What do you choose when you're looking for a good book to read? Newly published or an old classic? Horror or literary fiction? Science fiction or romance? Lewis & Clark Library staff choose it all. Read on for some novels and one nonfiction audiobook we highly recommend. Happy Reading!
Malin recommends . . .
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
This book creatively and distinctly demonstrates the critical importance of stories and diversity on culture and humanity. Higuera does this in a way that speaks to all audiences, although it is specifically written for middle grade readers. It is the perfect blend of science fiction and dystopia while also being deeply personal and emotional. It follows a young teen named Petra Peña as she and her family board a ship to leave Earth before its imminent demise. She discovers what is important to keep from Earth as those around her eliminate what they want to erase from their past. This book is honestly incredible, and I was amazed at the message that could be portrayed through a book that is essentially meant for children. I encourage everyone to give it a try!
Find The Last Cuentista in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla eBook and audiobook (available in Spanish)
Read more about the author Here
Tyler recommends . . .
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
Check out Heart-Shaped Box, the story of a jaded rock star haunted by a ghost he purchased on the internet. Creepy, trippy, and intriguing. It was one of those books that I had to keep reading because I couldn't stand to leave the story on pause - to leave the characters trapped for even a moment! A fun one.
Find Heart-Shaped Box in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby audiobook
Hoopla eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here
John recommends . . .
The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walters
Laughed out loud during the entire first chapter! One of the best books I read last year.
The Financial Lives of the Poets is a comic and heartfelt novel from National Book Award nominee Jess Walter, author of Citizen Vince and The Zero, about how we get to the edge of ruin--and how we begin to make our way back. Walter tells the story of Matt Prior, who's losing his job, his wife, his house, and his mind--until, all of a sudden, he discovers a way that he might just possibly be able to save it all . . . and have a pretty damn great time doing it.
Find The Financial Lives of the Poets in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Hoopla audiobook
Read more about the author Here
Lisa recommends . . .
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Station Eleven, published in 2014, is the eerily prescient story of our world following a global pandemic. Infrastructure has collapsed, civilization has crumbled. The story follows a troupe of traveling actors, moving back and forth in time, vividly depicting life before and after the pandemic. I couldn't put this book down, nor did I want it to end. Find Station Eleven in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here
Beth recommends . . .
The Phoenix Ballroom by Ruth Hogan
From the wildly popular bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things: a heartfelt and inspiring story about a wealthy widow who revives a beloved famous local landmark--and restores joy and sparkle to her own life in the process. It's never too late to start dancing again...
For fifty years, Venetia Hargreaves's world revolved around her husband. She built their life around his big career, with dinner on the table at six, a lovely home, and a dutiful son just as business-minded as his father. Now Venetia's a wealthy widow left with a beautiful but empty home, an enviable bank balance, and a distinct feeling that she missed the boat. Once upon a time, she was a dance instructor who dreamed of opening her own ballroom school with a fellow teacher who won her heart. Instead, Venetia chose the safer path.
So, at seventy-four years of age, Venetia declares her independence, first with a makeover, and then by adopting a new dog. But something is still missing...until on one of her dog walks by the river she passes by a building she remembers all too well. In her youth it was the spectacular Phoenix Ballroom, where she used to teach waltzes and tangos. These days it's a community center and spiritualist church, funded by a mysterious benefactor who only pays for the upkeep.
Eager to revive at least one meaningful thing from her past, Venetia buys the Phoenix Ballroom, and finds a supportive and loving community of lost souls who become a delightful multigenerational family-by-choice. As the ballroom regains its former glory, the community and Venetia's humdrum life are revived as well...proving wonderful things can come from the darkest of places.
Find The Phoenix Ballroom in the library catalog: Coming Soon! (on order) Available for digital checkout:
Hoopla audiobook
Read more about the author Here
Millie recommends . . .
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
“And so the lion fell in love with the lamb.”
Anything is a better love story than Twilight! While I may be inclined to agree with you, this novel is more than just another sappy YA romance novel. Through her use of supernatural beings, Meyers explores what it is like to be in a relationship with someone who has every ability to harm you, yet actively chooses not to. This is a reality many young women struggle with, the notion that their partner is inherently stronger and deadlier than them. Not only that, but Twilight began discussions about sexual assault and brutality. Emily, Rosalie, and Bella are all victims of gender based violence, something young women identify with, either from their own experiences or the experiences of their loved ones. In no way is this novel perfect, but Twilight allows for a safe place to engage in this nuanced reality in an entertaining and socially acceptable manner.
Find Twilight in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla eBook
Read more about the author Here
Emmon recommends . . .
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
What would you change if you could travel back in time?
Told in incredibly sweet, sad, funny interlocking stories, this book is just a really beautiful portrait of what happens when people get one chance to go back in time. No do-overs, nothing will change the events of the past, and you must return to the present day café before your coffee runs cold.
Find Before the Coffee Gets Cold in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here
Kristy recommends . . .
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
"Great fantasy novel featuring an ancient library hidden beneath the earth!"
Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues--a bee, a key, and a sword--that lead him to a masquerade party in New York, to a secret club, and through a doorway to an ancient library hidden far below the surface of the earth. What Zachary finds in this curious place is more than just a buried home for books and their guardians--it is a place of lost cities and seas, lovers who pass notes under doors and across time, and of stories whispered by the dead. Zachary learns of those who have sacrificed much to protect this realm, relinquishing their sight and their tongues to preserve this archive, and also of those who are intent on its destruction. Together with Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired protector of the place, and Dorian, a handsome, barefoot man with shifting alliances, Zachary travels the twisting tunnels, darkened stairwells, crowded ballrooms, and sweetly soaked shores of this magical world, discovering his purpose--in both the mysterious book and in his own life.
Find The Starless Sea in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla audiobook
Read more about the author Here
Rachel recommends . . .
The Rules of Royalty by Cale Dietrich
A very cute and quick read!
Act like a prince, but don't fall for one.
Jamie Johnson has never been the centre of attention, and he's perfectly okay with that. His entire world unravels as a hidden truth emerges: he's the heir to the throne of Mitanor, a sun-drenched southern European country, and the press is ready to expose this secret to the world. An invitation to spend the summer in his father's palace arrives, giving Jamie a chance to get to know the man he never thought he'd meet.
Meanwhile, in a northern European kingdom known for its cold climate and stoic royals, Erik Lindstrom, the spare prince, grapples with the upcoming marriage of his golden-boy elder brother. With the country's spotlight trained on his family more than ever, Erik feels sidelined and tightly controlled. So when he receives an offer to tutor the newly found American prince in the ways of royalty, he accepts without hesitation.
At a magnificent summer palace, Erik guides Jamie through the intricacies of royal etiquette, politics, and history. What neither prince anticipates is the connection that sparks between them--one that challenges both of their futures. Now each must make a choice: follow their hearts, or the time-honored royal path where crown and country reigns supreme, no matter the personal cost.
Find The Rules of Royalty in the library catalog Here
Read more about the author Here
Camden recommends . . .
As You Wish by Cary Elwes
The Princess Bride is one of my all-time favorite movies and I doubt I'm alone in that. As You Wish is the story of that unforgettable movie shoot from the perspectives of the actors and crew who brought it to life. In the audiobook, you get to hear these stories in their own voices, with much of the original cast and crew reading aloud their portions of the book. And the Princess Bride is one of those wonderful movies where, when the curtain is peeled back, only becomes even more magical and enchanting! Find As You Wish in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby audiobook
Hoopla audiobook (Spanish)
What do you choose when you're looking for a good book to read? Newly published or an old classic? Horror or literary fiction? Science fiction or romance? Lewis & Clark Library staff choose it all. Read on for some novels and one nonfiction audiobook we highly recommend. Happy Reading!
Malin recommends . . .
This book creatively and distinctly demonstrates the critical importance of stories and diversity on culture and humanity. Higuera does this in a way that speaks to all audiences, although it is specifically written for middle grade readers. It is the perfect blend of science fiction and dystopia while also being deeply personal and emotional. It follows a young teen named Petra Peña as she and her family board a ship to leave Earth before its imminent demise. She discovers what is important to keep from Earth as those around her eliminate what they want to erase from their past. This book is honestly incredible, and I was amazed at the message that could be portrayed through a book that is essentially meant for children. I encourage everyone to give it a try!
Find The Last Cuentista in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla eBook and audiobook (available in Spanish)
Read more about the author Here
Tyler recommends . . .
Check out Heart-Shaped Box, the story of a jaded rock star haunted by a ghost he purchased on the internet. Creepy, trippy, and intriguing. It was one of those books that I had to keep reading because I couldn't stand to leave the story on pause - to leave the characters trapped for even a moment! A fun one.
Find Heart-Shaped Box in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby audiobook
Hoopla eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here
John recommends . . .
Laughed out loud during the entire first chapter! One of the best books I read last year.
The Financial Lives of the Poets is a comic and heartfelt novel from National Book Award nominee Jess Walter, author of Citizen Vince and The Zero, about how we get to the edge of ruin--and how we begin to make our way back. Walter tells the story of Matt Prior, who's losing his job, his wife, his house, and his mind--until, all of a sudden, he discovers a way that he might just possibly be able to save it all . . . and have a pretty damn great time doing it.
Find The Financial Lives of the Poets in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Hoopla audiobook
Read more about the author Here
Station Eleven, published in 2014, is the eerily prescient story of our world following a global pandemic. Infrastructure has collapsed, civilization has crumbled. The story follows a troupe of traveling actors, moving back and forth in time, vividly depicting life before and after the pandemic. I couldn't put this book down, nor did I want it to end.
Find Station Eleven in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here
Beth recommends . . .
From the wildly popular bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things: a heartfelt and inspiring story about a wealthy widow who revives a beloved famous local landmark--and restores joy and sparkle to her own life in the process. It's never too late to start dancing again...
For fifty years, Venetia Hargreaves's world revolved around her husband. She built their life around his big career, with dinner on the table at six, a lovely home, and a dutiful son just as business-minded as his father. Now Venetia's a wealthy widow left with a beautiful but empty home, an enviable bank balance, and a distinct feeling that she missed the boat. Once upon a time, she was a dance instructor who dreamed of opening her own ballroom school with a fellow teacher who won her heart. Instead, Venetia chose the safer path.
So, at seventy-four years of age, Venetia declares her independence, first with a makeover, and then by adopting a new dog. But something is still missing...until on one of her dog walks by the river she passes by a building she remembers all too well. In her youth it was the spectacular Phoenix Ballroom, where she used to teach waltzes and tangos. These days it's a community center and spiritualist church, funded by a mysterious benefactor who only pays for the upkeep.
Eager to revive at least one meaningful thing from her past, Venetia buys the Phoenix Ballroom, and finds a supportive and loving community of lost souls who become a delightful multigenerational family-by-choice. As the ballroom regains its former glory, the community and Venetia's humdrum life are revived as well...proving wonderful things can come from the darkest of places.
Find The Phoenix Ballroom in the library catalog: Coming Soon! (on order)
Available for digital checkout:
Hoopla audiobook
Read more about the author Here
Millie recommends . . .
“And so the lion fell in love with the lamb.”
Anything is a better love story than Twilight! While I may be inclined to agree with you, this novel is more than just another sappy YA romance novel. Through her use of supernatural beings, Meyers explores what it is like to be in a relationship with someone who has every ability to harm you, yet actively chooses not to. This is a reality many young women struggle with, the notion that their partner is inherently stronger and deadlier than them. Not only that, but Twilight began discussions about sexual assault and brutality. Emily, Rosalie, and Bella are all victims of gender based violence, something young women identify with, either from their own experiences or the experiences of their loved ones. In no way is this novel perfect, but Twilight allows for a safe place to engage in this nuanced reality in an entertaining and socially acceptable manner.
Find Twilight in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla eBook
Read more about the author Here
Emmon recommends . . .
Find Before the Coffee Gets Cold in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here
Kristy recommends . . .
"Great fantasy novel featuring an ancient library hidden beneath the earth!"
Find The Starless Sea in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla audiobook
Read more about the author Here
A very cute and quick read!
Jamie Johnson has never been the centre of attention, and he's perfectly okay with that. His entire world unravels as a hidden truth emerges: he's the heir to the throne of Mitanor, a sun-drenched southern European country, and the press is ready to expose this secret to the world. An invitation to spend the summer in his father's palace arrives, giving Jamie a chance to get to know the man he never thought he'd meet.
Meanwhile, in a northern European kingdom known for its cold climate and stoic royals, Erik Lindstrom, the spare prince, grapples with the upcoming marriage of his golden-boy elder brother. With the country's spotlight trained on his family more than ever, Erik feels sidelined and tightly controlled. So when he receives an offer to tutor the newly found American prince in the ways of royalty, he accepts without hesitation.
At a magnificent summer palace, Erik guides Jamie through the intricacies of royal etiquette, politics, and history. What neither prince anticipates is the connection that sparks between them--one that challenges both of their futures. Now each must make a choice: follow their hearts, or the time-honored royal path where crown and country reigns supreme, no matter the personal cost.
Find The Rules of Royalty in the library catalog Here
Read more about the author Here
Find As You Wish in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby audiobook
Hoopla audiobook (Spanish)
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