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Summer Reading: Staff Picks

20 Aug

Here are the books that HPL Staff have checked off of their summer reading lists and recommend to you!

As always, links to where these titles can be found in our collection are available.

 Happy Reading!

Rose Madder by Stephen King

“This is a story of empowerment and moving forward with a twist.” – Sabrina (IDS Library Assistant)
Content Warning: Domestic Violence

The Crash by Frieda McFadden

“It’s a good time!” – Vanessa C. (Access Services)

Children of Fire by Drew Karpyshyn

“The author used to write for video games so it’s intriguing to see his writing in book form.” – Jonathan (Access Services)

The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

“Wild lore about the Oxford dictionary. You get to see the correspondence between these two characters and it’s fabulous!” – Libby (Youth Services)

Nightbitch by Rachel Yonder

“This book is great because it shows true motherhood and the psychosis that can happen when you give up your life to take care of children. A lot of it also takes place in the library and at story times which reminds me of what we do here. It shows what people don’t discuss about motherhood.” – Vanessa S. (Children’s Librarian + Manager)

These Heathens by Mia McKenzie

“While dealing with some serious subject matter, Mia McKenzie still manages to bring her signature wit and humor to this heartfelt novel” – Dejeunee (IDS Librarian)

Low Orbit by Kazmir Lee

“Low Orbit hit me hardest through Azar’s relationship with books, which mirrored my own habits at that age of escaping into fiction when life felt too heavy. While I related to their queerness and identity struggles, it was the honest, complicated dynamic with their parents that made the story feel especially personal.” – Tyler (Marketing + Outreach Manager)

An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edward
“I enjoyed this sweet cozy fantasy about Thorn, a 17th century witch who ends up in 21st Century America after trying to cast a spell to find her true love. She learns that although somethings are very different in the modern world, love is timeless. If like me you have found yourself benefiting from the so called cat distribution system, you will be amused by Edward’s clever twist on the concept and the adorable kitties populating the story, who Thorn can communicate with. This would make a fun beach read or check it out for a not so spooky Autumn evening. Fans of romance and modern fantasies will both enjoy. “-Aimee Harris (IDS Manager)

Compiled by:
Dejeunee Depts
IDS Librarian

Great Mysteries Part 2-Who Let the Dogs (and ducks) Out: For Duck’s Sake and Two Parts, Sugar, One Part Murder

6 Aug

For Duck’s Sake
by Donna Andrews

For Duck’s Sake is the latest in Donna Andrews long running Meg Langslow Mystery Series. Sometimes series when they run a long time can run out of ideas and become boring, but I always find Andrews stories full of charm. This novel certainly has a lot going on it. Meg must help with the town’s dog adoption festival including a doggie parade of the adoptable canines. On top of that her brother and his family are putting in a duck pond on their nearby property (hence the ducks in the title). When the digging for the pond unearths a body, a mystery about both who the body is as well as why they were murdered is added to the mix. Unlike some cozies the body is found early on in the story so if you are a new reader and like your mysteries focused on solving the crime, you will enjoy this story. There are plenty of appearances though of Meg’s quirky family and friends like New Age Maven Rose Noir, kind hearted vet Clarence, and Meg’s cantankerous grandfather for long term series fans to enjoy. All the various plot threads knit together nicely in the end. I’m looking forward to Meg’s next outing in the Winter holiday themed, Five Golden Wings, which will be available in October.

Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder
by Valerie Burns

I adored reading Valerie Burn’s latest in her Baker Street Mystery Series that I couldn’t resist going back and reading the first book, Two Parts Sugar, One Parts Mystery. I found this one equally charming and I didn’t find it detrimental to my enjoyment reading out of order. I loved seeing how Maddy went from urban social media influencer to moving to a small town in Michigan near the Great Lakes. Here we see her inheriting her Great Aunt’s home and business along with a gigantic English Mastiff named Baby (his full show name comes from a tribute to Hoboken’s own Frank Sinatra). It was nice knowing reading this one, that despite her heartbreak that caused her to take this plunge, that true love was in her future. I gave up on a long running mystery series that never felt like it progressed in a satisfactory manor a love triangle between the main character and her suitors, so I it was great to see that this series allowed for sufficient character development. The mystery about the death of New Bison’s mayor is intriguing and it is also nice to see another African American amateur detective; for those looking for more diverse, cozy foodie mystery reads you can check out Abby Collette’s Ice Cream Parlor Mystery Series and her Books & Biscuits Mystery Series as well as Valerie Wilson Wesley’s A Glimmer of Death and Olivia Matthews’s Spice Isle Bakery Mystery Series.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager