|
1949 |
1984 by George Orwell | |
| Review by JPL Staff Member | ||
| The reason I enjoyed this book is because while it was written in the 1940's. The book resonates with current events today. The policing of speech and ideas as well as the international situation. | ||
| Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller | ||
| Review by Michael McHugh | ||
| Author Miller's masterpiece! A classic American tragedy maybe somewhat relating to the economic problems we face today. For-sure worth a re-read! | ||
| Point of No Return by John P. Marquand | ||
| Review by Ricardo Mesa | ||
| It’s a book I read when I lived in New England. I think it resonates with anyone who comes from a small town, and not in social circles and wants to be successful. It gives the reader a look into what was going on during that time. | ||
| 1952 | Charlotte's Web by E.B. White | |
| Review by Merrie Valliant | ||
| For a children's book there is a focus on death, friendship and love that is hard to escape. The friendship between the main characters is warm and believable even if their species are different. There is a lesson for us all in understanding, kindness, and acceptance within this wonderful book. | ||
| The Apple Tree: A Short Novel and Several Long Stories by Daphne du Maurier | ||
| Review by Adele Melancon | ||
| I picked this one because I enjoy some of the work by author Daphne du Maurier. She includes a story in this book, titled, "The Birds". She wrote dark and gothic-like material, some of which inspired Alfred Hitchcock. These writings later paved the way to some amazing film adaptations. | ||
| 1953 | Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury | |
| Review by Ron Goldberg | ||
| I have always been against the idea of banning books, as a child I learned a great deal about it early on in Synagogue. We are educated about prejudices and hate early in life, the historical bias against the Jewish people instills a need to lean about our own culture and protect our history. During the rise and rule of the Nazi party and the development of communist countries the world witnessed the largest bans on thought, civil liberty and individualism. Since the creation of language our written documents have become the greatest resource for passing on thoughts and ideas. Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451 is the epitome of a future where books are not only banned but destroyed and the consequence for having them is death. The real strength of the book however isn’t to show what might happen if ignorance is allowed to run rampant but that the main character, who is responsible for destroying books, can learn the value of books and turn against culture he was indoctrinated into. | ||
| 1954 | Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien | |
| Review by Cyril Lagvanec | ||
| This is the very pinnacle of fantasy literature. Everything else in the genre is to be measured against this monumental work. | ||
| 1959 | A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr. | |
| Review by Eric Krieger | ||
| A Canticle for Leibowitz is a classic Hugo Award-winning Sci-Fi novel set in a dystopian future of wastelands, mutants, and scattered survivors, among which are a handful of surviving Catholic monks and their far flung monasteries. Spanning over a thousand years, the story is actually three sequential stories in one chronicling the fall, rise, and possible next fall of civilization with the monks and their secrets at the center. The story is an example of the finest Sci-Fi literature at once exciting, thought-provoking, witty, and full of imagination and superb prose. It is a book you cannot put down once you begin. Walter Miller served with one of the bomber crews that obliterated the ancient monastery of Monte Casino in Italy during WWII, an act he believed was criminal, and one from which he never mentally recovered. In many ways, A Canticle for Leibowitz was his act of atonement for a sin of which he could never forgive himself. | ||
| 1961 | The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster | |
| Review by Merrie Valliant | ||
| Young Milo takes an unexpected trip and ends up on a quest to save not one but two kingdoms. Along the way he meets many people who teach things in interesting ways and he slowly comes to understand love learning. My favorite person is the world's smallest giant who is also the world's largest dwarf.....You do have to read the book to understand..... | ||
| 1962 | Prelandra by C.S. Lewis | |
| Review by Rosilynn Bryan | ||
| Perelandra is the second book in a science fiction trilogy written by C.S. Lewis, a celebrated Oxford professor and theologian. Elwin Ransom, the protagonist, travels through space and time to the planet Venus, intent on stopping corrupt and mercenary forces from exploiting the planet’s resources. After landing on Venus, he encounters a mysterious female inhabitant named Tinidril and his old nemesis Professor Weston. Ransom and Weston engage in a dangerous psychological struggle for the soul of the planet, culminating in a fierce battle before the story’s end. | ||
| The Thin Red Line by James Jones | ||
| Review by Bert Lusnia | ||
| A novel based on the author’s experiences with the Army during the battle for Guadalcanal. The story examines the thoughts and desires of a group of soldiers, what they think about when bored, the amount of sheer, exhausting physical effort required to fight a war, and how they react to combat. | ||
| 1963 | The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath | |
| Review by Brittany Guillot | ||
| The Bell Jar, being so personal to Plath, is a story people can connect with because the narrator's struggle with mental health, societal pressures, and gender roles during that time, are realistic and relatable. Throughout the book, the narrator can feel the bell jar coming down and closing in, and as the reader you feel that bell jar closing in around you too. "I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart: I am, I am, I am." | ||
| The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carré | ||
| Review by Robert Beard | ||
| 60 years later, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is still the high-water mark for both spy and Cold War fiction. Le Carre was a master of pacing, characterization, and subterfuge. Like all of the best genre writers, he elevated "genre fiction" to the level of literature. This is only partly a story of spies and double-crosses; more largely, it's a story about the myths we tell ourselves to justify our baser instincts. | ||
| 1965 | Autobiograhy of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley | |
| Review by JPL Staff Member | ||
| A unique political perspective from a 1960's political activist. Current racial division makes Malcolm X's activities an important history lesson. His assassination marks a pivotal point in the 1960s political climate. | ||
| Dune by Frank Herbert | ||
| Review by Leo Castell | ||
| Dune is to science fiction what Lord of the Rings is to fantasy: seminal. Peeling back the layers to this onion reveals a deep text with a rich universe that rewards scrutiny. It may seem intimidating, but just remember that you must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. | ||
| 1967 | I'm OK, You are OK by Thomas Harris, MD | |
| Review by John Gaffney | ||
| I feel that I am OK, You are OK is one of the best books that I have read. It gave me an excellent insight about human interactions and changed my way of seeing them, it also introduced me to Eric Berne, MD and Transactional Analysis | ||
| 1968 | Nova by Samuel R. Delaney | |
| Review by JPL Staff Member | ||
| I picked this book because it is a fascinating read that takes place in the future. It has warring factions from different planets and families. A crew on a spaceship is looking for a supernova. Another title it could be compared to would be Prometheus and the Holy Grail. | ||
| Outer Dark by Cormac McCarthy | ||
| Review by Joe Lange | ||
| After the death of this legendary writer, I was inspired to read Outer Dark on the recommendation of a respected library co-worker. She didn’t lead me wrong. The novel reads like gothic poetry as McCarthy reveals a late 19th century Appalachia where a brother and sister attempt to survive a heinous secret that shatters their world. Separately they wander the wilderness, looking for answers in a cruel world where nameless outlaws destroy anything in their path. The reader experiences their fear and dread in McCarthy’s unsettling landscape. | ||
| True Grit by Charles Portis | ||
| Review by Joe Lange | ||
| One of my favorite movies is now one of my favorite books! True Grit, by Charles Portis, is a grand western adventure, narrated in a storytelling style by our heroine, Mattie Ross. She recounts her quest, some 50 years earlier, to bring to justice her father’s murderer. This is an extremely enjoyable read, as Mattie’s narration is straightforward, yet often humorous, as she describes her adventure with Marshal Rooster Cogburn and a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf. | ||
| 1969 | Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth | |
| Review by JPL Staff Member | ||
| Current issues with cultural identity. Portnoy's Complaint delves into cultural assimilation and individual gratification. The Jewishness of the protagonist highlights current antisemitic activism and the Jewish identity. | ||
| 1970 | Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach | |
| Review by Asahel Barahona | ||
| Jonathan Livingston Seagull Is a fable about a Seagull who wants to transcend over the boundaries of his own world and excel beyond the avian realm. This allegorical fable teaches us that we should never give up and should always try to overcome the limits of our abilities mark by the society we live in… | ||
| 1971 | Post Office by Charles Bukowski | |
| Review by JPL Staff Member | ||
| A story about the life of a postal worker. Starring one of the greatest anti-heroes in modern American literature, the book is actually an autobiographical memoir based on the author's life during the 1970s. Despite being a bit cynical, this book is hilarious and wild. Funny, raw, and refreshingly honest. | ||
| 1972 | Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus | |
| Review by Nicholas Caluda | ||
| This allegorical short novel – a tale of love, loss, and life – is not only emblematic of the counterculture movement of the 1970s but a wonderful reminder of the individual ability to grow, change, and start a tiny, personal revolution. In it, two caterpillars, Stripe and Yellow, are confronted by the realities of life: the self, the world, and whatever is at the top of that tall mountain of other caterpillars... Don’t be fooled by the lively illustrations; this book is, as the cover advertises, “for adults and others including caterpillars who can read.” | ||
| The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury | ||
| Review by Crystal Guidry | ||
| This book changed my life. Not only did this book introduce me to who would become my favorite author, but it tells the story of the history of my favorite holiday Halloween! I discovered this book in elementary school. It is masterfully written for a young audience, not only addressing the fascinating origins of the mysterious holiday of Halloween, but also deals with the emotions of losing a best friend. This book truly taught me that reading IS fun! | ||
| 1974 | All the President’s Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward | |
| Review by Daniel Cangelosi | ||
| I suggest this book because it’s the story behind one of the most (arguably the most) consequential works of American investigative journalism in the 20th century—one that led to the only resignation in the history of the U.S. presidency. It should be fairly obvious why the book and the investigation it details—and its outcome—have profound implications in this century as well. I’d be hard pressed to come up with a better embodiment of the saying “The pen is mightier than the sword.” | ||
| The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert Caro | ||
| Review by JPL Staff Member | ||
| It's a mammoth commitment, but this is perhaps the most enlightening non-fiction book I 've ever read. It's a biography at its core, but also a phenomenally skilled exploration of power, politics, urban planning, relationships, etc. - and how one man was so influential while never having held elected office, or even having a driver's license. If you finish the journey, you will see the world around you (and its structures) in a different way - it truly is a book that will make anyone a smarter human being for having read it. | ||
| 1975 | Memoirs by Tennessee Williams | |
| Review by Natalie Juneau | ||
| Tennessee Williams’s memoir is a personal recollection of a country in the midst of deep change from the 1930’s through the post-war era. It reveals the raw source material of many of his most famous works, as well as his extensive time in New Orleans and its influence on his plays, fiction and personal life. | ||
| 1978 | The Stand by Stephen King | |
| Review by Jessica Styons | ||
| The Stand by Stephen King is a sprawling apocalyptic novel that blends elements of horror, fantasy, and social commentary. Set in a world decimated by a deadly virus, the story follows a diverse group of survivors as they navigate the aftermath, ultimately finding themselves embroiled in a battle between good and evil. King's rich character development and vivid world-building make the novel a compelling exploration of human nature and the struggle for survival in extreme circumstances. The story feels as relevant and meaningful today as it did when I first read it 35 years ago! | ||
| The World According to Garp by John Irving | ||
| Review by Gwen Kelley | ||
| The World According to Garp was a book ahead of its time. The World According to Garp is John Irving's fourth novel, about a man born out of wedlock to a feminist leader who grows up to be a writer. It contains probably the first instance of a trans person being portrayed as lovely person and a truly good friend. | ||
| 1979 | Grand Isle On the Gulf: An Early History by Sally Kittredge Evans, Frederick Stielow and Betty Swanson | |
| Review by Chad Willingham | ||
| Being from Grand Isle, I wanted to add something to the list that would be helpful to those who know little about our tiny piece of paradise. There are few books that cover Grand Isle and especially the subject of the Island's history. This one does cover the history of the Island with a few "word of mouth" stories thrown in for good measure. It's a very short and interesting read that checks in at just over 100 pages. One could gain a great amount of insight into Grand Isle's little-known history by checking out this little gem. We have 3 copies available here to anyone interested in pursuing a little knowledge about our 7-mile slice of paradise. | ||
| Masquerade by Kit Williams | ||
| Review by Selena Muhoberac | ||
| The Moon tasks a rabbit to bring a gift to the Sun for her. The story follows the adventures of Jack Hare as he tries to fulfill the Moon’s request… but a mystery arises when Jack loses the gift and it’s up to the reader to figure out where. It’s a fantastical story filled with riddles, puzzles, and Where’s Waldo-type of illustrations where you have to find the rabbit as he travels on his journey. The pages are filled with these beautiful illustrations edge to edge. I remember spending hours looking through all the illustrations and examining them for every hidden detail. The book is older and a bit tricky to find these days, but I absolutely recommend it for any child age 8-12 who enjoys riddles and a good mystery. | ||
| The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams | ||
| Review by Jessica Gradolf | ||
| The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is a wholly remarkable book. Truly the funniest book I've read. Adams has such a unique way with words, you'll be laughing one sentence and the next you are musing on the existence of life, the universe, and everything. | ||
| 1981 | The American Film Musical by Rick Altman | |
| Review by Nicholas Caluda | ||
| Possibly the best overall analysis of film, genre, and the musical, Rick Altman’s mammoth survey of the uniquely American form not only charts the development of the style but also explores what makes it one of the most sophisticated art forms of the 20th century. Eminently readable, The American Film Musical will change the way you approach musicals and movies in general. | ||
| 1982 | House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende | |
| Review by JPL Staff Member | ||
| A saga that spans several generations, romance, history, war, fantasy—this story has everything in one book. House of the Spirits touches on different themes such as breaking generation curses, revenge, forgiveness, and the possibility of personal growth in anyone. Also, the language throughout the book is poetic and rich. | ||
| 1984 | Neuromancer by William Gibson | |
| Review by Bryan Sproles | ||
| I chose the book Neuromancer by William Gibson because it’s not only my favorite book, but also culturally significant to the world we’ve lived in since about the mid-90s, when Internet access became widely available to the public at large, outside of colleges and universities. Gibson coined the term “Cyberspace” back in the early 80s in his short story “Burning Chrome”, as ‘widespread, interconnected digital technology’, but later popularized the term in Neuromancer, his debut novel. He is also widely credited as the pioneer of the Science Fiction subgenre called “Cyberpunk”. Hit movies, such as Johnny Mnemonic (already based on a short story of the same name by Gibson) and The Matrix borrow heavily from Neuromancer in several ways, mostly as a dystopian and futuristic setting, how to join this worldwide interconnected virtual reality, Artificial Intelligence, and many other terms which most of today’s readers should be aware of. Neuromancer is set in multiple locations around the globe, but The Sprawl (an urban area covering most of the East Coast) is a common area that they return to at various points in the story, and evolved into what’s now known as “The Sprawl Trilogy”. Neuromancer is the first book in this trilogy, and if you enjoy it, I would highly recommend finishing with the second (Count Zero) and third (Mona Lisa Overdrive) books in the series. | ||
| 1985 | Blood Meridian; or, The Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy | |
| Review by JPL Staff Member | ||
| This is a brutal story about the Old West, with one of the scariest antagonists in all of literature. Incredible storytelling with rich poetic and thoughtful prose. It also offers a serious philosophical examination of the dark side of human nature. This book is often considered the magnum opus of one of the greatest American novelists of our time. Dark, gritty, and haunting. | ||
| 1987 | Swan Song by Robert McCammon | |
| Review by Jordan H. | ||
| A wonderful blend of fantasy, horror, and science fiction that follows multiple characters embarking on an arduous journey throughout a post-apocalyptic world. It truly shows how strong the human spirit is in that we can find so much hope during the worst of times. Every emotion is felt throughout this read that goes beyond the expectations of a dystopian novel. | ||
| 1988 | The Fool's Progress: An Honest Novel by Edward Abbey | |
| Review by Michael Parker | ||
| Written when the irascible desert rat author knew the end was near, Edward Abbey's The Fool's Progress is a loosely autobiographical novel portraying the aging Henry Lightcap leaving his beloved American Southwest arid landscape and making his way back to his Appalachian childhood home one last time. Like Abbey, Henry left the hardscrabble subsistence family farm for a life of exploration, advocacy for, and protection of the wild deserts and rivers of New Mexico, Utah and Arizona, and his passion for that land and its people is palpable, suffused with the melancholy tinge of approaching mortality. This was the first book my wife of 27 years and I bonded over after we met, so there is an overflowing amount of sentimental attachment, as well. | ||
| 1993 | The Giver by Lois Lowry | |
| Review by Richard Schmidt | ||
| The Giver is a thrilling science fiction novel with great characters and a powerful ending. The world building is imaginative and detailed. While it is often thought of as a children's novel, it needs to be read by adults as well. In my opinion, it is one of the greatest sci-fi novels of all time. | ||
| 1996 | Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain | |
| Review by Daniel Cangelosi | ||
| I suggest this because it’s a thoroughly absorbing chronicle of the origins of the late-20th century musical movement that to this day continues to influence not only popular and alternative genres of music, but other forms of art, entertainment, and media as well. | ||
| 1998 | Annals of the Former World by John McPhee | |
| Review by Bill McKee | ||
| A terrific nonfiction book about the geologic history and processes that shaped much of the U.S. McPhee is a terrific writer who makes the subjects he writes about - and they are many and varied - extremely interesting. The book's profiles of the geologists that McPhee accompanied on his travels across the continent are as fascinating as the explanations of plate tectonics and other geological phenomena. | ||
| Holes by Louis Sachar | ||
| Review by Nicholas Caluda | ||
| America in microcosm. Holes is a memorable tale about Stanley Yelnats, a young boy falsely accused of theft and sent off to a correctional facility, where the inmates spend their time digging holes in the desert. It’s also a tale of his no good, dirty, rotten, pig-stealing great-great grandfather, and the repercussions of his actions. It’s also a tale of a white schoolteacher and a Black farmer, and the complications that come with their relationship. Louis Sachar manages to weave all these elements together in a moving tale of the country’s past, present, and future. | ||
| 1999 | Destined to Witness: Growing Up Black in Nazi Germany by Hans Massaquoi | |
| Review by David Johnson | ||
| Hans Massaquoi, the son of a German nurse and a Liberian consul, writes about his harrowing and peculiar experience of coming of age in Nazi Germany as a young Black man in this riveting autobiography. His recollections of the firebombing of Hamburg are particularly wrenching, and his story of triumph over racism is inspiring. | ||
| 2004 | Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky | |
| Review by Bert Lusnia | ||
| Two novellas completed by the author in what she projected to be a five-novella cycle of stories about France in WW2. The two stories are based on the author’s personal experiences fleeing Paris in the face of the German invasion in June 1940, and the experience of occupation in a small town in late 1940/early 1941. The author was planning the third novella during the summer of 1942, when she was detained by French authorities and sent to Auschwitz, where she died of typhus. | ||
| 2005 | Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway by Jonathan Parshall and Anthony P. Tully | |
| Review by Cyril Lagvanec | ||
| Massive retelling of the Battle of Midway (1942), which makes extensive use of Japanese sources. An Illuminating, gripping, and masterful retelling of the battle that reversed the course of World War II in the Pacific. | ||
| 2007 | Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill | |
| Review by Chad Willingham | ||
| This novel is about a depraved aging rock star who has an affinity for collecting macabre items. He decides to purchase a supposed dead man’s haunted suit online. He discovers many things about the “ghost” and about himself throughout his journey. He discovers that he may not be able to run from his traumatizing past any longer. It is my favorite Joe Hill novel and should be read by any horror fan. | ||
| Tiny Deaths by Robert Shearman | ||
| Review by Nicholas Caluda | ||
| Everyone in the world receives a sudden notice of the time, place, and manner of their death – except for one man. Another man goes to Hell, only to find his roommate is Hitler’s childhood dog. Meanwhile, in a small room, a small boy waits for his mother, who he’s sure is coming to get him… Equal parts funny, tender, and horrifying, Robert Shearman’s first short story anthology is an exploration of death as part of the human experience. In spite of the subject matter, Tiny Deaths is light on its feet, with quick, engaging prose and a wicked sense of humor. Shearman is a master storyteller, and this collection is a great way to start exploring his works. | ||
| 2008 | Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri | |
| Review by Lauren Clement | ||
| Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth is a beautifully-written collection of short stories that follow complex yet relatable Bengali American characters, who experience the trials of life, love, and death. Lahiri’s style, insight, intelligence, and storytelling will keep you wanting more! | ||
| 2009 | Open by Andre Agassi | |
| Review by Heidi Cheramie | ||
| Best memoir I ever read. This book reads like fiction. It is well written with tension and is impossible to put down. It is an inspiring book about finding your true self. It is an inside look at a sports protégée and how difficult that can be for a child. You do not need to be a tennis fan to enjoy this book. Truly inspiring. | ||
| The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim | ||
| Review by Monica Ezelle | ||
| It is a historical novel spanning 30 years, inspired by the life of the author's mother. Japan had annexed Korea, and the people were trying to survive the cultural, political and religious upheaval. The story is centered around a young woman who suffers poverty and imprisonment but continues to care for her family. The book is interesting and enlightening at the same time. | ||
| 2012 | Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn | |
| Review by Maria Piacun | ||
| Being a fan of mystery and crime novels and shows, this crime thriller novel deserves all the attention it gets through its complex narrative and characters in its dark twisted depiction of marriage that makes you take a careful look at who you married. In this book, as you take a twisted journey to find out what happened to Amy Dunne, it depicts an understanding that the line between good and bad guys can blur through its unreliable narration of the events surrounding Amy Dunne's disappearance. The twist of the novel makes it memorable and is one of the reasons that I recommend it to people who want to understand how compelling a psychological thriller can be to its readers. It is a true modern classic in the genre and deserves praise for being a daring look into the human psyche that many novels in that genre have tried to emulate. | ||
| 2013 | The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg | |
| Review by Cynthia Shaffer | ||
| Flagg is a master of Southern humor while bringing to life the work and sacrifices made by women in a small town during WWII. | ||
| 2015 | Painting for Peace in Ferguson by Carol Swartout Klein | |
| Review by Maggie Earles | ||
| This book never gives a voice to the brutality that plagued Ferguson in August of 2014. Instead, it gives that voice to its community. "But when morning came, folks took one look around and said we don't like the looks of our town... we'll paint up those boards that make us feel down. We'll paint pictures of love and bring hope to the town." The rest of the pages spill out pure life. Barricades meant to shut out transform into canvases to reach out. People from all walks of Ferguson give voice to the hurting, wisdom to empower, and everything from doodles to natural wonders to cheer the weary soul. Everything is arranged nicely by theme, while still feeling personal and organic. This first step to heal Ferguson is a balm to my own heart and is an excellent way to show young readers the power of positive change. | ||
| 2016 | A History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps by Peter Adamson | |
| Review by Frank Boimare | ||
| The volumes in the “A History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps” series offer an easy to read and understand history of philosophy through the Renaissance and Byzantine era. The volumes on Indian and Islamic philosophy make the two often overlooked subjects more accessible. | ||
| 2017 | An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon | |
| Review by JPL Staff Member | ||
| I picked this book because it was a book from a past book club at the Library. I thought it was really interesting and in some ways it reminds me of the TV show “Snowpiercer.” The book takes place in the future and in outer space on a space ship, but some of the past societal rules from earth are firmly in place. They left earth behind but not the societal problems. | ||
| Walkaway by Cory Doctorow | ||
| Review by Michael Parker | ||
| Cyberpunk pioneer Wiliam Gibson famously said, " The future is already here - it's just not evenly distributed." Cory Doctorow's near-future novel Walkaway portrays the intensification of such power dynamics and the efforts of, to paraphrase Margaret Mead, "a group of thoughtful, committed individuals," to level the playing field. The title refers to a social movement within the novel to upend the surveillance capitalist state by walking away from punitive debt, soul-crushing un- and underemployment, and manipulated scarcity of resources and joining together in small communities based on affinities and a gift-based economy. As one of the most astute writers, podcasters and activists exploring the esoteric high-tech concepts governing so much of our daily lives, often without our consent, Doctorow shows both the promise and perils of 3-D printing, the Singularity, and other technologies in the hands of both the tech-savvy Robin Hoods and the Sheriff of Nottinghamesque digital edgelords. Maybe the most inspiring dystopian novel you'll read this year. | ||
| 2018 | Educated by Tara Westover | |
| Review by JPL Staff Member | ||
| If you think Hillbilly Elegy is worth reading, this one is an EVEN better read! | ||
| Handmade Houseplants: 30 Remarkably Realistic Plants You Can Make With Paper by Corrie Beth Hogg (Photographs by Christine Han) | ||
| Review by Angie Wollschlaeger | ||
| This book is a good representation of the fabulous arts and crafts DIY books that we have to offer in the 700s. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, or you live or work in a space with low or no light, these remarkably realistic paper houseplants are a joy to create and bring cheer to any space. I hope to host a program soon showcasing a few of the projects offered in this delightful book. | ||
| Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal Edition (Vol. 1) by Naoko Takeuchi (Translated by Alethea Nibley and Athena Nibley) | ||
| Review by Megan Crozat | ||
| In the mid-90’s when I was ten years old, I turned on my television and watched a cartoon unlike any I had ever seen before – one with young female heroes wielding magical powers and fighting evil – and I became immediately obsessed with Sailor Moon and the “Sailor Scouts”! When I learned via the internet (with images loading at dial-up speed, of course) that it was based on a Japanese manga called Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, it became the first manga I had ever encountered. It sealed my love – or should I say “love and justice” – for the format. While it might be better known in the west for its anime adaptation, Naoko Takeuchi’s manga is a seminal work in its own right and well worth a read. While the first issues were published in the Japanese magazine Nakayoshi from 1991 to 1997 and later released in English in various formats, for the most accurate translation and best reading experience, I recommend Kodansha’s Eternal Editions from 2018. | ||
| The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt | ||
| Review by JPL Staff Member | ||
| This book may cause you to stop and assess your own thinking and perspectives on life. Maybe you will even consider how you developed your thinking processes and why? | ||
| The Southern Sympathy Cookbook: Funeral Food with a Twist by Perre Coleman Magness | ||
| Review by Angie Wollschlaeger | ||
| This book includes humorous obituaries and anecdotes alongside really great recipes worthy of any somber or celebratory Southern occasion. My favorite recipes from the book are Lemon Dill Pickled Shrimp & Smoky Cheese Wafers. Enjoy! | ||
| The Wolf by Leo Carew | ||
| Review by John Bernius | ||
| The Anakim are a warrior race of giants in the north who are constantly under assault by their human neighbors to the south. The heir to the throne of the Anakim, Roper, must take power in order to defend his people from extinction. The warrior culture of the Anakim, their passion for the wilds of their land, and the chess match between the two armies make this series (Under the Northern Sky) one of my favorites. | ||
| 2019 | The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict | |
| Review by JPL Staff Member | ||
| The story of famed beauty, Hedy Lamarr through her days as an Austrian actress, wife of munitions dealer to Hitler and Mussolini, through her success at MGM, and ultimately as an inventor extraordinaire! Truly a woman who was ahead of her time - for years uncredited , as well as uncompensated, for her patent that paved the way for the life altering technologies we use today. | ||
| 2020 | The Book On Pie: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Perfect Pies by Erin Jeanne McDowell | |
| Review by David Rodriguez | ||
| This baking book is the most comprehensive (sweet and savory pies, doughs and crusts, décor and toppings), the most detailed (explains critical prep, detailed techniques, and fixing mistakes!), and the most creative (flavored meringues, dough lattices, flavored sifting sugars) book on pie baking perfection that I have found at our library! I enthusiastically recommend it for timid beginners (like me) and pro bakers alike. Get this book to learn new and useful tips to help you in your pie baking perfection pursuits. Bon appetite ! | ||
| The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes | ||
| Review by Heidi Cheramie | ||
| This is the first book in the Y.A. Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. This is a YA series that is a thrilling mix of puzzles and plot twists. It is the best treasure hunt book I have ever read. The character's are compelling and mysterious. This book was impossible to put down and as the series progresses each book gets better and better. The book explores friendship, romance, family dynamics and amazing puzzles. Love this series. | ||
| 2021 | A Psalm for the Wild-Built: A Monk and Robot Book by Becky Chambers | |
| Review by Skye Cornelia | ||
| This book feels like a hug. Queer and light sci-fi. What it means to matter in the world. Tenderness and tears in the best kind of way. | ||
| 2022 | Marmee by Sarah Miller | |
| Review by Angela Tircuit | ||
| The story of Little Women told from the diary entrees of Marmee, the mother. I love Little Women and found myself loving this book. It fleshes out Marmee, and shows the moments from the original book in a new light. | ||
| Patricia Wants to Cuddle: A Novel by Samantha Leigh Allen | ||
| Review by Skye Cornelia | ||
| This book. It had me cackling. Reality TV, queerdom, something unknown going on in a middle-of-nowhere town. If you have a dark sense of humor, do it. My review can’t do it justice without spoiling. | ||
| The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka | ||
| Review by Diane Steckler | ||
| It has meaning for anyone who has been part of the subtle to increased changes in a loved one experiencing the progression of dementia. Though a work of fiction, it presents an account I feel certain is based on an actual person. | ||
| 2023 | The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin | |
| Review by Liz C. | ||
| The Keeper of Hidden Books is a historical fiction book that takes place during WWII. It is a wonderful story about love, power, resilience, and courage of people during the time of Hitler taking over. In this story it demonstrates the creativity of the people of how they survived and protected one another and the things that were important to them. In this story the librarians did everything in their power to hide and protect books from being banned and burned by Hitler. This book demonstrates the power of literature. Read the book to find out how the librarians used their creativity to protect and hide the books. | ||
| The Little Liar by Mitch Albom | ||
| Review by JPL Staff Member | ||
| Amazing insight into the persecution of the Jewish people and the atrocities they suffered at the hands of Nazi Germany during their occupation of Greece. Seen through the eyes of the children who lived it, the Nazi officer who orchestrated their fates, and brilliantly narrated by Truth itself. | ||
| What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski | ||
| Review by Maggie Earles | ||
| What starts as a middle school mystery novel unravels into this generation's Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. New girl Anna investigates the sudden infamy of last year's most popular student, Rachel Riley, who dismisses her story as better left untold. Fumbling school administrator emails, text messages between students with only emojis for names, and interviews that end with shaky denials only grow more frantic as "the game" that fueled the fallout starts anew- and turns out to be anything but fun for the female students. I have never come across a piece of media that demonstrates so realistically the way it feels to be a girl caught in an unwanted male gaze. Even more realistic, and sad, is the way everyone in the school- staff and victims included- either laughs off the unhealthy behavior or plays it down to avoid escalation. Thankfully, it just as honestly portrays the way change can happen if we, and our allies, are unflinching and accountable. It is an important read for anyone, especially those with an adolescent girl in their life. | ||
| What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama (Translated by Alison Watts) | ||
| Review by Emily Bennett | ||
| This Japanese international bestseller tells the stories of five different people at critical points in their lives. Each person ends up at the local library. The head librarian is able to almost supernaturally sense what each patron needs and gives him or her life-changing book recommendations. This heartwarming book is about community, the value of chasing one's dreams, and the magic of libraries. What you are looking for may truly be in the library. Favorite quote: "One day is going to become tomorrow." | ||
| 2024 | Redwood Court by DeLana R.A. Dameron | |
| Review by Angela Tircuit | ||
| This is a book that spans the generations of one Black family in South Carolina. The title is the name of the street that the grandparents live on. Certain difficult subjects like racism and poverty are addressed, but the book doesn't wallow in them. It isn't a book about struggle. It's a story of family and love and helping each other. The book leaves you with a good feeling. | ||
| The Bad Weather Friend by Dean Koontz | ||
| Review by Cynthia Shaffer | ||
| What do you do when everything that could possibly go wrong in your life goes wrong? This story is great fun. Think Lemony Snicket for adults. | ||