Dark Archives by Megan Rosenbloom
Title: Dark Archives
Author: Megan Rosenbloom
Review: Not as creepy as it seems at first, this book is as much about medical forensics as the questions dealing with the preservation of rare materials.
Review by: Ben
What Doesn't Break by Cassandra Khaw
Title: What Doesn't Break
Author: Cassandra Khaw
Review: More than anything, all Laudna wants is a friend. Brutally murdered for someone else's war, then she awoke. Even death rejected her. A heart wrenching story of death, and loss, and just wanting to be loved.
Review by: Kiana
Never Whistle At Night by Shane Hawk
Title: Never Whistle At Night
Author: Shane Hawk
Review: Buckle up for a collection of bone-chilling folk horror stories, all from indigenous authors. There is a belief among many Native cultures that one should never whistle at night. Why? Get ready to become unsettled with some rich cultural lore that answers this question.
Review by: Layne
A Brief History of Intelligence by Max Bennett
Title: A Brief History of Intelligence
Author: Max Bennett
Review: Starting from the earliest principles of how neurons work, all the way up to the present day, the author outlines how brains do what they do. If you like details about brain function, you'll probably like this book.
Review by: Ben
Good Energy by Casey Means
Title: Good Energy
Author: Casey Means
Review: This book is amazing, eye-opening, and filled with so much information that honestly I’ve had to reread it twice, highlighting and taking notes while doing so. There’s lots of info about our foods to solve problems with our health. It is such a game changer of a book. It also goes into so much detail of what highly processed foods can do to harm our body and our families bodies. Don’t let this book overwhelm you. Take little chunks at a time. It is so worth it.
Review by: Julie
Things We Do In The Dark by Jennifer Hillier
Title: Things We Do In The Dark
Author: Jennifer Hillier
Review: A “suspense” novel in the truest sense. If you like psychological thrillers, here you go. I LOVED this book.
Review by: Jan
Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel James Brown
Title: Indifferent Stars Above
Author: Daniel James Brown
Review: The gruesome fate of the Donner Party is well-known by most, but Brown’s depiction of the saga is truly the most detailed and compelling analysis of these events that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading! This narrative skillfully delves into the experiences of the Donner Party while simultaneously contextualizing the grueling experiences of the many pioneers who embarked on similar journeys and analyzing the pervasive ideology of Manifest Destiny in the later half of the 19th century.
Review by: Jo
Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger
Title: Spirit Crossing
Author: William Kent Krueger
Review: A rich, chilling tale of a small town grappling with two realities; a politician's white daughter goes missing with extensive police and media interest, while a young Ojibwe woman's body is found in a shallow grave with little regard. P.I. Cork O'Connor believes there may be a potential connection between the girls. Sprinkled with atmosphere and light supernatural elements, it also candidly highlights the complex relationships between law enforcement and Indigenous communities.
Review by: Layne
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Title: The Graveyard Book
Author: Neil Gaiman
Review: The Graveyard Book is equal parts charming, mysterious, and entertaining! Neil Gaiman weaves a delightfully macabre story about a boy named Bod who has been raised in a cemetery amongst a cast of colorful characters. As Bod struggles to balance his life in the cemetery with his life in the outside world, he soon realizes that there are far more dangers lurking outside of the cemetery gates than he had ever expected. Imbued with just the right amount of heart and suspense, I can’t recommend this book enough!
Review by: Jo
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
Title: The Midnight Feast
Author: Lucy Foley
Review: While many found this book “hard to put down from the first page”, I did not. It took me a while to get into it. But, once I did, I was gripped and I could not stop until the very end. And that ending - oh, baby! Yes, this is a book well worth reading!
Review by: Jan
And Then? And Then? What Else? by Daniel Handler
Title: And Then? And Then? What Else?
Author: Daniel Handler
Review: From the man who became "Lemony Snicket" and brought readers A Series of Unfortunate Events, this is not your standard memoir, but rather a set of anecdotes of his life, writing, and the things that inspire him, which he analyzes in complete candor. If you are familiar with his massive contributions to both contemporary and children's literature, this will delight you, make you laugh, and make you think.
Review by: Layne
Out of the Abyss by Dungeons & Dragons
Title: Out of the Abyss
Review: Out of the Abyss is absolutely my favorite 5e module! Outside of the fact that the book is a fascinating read on its own, there are so many different adventures available! While I’d recommend this adventure for groups who already have experience with tabletop role-playing games of this style, the mechanics and complete story make for a well put-together campaign set in the Underdark, which isn’t always highlighted in the Forgotten Realms setting! This is one adventure that players and Dungeon Masters alike won’t want to miss!
Review by: Jo
The Searcher by Tana French
Title: The Searcher
Author: Tana French
Review: Wonderfully written. Not your fast beat, knock-em-down mystery. More of a beautiful story with intrigue, unexpected twists and intrigue. I loved this book and cannot wait to read the sequel, The Hunter, which is out now and is a bestseller.
Review by: Jan
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Title: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Author: Mark Haddon
Review: Think The Catcher in the Rye meets neighborhood murder mystery, yet the victim is the neighbor's dog and the detective is a fifteen year old boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Viciously funny, tender, and observant, Christopher, the protagonist, has difficulty with emotion and yet so beautifully shows us the human condition. This book is laugh out loud funny, heart tugging, and wise, all at once.
Review by: Layne
Murder at the Mission by Blaine Harden
Title: Murder at the Mission Author: Blaine Harden
Review: Following the story of the Whitman massacre that occurred here in the valley in the mid-nineteenth century, Blaine Harden dismantles the myths surrounding the lives of the Whitmans and their accomplishments, providing an important, but sobering account of how this one event was later tied to doctrines of Manifest Destiny and the taking of the American West. This title is a must-read; especially for those who live in the area and want to learn more about the real history of the Pacific Northwest.
Review by: Jo
The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians
Title: The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians
Author: James Patterson
Review: This is the book I would have written if I were to have written a book...only it's better because it's by THE James Patterson. What a fun book! Find out our secrets. You will love them!
Review by: Jan
Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis
Title: Till We Have Faces
Author: C.S. Lewis
Review: Orual, a princess of Glome, has always struggled with jealousy and bitterness towards her younger sister, Psyche— who has even managed to draw the attention of Cupid, god of love. In this story, Lewis delves into matters such as the sacred versus the profane, what the wisdom of the gods really means, and the power of self-sacrifice. This is my favorite title by C.S. Lewis, and it’s well worth the read!
Review by: Jo
The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski
Title: The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County
Author: Claire Swinarski
Review: This a charming book about a small town group of little old ladies and their casseroles. Plus an amazing cherry pie that they serve at funerals at their local church. This story is about how they pulled together to touch everybody’s life. Definitely a feel good and sad book that I enjoyed thoroughly.
Review by: Julie
The Little Liar by Mitch Albom
Title: The Little Liar
Author: Mitch Albom
Review: Another beautiful Mitch Album book. Prepare to be educated, entertained, saddened and filled with love. Tough read and worth every word.
Review by: Jan
Cinema Speculation by Quentin Tarantino
Title: Cinema Speculation
Author: Quentin Tarantino
Review: An insightful journey through films of the 1970’s that fascinated and inspired filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, this book is part autobiographical, part film enthusiasm at its most candid. Even if you aren’t familiar with the films discussed, you feel as if you’re an expert by the end. Tarantino’s obsessive zeal for cinema is contagious.
Review by: Layne