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!