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!