Phil recommends "The Lives of Brian: A Memoir"

Last year, the hard rockin’ Australian band AC/DC turned 50 and in April 2025, they will return to Detroit on what will likely be their final tour. AC/DC has had their ups and downs but they have always persevered. Their lowest point was in February, 1980 when, on the verge of superstardom in the US, their lead singer Bon Scott tragically passed away at the age of 33. The band’s survival was uncertain and building on the success of their chart topping Highway to Hell album seemed unimaginable unless they could again find lightning in a bottle with a new singer.

Enter Brian Johnson, a blue collar working man from northern England with a talent for fixing cars – and a set of lungs made for rock & roll. Fortunately, his modest local success with the band Georgie caught the attention of several members of AC/DC – and he was called in for an audition. The rest is history and his first album with the band, Back in Black, became one of the bestselling rock albums of all time. The “Lives of Brian” tells Johnson’s story, from his very modest beginnings in a working class town to his first forays into singing for local rock bands to his life-changing moment when one of the most successful and enduring rock bands of all time gave him the opportunity of a lifetime. The autobiography is bookended with the singer’s personal struggles with hearing loss. Johnson is an up-beat guy, very humble, and a natural storyteller.

This book is appropriate for adults.

 

Catherine recommends "Clive Penguin" & "Umami"

  

These two penguins in search of adventure are sure to make you smile!

Clive Penguin is a bit grumpy. He’s always cold and he is sure there is more to life than just huddling with the other penguins on the ice, so he sets off to see what he can discover. When he finds an orange hat, he can’t believe his luck! Will he be satisfied with his life now? Read it and see!

Umami is not quite so grumpy, but still dreams of a life where there is more than cold fish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She sets off to discover the wider world and delights in all the new foods she encounters – sour, bitter, salty, sweet, and even spicy. She is so excited, she decides she must share these wonderful new tastes with the penguins back home – what will they think?

If you are in the mood for charming and adventurous heroes and heroines, these are the penguins for you!

Perfect for preschool and up.

 

 

Catherine recommends "Leafy Landmarks: Travels with Trees"

I love a good road trip, and I love trees, so I had to read this book of poems that takes you on an imaginary road trip to see some of the coolest trees in the United States. Whether admiring the beauty of the changing leaves in my own neighborhood or staring up at the grandeur of the General Sherman tree in Sequoia National Park (did you know it is as tall as 16 giraffes stacked upon each other and weighs as much as 10 blue whales?), time spent with trees is good for the soul. In this book, you can visit more than a dozen magnificent trees – most have historical or cultural significance; all of them are just plain awesome. Some highlights: the 4,600 year old Methuselah Tree in California; trees whose seeds have traveled to the moon; the Survivor Tree that stood amidst the destruction of the Oklahoma City bombing; and the bur oak that inspired the first Arbor Day. This is a lovely book to read together with kids – and then go outside to see what cool trees are in your own neighborhood.

Preschool & elementary children

Taryn recommends "Not Nothing"

Alex has been having a rough time, to say the least, his father’s gone and his mother is struggling with mental health issues which lands him living with his aunt and uncle who seem less than excited to have him. Alex has been treated like he doesn’t matter and that he is nothing, so when a kid at school actually tells him that he’s nothing, Alex snaps and gets violent. Luckily for Alex, he has a social worker who pulls some strings that lands him a job at a nursing home instead of juvie. Here he meets Maya-Jade, who unlike Alex, believes that she can make a difference and Alex reluctantly befriends. After a lockdown due to a flu outbreak, Alex is left to deliver meals to the residents. Here he meets Josey, a 107-year-old Holocaust survivor who hasn’t spoken in years. When Alex delivers Josey’s meal, and a run in with a picture, Josey starts talking. Josey and Alex form an unlikely bond with Josey confiding in Alex about his past. While listening to Josey’s story and with the help of Maya-Jade, Alex begins to believe that he can make a difference and that maybe he’s not nothing after all.  

This is an amazing book that will break your heart only to put it back together again. The bond that Josey forms with Alex begins to heal both characters and will make you root for Alex to believe in himself. Instead of being narrated by Alex or in the usual third person, Josey is the narrator of this book which allows you to see the growth of Alex through somebody else’s eyes. I loved hearing about Josey’s story and felt that it mirrored the way that Alex was feeling. Josey and Alex’s relationship has to be one of my favorites from books that I have read in the last few years. I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anyone that needs to believe that people can change and that there is good in this world. This book does have some sad moments and talks about some off-screen violence. I would recommend this for ages 8 and up (adults don’t let the middle grade rating fool you).

Taryn recommends "Bitsy & Boozle Tell a Story!"

 

Bitsy is a narrator-in-training who is finally ready to tell her story since she has found the perfect protagonist, the grumpy wizard Boozle. Bitsy and Boozle take the adventure of a lifetime as they journey up Story Mountain exploring all the parts of story structure along the way and discovering the magic of storytelling.

Bitsy & Boozle Tell a Story is an amazing way to help children learn about all of the different components of storytelling in an unique format, a graphic novel. In this book you learn the different points-of-view a story can have with a character that tells a story in each way; first person Prima, second person Midi, and finally third person Bitsy. Although this is a graphic novel that is teaching the reader how to tell a story, the authors do an amazing job of balancing the educational material with a fun story. Bitsy and Boozle have a fun relationship with Boozle just trying to find his happy ending, but Bitsy trying to get him to play the hero of the story. I absolutely love this book and think it’s an amazing way for a caregiver or teacher to help teach children about the parts of storytelling and how they can tell a story. At the end of the book here is a glossary of the different terms used and even a glossary to help with Boozle’s way of talking. The illustrations are beautifully done and I found myself laughing out loud. I would recommend this to caregivers and teachers trying to help children learn about storytelling, but also anyone who needs a refresher on the different parts of a story.

Meghan recommends "The Husbands"

Twenty-something Londoner Lauren returns home late, after her best friend's "hen do" to find her husband, who gives her water and painkillers and helps her get comfy. He's a very nice husband, but she's pretty sure she didn't have a husband when she left earlier that evening. There are photos of the husband on her phone. Her friends know the husband. When the husband goes into the attic to retrieve a blanket, he doesn't come back - a NEW husband comes down the ladder. That one goes up, again, a new husband comes down. It's all quite a lot to take in. 

Thus begins "The Husbands" by Holly Gramazio, a debut novel that was also a Read with Jenna /Today Show pick. It's an easy read, but clever. Readers discover along with Lauren that it’s not just the husbands that change, Lauren’s life changes too – when each husband comes down from the attic, he brings the life they share; the life in which Lauren chose this husband. I thought the book was fun, but also posed some interesting questions about how to create a life you love; with someone you love. Recommended for adults.

 

 

Kara recommends "We Are Definitely Human"

This is a funny and quirky story about an alien invasion that explores being human, while showing kindness and acceptance to all.  One of my favorite parts mentions how the newcomers "play sportsball" 😉

This book is best for children ages 3-5.

Rion recommends "The No-Girlfriend Rule"

Hollis is entering her senior year of high school, and after 6 years of being left out of her boyfriend’s Secrets and Sorcery role-playing game nights due to their “No-Girlfriend Rule”, she decides to join her own Secrets and Sorcery group to prove she’s worth having at her boyfriend’s game table. Her new group, which is an all-girl group, quickly becomes a refuge for Hollis to explore what makes her feel powerful and seen for who she is. As Hollis grows closer with the girls in the group, she’s forced to reckon with feelings for one of them while coming to terms with what has been holding her back from feeling confident in herself. 

This book was a pleasant coming-of-age read that accurately depicted what it’s like to live with severe anxiety. As Hollis establishes her new friend group, we get to see what it means for friends to truly look out for one another and accept each other for exactly who they are. Overall, this was a feel-good, light-hearted queer romance that I would recommend to any teen who enjoys nerding out over board games.

Age group: Teen

Ann recommends "Mother-Daughter Murder Night" by Nina Simon

Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon  

Lana is a formidable woman who has built a highly successful business in the Real Estate Market of Southern California. Her whole life changes when she is diagnosed with cancer and has to move in with her daughter, Beth, and granddaughter, Jack, (short for Jacqueline).

After a falling out with her mother for getting pregnant at the age of 17.  Beth left home to forge her own way. She is now a nurse and has built a meager, but comfortable life for her and her daughter. Beth and her mother have been estranged for the past 15 years, but she takes her mother in when she finds out about her cancer diagnosis.

Jack is a mature and responsible 15 year old who works as a guide giving kayak tours through the local marshlands. Jack discovers a  dead body while giving one of her tours. The local police frighten Jack with accusations that she may have something to do with the person’s death. This angers Lana and she becomes determined to solve the murder and remove any suspicions from her granddaughter.

The three women get drawn into the mystery and start working together to solve it. This is a thoroughly enjoyable mystery enhanced by the complicated relationship dynamics between these 3 generations of strong women. 

Recommended for adult readers who enjoy a good mystery.

 

Nicole recommends "The Last Murder at the End of the World"

The whole world is gone. A fog spread across the entire planet, destroying all human life, stopping only at the edge of the very last island. This island is occupied by refugees, villagers, and scientists. It was the scientists who figured out how to hold back the fog, on one condition – the machine keeping humanity safe would switch off should one of the scientists be murdered. When the head scientist is killed, it’s up to one villager, Emory, to figure out what happened and bring the murderer to justice before the fog reaches the island. The only problem is, nobody could have wanted Niema dead. That is, unless they had discovered one of the many, many secrets Niema was keeping.

This book is fantastic! It starts off in an idyllic post-apocalyptic village, but piece by piece we begin to see that every part of the island is a piece of a machine, and what we are reading is actually advanced science fiction. Emory and the rest of the villagers are so likeable and kind that we desperately want them to be saved from the fog, even as we start to think that maybe humanity hasn’t done much to deserve to be saved. I had such a good time reading The Last Murder at the End of the World, and I recommend it to all of our adult readers.

Phil recommends "Lunar New Year Love Story"

 

This beautifully illustrated graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham is a gentle rom-com about “fate, family, and falling in love.” Val is convinced that her family is cursed when it comes to love.  Generations before her have had bad luck with relationships so why should she even bother? When Val meets two cute lion dancers she decides to give love (and lion dancing) a try, not knowing whether she can succeed where her ancestors have failed. Will she overcome the curse? 

My wife and I both enjoyed this graphic novel. We also learned a few things about Chinese and Vietnamese lion dancing as it features heavily in the story. This book is aimed at a young adult audience and doesn’t, to my recollection, have any strong language or mature situations. There is some mildly spooky stuff.

 

 

Meghan recommends "Who To Believe"

 

In the first chapter of Who to Believe, readers learn that the recent murder of a local restaurateur has rocked the small east-coast town of Monreith. By the second chapter, there’s a second murder – maybe more.  The secrets continue to pile up as multiple narrators tell their own portion of the story, shedding light on previous events, moving the investigation and the novel forward. As the Kirkus review states, “the tale unfolds in seven parts, each with its own nuanced first-person-present narrator and unique voice. Every new section delivers a kaleidoscopic turn, reframing all that came before and keeping readers perennially off-kilter.”

Mystery fans will tear through this book, eager to discover what each new character will disclose as we race towards the ending.

Recommended for adults.

Natalie recommends "Arab Americans in Metro Detroit: A Pictorial History"

Standing at 2%, Michigan has the biggest Arab American population nationwide.  As someone who has family that originates from Lebanon, I would like to learn a bit more about this topic for personal and general interest reasons. This book, while a quick read, was a nice one and the pictures provided feel like a mini time capsule.  

It can be found in our Local History section in adult nonfiction.

Kara recommends "Pie-Rats!"

This is a fun picture book just begging to be read aloud. A crew of swashbuckling rats sail the seas looking for a different kind of treasure- dessert!  I loved the detailed illustrations too!

This book is geared towards children, but can be equally enjoyed by the grown-ups in their life.

 

 

Martin recommends "The Day Tripper"

In 1995, Alex Dean has a perfect life ahead of him, but he ends up bruised, bloody, and almost drowned in a river. He awakes to find it is now 2010. The next time he awakes it is now 2015. And the awakening after that finds him back in 1999. Can Alex piece his life back together and figure out why he keeps bouncing around his life?

The Day Tripper by James Goodhand is a solid story.  Like Alex, I was caught up in this time-travel mystery and was eager to see how the puzzle was solved. I also gleaned some very good life lessons along the way.

Adult Fiction

Gretchen recommends "After Annie"

Anna Quindlen’s latest novel is a heartfelt and realistic depiction of the shock and devastation that comes with the sudden loss of a family member. Beloved Annie Fonzheimer Brown leaves behind a husband, four children, a sister, and her best friend. Quindlen reveals the backstory of their hometown and how people got to where they are, revealing surprises, choices, and reconnections along the way. The children in the story are especially poignant as the oldest daughter takes on the role of a grown-up, learning that some people have dark and confusing secrets of their own. Despite their feelings of profound loss, Annie’s voice is always in their heads, almost like she’s by their side, as they cope in the intervening seasons of the year following her untimely and unexpected death. You feel the struggles of each character, and meet a compassionate woman who helps them navigate through it. Wise and ultimately hopeful, this book for adults shows the power of resilience in the presence of love and friendship.

 

Lisa recommends "Ahoy!"

Sophie Blackall’s newest book is a celebration of the world of make believe. While a parent is just trying to vacuum their rug, a child is emphatic that the rug is the ocean and they are captains of a ship.  Join this pair in a celebration in a celebration of imaginative play (and maybe recreate in your family room too!).

Justine Recommends Family Style by Thien Pham

Family Style by Thien Pham is a young adult graphic memoir about a Vietnamese boy's search for belonging in America.  What's interesting about the author's approach is his usage of food to remember certain points in his life.  For example, potato chips become an indulgence, strawberries signify struggle, and meat and potatoes signifies becoming Americanized.  It's a heartfelt approach that makes the reader emphasize with the author's childhood challenges as a refugee.  It will also make you hungry and crave Vietnamese food, but that's a different issue.

This book has already received a lot of praise, including being a 2023 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist and included in 2023 Best Book of the Year lists from NPR, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal, and Shelf Awareness.  There's a good chance it's going to rack up many awards during the book awards season as well.  Check it out before you can't due to patron demand!

Uma recommends "I Did a New Thing"

 

"I Did a New Thing" by Tabitha Brown is a heartwarming and inspiring book that encourages readers to embrace change and step out of their comfort zones. Brown's positivity and encouragement shine through in this book, motivating readers to pursue their dreams and explore new experiences.

With her enthusiasm, Brown reminds us that it's never too late to make a change and discover new possibilities in life. Overall, "I Did a New Thing" is a wonderful read that will leave us feeling empowered and ready to embrace new challenges.

Adult

Meghan recommends "Watership Down"

 

"Every rabbit that stays behind is in great danger. We will welcome any rabbit who joins us."

Watership Down by Richard Adams is the story of a small band of rabbits who leave their home after one of them has a vision of a terrible fate coming for their warren. They set off into the unknown, escaping the coming danger, but going towards new threats such as predators, inhospitable landscapes and even other rabbits. Hazel becomes their leader, and by valuing the different strengths of those in his party and drawing lessons from rabbit mythology, he guides the band through much peril, before facing a final menace which requires all their wits and teamwork to try to overcome.

Watership Down is generally thought of as a children’s book, though I wouldn’t give it to many children today. It was originally published in 1972 in Britain, and I think most children would find the style of language difficult. However, a graphic novel adaptation was recently released, fairly faithful to the novel, and my nine-year-old enjoyed that version.

If you enjoy adventure stories and are looking for something different (or maybe to revisit something familiar) try reading Watership Down.  

Kara recommends "Good Different"

 

This is a fantastic novel-in-verse about a seventh-grade girl, Selah, who is neurodivergent and discovers poetry as a way to find her authentic voice. Along her journey of self-discovery, she figures out what makes her different, and learns to accept and celebrate those differences. 

This book is best for readers in grades 3-7.

Justine recommends "Superman Smashes the Klan" by Gene Luen Yang

Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang is a self-contained graphic novel, meaning you can pick up this book and there's no connection to other Superman or DC Comics. The story is about two children named Roberta and Tommy who have just moved from Chinatown to Downtown Metropolis in the year 1946.  However, the Klu Klux Klan has their own agenda, and they're not fans of this recent move. With the help of Superman, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen, Roberta and Tommy must fight the Klan's terror and drive it out of Metropolis.

This comic is actually based off a series of episodes from a radio broadcast called Adventures of Superman. The 16-part serial "Clan of the Fiery Cross" aired between June and July 1946, and in it, Superman exposed the US to the bigotry of the 1940's KKK. However, one nice part about the comic is that it's updated for a young modern audience, explaining difficult concepts a middle schooler might not pick up on. I'd recommend this to anyone in 6th grade and up, including adults. It shows how superheroes can also tackle tough topics!

Catherine recommends "Escargot and the Search for Spring"

Do the grey days of winter have you feeling blah? Are you tired of cozy sweaters and bored with making snow angels? What you need is to spend some time with a charming snail who is determined to shake off his winter ennui by going outside to search for spring. Whether or not you have already met him in his earlier books (Escargot; A Book for Escargot; Love, Escargot) Escargot will charm you from the very start of this spring themed picture book. One caveat: Escargot would like you to know that despite the frequent interference of a very fluffy bunny, this is NOT a bunny book. It is a book that welcomes sunshine, bird song, and flowers in a completely charming celebration of spring. Well, maybe a new bunny friend is okay too.

Recommended for children, preschool and up.

Ann recommends " The Most Perfect Snowman" by Chris Britt

 

This picture book is an enjoyable winter story about a snowman who feels like he doesn’t quite measure up to the other snowmen because he doesn’t have a carrot for a nose, or clothes like they do. He thinks if only he had these things then he would be perfect, and he would be happy. He eventually gets everything he hoped for and finds out that it’s not always the getting, but the giving that matters.

 

Children, all ages

 

Justine recommends the Sheets Trilogy by Brenna Thummler

Brenna Thummler has made a name for herself in the graphic novel scene with her Sheets trilogy.  The books, titled Sheets, Delicates, and Lights respectively, are a middle grade coming-of-age graphic novel series.  They focus on Marjorie Glatt, a practical thirteen-year old in charge of her family's laundromat.  In the first novel, Marjorie discovers that ghosts are real, and they really use sheets as part of their form.  These ghosts, particularly a child ghost named Wendell, are attracted to the laundromat since they can get a good cleaning for affordable prices. Marjorie befriends Wendell and begins to discover more about life, death, and the particulars of ghost culture.

The other two books introduce more characters and plot lines, but a major theme throughout the series is grief.  The series as a whole does a great job tackling this tough topic from many perspectives without making it inaccessible to its targeted age group.  However, I would recommend this series to all ages. The beautiful, unique art style is worth reading them for alone.

Nicole recommends "The Parliament"

Mad is stuck in the library with her lifelong crush, several teens who showed up for her bath bomb program, and a relatably miscellaneous group of library staff and patrons. Outside the library is a swarm, or parliament, of murder owls, and several local emergency personnel who are too afraid and incompetent to offer much help. Inside, they're running out of food and other resources. It becomes increasingly obvious that they are going to have to save themselves before the town authorities decide to start burning down libraries to stop the owls.

I loved this Adult Hot Read. Mad's internal monologue, informed by anxiety, past trauma, and probable neurodiversity. The depiction of a library not as a sacred space but as a building full of resources and strangers with a shared goal. The interspersed chapters of a made-for-this-novel fairy tale, which Mad reads to keep the children distracted but which ends up mobilizing them in a crazy scheme to escape. From now on, this is the only book set in a library that I'll recommend.

Taryn recommends "The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels"

On the day they are born, every Swift child is named using the sacred Swift Family Dictionary, which not only gives them their name, but their definition as well. They are assumed to match their definition as they grow up. This story brings us Shenanigan (who is a risk-taker and a mischief-maker) who is getting ready for the big Swift Family Reunion. She is also planning on finding Grand-Uncle Vile’s long lost treasure. When someone shoves Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude down the stairs, Shenanigan is determined to find out who the killer is no matter where the adventure takes her.

I can’t begin to describe how much I loved this book. It’s laugh out loud funny and very clever. It was such a fun read and I actually learned some words that I had never encountered before. Someone described this book as Knives Out for kids I can’t think of a better description. This book also shows the importance of words, individuality, and defining yourself even in the face of other’s expectations. It’s full of games, wordplays, and plenty of mischief which I think both kids and adults will find entertaining. I recommend this book to upper elementary kids, a fun read aloud for those with children, and those looking for a twisty mystery. I also recommend having a dictionary handy while reading.

Phil recommends "Everything I learned, I learned in a Chinese restaurant : A memoir"

This 2024 Michigan Notable Book is a funny and heartfelt memoir from Curtis Chin and the story of his time growing up as a gay Chinese American kid in 1980’s Detroit. As crime escalated in downtown Detroit, Chung’s Cantonese Cuisine was a safe haven and a place where you could get a warm home cooked meal. The restaurant had a diverse clientele including the occasional mayor, Hollywood celebrity, sex worker, and really anyone looking for good food and a welcoming atmosphere. Every member of the large Chin family participated in running the restaurant and Curtis learned many life lessons along the way – and learned about himself as he came to terms with his sexuality at a time when coming out was risky.

The book is cleverly arranged like a Chinese restaurant menu and the vivid descriptions of his family’s recipes will make you hungry. Chin has a great sense of humor and is a talented storyteller. This is our Let’s Get Real nonfiction book discussion selection for June.

This book has mature content and is appropriate for adults.

 

Justine Recommends Tenements, Towers, and Trash

Tenements, Towers, and Trash: An Unconventional Illustrated History of New York City by Julia Wertz is...well, an unconventional history of NYC.  What makes the book appealing is the spotlight on lesser known history, such as Bottle Beach or what's happened to structures left to rot after a World's Fair.  It also a graphic novel, so it instantly gets more points for that.  I went to NYC a few years ago, and I agree with Wertz about the city.  Yes, the bigger stuff like The Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building are interesting things to see, but a bizarre subway entrance architecture is also part of the city's quirkiness.  You can see a lot of history just by looking at the odd stuff.

I also read this book before diving into her newest title Impossible People: A Completely Average Recovery Story.  This one is more personal, dealing with Wertz's alcohol abuse and subsequent recovery.  It's a tougher read, but after reading Tenements, I enjoyed seeing a more personal story that showed where Tenements came from.  It seemed a lot of the research done for Tenements was during the first few years of her recovery.  It gave context to the many walks, research, and urbexing that I assumed had to be done to complete the book.