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September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Take a look at one of these books on suicide, depression, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Read about adventures that might lie ahead for this year!

National Latinx Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States from September 15 to October 15 to recognize the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively.

More featured collections

ICPL Recommends

Sandwich : a novel book cover
Sandwich : a novel book cover

Sandwich : a novel

Catherine Newman

FICTION Newman Catherin
Fiction

While on her family's yearly escape to Cape Cod, Rocky, sandwiched between her half-grown kids and fully aging parents, relives the tenderness and sorrow of a handful of long-ago summers, coming face-to-face with her family's history and future and accepting she can no longer hide her...

Both affecting and funny, Catherine Newman deftly portrays how nostalgia may bring up those lovely, wistful feelings--but these can also lead to thinking about old wounds. Vacations sometimes brings up all these thoughts. -Anne M

The rom-commers book cover
The rom-commers book cover

The rom-commers

Katherine Center

FICTION Center Katherin
Fiction, Humor, Romance

"She's rewriting his love story. But can she rewrite her own? Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She's spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies-good ones! That win contests! But she's also been the sole caretaker for her kind-...

This is the second Katherine Center book I've read, and I think I like this one even more. While her first book was all about learning new wilderness skills and unpacking her emotional "backpack," The Rom-Commers took another forced situation trope and wrote a script with it. Emma is a fish-out-of-water kind of protagonist, having been plucked from her town and flown to L.A. to write with someone way more famous than her. Sound familiar? If you've read Curtis Sittenfeld's Romantic Comedy, which pairs a writer and musician and is also hysterically funny at times, you'll hear echoes of the plot setup and Hollywood setting. I feel like I laughed a bit more at Rom-Commers. Katherine Center is one of those romance writers that has mass appeal. Give me a good story, great characters, and a happy ending, and I'll fall in book-love. -Melody

The wedding people : a novel book cover
The wedding people : a novel book cover

The wedding people : a novel

Alison Espach

FICTION Espach Alison
Fiction

"It's a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She's immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she's actually the only...

I loved this book. It is so sweet, and endearing, and funny, and relatable. I have talked about this book to anyone who will listen to me. The premise is sad and serious. But it is what comes next that’s the gift—to Phoebe Stone, our heroine, to the other characters she builds relationships with, and to us the reader. Espach has a fantastic way of showing absurdity and awkwardness, but the laughter at these situations is meant to grow connections to the characters. [In this book, Phoebe experiences suicidal thoughts and she learns that she isn't alone in grief. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, help is available by calling or texting 988.] -Anne M

Louder than hunger book cover
Louder than hunger book cover

Louder than hunger

John Schu

jFICTION Schu John

"Jake volunteers at a nursing home because he likes helping people. He likes skating and singing, playing Bingo and Name That Tune, and reading mysteries and comics aloud to his teachers. He also likes avoiding people his own age . . . and the cruelty of mirrors . . . and food. Jake has read...

This is one of the most honest and authentic stories I've read in a long time. Jake is a character that immediately resonates with you and can't help but root for. The relationship with his Grandma is so endearing it feels like you're right there in-between the pages, singing along to their special musicals. Perhaps what I loved most was how the author showcases the intense power that destructive voice in our heads can yield if we let it; forcing us to abandon relationships, distort what we eat and even change our very life trajectories. The isolation he feels at times is palpable. Written as a novel in verse, this book will be enjoyed by reluctant readers, while the storyline will hook many others. This is such an important read for our youth, I'll be recommending it to all of my high school and middle schoolers who care to listen, as well as their caregivers! -Victoria

Gods of jade and shadow : a novel book cover
Gods of jade and shadow : a novel book cover

Gods of jade and shadow : a novel

Silvia Moreno-Garcia

SCIENCE FICTION Moreno-Garcia, Silvia
Diverse Characters, Fiction, Fantasy

"The Mayan God of Death sends a young woman on a harrowing, life-changing journey in this dark fairy tale inspired by Mexican folklore"--

Came for the fantasy adventure, tripped and broke my heart on the romance. -Chelsea

Lucy! : how Lucille Ball did it all book cover
Lucy! : how Lucille Ball did it all book cover

Lucy! : how Lucille Ball did it all

Amy Guglielmo

jBIOGRAPHY Ball, Lucille
Kids, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Biographies

"Lucy was not a proper little girl. She was sassy. She was bold. She was funny. She was a rule-breaking, chance-taking, comedy pioneer. Can't act? Can't sing? Can't dance? Lucy proves them all wrong - and then has the last laugh when she finally lets her inner funny girl shine....

I appreciate this book's focus on the value and power of comedy as part of culture and history! I love to laugh and I think funny people don't get the cultural recognition they deserve beyond just entertainment - comedy is an art and a powerful agent of healing, community-building, and joy. This book highlights Lucille Ball's trailblazing career as an early female comedian, and also just shows how driven she was by the powerful feeling of making people laugh. Fun, loud, retro-style illustrations perfectly complement the text. -Anne W

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More new materials

Check out our Digital Library

Ruth Harkin Author Visit. Wednesday, Sept. 11. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Meeting Room A  + Livestream. "When My Husband Ran for President... and Other Short Stories" by Ruth Harkin. Iowa City Public Library. Prairie Lights. Ice Cube Press.
Grades K-6 Chess Club. First and third Monday of the month. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Storytime Room. Iowa City Public Library.
Chess Butterflies. Sundays 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. Storytime Room. Iowa City Public Library.
Community Writing Center. Iowa City Public Library. Coralville Public Library. Kirkwood Community College. Iowa.
The Iowa Libraries Adventure Pass Program
Get Making with Creativebug.
Staff Picks Just for you - get recommendations on what to read next
Bookmobile schedule

News

by Jason September 4, 2024
In person early voting at the Auditor's Office for the November 5,...
by Kami August 28, 2024
The Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation has a new way to stay...
by Katie August 20, 2024
Each year, the ICPL Friends Foundation holds multiple fundraising...
by Katie July 25, 2024
"Iowa City's original female soccer player" will be returning to Iowa...
by Katie July 24, 2024
The Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation is sorry to announce...
by Shawna May 24, 2024
The Summer Bookmobile schedule begins Monday, June 3 and runs through...
by Katie May 10, 2024
Don't miss the Annual ICPL Arts & Crafts Bazaar on Saturday,...