All locations will be closed Monday, November 11, 2024 in honor of the Veterans Day holiday.
Summer is in full swing, and the heat is conspiring with the humidity to create a sweltering, sauna-like atmosphere outside our doors. Inside though, we’ve got tens of thousands of books hoping for readers, including these five. Simply click on a title you’re interested in to place a hold. And there’s still plenty of time to sign up for our summer reading challenge and log your reading for a chance at prizes!
Want even more recs? Check out our What We’re Reading page, or complete a short form and we’ll email you a list of personalized recommendations.
James says:
“Thomas Keneally’s book explores the first four years of the British creation and settlement of the penal colony of New South Wales in Australia. This historical account appealed to me because Keneally, as a writer of both fiction and non-fiction, skillfully created a flowing narrative from the first-hand accounts of individuals who made the arduous journey to New South Wales. Furthermore, the book’s structure is engaging and memorable, making it a valuable read for those curious about the foundations of modern-day Australia.”
DeaAnne says:
“You may look at the page count and think “Well, I might as well spend that amount of time on a graduate degree.” Do not be deterred! Once you start reading the pages will fly by. This is epic fantasy with all the elements you might expect: court intrigue, dangerous quests, and complicated romance … but with some notable differences. Shannon’s world-building is seamless and immersive. The novel is populated with a diverse and fascinating group of characters – both human and non-human. What I especially appreciate is that the queer characters experience pain in their lives and relationships, but that pain is not related to or caused by their queerness. This is an approach that feels refreshing and much needed. I’ve read a number of excellent books this year but this one is, hands down, my favorite. Highly recommended!”
Heather L. says:
“A well-written and meticulously researched history of witchcraft persecutions spanning from the 15th century to the present day. This history delves into early Modern era persecution of outspoken or underprivileged women, including those belonging to indigenous European tribal belief systems, into African and modern American witch hunts against women who challenge patriarchal value systems. Gibson fleshes out the political, social, and religious underpinnings that have led to centuries of violence and horrors perpetuated by the powerful onto the powerless.”
Heather F. says:
“Whenever I think of Colleen Hoover, I think ‘romance’ – and that’s not a genre that I naturally gravitate towards. But, this book came highly recommended. Verity is quite different from what I was expecting and lives up to the category of thriller. I often wonder about how a popular book series is completed when the original author is no longer able to finish their work as planned. This book gives an insider’s look into that situation and includes many unexpected twists and turns. If you are looking for a novel that keeps you guessing until the very end, you will be completely satiated.”
Colin says:
“In this historical novel about the initial meeting between Aztec Emperor Moctezuma and Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes, Enrique transports readers 500 years back in time. Once there, he pulls off the incredible trick of populating the magnificent floating city of Tenochtitlan with a cast of Mesoamerican and European characters whose behaviors, motivations, and needs will seem all too familiar to modern minds. If you’ve been suffering through a post-Succession withdrawal, this fast-moving novel about backroom power struggles and the end of an empire is the cure for what ails you.”