September Library Staff Picks

As usual, library staff read a wide array of books this month from nonfiction about the prevalence of serial killers originating in the Pacific Northwest to poetry that addresses the heartbreak of infertility. Don't worry: there is both lighthearted and thought-provoking fiction, too! Browse the reviews and get out your library card. You'll want to place some holds for sure.

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Eastbound by Maylis de Kerangal

"This book is a brief narrative of modern Russia capturing a moment in time between a small group of people who, without being able to communicate, still find a connection. The book also explores a little bit of their past and puts it in context with what is happening to them in the present. I found it very engaging and really interesting, especially the social and political aspects in a transitioning Russia."-Anthony

Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers by Caroline Fraser

"This is a fascinating, important book but I cannot recommend it to everyone because it is absolutely grizzly. If you can get past the details of murder and torture, this book makes a clear argument for the importance of environmental protections. There are real consequences for going without." -Rachelle

Poets Square: A Memoir in Thirty Cats by Courtney Gustafson

"As someone who has also rescued cats, this book was right up my alley! This memoir is about how the author was able to raise money to feed and provide veterinarian care for a cat colony. She writes about misogyny, where men will kill cats, come on to her, and even shame female cats who have given birth to multiple litters because they have not been spayed. Really, this book is a love letter to people out there doing the work of caring for animals who don't have homes."-Fugi

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

"For some reason I thought this book would be a happy one! It isn't, but it was a great book. Five out of five. I thought it was a great discussion of how we understand what humanity is."-Allyson

Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood

"What can I say, I like predictable romance! This book is about an age-gap relationship and it felt like the author was going through a checklist to prove why the age gap wasn't really problematic. But overall it was a fun read."-Allyson

The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs

"One husband in a friend group of four couples is killed and sets off a comedy of errors where the other three wives decide to kill off their husbands for the million-dollar insurance policy they each took out on their husbands. It was a fun, crazy story that keeps you on your toes wondering how it will all turn out."-Constance

The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard

"What if you could travel to see loved ones who had passed? How would that affect you-and them? This book is about a town where the next town over is 20 years the past, and the town in the other direction is 20 years in the future. It's about a girl who knows too much and must decide if she will prevent a death, and how to repair the damage when she can't. This book is under development to be a TV series. Can't wait to see it!"-Rachelle

Zeal by Morgan Jerkins

"A modern-day couple are given a family heirloom-a letter from the 1800s when slavery is ending. They go on a journey to understand the past and the people in the letter."-Breanna

How to Lose your Mother: A Daughter's Memoir By Molly Jong-Fast

"What's it like to be the daughter of a famous author known for her steamy, sex-filled books? Families can be complicated, but I liked that she could see who her mother really was and still love and care for her when her mother's health and mind start to decline."-Nicole S.

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

"This book captures such an interesting time in Iranian history. It about two girls, one wealthy, one not, and how authentic living versus the expectations put upon women with wealth."-Breanna

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

"The title comes from the judge who called Ted Bundy a 'bright young man.' This novel gives a voice to all those women who didn't have voices because of him. He isn't even named in this book."-Fugi

The Carrying by Ada Limón

"This poetry collection is about the author's desire to have children and her experience with IVF, and the difficult decision to stop trying. The book is about society, women's perceived worth, and the author's relationship with her husband and how they find their way back to intimacy."-Allyson

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

"I loved Wild Dark Shore so much that I had to check this one out right away. It's about a biologist who goes to Scotland to reintroduce wolves, and the struggle she has with local farmers. My favorite thing about McConaghy's novels is the quiet violence that simmers beneath everything and how environmental issues are very much intertwined with human drama."-Breanna

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

"I liked that each chapter is a different point of view from each character. It was compulsive to read to find out why the woman came to the island and what the family is hiding."-Nicole S.

Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel

"This semi-autobiographical novel is about two women who decide not to have kids because they want to live their lives, have careers, travel, etc. Then one of the friends decides that she does actually want to have a child. While she is pregnant, the doctors tell her that her child has a genetic disorder and it will be stillborn. This is what she prepares for: death, not life. But then her baby is born alive and she struggles with motherhood because she thinks her child will die at any minute."-Fugi

The Antidote by Karen Russell.

"This book is about a prairie witch who acts as a vault for people's memories but loses them in a tornado, a girl who plays basketball, and a man whose crop is saved when everyone around him loses theirs. Tornadoes threaten and a scarecrow dances in this sort of surreal, rural, almost wasteland-like setting. It was an interesting read! There are themes of motherhood, community consciousness, and the importance memory has for our characters, and, more specifically, what the absence of memory does to a town."-Genesis

Say Everything: A Memoir by Ione Skye

"This book is pure GenX nostalgia for sure! I loved her journey of finding her authentic self through several toxic, failed relationships. The reader will recognize several of the famous names she knew and called friends, lovers, and husbands and, of course, her famous 60's musician dad."-Nicole S.

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann

"This isn't a light, comedic murder mystery like you might expect but rather a much more thoughtful book. Each sheep has a distinct personality and history that adds depth to the story as they try to understand human behavior through their only source: the shepherd who reads novels to them."-Constance

Ginseng Roots by Craig Thompson - "This book interweaves the author's experience growing and harvesting ginseng in Wisconsin as a child with the history of the global ginseng trade. It's a fascinating look at American agriculture with beautiful artwork and a calligrapher's brush stroke."-Stephanie

Care and Feeding: A Memoir by Laurie Woolever

"The author finds herself in the epicenter of the food world while struggling with addiction. Even though she continuously makes bad choices in her personal life that ultimately catch up with her, I enjoyed the food world especially an insider view of working for Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain."-Nicole S.

Raging Clouds by Yudori - "This is a great, historical graphic novel about 16^th century Dutch society. A woman wants to engineer flying machines but her husband won't let her. When her husband leaves on a trip, she's able to live as she pleases but then he returns with a slave/mistress. The book is about racism and empire. About the bonds people create under situations that require survival. I really hope this book finds its audience. It's for people who like Portrait of a Woman on Fire, Handmaiden, even Octavia Butler. I think it will be studied in university courses."-Stephanie

La Sed (Spanish) / Thirst (English) by Maria Yuszczuk

"It seems like gothic horror about women is a popular genre in Argentina. This book is about a vampire and human in two different time periods. I especially liked the juxtaposition of monsters and humans in the first part of the book. I didn't love the ending, but I did really enjoy the author's writing style."-Allyson

Other books we enjoyed:

The Hypocrite by Jo Hamya

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones

Browse all our staff picks in the catalog.

Picture Books

Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird (Author) and Andrea Tsurumi (Illustrator)

"Pop Goes the Nursery Rhyme is a delightful and interactive read-aloud book that's perfect for children who are already familiar with classic nursery rhymes and fun for those being introduced to them for the first time. The story follows a Secretary Bird as it tries to complete each nursery rhyme, but an animal keeps weaseling in to interrupt, creating plenty of moments for humor and surprise.

"This book will keep kids engaged with playful interruptions, offering a perfect mix of laughter and learning for family and group reading time."-Luog

This Book is Dangerous by Ben Clanton (Author, Illustrator)

"Fun! Goofy! DANGEROUS! This hilarious read-aloud offers ridiculously silly page-turning chaos, sparking adventure and curiosity. It is a fantastic choice for those looking for a hilarious interactive read."-Luog

It Is (Not) Perfect by Anna Kang (Author) and Christopher Weyant (Illustrator)

"A heartwarming story about spending time at the beach with family and friends. Follow this vibrant crew as they work hard to build the "perfect" sandcastle together." -Derek

Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo (Author, Illustrator)

"Jun is a young girl from Hong Kong who has started school in America and is struggling to fit in. Using translations written on her hands she navigates her new school with some difficulties but eventually finds comfort in her lunchbox filled with delicious food from home."-Derek