Phil recommends "Dungeon Crawler Carl"

During the pandemic, self-published author Matt Dinniman found himself out of work and with plenty of time to write his web novel Dungeon Crawler Carl, now a massively popular series of books .  This wonderfully imaginative LitRPG sci-fi novel is about an ordinary guy named Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s sassy diva of a cat, Princess Donut, as they discover that aliens have transformed Earth into a massive, televised dungeon crawling real-life video game.  Don’t you hate it when that happens?

The enemies they encounter are many, varied, and completely bizarre and they have to continually come up with creative and entertaining ways of dispatching them in order to gain viewers as they work their way down to each level of the dungeon.  Because the story is told in the manner of a roleplaying game there is a lot of minutiae about stats, armor, weapon choices, loot, etc.  However, the quick pacing, sharp humor, and creative world building make it an easy read where you want to know what completely bonkers situation Carl and Donut will encounter next.  It’s very addictive. 

If you enjoy Dungeon Crawler Carl, there is plenty more where that came from – there are eight books in the series so far with two more on the way.  Also, producer Seth MacFarlane has purchased the rights to the series and is making it into a live-action TV show.

 

 

Kayla recommends "Hungerstone"

Hungerstone - Kat Dunn - Adult

Hungerstone retells the story of Carmilla, the book that inspired Dracula. Despite its seemingly slower start, I really enjoyed the pacing of this one! I've yet to read a story so immersed in its setting; Nethershaw is described as such a beautifully decrepit place, reflecting its inhabitants perfectly--particularly Lenore. Her journey of self-discovery is one that I truly resonated with.

Meghan recommends "You & Me and You & Me and You & Me"

 

 

Adam and Jules have been married over twenty years. They love each other, but they also feel pulled in different directions and they blame each other life’s disappoints. One night after a fight, Adam retreats to his shed to cool off. He pulls out some old mixtapes (yes, actual cassettes!) that he’d made for Jules earlier in their relationship. When he plays one of these old cassettes he’s transported back in time, into his younger self, with all the feelings he had for Jules on the day he gave her the tape.

He’s astounded, of course! He shares his experience with Jules and they take turns revisiting the past. They discover they can influence their past selves and each makes small and then larger “tweaks” to try to fix their current problems. Will they “fix” their relationship, or rupture their connection forever?

This was a fast-paced and sweet read about the twists and turns life takes, and how to hold on to what matters to you. The musical references will delight Gen X and elder millennial readers! Recommended to fans of Rainbow Rowell’s Landline or What Might Have Been by Holly Miller.

Kayla recommends "The Starving Saints"

The Starving Saints - Caitlin Starling - Adult

I started reading this blind, with absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into. It was such a treat to be taken through the reality-bending, medieval world inside of Aymar castle, and to experience the journey through the perspective of three fantastically-written characters. If you're a fan of medieval horror or dark fantasy, give this one a try!

Nicole recommends "Slayers of Old"

Jenny the Vampire Slayer...I mean, Hunter of Artemis, has been retired for decades after discovering that she was being used as a weapon by a group of old guys. For twenty years she's lived with Annette, a half-succubus with a keen mind for finances, and Temple, a now-99-year-old wizard with a psychic connection to their house. Jenny is a part-time demon EMT, she and Annette run the bookstore downstairs, and Temple spends his time feeding everyone and caring for their house. None of them are expecting to have to dust off their skills and save the world, but a baddie from the past summoning an eldritch horror can't be ignored.

This book was funny, heartwarming, then funny again. It's strange to call it a "cozy horror" when the stakes are literally apocalyptic and not everyone makes it out alive, but there's something comforting about main characters who are adult enough to know who they are and what's worth sacrificing for.

 

Amy recommends "Her Last Breath"

I figured this one out early on but I honestly think that made the whole thing even better! It’s fun thriller set underground which somehow amps up the reader’s reactions to everything. By the end, you won’t even know who you are rooting for.

Colleen recommends "The Warm Hands of Ghosts"

This adult historical fiction title effortlessly weaves an eerie undertone of magical realism amongst a somber tale of grief, loss, and finding strength to go on.  

The Warm Hands of Ghosts tells the stories of Laura Iven, a wounded and discharged field nurse, and her brother who she left behind, Freddie. Laura has survived the horrors of war as well as a recent tragedy at home. Before she can recover, she receives word that her brother has died in combat. But Laura is convinced that something is amiss and sets off to find out the truth.

Once her story is underway, we are introduced to Freddie from his point of view. Freddie Iven finds himself trapped on the battlefield with another wounded soldier. But is this soldier an ally or enemy? Can they make it out alive? If they do, where can they even go?

Against all odds, they manage to escape killing fields and find solace in an abandoned mansion. But all is not quite as it seems for them, either.  

Laura and Freddie fight to reunite with one another as they overcome physical obstacles, fight psychological battles, and traverse treacherous war-torn lands. But are they headed towards one another, or have their paths already passed in time and space?

Meghan recommends "The Road to Tender Hearts"

The Road to Tender Hearts opens in a nursing home, where the resident cat can predict who will be next to die. Turns out no one wants to cuddle with a cat who may be the grim reaper. After getting kicked out, the cat makes his way through Pond View, Massachusetts, and leads us to PJ Halliday, a former mailman, a drunk, and a lottery winner whose generous spirit and cheerful manner have endeared him to the townsfolk. He’s even on good terms with his ex-wife and her new beau. He’s on not-so-good terms with his daughter, but when he unexpectedly becomes guardian to two young kids, she agrees to accompany him, and the kids, and the cat across the country on a road trip to the Tender Hearts Retirement Home, where PJ plans to surprise his recently widowed high school crush. 

I found this book laugh out loud funny, mostly thanks to the very precocious kids, Luna and Ollie. There is also a lot of death and heavy themes, but the story never loses its heart and will have you rooting for each of these characters throughout the book. 

From a starred review at Kirkus: “A beautiful reminder that the world is full of tragedy, but life-changing joy and connection might be just around the corner.”

For fans of the film Little Miss Sunshine or Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. Available as a book, eBook or eAudio.

Gretchen recommends "Every Tom, Dick & Harry"

I look forward to each new novel by Elinor Lipman.  This funny romantic comedy exposes small town crushes, criminality, and clandestine rendezvous at a B&B that doubled as a brothel in this feel good love story.  As in her past novels, Lipman’s writing style is uniquely her own.  She is a keen observer of modern life and the human condition.  Emma Lewis is taking over her retiring parents’ estate sale business.  Her most daunting and potentially lucrative clients are the owners of a mansion that had a shady side hustle in its past. What ensues with the estate sale is pure charm for adults.

 

Uma recommends “The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking"

The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking by Mel Robbins and Sawyer Robbins is a transformative and empowering read that offers a refreshing perspective on emotional well-being. The core message — "Let Them" — encourages readers to stop trying to control others and focus on protecting their own peace. This practical, easy-to-read guide is packed with wisdom, providing a simple yet effective tool for overcoming overthinking and managing stress. Uplifting and insightful, it's perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by others' expectations or seeking more clarity and balance in today's fast-paced world. A must-read for anyone looking to reclaim their emotional freedom and live with more clarity and less stress.

Adult

 

 

 

Phil recommends Armchair Travel Double Feature

I love a good armchair travel audiobook for my workday commute.  These two true story adventures, available through Libby (and in print), were fun, low stress listening:

“On the Hippie Trail” by Rick Steves.  There is something about travel guru Rick Steves’ voice and cadence that lowers my blood pressure.  If you are familiar with his excellent travel videos then you already know what I mean.  Before Rick Steves built his extensive travel book/video/tour company empire, he was just a young 23 year old backpacker on a shoestring budget, journeying from Istanbul to Kathmandu.  Fortunately he kept a diary and Steves, now 70, reads from this journal in his trademark style.  His formative journey through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal are full of ups and downs but his optimism and sense of wonder always remain intact.  Steves has a knack for describing the sights, tastes, and experiences of world cultures and it is easy to see from this travelogue how his talents would eventually become his life’s work.

“Nala’s World” by Dean Nicholson.  Like Steves in “On the Hippie Trail”, Nicholson is a young man traveling on a tight budget across numerous countries.  The twist here is that Nicholson travels by bicycle and picks up a stray cat along the way, Nala, and soon becomes a social media sensation.  From Montenegro, to Greece, to Turkey, and beyond, Nicholson relays his adventures and many challenges resulting from taking on this feline passenger, all the while coming to terms with his newfound status as an Instagram celebrity.  Nicholson is Scottish and audiobook narrator Angus King (also Scottish) is an absolute delight to listen to.

Rick Steves’ book describes instances of drug use and is appropriate for adults.  Nicholson’s book is for adults but I think that cat lovers of all ages would enjoy it.

Meghan recommends Audie Award winners

Summer means road trips, and for many that also means audiobooks! The Audio Publisher’s Association honors the best of audiobooks published in the last year, and many of these recordings are available through the Clinton-Macomb Public Library. Click here for the list of CMPL’s holdings that were nominated for Audie Awards this year.

Do you have a long trip coming up? Barbra Streisand’s memoir took the top prize as Audiobook of the Year – it may also be the longest, clocking in at a whopping 48 hours!

If you’re looking for celebrity backstories that are a little shorter, try From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough, narrated by Julia Roberts and Riley Keough, which runs a manageable six hours.

The audio version of the Pulitzer Prize winner, James by Percival Everett, shows up on the list, as well as perennial favorite authors like Lucy Foley, Karin Slaughter, Kristin Hannah, Stephen Graham Jones and Erik Larsen. There are stories for all ages and interests.

Do you need assistance getting set up to listen to audiobooks on your phone? Stop in to see a librarian; we’re happy to help! (And remember, audiobooks are books, and listening counts towards your summer reading goals!)

Andrea recommends "Cat's People"

What do a barista who moonlights as a cat rescuer, a bodega owner who recently lost his wife, an author struggling with writer's block, a young woman looking for family, and a mailman trying to find his path in life have in common? In Tanya Guerrero's Cat's People it's their love for a street-smart cat that brings this motley crew together.

Being a cat lover myself, this book immediately caught my eye, and I think anybody who's ever shared a special bond with a pet will love this one. It will warm your heart, make you cry (in a good way), and remind you that connection can sometimes be found where you least expect it.

This book is suitable for adults.

Meghan recommends "Ink Blood Sister Scribe"

 

When she was 18, Esther’s father sent her away from her childhood home, telling her she must spend no more than one year in the same place, and to leave every year on the same date. Ten years later, her parents have divorced, her father has died, and her sister (who doesn’t know the real reason Esther left home) misses her terribly, but also feels terribly betrayed by her. This year Esther decides not to run away from the place she’s called home for the last year. Her decision triggers a series of events that leads her to a mysterious person beyond a mirror, a sheltered British magician, a Boston-bred bodyguard, and finally to her sister back home.

Ink Blood Sister Scribe is a light fantasy novel that challenges its characters to confront family secrets and defy the status quo. Once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down! While voracious readers may guess some of the twists, having an idea where the book was heading didn’t detract from my enjoyment at all.

As Kirkus reviews wrote, “Törzs’ simple magic system of books is straightforward, with clear rules set out for readers early on, leaving her plenty of space to explore how an obsession with power can twist people so deeply that they betray the ones they love. Esther and Joanna’s complicated but loving relationship is wonderfully rendered, and Törzs pulls off such an expert series of twists that readers would be advised to cancel their plans until they get to the end.”

Recommended for adults and older teens.

 

 

Phil recommends "Box Office Poison: Hollywood's Story in a Century of Flops"

 

There is something endlessly entertaining about stories of Hollywood hubris and excess turning into spectacular failure. Tim Robey begins with the early days of Hollywood, including D.W. Griffith’s grandiose financial flop Intolerance, and takes us through a century of multi-million dollar disasters like Dr. Dolittle (1967), Dune (1984), The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Cutthroat Island, Speed 2: Cruise Control, and many more.  Robey essentially performs an autopsy on each, telling the story of how such projects came to be in the first place…and why they failed in such dramatic fashion.  Unlike similarly-themed podcasts like How Did This Get Made?, Robey eschews the overtly comedic approach but instead lets the inherently compelling subject matter speak for itself.

 

This book is appropriate for adults.

Rion recommends "Moon of the Turning Leaves"

           

 Over a decade after complete collapse of all societal systems, residents of Shki-dnakiiwin, a small community of Anishinaabe people in Northern Canada, have noticed that the land they are living on is starting to run out of the ability to provide for them. When an elder has a vision of returning to their ancestral homelands around the Great Lakes, a group of six community members, including Evan Whitesky and his daughter, Nangohns, are sent on a scouting trip to assess the land and journey it would take to go home. Along the way, they pass through ransacked cities and encounter other survivors of the collapse, some friendly, and others dangerous. The group’s survival skills and commitment to finding their homeland are constantly put to the test, and the conclusion to the book is both satisfying and touching.

This book evoked so many feelings in me - fear, appreciation for nature, and love for the characters and some of the communities they encounter. While it is technically a sequel, it also functions as a stand-alone book, and having read both, I recommend it over Moon of the Crusted Snow (the first book in the duology). The plot moved at a consistent pace and I found myself wondering about what was next for the characters whenever I put the book down – the sign of being immersed in a very absorbing story! The use of Anishinaabemowin (the Anishinaabe language) throughout the book was beautiful, and the entire story is a testament to the resilience of indigenous communities through the most difficult of times. I highly recommend Moon of the Turning Leaves!

Age group: Adult