Lessons from Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog by Dave Barry

Title: Lessons from Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog

Author: Dave Barry

Genre: Humor, Self-Help

If you're looking for a light-hearted*, but enjoyable read, this is your book. With Dave Barry's consummate panache he is able to marry laughs and lessons in this book about being more like his dog. With topics like being in the moment and letting things go, it is full of good reminders for us - though easier said than done (at least for me). 

*If all you want is the lighter, feel-good bits, don't read the last chapter to his book about his daughter's run in with transverse myelitis. That will make you cry - especially if you've borrowed the audio book and can hear him choking up as he tells the story about his daughter woke up paralyzed one day. It is well done, but nothing to laugh about.

- Sarah R.

Check out Lessons from Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog @ the library.

Dirt Candy: A Cookbook by Amanda Cohen and Ryan Dunlavey

Title: Dirt Candy: A Cookbook

Author: Amanda Cohen and Ryan Dunlavey

Genre: Graphic Novel, Cookbook, Memoir

Dirt Candy is kind of a unique book. It is a graphic novel which tells the story of Amanda Cohen opening her NYC restaurant Dirt Candy. Dirt Candy is a restaurant which specializes in vegetables. They don't particularly identify as a "vegetarian" restaurant; their goal is to elevate vegetables and influence people to add more of them to their diets. This graphic novel combines small comic vignettes with recipes from the kitchen of Dirt Candy. Many of the comics are related to the life of the restaurant owner and people who work in restaurants. It is also part memoir. Dirt Candy is a short read but has lots of interesting recipes that may turn you on to inviting more vegetables into your life!

- Jamie

Check out Dirt Candy: A Cookbook @ the library.

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

Title: 99 Percent Mine

Author: Sally Thorne

Genre: Romance

This fun, flirty book is about Darcy Barrett, a strong woman with a weak heart. She is half of a set of fraternal twins and Darcy is currently on the outs with her much beloved brother, Jamie. They're fighting over the wreck of a house that their grandmother left them as their inheritance. Enter Tom Valeska. Tom lived across the street growing up and was practically adopted by Jamie and Darcy's family. Tom now renovates homes and has offered to put his skills to work for the Barretts in his first job as the boss of his own company. As old feelings between Tom and Darcy are rehabbed, will their feelings demolish their friendship, or give them something to build upon? 

This book does have swears and hot bits, so despite Darcy's condition, it's not for the faint of heart.

- Sarah R.

Check out 99 Percent Mine @ the library.

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Title: The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

Author: Stuart Turton

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evenlyn Hardcastle is a fast-paced murder mystery with a lot of twists. Written in first person, our protagonist finds himself as a guest at a large party at a secluded mansion. When he first wakes up, he doesn't know who he is or what is going on. The next day, he wakes up and discovers that he is a different guest at the party, and it's still the same day as yesterday. He soon learns that Evelyn Hardcastle, the person for whom the party is thrown, was murdered at 11 PM, and if he wants to get out of this house and return home (to whoever he really is - he doesn't quite remember) then he needs to solve the murder by the end of the night and he only has a total of 8 "days" to do so. There is an intriguing time travel element involved (but not typical sci fi time travel, so don't let that deter you)! There is also a lot of murder (which sometimes is a bit scary, but I'm no horror fan so if I can handle it, so can you!). I'd recommend picking it up!

- Sarah P.

Check out The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle @ the library.

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

Title: The Island of Sea Women

Author: Lisa See

Genre: Historical Fiction

The Island of Sea Women tells a fictionalized story of the haenyeo living in Korea. The haenyeo are women sea divers who dive with only the power of their lungs, harvesting sea life to sell for profit to support their families. The tale starts with a Korea at peace, weaves its way through two world wars, and finished in nearly present day. The story is typical for author Lisa See, following friendship as it wears through the ages, families through generations, and how the two interact and influence each other. See also does a great job in this novel, and her others, of spotlighting historical cultures that are not well known. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this read.  (For more interesting information, I recommend searching "haenyeo" on the internet! I knew little to nothing about haenyeo before reading this book and found their history completely fascinating.)

- Jamie

Check out The Island of Sea Women @ the library.

Educated by Tara Westover

Title: Educated

Author: Tara Westover

Genre: Memoir

When a person learns of Tara Westover's educational accomplishments, they wouldn't suspect that she never attended school like most children. A hard knock life is probably a fair description of her life. Living as off the grid as possible and prepping for doomsday was her normal. There are lots of stories of her midwife mom, her junkyard dad, and her brothers and sister as they grow up with a strict religious background. 

It also follows her gradual introduction to the world of academia and its influence on her life. Her many stories about her family, her experiences, and her path to higher education make you wonder how one person could go through so much. 

- Sarah R.

Check out Educated @ the library.

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Title: It's Kind of a Funny Story
Author: Ned Vizzini
Genera: Realistic Fiction

Craig is depressed.

Craig has a normal life. He has friends and a supportive family. He got into an exclusive high school, and now feels like he can't keep up. That's why he needs to hide in the bathroom at parties. That's why he sees a shrink. That's why he takes Zoloft.

But it's still hard.

Sometimes he can't eat, it just comes back up. Sometimes he can't get out of bed to do the things he needs to do, he just lays there. Sometimes he doesn't know how to say how he feels, or that there are tentacles pulling him down. Sometimes he wonders what it might be like to end it all.

The night he plans on going through with it, he finds the number for a hotline. The woman on the other end encourages him to check into a hospital to get the help he needs. That's how he ends up at North 6, with the other people how need to be observed before they can go back to a more normal life. With the help of the other residents of North 6, as well as his family and medical professionals, Craig finds out that life is really worth living. No matter what was bringing him down before, there is a reason for him to be alive.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, It's Kind of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini is going to be part of a Community Read. You are invited to read the book and join us in a variety of programs making our communities mental health an issue we discuss. Craig's story give us a glimpse into the workings of a depressed mind, and raises understating about mental health issues.

There will be events surrounding the book throughout the month of May, so check out the our website over at: www.westalliswi.gov/communityread. A community book discussion will be held on May 18th at 10 AM over at City Hall, and copies of the book will be available throughout West Allis at little free libraries, in addition to the copies the library has for check out.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, please do not hesitate to call the National Hopeline at 1-800-784-2433. Help is always available and your life is worth living.

-Katie H

Check out It's Kind of a Funny Story @ the library.