Chain-Gang All-Stars

by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Prisoners fight in gladiatorial death matches for a chance at freedom, exposing the brutal realities of a dystopian justice system. I decided to read this book after a compelling recommendation from a TikTok creator I follow, intrigued by its gripping premise and social commentary.

- Kirstyn

In the Dream House: A Memoir

by Carmen Maria Machado

Though true, the story’s micro-chapters read like flash fiction, using multiple genres, symbolism, and memory to show how her loving relationship gradually became abusive. I think many fans of true stories that read like fiction may enjoy this book—along with other narrative nonfiction books featured in our new browsing aisle!

- Diana

Bass Culture: When Reggae Was King

by Lloyd Bradley

I picked this book up because good histories of Jamaican music before bob Marley are hard to find. Most really concentrate on the stars of late 60s and early 70s reggae. The author goes beyond just the music and looks deep into the motivations behind the growth of the music, the violence in the scene and how the culture of colonialism helped inspire the music and resistance. I'd recommend this to anyone who is interested in either music history or post-colonial history beyond politics.

- Greg K.

The Woman in the Cabin

by Becca Day

I'm listening to The Woman in the Cabin by Becca Day on Hoopla — mostly because the 12 books I'm waiting for on Libby are still not available. So far, The Woman in the Cabin reminds me a bit of Frieda McFadden's Housemaid series: I know something creepy is going on in the Cabin, but I'm not far enough in to know just what it is yet.

-Ronna

Blood Slaves

by Markus Redmond

I picked it up because I recently watched the movie Sinners which is about vampires in the Jim Crow era of the south and felt this book had a similar feel and theme. I'm about halfway through and it hasn't been too gory yet but I'm expecting the later half to be not for the faint of heart. If you liked Sinners and you're not to squeamish, I'd give it a try.

- Emily

Kingdom of Claw

by Demi Winters

The second book in The Ashen series, Silla Nordvig continues her quest through a brutal fantasy world, facing deadly trials, political intrigue, and ancient magic as she seeks to protect her people and uncover her own destiny. I chose to read this book because I loved the first book’s thrilling story and was eager to follow Silla’s journey in this richly imagined sequel.

- Kirstyn

Children of Time

by Adrian Tchaikovsky

This book comes very highly rated and the first of a series. I picked it up because now that I’m hooked on Sci-Fi, I’m constantly trying to find a new author I like as much as James S. A. Corey (The Expanse) and Andy Weir (Project Hail Mary).

Unfortunately, I did not finish the book. I wanted so much to like it – hard science and space opera! -- and the writing was good. But the fact that the premise relies on an extremely unlikeable character and a planet full of insect creatures as antagonists just didn’t work for me.

Many other people must love it if you see the ratings so by all means, give it a try. I’d give it 3 stars for interest and 5 stars for good writing style.

-Cary

Can You Solve the Murder?

by Antony Johnston

As a child I read every Choose Your Own Adventure book that our library owned - multiple times. This book is similar in many way to those books, but for adults! You are a Detective Inspector and tasked with solving a murder. Your choices help to gather evidence and uncover clues that will help you solved they mystery. While I haven't finished this yet, and am unlikely to actually be able to solve the mystery, I'm having a lot of fun! If you also enjoyed Choose Your Own Adventure books as a child, you should give this book a try.

-Katherine

Every Summer After

by Carley Fortune 

I picked this up after my sister recommended it to me as a great summer-y romance. A second-chance romance set in a small lakeside town. After 12 years, a funeral brings Persephone back to the town where she spent her summers growing up; it also brings the boy she left behind back into her life.

-Jacqueline

Haunted

by Chuck Palahniuk

This book has been on my radar for awhile and it came in while I was checking in books. With no one on its wait list, I took the opportunity to check it out. It's a short story collection of gruesome and funny tales told by a collection of authors on a writing retreat that they're not allowed to leave. So far, its been dark, funny, and visceral. If you're into that, give it read.

-Emily

Thunderhead

by Neal Shusterman

This is the second book in his young adult Arc of a Scythe series. I read the first one, Scythe, last summer, and wanted to finish the series. It is set in a post-mortality age, where natural death has been vanquished, and designated Scythes "glean" only a certain number of people. If you like futuristic adventure stories, this series might appeal to you.

-Ronna

The Secrets of Flowers

by Sally Page

There were several reasons for choosing this book. I've read other books by her and love her ability to interweave many stories into one. The cover was also an incentive. Flowers and the Titantic are prominent - couldn't resist seeing what story or stories she would tell. This is definitely a book for all of us who enjoy reading about flowers (even if we can't grow them!) and/or the Titantic. The characters are well written as individuals and as they interact. The are many details about flowers and the Titantic which enhance the story.

-Joyce

The Inside Job

by Daniel Silva

This book is #25 in the Gabriel Allon series. I've read the previous 24 and have been waiting for this one to be published. Daniel Silva writes thriller/spy books with a bit of mystery and art history thrown in for good measure. I find his books very fast paced and fun to read. His protagonist, Gabriel Allon, is an art restorer and part time spy who has been awarded a commission to restore one of the most important paintings in Venice. However, when he discovers the body of a mysterious woman floating in the waters of the Venetian Lagoon, he finds himself in a desperate race to recover a lost masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes fast paced thrillers. It is similar to the types of books written by John Le Carre and T. Jefferson Parker.

- Mary

The Sword of Kaigen: a Theonite war story

by M.L. Wang

I picked up this book after reading Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang and loving it. This book is inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender, and follows a mother and son living in an idyllic town during what they believe is a time of peace. When the foundation crumbles on what they believed to be true, they're forced to confront a violent future they didn't expect.

-Jacqueline

The Doll-Master and Other Tales of Terror

by Joyce Carol Oats

I've been in the mood for short and creepy tales so I picked up this volume after checking our collection. I'm enjoying the author's style of terror where the scary things aren't monsters under the bed but the dark workings of our society and what goes on in someone's head. If someone's in the mood for dark social commentaries, I'd recommend this one.

- Emily

Tilt

by Emma Pattee

I decided to listen to this audiobook as soon as I heard what it's about. A pregnant woman (37-weeks along) is shopping for cribs at IKEA when a huge earthquake hits Portland, Oregon. She is left without her purse, car, or cell phone and her only choice is to walk through the horribly damaged city to try to find her husband. I've stuck with this book because it's very suspenseful and I'm rooting for the pregnant main character to make it!

- Katherine