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.