Hello readers. Your local Crawfordsville District Public Library staff are back with some great new book and music recommendations to check out.
With the new Interview with the Vampire series coming out on AMC next month, Lisa recommends reading (or re-reading) the book by Anne Rice (FIC Ric) before watching and says the book is “riveting.” Looking for more dark and twisty stories? Don’t miss Mary’s pick: “Bones” by Jonathan Kellerman (FIC Haw), where she says “layers of mystery and suspense are uncovered on the gritty streets of L.A.” or my personal pick: “Into the Water” by Paula Hawkins, which completely pulled me in and is (so far) my favorite mystery book this year.
If you loved last year’s popular fiction title “The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave, you won’t want to miss Brenda’s staff pick “Eight Hundred Grapes” (FIC Dav), which is one of Dave’s earlier novels: “This is a beautifully developed story about family, passion, secrets, winemaking and learning to come to grips with all the surprises — big and little — that life throws your way. Shows how everything that can go impossibly wrong can turn out exactly right.”
Moving to nonfiction picks, Marissa greatly enjoyed the bestseller “Maid” by Stephanie Land (9 21 Land, S.): “Explores poverty, abusive relationships, trials of being a single mother in America and lots more. Netflix has made a series based on this book. Could not put it down.”
If you are looking to dig into a popular scientific topic, Ivette recommends “The Code Breaker” by Walter Isaacson (576.5 Isa): “Lots of information on the science of gene editing with great questions on the ethical aspects of its research and applications.”
What about giving poetry a try? Dawn says: “If you think you don’t like poetry, you’ve just not read the right poems for you. Read different kinds of poems until you find yours. James Crew’s poem “Self-Care,” really speaks to me right now. Find it on page 42 of “The Path to Kindness: Poems of Connection and Joy” (811 Pat). Another one of Dawn’s staff picks this month is “Be Joyful” by Joyce Meyers (241.4 Mey), which draws upon the teachings of the apostle Paul to help you experience joy-filled living and can be used as a daily devotional.
Looking for even more inspirational titles? Joni highly recommends “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott (808.02 Lam): “My favorite book on writing. Anne Lamott is a great teacher – expect to be inspired to write, laugh and live a rich life. Five stars.”
We also have staff picks from our graphic novel section. Some graphic series loved by our staff: “Sasaki & Miyano” (GN FIC Har) and “Seaside Stranger” (GN FIC Kii). Also recommended is the graphic memoir “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe (GN 921 Kobabe), a heartfelt memoir of a young person who felt socially out of place. Kobabe’s book addresses issues of identity and the lack of language to communicate them as a teen.
Finally, what about some music? Dennis says “last month marked the 35th anniversary of the release of Hoosier John Mellencamp’s Lonesome Jubilee.” (CD 781.66 Mel). This album includes great music including Check it Out, Cherry Bomb and Paper in Fire. Now is the perfect time for a replay of this album.
These staff picks are all on display on the library’s first floor. Stop in and check one (or a few) out today with your library card. Don’t have a card yet? Just come in with your ID and proof of address in Crawfordsville or Union Township, and we can get you a card in minutes. Plus, this month, for National Library Card Sign-Up Month, all new cardholders receive a free prize book and superhero button and a chance to win a free golf outing. Discover all this and more at your local library.
Megan Taylor is the assistant manager in the Reference & Local History Department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.
