No matter what genre you love, the staff at Crawfordsville District Public Library has a reading recommendation for you this month. If you love to read mysteries, Christie recommends the witty and breathtaking “Murder Your Employer” by Rupert Holmes (FIC Hol), a book about a school that focuses on a very unique education: “If Hogwarts wasn’t your dream school, maybe McMasters will be!” Christie also recommends the popular mystery fantasy book “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” by Ransom Riggs (YA FIC Rig v.1). The library’s book club, Wyrd Words, will be discussing this story about a mysterious island and an abandoned orphanage at their August meeting. Grab a copy of the book and then join us on August 17 at 6 pm for a fun discussion! This book has also been made into a movie starring Eva Green, which you can find in our DVD collection (DVD FIC Mis).
Looking for more fantasy suggestions? Crystal loves “Witch King” by Martha Wells (FIC Wel): In a fantasy world, “Kai finds himself in the middle of a conflict between two political entities from his past. Using his demonic abilities, his insight, and the trust of his friends, he sets forth from his own imprisonment in a race against time to find a close friend who’s vanished.” And Joni enjoyed “The Last Tale of the Flower Bride’’ by Roshani Chokshi (FIC Cho): “A fairy tale for adults–a dark and magical story of love, and secrets worth killing for.” If you enjoy stories that mix reality with fantasy, Dellie recommends the new bestseller “The Enchanted Hacienda” by J.C. Cervantes (FIC Cer & LP FIC CER), which contains twists, romance, and a big dose of magic.
Prefer historical fiction? Carri enjoyed “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate (FIC Win), a powerful blockbuster of a story which shifts from Memphis, Tennessee in 1939 to Aiken, South Carolina in the present day. It is based on an American real-life scandal in which the director of a Memphis-based adoption organization kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country. Brenda recommends another powerful historical fiction that shifts from past to present: “Homecoming” by Kate Morton (FIC Mor). Brenda says that it is “a fabulous story set in two timelines, 1959 and 2018, in Australia. It is about three women, family secrets that have been kept for 60 years, a crime or tragedy, a family lost and a long time before all the questions are answered!”
For our large print readers, Dellie has several suggestions. She says “The Words We Lost” by Nichole Deese (LP FIC DEE) is “an enjoyable read. A storyline to take you away from stress.” She also enjoyed the inspirational titles “Love Through the Season” by Tracie Peterson (LP FIC PET), which contains four stories in one book, and “Amish Country Hideout” by Mary Alford & Alison Stone (LP FIC ALF), which contains two books in one. The western title “Texarkana” by William W. Johnstone (LP FIC JOH) is a good read as well.
For our younger readers, Mary suggests the chapter book “Caterpillar Summer” by Gillian McDunn (j FIC McD): “A heartwarming story of family and forgiveness. Plans for a fun summer vacation fall apart, but good things come from the disaster.”
Looking for some great nonfiction titles? Don’t miss Brenda’s pick, “Unscripted: The Epic Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy” by James B. Stewart and Rachel Abram (658.1 Ste), which she says is a “terrific read! A real-life ‘Succession’ story.” Susanna recommends her family’s go-to cookbook for birthday cakes: “The Fannie Farmer Cookbook’’ by Marion Cunningham (641.5 Cun). Plus, check out the special waffles on page 555!
Finally, we have Trinity’s music suggestion: “1989” by Taylor Swift (CD 781.642 Swi), which is simply “pop perfection.”
Find all of these titles and more on our Staff Picks Display on the first floor of the library near the checkout desk through the end of the month. You may pick up your next read during our open hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 105 p.m. Sunday.
Megan Taylor is assistant manager in the Reference and Local History Department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.
