Ten Steps to Nanette by Hannah Gadsby

Title: Ten Steps to Nanette

Author: Hannah Gadsby 

Genre: Memoir 

If you enjoyed the author’s Netflix comedy specials or just a well-written, funny and sad memoir, check out this book from the library. Comedy is often based on tragedy. Hannah Gadsby tells her complete story of what is was like growing up queer and neurodivergent in rural Tasmania (part of Australia.)

- Mary

Check out Ten Steps to Nanette by Hannah Gadsby @ the library!

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Title: Small Great Things

Author: Jodi Picoult

Genre: Fiction

 As so many people try to better themselves and the way that they see the world around them, it is hard to face so many topics that we might feel like we don't excel at. This story is the story of a murder trial. An infant has died while still at the hospital, and the parents are devastated. Through a series of events, they end up bringing charges against a nurse that was one of many medical staff present when their son died. This description, while completely accurate, sounds pretty standard, and not a terribly compelling read. As this book was one I think will stay with me for a long time now that I have finished it, I am clearly telling it wrong.

This story is told from three separate points of view. The defense attorney, who has finally been named lead chair of her first murder trial and feels like she may be moving up from the menial tasks she has been juggling for years. The African-American nurse who suddenly finds herself on trial for the death of an infant that she had been ordered by her superiors at the hospital not to treat, and who is now struggling with the concern over what will happen to her high-school-aged son if she is not able to be present to continue to raise him. The infant's father, who spoke to the nurse's manager to make sure that "no African-American staff will touch my child" and who is careful to wear a hat to cover up the swastika tattoo on his bald head when he wants to blend out in society.

The complicated plot and characters are interwoven beautifully in this novel, and the revelations that each one brings are something that will continue to leave me questioning my own ability to relate to those around me for years to come. One of my favorite descriptions of the purpose of fiction is to "help us connect with our own humanity". There are few books that can compare to this one in that task.

- Katrina

Check out Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult @ the library!

Witchblood by Matthew Erman

Title: Witchblood

Author: Matthew Erman 

Genre: Graphic novel, action, adventure, witches, vampires

Witchblood by Matthew Erman is an action packed graphic novel with a unique story. It follows Yonna, a free-spirited biker witch, who is cruising through the Southwest. She runs into a vampire biker gang that wants to drink her blood for access to her magic. The story could have been fleshed out more and provided more context, but it is definitely enthralling. It provides cues to the reader to listen to a particular song during parts of the book which created a really immersive reading experience. This is only volume 1, so I am looking forward to future installments to the series.

- Gina

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The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa

Title: The Housekeeper and the Professor

Author: Yoko Ogawa

Genre: Fiction 

A very quirky book about the mother of a young boy who takes a job as a housekeeper for a former math professor. The professor has a memory condition that allows him only 80 minutes of short term memory, otherwise he believes it is still 1975. A beautiful story about the importance of unlikely friendship, numbers, and baseball.

- Jamie

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The (Other) You by Joyce Carol Oates

Title: The (Other) You

Author: Joyce Carol Oates

Genre: Short Stories

Joyce Carol Oates pulls no punches when it comes to writing short stories, and this collection is true to form. With some stories that intersect from different perspectives, Oates explores the struggles we face that are particular to our personal experiences, and allows us to ponder the what-ifs of the choices we have made.

- Holly

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Vanderbilt: the Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper

Title: Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty 

Author: Anderson Cooper

Genre: Non-fiction, Biography 

"Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty" is the history of the Vanderbilt family, as told by the great great great grandson of railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, Anderson Cooper and historical fiction novelist Katherine Howe. The authors go through the rise of Cornelius Vanderbilt and his mania for money that helped him amass a fortune in the 19th century. Then, move on to Cornelius' decision to leave 95% of his fortune to his son William, much to the chagrin of his 10 other children. William would become the first and last Vanderbilt to ever build on Cornelius' fortune. Lavish lifestyles, massive parties, and even bigger real estate lead to the downfall of the Vanderbilt dynasty.

Cooper makes his way through his long family history at a good pace, focusing on specific members and (in most cases) their downfall. The final section of the book focuses on Cooper's own mother, Gloria Vanderbilt who, in his words, was the last to have a "Vanderbilt life." I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, read by Anderson Cooper.

- Beth

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Ticket to Ride by Larry Kane

Title: Ticket to Ride: Inside the Beatles' 1964 and 1965 Tours That Changed the World

Author: Larry Kane

Genre: Nonfiction Music Biography

Ride along with The Beatles as they head out for their first U.S. tours. You'll get not only a look into the touring life of musicians, but also see how a tour of this magnitude was put together back when large concert tours were really first beginning. Author Larry Kane was one of the "official journalists" on tour with the Beatles, so he was trusted to be the go-between in some cases between the Beatles and the Media, reporting to not only his home newspaper and radio station but also many across the nation. A really interesting read for any 60s music fan, as the book also talks about the many excellent opening acts the Beatles took with them on the road in those two years.

- Jamie

Check out Ticket to Ride by Larry Kane @ the library!