greene was born Belle Marion Greener, and she, her mother, and siblings are a fair skinned Black family passing as white.

Librarians are usually eager to read any story about our profession but knowing that Belle da Costa Greene was a real librarian who rose to the top of the profession made this one particularly interesting. The book includes both Historical Notes and Authors' Notes that further explain fact from fiction in this extraordinary story.

- Beth

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The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Title: The Vanishing Half

Author: Brit Bennett

Genre: Historical Fiction

Told from multiple perspectives, this novel follows two sisters who choose different paths. One returns to their small Louisiana town to raise her daughter and eventually take care of the mother she left as a teen. The other sister marries a white man and passes as white, keeping her family history a secret. Years later their daughters meet by chance in California, and one of them discovers the truth about their connection. Beautifully told and bittersweet, this story examines how our choices, more than our circumstances at birth, can inform who we are.

- Sarah

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Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Title: Klara and the Sun

Author: Kazuo Ishiguro

Genre: Science Fiction

Klara is an AF (Artificial Friend) waiting in a store front to be purchased, so she can be a child's companion. She depends on the sun for nourishment (recharging) and sees it as a godlike figure. When Klara is purchased by a sick child named Josie, she has the opportunity to observe and learn what it is to be human. Klara’s job is to be a good AF to Josie, but she must also navigate the people in Josie’s life and the parts they play.

Klara and the Sun takes place in the future but how far in the future is up for debate. Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro leaves many questions unanswered but gives a bittersweet story that seems all too plausible.

- Beth

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