Staff Picks

Recent Picks

The cure for burnout : how to find balance and reclaim your life book cover
The cure for burnout : how to find balance and reclaim your life book cover

The cure for burnout : how to find balance and reclaim your life

Emily Ballesteros

ON ORDER BOOK
Self Help

"Is dread the first thing you feel when you wake up in the morning? Are you working in the evenings and on weekends to "catch up"? Have you already beat burnout once, only to find it creeping back? If you answered yes to any of these, you're in need of a cure for burnout. In The Cure for Burnout, burnout management coach and TikTok influencer Emily Ballesteros combines scientific and cultural research, her expertise in organizational psychology, and the tried-and true strategies she's successfully implemented with clients around the globe to demystify burnout for our post-pandemic world - and set you on a path toward a life of personal and professional balance. Ballesteros outlines five areas in which you can build healthy habits to combat burnout-mindset, personal care, time management, boundaries, and stress management. She offers clear, easy-to-implement tools to help you find greater balance, energy, and fulfillment, showing you how to: break burnout habits that keep you in a pattern of chronic overwhelm create sustainable work/life balance through predictable personal care get more done in less time while creating forward momentum toward a meaningful life identify and set your personal and professional limits, guilt-free master your stress and detach from your stressors The Cure for Burnout provides a holistic method for burnout management to address the epidemic of our always-on, chronically overextended culture, empowering us to reclaim control of our own lives once and for all"--

Amanda's picture

SUPERB book! Highly recommended for professionals who even have shades of burnout. The writer has loads of strategies and good information to help you avoid full-on burnout, learn from it, and make your life far more enjoyable. -Amanda

The woman's hour : the great fight to win the vote book cover
The woman's hour : the great fight to win the vote book cover

The woman's hour : the great fight to win the vote

Elaine F. Weiss

LARGE PRINT 324.623 Weiss

Nashville, August 1920. The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, granting all women the vote, is on the verge of ratification -- or defeat. Out of the thirty-six states needed, thirty-five have approved it, and one last state is still in play -- Tennessee. After a seven-decade crusade to win the ballot, this is the moment of truth for the suffragists, and Nashville becomes a frenzied battleground as the enormous forces allied for and against women's suffrage make their last stand. Elaine Weiss recasts the saga of women's quest for the vote by focusing on the campaign's last six weeks, when it all came down to one ambivalent state.

Amanda's picture

What an enjoyable read! I had NO IDEA about the details of how the 19th amendment came to be ratified and how down-to-the-wire it was. This is fast-paced and intriguing, and introduces the reader to loads of amazing historical figures who deserve to be remembered. -Amanda

Log life book cover
Log life book cover

Log life

Amy Hevron

j577.3 Hevron
Nonfiction, Kids, Nature

"A nonfiction picture book that's all about the tiny world of nurse log habitats. Nurse logs are tiny ecosystems with hundreds of rare and important life forms. When old trees fall to the forest floor, they can take centuries to decompose, helping all sorts of organism for hundreds of years. They provide nutrients for tree seedlings, hideaways for small animals, shelters for the winter, and protection from the elements"--

Anne W's picture

Want to know how a downed log provides home and nourishment for scores of animals for the next hundred years? This book is entertaining and thorough yet simple and succinct for the youngest of readers on up. You'll learn something and have fun doing it! -Anne W

None of This is True book cover
None of This is True book cover

None of This is True

Lisa Jewell

OverDrive Audiobook
Fiction, Mystery

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From the #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her "superb pacing, twisted characters, and captivating prose" (BuzzFeed), Lisa Jewell returns with a scintillating new psychological thriller about a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast.Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summer crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins. A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix's children's school. Josie has been listening to Alix's podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life. Josie's life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can't quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realize that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix's life—and into her home. But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family's lives under mortal threat. Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?

Candice's picture

This was good...I wasn't even expecting it to be so good! You know, sometimes these mysteries can take on the same flavor after a while, even when certain plot points vary slightly. This is your 'average woman who has it mostly all together crosses paths with the seemingly meek and maybe mousy woman who never got the life she wanted but is ready to make a change' kind of mystery, BUT, with a incredibly highly unreliable narrator (narrators??) and some sinister plot twists thrown in there. It's up-to-date and the characters are well-defined and just introspective enough to make it real without going overboard with detail. Coupled with a stellar narration, this mystery ticks many boxes. -Candice

Seoul food book cover
Seoul food book cover

Seoul food

Erin Russell

jE Russell
Picture Books, Kids

When Hana's grandparents visit, Hana decides to cook a meal that represents both her Korean and Southern heritages.

Casey's picture

Love is the ingredient that brings this fabulous picture book together. I may have to try the recipe in the back! -Casey

Luna Ranchera book cover
Luna Ranchera book cover

Luna Ranchera

Rodrigo Morlesin

jE Morlesin
Kids, Picture Books

"This spellbinding original story opens in a cantina crowded with desert animals, cowboys, and cowgirls all excited to see the glamorous Luna Ranchera mother-daughter singing duo. Long ago, Luna was down on her luck, starving and struggling to feed her pups, reduced to thieving from nearby ranchers. One day, escaping another heist, Luna has to hide in the worst possible place: on top of a beehive! She howls in pain so loudly, it carries all across the desert. It turns out Luna's musical wails are something special, captivating creatures far and wide. Her most rebellious pup, Ranchera, joins her, and soon the two become the famous howling singing act with the flea-bitten souls, Luna Ranchera! Immersive and unforgettable, with knockout, whimsical art, the tale ends with the lyrics to Luna Ranchera's most famous song. Perfect for fans of Coco and Soul."-- Provided by publisher.

Anne W's picture

This book is so funny and so entertaining and the cartoony illustrations on a dark background are so cool! It begs to be read aloud with its folkloric, conversational, clever tale-spinning vibe. -Anne W

The road from Belhaven : a novel book cover
The road from Belhaven : a novel book cover

The road from Belhaven : a novel

Margot Livesey

FICTION Livesey Margot
Fiction, Historical Fiction

"From the New York Times best-selling author of The Flight of Gemma Hardy, a novel about a young woman whose gift of second sight complicates her coming of age in late 19th century Scotland Growing up in the care of her grandparents on Belhaven farm, Lizzie Craig discovers at a young age that she can see into the future. Her gift of sight is selective-she doesn't, for instance, see that she has an older sister who will come to join the family on her beloved farm. But she does see "pictures" that foretell various incidents and accidents and begins to realize a painful truth: she may glimpse the future, but she can seldom change it. Nor can Lizzie change the feelings that come when a young man named Louis, visiting Belhaven for the harvest, begins to court her. Why have the adults around her not revealed that the touch of a hand can change everything? After following Louis to Glasgow, though, she learns the limits of his devotion, and when faced with a seemingly impossible choice, she makes what turns out to be a terrible mistake. But while Lizzie can't change the past, her second sight may allow her a second chance. Luminous and transporting, The Road from Belhaven once again displays "the marvelous control of a writer who conjures equally well the tangible, sensory world . . . and the mysteries, stranger and wilder, that flicker at the border of that world." (The Boston Globe)"--

Anne M's picture

There is something reminiscent of Dickens, Hardy, and Bronte in this novel, but the sentiments are all modern. Livesey skillfully illustrates how one's desires shift and change. You never truly sure if what you want or what is best--but there are those moments you do. I really enjoyed this book. -Anne M

Fire flight : a wildfire escape book cover
Fire flight : a wildfire escape book cover

Fire flight : a wildfire escape

Cedar Pruitt

j363.379 Pruitt
Nonfiction, Nature

"Flames consume a forest, and an owl seeks refuge. Helicopter wings chop, and water drops to drench the branches below. Using spare, lyrical language, this debut picture book takes readers inside the journey of a screech owl that fled the flames to ride along with a firefighting helicopter during the 2020 California Creek wildfire. Vivid imagery highlights the fear and danger of the experience-as well as an astonishing moment of connection"--

Anne W's picture

This is an astonishing story of a tiny, cute owl who took refuge from a wildfire inside a firefighters' helicopter. There's a real photo of the tiny, cute owl at the end of the book! -Anne W

Sounds good! : discover 50 instruments book cover
Sounds good! : discover 50 instruments book cover

Sounds good! : discover 50 instruments

Ole Könnecke

j784.19 Konnecke
Music, Kids, Nonfiction

Explore over 50 common and uncommon instruments as showcased by a fun group of animals. Learn interesting, practical and curious things about music and making music. Discover instruments of all kinds-- from the electric guitar and steelpan to the theremin, from viola to vibraphone to ukulele. Listen through QR codes on each page to a piece of music composed to showcase every instrument by an award-winning musician-- and to a full band that brings together all the instruments in the book!"--Adapted from back cover.

Anne W's picture

I don't know anything about music except if I like or don't like something when I listen to it, based on nothing but a gut reaction. So this book taught me a lot! Accompanied by hilarious illustrations of random animals playing the instruments, each instrument gets one page of accessible, yet interesting information. Like, I never considered that a harmonica makes one note when you inhale and a different note when you exhale, so that's why it can be so small as to fit in your pocket! There is history, practical info, and fun facts, all presented in a straightforward writing style. -Anne W

SPLINTERS. book cover
SPLINTERS. book cover

SPLINTERS.

LESLIE JAMISON

ON ORDER BOOK
Nonfiction, Biographies, Literary Nonfiction

Review by Publisher's Weekly Review Bestseller Jamison (The Empathy Exams) chronicles in this exquisite memoir the dramatic shift her life took following the birth of her daughter and the end of her marriage. After giving birth three weeks before her due date in an emergency C-section, Jamison felt overwhelmingly grateful her daughter survived, even as she struggled with difficulties breastfeeding and other challenges of caring for a newborn. Then the real pain started: just over a year after her daughter was born, Jamison's marriage to her husband, "C," disintegrated as his anger grew more intense, and she began divorce proceedings. Two post-divorce boyfriends--"the tumbleweed" and "the ex-philosopher"--entered the picture, then exited. Throughout, Jamison is brutally honest about the obstacles to balancing creative fulfillment, parenting, dating, and sobriety, utilizing her beguiling command of language to spotlight feelings often obscured in other accounts of motherhood ("Sometimes motherhood tricked me into feeling virtuous because I was always taking care of someone. But it didn't make me virtuous at all. It made me feral and ruthless"). Her soul-searching is sure to inspire readers seeking to find the sweet spot between living for their children and living for themselves. By turns funny, poignant, harrowing, and joyful, this standout personal history isn't easily forgotten.

Candice's picture

To be honest, this book wasn't at the top of my TBR list, but it is now! I was lucky enough to catch Leslie reading and in conversation with Kaveh Akbar at Prairie Lights last night, and within a minute of hearing Ms. Jamison read, I knew that I would be diving into this book ASAP. So much has already been said about her meticulous attention to detail and conjuring scene and emotion with just the right words, and it's all true. For me, though, it was her actual reading of her own words that hooked me so quickly--a cadence somewhere between prose and poetry that illuminated the beauty of the sentences and let their meaning come through at the same time. And if you're worried that a book about being a writer or a divorcée or a mother won't appeal to you if you aren't any of those things, rest assured that there's so much more to the work. As the subtitle says, it's a different kind of love story, and I think there is something in this book that everyone can relate to. -Candice

The end of Eden : wild nature in the age of climate breakdown book cover
The end of Eden : wild nature in the age of climate breakdown book cover

The end of Eden : wild nature in the age of climate breakdown

Adam Welz

577.27 /Welz
Nature, Nonfiction

"A revelatory exploration of climate change from the perspective of wild species and natural ecosystems--an homage to the miraculous, vibrant entity that is life on Earth. Your key word here is Sustainable Living right out of the World Economic Forum. "

Victoria's picture

It seems fitting to write a review of this book when here in Iowa the weather went from record warmth to below-average temperatures and the potential of snow all within 24 hours. It's weird, right? This new book from Adam Welz documents not climate change, but what he terms "global weirding." In it, he carefully highlights species across the globe affected by their ecosystem in a state of decline, often so difficult to see to the layperson, but with devastating implications for these species. Wenz does not demonize stakeholders, but simply lays out the stone cold facts that at times can be difficult, if not necessary to learn. -Victoria

Alexandria : the city that changed the world book cover
Alexandria : the city that changed the world book cover

Alexandria : the city that changed the world

Islam Issa

962.1 /Issa
Nonfiction, History

An award-winning British-Egyptian writer presents an authoritative history of the first modern city and how it has shaped our modern world, including its role as a global capital of knowledge as well as the site of plagues and violence. A city drawn in sand. Inspired by the tales of Homer and his own ambitions of empire, Alexander the Great sketched the idea of a city onto the sparsely populated Egyptian coastline. He did not live to see Alexandria built, but his vision of a sparkling metropolis that celebrated learning and diversity was swiftly realised and still stands today. Situated on the cusp of Africa, Europe and Asia, great civilisations met in Alexandria. Together, Greeks and Egyptians, Romans and Jews created a global knowledge capital of enormous influence: the inventive collaboration of its citizens shaped modern philosophy, science, religion and more. In pitched battles, later empires, from the Arabs and Ottomans to the French and British, laid claim to the city but its independent spirit endures. In this sweeping biography of the great city, Islam Issa takes us on a journey across millennia, rich in big ideas, brutal tragedies and distinctive characters, from Cleopatra to Napoleon. From its humble origins to dizzy heights and present-day strife, Alexandria tells the gripping story of a city that has shaped our modern world.

Candice's picture

Calling all history buffs! This isn't just a well-researched, comprehensive history of one of the most fascinating cities in the world (past and present), written by someone who is from there: it's also wildly interesting! Many of us already know the high points--Alexander and Ptolemy, Cleopatra, the Ottomans, the British, the library (oh, the library!)--but really there's so much more to learn. Islam Issa tells the story of this city with thought and skill, resulting in a delightful book that gives Alexandria the respect it deserves in the minds of readers. -Candice

Every heart a doorway book cover
Every heart a doorway book cover

Every heart a doorway

Seanan McGuire

SCIENCE FICTION Mcguire Seanan
Fantasy

Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children No Solicitations No Visitors No Quests Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere... else. But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children. Nancy tumbled once, but now she's back. The things she's experienced... they change a person. The children under Miss West's care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their own fantasy world. But Nancy's arrival marks a change at the Home. There's a darkness just around each corner, and when tragedy strikes, it's up to Nancy and her new-found schoolmates to get to the heart of things. No matter the cost.

Brian's picture

Join us for ICPL's Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club! We will meet via Zoom to discuss "Every Heart a Doorway" by Seanan McGuire. Feel free to join us, whether or not you've finished the book! Register here to reserve your spot for the discussion. Our video chat will take place via Zoom, and you’ll receive an email with login details before the meeting: https://www.icpl.org/events/53543/sci-fifantasy-book-club-every-heart-doorway-seanan-mcguire -Brian

The lies of Locke Lamora book cover
The lies of Locke Lamora book cover

The lies of Locke Lamora

Scott Lynch

SCIENCE FICTION Lynch, Scott
Fantasy

An orphan’s life is harsh—and often short—in the mysterious island city of Camorr. But young Locke Lamora dodges relentless danger, becoming a thief under the tutelage of a gifted con artist. As leader of the band of light-fingered brothers known as the Gentlemen Bastards, Locke is soon infamous, fooling even the underworld’s most feared ruler. But in the shadows lurks someone still more ambitious and deadly. Faced with a bloody coup that threatens to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the enemy at his own brutal game—or die trying.

Brian's picture

Here's another book that has been on my TBR pile for literal years, and there's a good reason for that: It's amazing, but it's also a part of painful trinity of fantasy authors who haven't (and may never) deliver the rest of their series (the other members of this group are Patrick Rothfuss and George R. R. Martin.) Scott Lynch's "The Lies of Locke Lamora" begins his Gentleman Bastard series. Think of it as Ocean's 11 set in a fantasy world. If that sounds interesting, then you'll love this. Just know what you're getting yourself into--a story that may never have an ending! -Brian

Held book cover
Held book cover

Held

Anne Michaels

FICTION Michaels Anne
Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction

"A breathtaking and ineffable new novel from the author of the international best sellers Fugitive Pieces and The Winter Vault-a novel of love and loyalty across generations, at once sweeping and intimate. 1917. On a battlefield near the River Aisne, John lies in the aftermath of a blast, unable to move or feel his legs. Struggling to focus his thoughts, he is lost to memory as the snow falls-a chance encounter in a pub by a railway, a hot bath with his lover on a winter night. 1920. John has returned from war to North Yorkshire, near a different river. He is alive but still not whole. Reunited with Helena, an artist, he reopens his photography business and tries to keep on living. But the past erupts insistently into the present, as ghosts begin to surface in his pictures: ghosts with messages he cannot understand. So begins a narrative that spans four generations of connections and consequences that ignite and re-ignite as the century unfolds. In luminous moments of desire, comprehension, longing, and transcendence, the sparks fly upward, working their transformations decades later. Held is affecting and intensely beautiful, full of mystery, wisdom, and compassion, a novel by a writer at the height of her powers"--

Anne M's picture

“Held” is a little like a literary puzzle. The narrative is organized in generational fragments; but “organized” isn’t quite the right word. Each chapter is connected with the others by a thread—a child, a grandchild, a spouse, a mother--advancing or in some cases, retreating through the 20th century. Each chapter gives you a little more understanding of the family as a whole. It is fitting that we are first introduced to a photographer, John, just back from the trenches in 1917 to find that his photographs contain the ghosts of his subjects. It’s a little like a metaphor for how this book develops. Anne Michaels’s prose shimmers. -Anne M

Wild places : the life of naturalist David Attenborough book cover
Wild places : the life of naturalist David Attenborough book cover

Wild places : the life of naturalist David Attenborough

Hayley Rocco

j508.092 Attenborough
Nature, Nonfiction

"A nonfiction account of the life of British naturalist David Attenborough and his advocacy for the protection of wild places on Earth"--

Anne W's picture

Gorgeous illustrations. Simple, straightforward writing about the natural world and Attenborough's efforts to educate about animals, nature, the environment, and climate change. This is an incredible book. -Anne W

The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause book cover
The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause book cover

The Hormone Shift: Balance Your Body and Thrive Through Midlife and Menopause

Tasneem Bhatia, MD

OverDrive Audiobook
Nonfiction, Health

The goop hormone authority offers an empowering new approach to taking charge of hormone shifts through every stage of life—especially menopause. When hormonal highs, lows, twists, and turns feel overwhelming, Dr. Tasneem Bhatia can offer a road map—and a whole new perspective. As an MD with an East-meets-West approach to women’s health, Dr. Tasneem (known as Dr. Taz) combines the wisdom of Eastern modalities like Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine with modern medical treatments for whole body wellness.   To Dr. Taz, menopause is not an “ending”; a woman’s entire life is a spectrum of ever-shifting hormones, and menopause is just one point along that spectrum. And hormone levels are a fluid continuum that you have a lot of control over: through your diet, how you sleep, how you manage stress, and more.   In The Hormone Shift, Dr. Taz breaks down exactly what is happening behind the scenes in a woman’s body throughout her life and how almost every aspect of health is connected to hormones—from metabolism to mental health. She explains how to prepare for whatever is coming next, and offers a customizable Thirty-Day Hormone Reset plan that uses a combination of Eastern and Western healing modalities to keep the body in balance and deliver a targeted strategy for minimizing unwanted symptoms at every stage. * This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF with checklists, charts, illustrations, and an appendix from the book.

Melody's picture

Honestly I came across this audiobook while looking for other books narrated by Soneela Nankani. She narrates books I love by Sonali Dev and Nisha Sharma, whose novels focus on Southeast Asian American culture and how traditional culture from their homeland conflicts with that of their adopted home. So here I am trying to find another Southeast Asian American love story and I stumble upon a book about menopause. There are a lot of new articles about how long the American health industry has ignored the suffering women go through during this major life event. Dr. Bhati discusses the 5 stages of hormonal shifting, starting with puberty and ending post menopause. She discusses individual hormones and their effects on the body extensively. She also gives lots of advice to help alleviate the suffering women go through due to these hormonal changes. If this is something you're experiencing or know someone who is, this book is worth checking out! -Melody

So late in the day : stories of women and men book cover
So late in the day : stories of women and men book cover

So late in the day : stories of women and men

Claire Keegan

FICTION Keegan Claire
Literary Fiction

"Celebrated for her powerful short fiction, Claire Keegan now gifts us three exquisite stories together forming a brilliant examination of gender dynamics and an arc from Keegan's earliest to her most recent work. In "So Late in the Day," Cathal faces a long weekend as his mind agitates over a woman with whom he could have spent his life, had he acted differently; in "The Long and Painful Death" a writer's arrival at the seaside home of Heinrich Böll for a two-week writing residency is disrupted by an academic who imposes his criticisms and opinions; and in "Antarctica" a married woman travels out of town to see what it's like to sleep with another man and ends up in the grip of a possessive stranger.' Each story probes the dynamics that corrupt what could be between women and men: a lack of generosity, the weight of expectation, the looming threat of violence."--

Anne M's picture

I’m resolved to read anything that Claire Keegan publishes. “Foster” and “Small Things Like These” made such an impression. “So Late in the Day” is comprised of three short stories on a theme: men and women together. Whether in a long-term relationship or an impromptu meeting or as a tryst, none of it goes well. There is resentment, judgement, anger, fear, and in one story, violence. These are themes Keegan explores well. Keegan stays concise and compact in her writing, but wow, is able to build so much tension. -Anne M

Torn apart : how the child welfare system destroys Black families--and how abolition can build a safer world book cover
Torn apart : how the child welfare system destroys Black families--and how abolition can build a safer world book cover

Torn apart : how the child welfare system destroys Black families--and how abolition can build a safer world

Dorothy E. Roberts

362.7 /Roberts
Black Lives Matter, Black History, Nonfiction

An award-winning scholar exposes the foundational racism of the child welfare system and calls for radical change. Many believe the child welfare system protects children from abuse. But as Torn Apart uncovers, this system is designed to punish Black families. Drawing on decades of research, legal scholar and sociologist Dorothy Roberts reveals that the child welfare system is better understood as a 'family policing system' that collaborates with law enforcement and prisons to oppress Black communities. Child protection investigations ensnare a majority of Black children, putting their families under intense state surveillance and regulation. Black children are disproportionately likely to be torn from their families and placed in foster care, driving many to juvenile detention and imprisonment. The only way to stop the destruction caused by family policing, Torn Apart argues, is to abolish the child welfare system and liberate Black communities.

Jason's picture

Reading this for our community book discussion here on 2/29/2024! -Jason

Molly book cover
Molly book cover

Molly

Blake Butler

BIOGRAPHY Butler, Blake
Nonfiction, Biographies

"Blake Butler and Molly Brodak instantly connected, fell in love, married and built a life together. Both writers with deep roots in contemporary American literature, their union was an iconic joining of forces between two major and beloved talents. Nearly three years into their marriage, grappling with mental illness and a lifetime of trauma, Molly took her own life. In the days and weeks after Molly's death, Blake discovered shocking secrets she had held back from the world, fundamentally altering his view of their relationship and who she was. A masterpiece of autobiography, Molly is a riveting journey into the darkest and most unthinkable parts of the human heart, emerging with a hard-won, unsurpassedly beautiful understanding that expands the possibilities of language to comprehend and express true love. Unrelentingly clear, honest and concise, Molly approaches the impossible directly, with a total empathy that has no parallel or precedent" --

Candice's picture

I must admit that I'm at a bit of a loss for words with this book--I'm not ambivalent, but a little conflicted in how I feel about it. I placed a hold on it before it's publication, based on reviews I read, and in between that time and now, so much has already been said about the book that I know I my reading of it was changed to some degree. I wasn't just reading to learn Molly's story, her life and her life with Blake, her actions, and what one does in the aftermath of the worst situations, but now I was also reading to see if the author needed to be judged in some way, to ascertain if his telling crossed lines or was vindictive, or if parts of the story were even his to tell. I can see why the book has been polarizing for many, and I'll admit that while parts of it were achingly open and full of grief for a love lost, other parts felt more like they were written by someone who has been hurt very much and wants to hurt back. As ever, I would still encourage those who are interested to read it and form your own decision. -Candice

This American ex-wife : how I ended my marriage and started my life book cover
This American ex-wife : how I ended my marriage and started my life book cover

This American ex-wife : how I ended my marriage and started my life

Lyz Lenz

BIOGRAPHY Lenz, Lyz
Memoir

"A deeply validating manifesto on the gender politics of marriage (bad) and divorce (actually pretty good!) in America today, and an argument that the former needs a reboot-from journalist and proud divorcée Lyz Lenz. Studies show that nearly 70 percent of divorces are initiated by women-women who are tired, fed up, exhausted, and unhappy. We've all seen how the media portrays divorcées: sad, lonely, drowning their sorrows in a bottle of wine. Lyz Lenz is one such woman whose life fell apart after she reached a breaking point in her twelve-year marriage. But she refused to take part in that tired narrative and decided to flip the script on divorce. In this exuberant and unapologetic book, Lenz makes an argument for the advantages of getting divorced, framing it as a practical and effective solution for women to take back the power they are owed. Weaving reportage with sociological research and literature with popular culture along with personal stories of coming together and breaking up, Lenz creates a kaleidoscopic and poignant portrait of American marriage today. She argues that the mechanisms of American power, justice, love, and gender equality remain deeply flawed, and that marriage, like any other cultural institution, is due for a reckoning. A raucous argument for acceptance, solidarity, and collective female refusal, This American Ex-Wife takes readers on a riveting ride-while pointing us all toward a life that is a little more free"--

Amanda's picture

This book was like an extended version of America Ferrera’s monologue in Barbie with added wit and humor. I had so much fun reading this and loved the empowerment! -Amanda

Will to wild : adventures great and small to change your life book cover
Will to wild : adventures great and small to change your life book cover

Will to wild : adventures great and small to change your life

Shelby Stanger

796.5 /Stanger
Self Help

"Will to Wild is an instruction manual to adventure. Your guide: enthusiastic outdoorswoman Shelby Stanger. Shelby has been teaching folks how to leap into the unknown since she taught her first surf class over twenty years ago. Over the years, she watched many of her students quit their jobs, end dysfunctional relationships, and move across the country for a healthier work-life-balance--all after spending a bit of time in nature. Shelby marveled at the phenomenon. Being outside was changing the lives of her students, her peers, and herself. Shelby was so intrigued, she began to tell their stories, first as a writer and journalist, then as a podcast host for Wild Ideas Worth Living, REI Co-op Studio's flagship podcast." --

Amanda's picture

Heartwarming and inspirational! This is a great book for teens and college students getting ready for a next stage in life, or really anyone in need of encouragement and ideas for their next adventure. -Amanda

Mrs. Quinn's rise to fame : a novel book cover
Mrs. Quinn's rise to fame : a novel book cover

Mrs. Quinn's rise to fame : a novel

Olivia Ford

FICTION Ford Olivia
Fiction

"After fifty-nine years of marriage, as her husband Bernard's health declines, and her friends' lives become focused on their grandchildren--Jenny decides she wants a little something for herself. So she secretly applies to be a contestant on the prime-time TV show Britain Bakes. Whisked into an unfamiliar world of cameras and timed challenges, Jenny delights in a new-found independence. But that independence, and the stress of the competition, starts to unearth memories buried decades ago...With her baking star rising, Jenny struggles to keep a lid on that first secret--a long-concealed deceit that threatens to shatter the very foundations of her marriage"--

Melody's picture

I am really looking forward to reading this! GBBO (Great British Bake Off, or Show in the U.S.) is still a go-to Netflix watch for me. The older bakers are always some of the best contestants on the show, loving cooking for their grandchildren and always having a warm kitchen. There's a slew of spin-offs from GBBO, both in new television series and fiction novels, that I'm eager to see Olivia Ford's take on it next. -Melody

The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch: A Novel book cover
The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch: A Novel book cover

The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch: A Novel

Jacqueline Firkins

OverDrive Audiobook
Romance, Fiction

A beautiful story of friendship, and second chances at loveImogen Finch has just been through her sixteenth breakup. She saw it coming, so she's not as crushed as she might be, but with all sixteen of her exes leaving her for other partners, she's come to believe a prediction her well-intentioned and possibly clairvoyant mother made over twenty years ago: that Imogen would never come first at anything or to anyone.Is her love life failing due to a magical curse? Insufficient effort? Poor timing or personality mismatches? Everyone has opinions on the matter.Imogen's ready to give up altogether. But when Eliot Swift, her secret high school crush, returns to their small coastal town after a decade of nomadic travels, Imogen has new motivation to try again. Eliot's full of encouragement. He suggests that her curse is not only imagined, it's easily breakable. All they need is one win—any win—and she can believe in love—and in herself—again.From trivia games to swimming races to corn-shucking contests, the pair sets out to snag Imogen her first first. But when victory proves more elusive than Eliot anticipated and when his deep-seeded wanderlust compels him to depart for far-away places, Imogen fears she is destined to remain in second place forever.Fortunately for them both, sometimes magic lingers in the most unexpected places. And love is far from predictable.

Melody's picture

I picked up this audiobook because I was really attracted to the premise, a clairvoyant mother predicting her daughter will never come in first for anything. I love is when my protagonist is a loser! Just Kidding. Really, tho, so many plots in romantic universes start with a lead who is down on their luck. The novelty of this novel is the lead is perpetually unlucky, but in true romance form, she persists! The double-edged sword of audiobooks is that the narrator's performance can be so realistic and dramatic that the character reads as melodramatic. So it is with this book's male lead, a rich kid with a chip on his shoulder the size of his CEO father. Still, wealthy heirs have feelings, too! I'm about an hour away from completing this book, so fingers crossed he gets a therapist and grows up a little. -Melody

Ungrateful mammals book cover
Ungrateful mammals book cover

Ungrateful mammals

Dave Eggers

741.973 /Eggers
Humor, Animals, Philosophy, Art / Art History

Before he embarked on his writing career, Dave Eggers was classically trained as a draftsman and painter. He then spent many years as a professional illustrator and graphic designer before turning to writing full-time. More recently, in order to raise money for ScholarMatch, his college-access nonprofit, he returned to visual art, and the results have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the country. Usually involving the pairing of an animal with humorous or Biblical text, the results are wry, oddly anthropomorphic tableaus that create a very entertaining and eccentric body of work from one of today's leading culture makers.

Annie's picture

A fun, amusing, and quick read! I didn't know Dave Eggers was an illustrator and graphic designer before turning to writing — it's inspiring to know that all art can fuel other forms of art. Give this flip through before seeing him in conversation at the Englert on Thursday, March 7! -Annie

Don't forget the girl : a novel book cover
Don't forget the girl : a novel book cover

Don't forget the girl : a novel

Rebecca McKanna

FICTION Mckanna Rebecca
Thriller, Suspense

"We never remember the dead girls. We never forget the killers. Twelve years ago, 18-year-old University of Iowa freshman Abby Hartmann disappeared. Now, Jon Allan Blue, the serial killer suspected of her murder, is about to be executed. Abby's best friends, Bree and Chelsea, watch as Abby's memory is unearthed and overshadowed by Blue and his flashier crimes. The friends, estranged in the wake of Abby's disappearance, and suffering from years of unvoiced resentments, must reunite when a high-profile podcast dedicates its next season to Blue's murders. Tense and introspective, Don't Forget the Girl is an astonishing debut thriller that mines the complexities of friendship and the secrets between us that we may take to the grave"--

Mari's picture

I thought this a better-than-average serial killer story that has some realistic characterizations of secrets and insecurities of young adult girls. I love that it's set in Iowa City, and you can tell that the author actually experienced college at the University of Iowa. -Mari

Creep, leap, crunch! : a food chain story book cover
Creep, leap, crunch! : a food chain story book cover

Creep, leap, crunch! : a food chain story

Jody Jensen Shaffer

j577.16 Shaffer
Nonfiction, Picture Books, Animals, Nature

"In this nonfiction picture book, discover how the animal kingdom's food chain takes shape"--

Casey's picture

Fabulous illustrations by Christopher Silas Neal accompany this cumulative food chain text. "Creep, Leap, Crunch!" is great for sensitive youngsters with alternate endings for each of the animals offered, reminding readers that predators are not always successful. A lovely glossary adds more information about the animals and temperate setting as well. Add this to the picture book nonfiction shelf! -Casey

The tusks of extinction book cover
The tusks of extinction book cover

The tusks of extinction

Ray Nayler

SCIENCE FICTION Nayler Ray
Science Fiction, Fantasy

"When you bring back a long-extinct species, there's more to success than the DNA. Moscow has resurrected the mammoth. But someone must teach them how to be mammoths, or they are doomed to die out, again. The late Dr. Damira Khismatullina, the world's foremost expert in elephant behavior, is called in to help. While she was murdered a year ago, her digitized consciousness is uploaded into the brain of a mammoth. Can she help the magnificent creatures fend off poachers long enough for their species to take hold? And will she ever discover the real reason they were brought back?" -- Publisher website.

Paul's picture

Once again Nayler has created a very interesting and engaging near future world, with a specific animal in focus. A novella in length, there is certainly room and many directions to expand this particular reality he has crafted; I hope he does so. Naylor is officially on my watch list for future endeavors. -Paul

Kehinde Wiley : a new republic book cover
Kehinde Wiley : a new republic book cover

Kehinde Wiley : a new republic

759.13 /Wiley

The works presented in Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic raise questions about race, gender, and the politics of representation by portraying contemporary African American men and women using the conventions of traditional European portraiture. The exhibition includes an overview of the artists prolific fourteen-year career and features sixty paintings and sculptures. Wiley's signature portraits of everyday men and women riff on specific paintings by Old Masters, replacing the European aristocrats depicted in those paintings with contemporary black subjects, drawing attention to the absence of African Americans from historical and cultural narratives. The subjects in Wiley's paintings often wear sneakers, hoodies, and baseball caps, gear associated with hip-hop culture, and are set against contrasting ornate decorative backgrounds that evoke earlier eras and a range of cultures. Through the process of "street casting," Wiley invites individuals, often strangers he encounters on the street, to sit for portraits. In this collaborative process, the model chooses a reproduction of a painting from a book and reenacts the pose of the painting?s figure. By inviting the subjects to select a work of art, Wiley gives them a measure of control over the way they're portrayed.

Victoria's picture

This is another older title, but Wiley's art is fascinating, rooted in history and that history us turned upside down and recreated in its own image. It's exactly the art I wanted to see as a kid. An absolute feast for the eyes! If you're a fan of his, check out one of his inspirations, Kerry James Marshall's Mastry. -Victoria

Pritty book cover
Pritty book cover

Pritty

Miller, Keith F., Jr., author.

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Miller Keith

"On the verge of summer before his senior year, Jay is a soft soul in a world of concrete. While his older brother is everything people expect a man to be--tough, athletic, and in charge--Jay simply blends into the background to everyone, except when it comes to Leroy. Unsure of what he could have possibly done to catch the eye of the boy who could easily have anyone he wants, Jay isn't about to ignore the surprising but welcome attention. But as everything in his world begins to heat up, especially with Leroy, whispered rumors over the murder of a young Black journalist and long-brewing territory tensions hang like a dark cloud over his neighborhood. And when Jay and Leroy find themselves caught in the crossfire, Leroy isn't willing to be the reason Jay's life is at risk. Dragged into the world of the Black Diamonds--whose work to protect the Black neighborhoods of Savannah began with his father and now falls to his older brother--Leroy knows that finding out who attacked his brother is not only the key to protecting everyone he loves but also the only way he can ever be with Jay. Wading through a murky history of family trauma and regret, Leroy soon discovers that there's no keeping Jay safe when Jay's own family is in just as deep and fighting the undertow of danger just as hard. Now Jay and Leroy must puzzle through secrets hiding in plain sight and scramble to uncover who is determined to eliminate the Black Diamonds before someone else gets hurt--even if the cost might be their own electric connection"--

Victoria's picture

I haven't read a book like this before. It's raw, gritty, violent, but I was invested because I cared immensely what happened to the characters! -Victoria

There was a party for Langston book cover
There was a party for Langston book cover

There was a party for Langston

Reynolds, Jason, author.

jE Reynolds

A celebration of Langston Hughes and African American authors he inspired, told through the lens of the party held at the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in 1991.

Victoria's picture

YA legend, Jason Reynolds has dabbled in this tribute to the incredible Langston Hughes for young children and it's brimming with joy, beautiful art, and celebration. Bonus- It also features a library! -Victoria

Karl's adventures in Beijing book cover
Karl's adventures in Beijing book cover

Karl's adventures in Beijing

Song, Sharon, author.

j951.156 Song
Picture Books

"The story follows Karl’s journey to Beijing, where he meets his friends. They stroll through some notable places in Beijing, like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. He also uses modern technology to receive red envelopes, experiences public square dancing, takes a high-speed train to learn Shaolin Kung Fu, and much more. Read this book to learn about the Chinese culture, Mandarin words, and have fun!" ~from publisher's website.

Fang's picture

Follow Karl's 15 adventures in Beijing! You don't want to miss the famous snack street where people taste yummy Chinese food: stinky tofu, Beijing Ducks and more! In this fun bilingual picture book, local children's author Dan (Sharon) Song shares her curiosity and exploration of the Chinese culture, cuisine, and language. -Fang

Wish soup : a celebration of Seollal book cover
Wish soup : a celebration of Seollal book cover

Wish soup : a celebration of Seollal

Park, Junghwa, author, illustrator.

j394.269519 Park
Picture Books

Sohee helps her family prepare for the Lunar New Year celebration.

Fang's picture

A very funny story about silly Sohee and the unique Korean Lunar New Year tradition: Each bowl of tteokguk (the special rice cake soup for New Year's Day) you eat will make you one year older! It's always fun to explore different festive tradtions around the world! -Fang

The rice in the pot goes round and round book cover
The rice in the pot goes round and round book cover

The rice in the pot goes round and round

Shang, Wendy Wan Long, author.

jE Shang
Picture Books

Presents a song set to the tune of "The wheels on the bus," where a multigenerational family enjoys a culturally rich meal.

Fang's picture

One of the top picks in ICPL's weekly Chinese Bilingual Storytime! While reading aloud and singing along to the sweet family-themed picture book, kids and parents can enjoy a big feast of authentic Chinese food. And subtly, page by page, they learn all the Chinese words of the whole big family! -Fang

Amy Wu and the warm welcome book cover
Amy Wu and the warm welcome book cover

Amy Wu and the warm welcome

Zhang, Kat, 1991- author.

jE Zhang
Picture Books

Amy Wu would love to welcome the new student in her class, but Lin has just come from China and does not speak much English, so with the help of her family Amy tries to work out a way to bridge the language gap.

Fang's picture

The Amy Wu picture book series is the perfect combination of lyrical storytelling and vibrant illustration. They tell the “real life" adventure stories that happen to every children of every immigrant families in their everyday growing-up. Check out this heartwarming story about Amy and her new friend from China, Lin! Lin feels warmly welcomed by Amy's yummy and jolly dumpling party, and a very special banner saying 欢迎你 (Welcome). Both kids learn a powerful lesson of inclusion through courageous and creative efforts! -Fang

An appetite for miracles book cover
An appetite for miracles book cover

An appetite for miracles

Laekan Zea Kemp

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Kemp Laekan

Danna Mendoza Villarreal's grandfather is slowly losing himself as his memories fade, and Danna's not sure her plan to help him remember through the foods he once reviewed will be enough to bring him back. Especially when her own love of food makes her complicated relationship with her mother even more difficult. Raúl Santos has been lost ever since his mother was wrongly incarcerated two years ago. Playing guitar for the elderly has been his only escape, to help them remember and him forget. But when his mom unexpectedly comes back into his life, what is he supposed to do when she isn't the same person who left? When Danna and Raúl meet, sparks fly immediately and they embark on a mission to heal her grandfather...and themselves. Because healing is something best done together; even if it doesn't always look the way we want it to.

Victoria's picture

This book is so beautiful! Her first book in prose, Laeken tackles issues of loss, difficult family dynamics, and incarceration in incredibly authentic ways. A wonderful story of two young people who are broken, and find healing in truly seeing each other for who they are. You'll love this if you're a fan of The Poet X (Elizabeth Acevedo,) or The Sun is Also a Star and Everything Everything (Nicola Yoon.) -Victoria

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Staff Profiles

Alexander's picture

Alexander

Interests: Fiction, LGBTQ+, Romance, Literary Fiction, Classics, Kids, Diverse Characters, Young Adult
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Amanda

Interests: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Biographies, Dystopian, History, Memoir, Music, Religion, Self Help
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Angie

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Anne M

Interests: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Classics, Mystery, Literary Fiction, Nonfiction, History, Cookbooks
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Anne W

Interests: Fiction, Kids, Adventure, Dystopian, Historical Fiction, Early Chapter Books, Picture Books, Memoir, Self Help
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Annie

Interests: Poetry, Diverse Characters, Graphic Novels, Crafts, Science Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Self Help, Cookbooks
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Bailey

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Becky

Interests: Fiction, Fantasy, Nature, Historical Fiction
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Beth

Interests: Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, Crafts, Gardening, Young Adult
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Bond

Interests: Suspense, Thriller, Humor, True Crime, Picture Books
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Brian

Interests: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Mystery, LGBTQ+, Graphic Novels, Humor, Young Adult, Science, Short Story
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Candice

Interests: History, Travel, Science, Nature, Cookbooks, Thriller, Suspense
Casey's picture

Casey

Interests: Picture Books, Board Books, Early Readers, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Classics, Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Nature, LGBTQ+, Music, Gardening, Crafts, Memoir, Humor, Poetry, Horror, Cookbooks
Fang's picture

Fang

Interests: Diverse Characters, Travel, Picture Books, Graphic Novels, Memoir
Hanna's picture

Hanna

Interests: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopian, Classics, Self Help, LGBTQ+, Literary Fiction, Crafts, Music, Memoir, Poetry, Short Story
Heidi K's picture

Heidi K

Interests: Fiction, Memoir, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Classics, Fantasy, Short Story, History, Biographies, Philosophy, Poetry, Gardening, Graphic Novels
Jason's picture

Jason

Interests: Fiction, Classics, Fantasy, Humor, Mystery, Nonfiction, Science, Short Story
Katie's picture

Katie

Interests: Science Fiction, LGBTQ+, Diverse Characters, Art / Art History, Music, Philosophy, Poetry
Mari's picture

Mari

Interests: Graphic Novels, Picture Books, Crafts, Health, True Crime, Dystopian, Memoir, Historical Fiction, Suspense, Science, Literary Fiction
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Melody

Interests: Fiction, Fantasy, Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Health, Poetry, Romance, Diverse Characters, Humor, Literary Nonfiction
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Mykle

Interests: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Religion, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Adventure, Cookbooks, History
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Paul

Interests: Science Fiction, Classics, Picture Books, History, Technology, Gardening, Graphic Novels, Short Story
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Sam

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Shawna

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Tom

Interests: Health, History, Humor
Victoria's picture

Victoria

Interests: Black Lives Matter, Black History, Humor, LGBTQ+, Picture Books, Cookbooks, Crafts, Gardening, Science, Travel, Young Adult
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Zach

Interests: Science Fiction, LGBTQ+, Black Lives Matter, Diverse Characters, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels, Science