Taryn recommends "Linus"

In Linneopolis everyone is an “uptight, straitlaced bunch.” Everyone that is except Linus. Linus loves colors, shapes, and any reason to celebrate. The Line Leader wants Linus to tone it down and become proper just like everyone else. When Linus tries to stay in line, the more bent out of shape he becomes. The Line Leader takes Linus to the edge of town to build some character and get back to being the Linus that they know and love, but Linus feels that he needs more in his life so he runs away. On his journey Linus finds that the farther he goes, the more things change, and once he gets to Squiggleville he helps those residents to learn that he makes their world more special. When Linus starts to miss home he comes up with a plan to bring everyone together and the residents of Linneoplis learn that maybe “different” isn’t a bad thing after all.

I really enjoyed this story because it shows that sometimes being different and not always following the norm is a beautiful thing. I think that this book will help those children who have big personalities to understand that they are not “bad” because they are different and will help those children who maybe don’t have big personalities to know that those who are “different” can help make the world a better place. I love the illustrations that are in this book because they help to make the story come to life. This book can be a great teaching opportunity for grown-ups and caregivers to help the children in their lives to understand that everyone’s differences are what make the world an amazing place. It may even help some grown-ups understand this too. This book is geared towards young children, but I think it would be good through upper elementary school as well.

Phil recommends "The Wager: a tale of shipwreck, mutiny and murder"

This excellent nonfiction book by David Grann is a story of the pursuit of treasure that soon turns into a story of shipwreck, mutiny, and desperate survival on brutal and unforgiving seas.  In 1740, His Majesty's Ship, The Wager wrecked on a desolate island off the coast of Patagonia and the survivors had to make a harrowing 2500 mile journey to safety.  Two factions formed - both of which had very different tales to tell about what happened on their fateful journey...and who was to blame.

David Grann is an adept storyteller and you might recognize his name from his book club favorite, "Killers of the Flower Moon" - now a forthcoming film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.  I wouldn't be surprised if "The Wager" becomes a film someday, too.  It even ends with a dramatic, high stakes court martial leaving the reader to wonder who will ultimately receive blame for the fiasco - and hang from the gallows.

 

This book is appropriate for adults.

 

Justine recommends "A First Time for Everything" by Dan Santat

A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat is an adorable graphic novel memoir about the author's middle school trip to Europe.  Santat, a Caldecott medalist for The Adventures of Beekle: An Unimaginary Friend, went on this trip sometime in the 1980's.  This gives the memoir not only a fun, ethnic feel from the Paris setting, but also one of nostalgia for 80's Europe.  Countries his group visits include France, Germany, Switzerland, and England.

I recommend this to both children and adults.  It's a great book for all ages, and I think each age group gets something different out of it.

Natalie recommends "Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt"

I knew this day would come.  I started reading the series a few years ago when we had gotten book five, Moon Sister and have been staying along for the ride.  Atlas: the Story of Pa Salt wraps up the series quite nicely, finally answering questions about the elusive Pa Salt now that all seven sisters have been bought together.  Pa Salt's journey is one of loss, heartbreak, and self discovery, ending with a few surprises that I won't spoil.  This is a book that I would highly recommend as the final book in a series that has been going on for almost a decade, and it concludes the series in a meaningful way.

As you may notice, there are two authors on this book, Lucinda Riley and her son, Harry Whittaker.  That is because Lucinda Riley passed away in June of 2021 after battling cancer for four years.  Her passing was just a few weeks after the release of the seventh book, The Missing Sister, which would make it to the top of the chart in the UK and Ireland before her passing.  Before she passed, Lucinda Riley had started working on Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt, and according to a Q&A, she already had a plan in the event she passed before the book was finished.  Harry Whittaker would go on to state that, while her passing wasn't expected, should worse come to worst, she wanted him to finish Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt.

Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt is not only a wonderful conclusion to a great series, but a nice send off to an author who has captivated millions of readers over the years.  

Amy recommends "Killers of a Certain Age"

 

Four sixty-something women are retiring – from their jobs as assassins for a clandestine international organization known as The Museum. After decades of service they discover they are the newest marks. This book manages to be funny, gruesome, and a loving nod to longstanding female friendships. The publisher describes it as a cross between the Golden Girls and James Bond. That description is spot on. This book is intended for adults.

 

 

Nicole recommends "City Under One Roof"

 

City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita is one of our Adult Fiction Hot Reads and it is absolutely worth taking a look at. This book is a murder mystery set in a small town in Alaska, only the town used to be a military base and everyone there lives in the same building. Detective Cara Kennedy has to team up with the local cops to solve the mystery while actually living with her suspects, unable to leave because a blizzard has closed off the only road out of town. Of course all of the locals have secrets, and Detective Kennedy is keeping a big secret of her own. If you love classic mysteries in closed-off settings, quirky settings and characters, or small towns hiding big secrets, you will not want to miss City Under One Roof.

Kara recommends "Red" and "Gold" by Jed Alexander

               

 

These wordless picture books are fractured retellings of two well-known fairy tales.  “Red” is a fresh take on “Little Red Riding Hood”, and “Gold” is a new way of telling “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”.   I love the illustrations and the specific use of a single color to help tell these two beloved tales, as well as the surprise endings.

These books are best for those ages 4 and up.