September is National Library Card Month and the staff at the Crawfordsville District Public Library has many recommendations of wonderful books and more that you can check out with your library card.
Joni recommends checking out “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver (FIC Kin): “Set in the mountains of Southern Appalachia, this is the story of an orphaned boy whose golden heart and strong will will make you glad the book is so long — a classic. The audiobook narrator is also really good.” She also loved the movie “Sisu” from our DVD collection (DVD FIC Sis), calling it a “ridiculously fun and gritty revenge movie — set in Finland during the last days of World War II.”
Lisa has another recommendation from our DVD collection: the popular series “Succession” (DVD TV FIC Suc). She calls it “one of the best shows on TV.” You can find seasons 1-3 in our new TV series section of DVDs. And if you are looking for further recommendations on great TV shows, Dennis says you should check out “The Primetimer Guide to Streaming TV” (791.4575 Pri), which provides a great look into over a thousand shows.
For our historical fiction lovers, Brenda recommends “The First Ladies” by bestselling author Marie Benedict (FIC Ben). This book is based on the real friendship between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Civil Rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune.
For our science fiction readers, Christie recommends “Odd Thomas” by Dean Koontz (FIC Koo), which was the library’s Wyrd Words Book Club’s most-loved book of 2022-2023. She also enjoyed “The Black Prism” by Brent Weeks, which is available digitally on our library’s Libby app: “Magic, families, and war. What else could possibly go wrong?”
If you are seeking a contemplative and intense mystery, Mary recommends two books by bestselling author S.A. Cosby: “Razorblade Tears” and “All the Sinners Bleed” (FIC Cos). Razorblade Tears features “a Black father. A white father. Two murdered sons. A quest for vengeance. This is a story of bloody retribution and heartfelt change.” In “All the Sinners Bleed” a former FBI agent, now a sheriff in a small southern town, fights evil and confronts racism.
If you are ready to settle in with some great horror stories, Dennis loved the unique new book published in the old-fashioned “double” tradition with double the chills: “The Master of Horror Stephen King and Richard Chizmar team up with two excellent short stories bound together. In Chizmar’s “The Longest December,” (FIC Kin) imagine your neighbor and closest friend being accused of being a serial killer. King’s “A Face in the Crowd” (FIC Kin) is also a winner as widower Dean Evers starts seeing dead people from his past in the stands of baseball games he watches on TV.”
Looking for a wonderful audiobook? You can’t go wrong with the classic “The Fellowship of the Ring” by JRR Tolkien (CDBK FIC Tol). Susanna says, “The audiobook narrator sings all of the songs in this book, which is fantastic, but my absolute favorite part of this book is all the juicy hobbit gossip. Check it out in time for Bilbo and Frodo’s birthday on Sept. 22.”
Speaking of “The Lord of the Rings,” Michelle found a fun crafty book where you can channel your inner goblin. “Tired of all the perfection you see on social media? Embrace the messy, ugly, and comfort of “Goblin Mode” by McKayla Coyle (645 Coy). Tips on thrift store shopping and creative mending. Includes cool craft projects, too.”
Michelle also recommends a fun cookbook for fans of the “Princess Bride” movie. “The Unofficial Princess Bride Cookbook” by Cassandra Reeder (641.5 Ree) contains several treats inspired by the beloved movie. You can learn to create such delights as Have You the Wings, M.L.T., Battle of Wits Brie and Apple Crostini, Roasted R.O.U.S. Meatloaf and Miracle Max’s Chocolate Covered Pill.
Stop in and discover all these staff picks and more, currently on display on the first floor of the library near the checkout desk. CDPL is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Megan Taylor is assistant manager in the Reference and Local History Department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.
