Welcome
Greetings and salutations! In our last issue we discussed ways to read outside of your comfort zone and had decided that the natural follow-up to that would be low stakes reading - books that don’t feel fraught with tension. The equivalent to an episode of Matlock or Murder She Wrote. Sure, there’s plot, but we probably know where this is all going and nobody’s really going to get hurt along the way, so let’s just enjoy the ride, shall we? As it happens, world events have conspired to make low stakes reading even more of the moment. While this is not a good thing, I hope that some of our reading recommendations can provide some pleasant distractions for even a short period of time.
We also have some suggestions for reading poetry. We know, there are probably a lot of you thinking that you don’t really read poetry, so you might just skim that section and move on. You are exactly the readers we have in mind, however! John and Rhys have come up with some great poetry collections for new readers of poetry as well as some solid reasons to try reading poetry in the first place. And if you really aren’t ready to dive head first into the poetry pool just yet, Clarice and Jennifer have some suggestions for YA and Middle Grade books in verse.
In honor of May, we have books by AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) authors and books that deal with mental health issues. Wrapping things up as usual you will find a list of books whose publications we await with bated breath.
Dedicated readers may have also noticed that we are a bit behind our publication schedule yet again. It’s true. As you may know, most of the contributors to this enterprise are public librarians. We hope that most of you have visited a public library in the past ten years or so and are already familiar with a thing called “Summer Reading”. At our library, patrons may sign up for summer reading in early June. The librarians, however, began working on summer reading in January. We like to joke that we have two seasons: Autumn/Christmas and Summer Reading. Most of our time/energy has been focused on that of late and thus we have a late newsletter for you. However, we have crammed TWO issues worth of materials into this one issue and I defy ANYONE to leave here without AT LEAST one book they’d like to read.
As always, we hope everyone is doing well.
Clarice, Rhys, and Jennifer
Comfort Reading
Last issue we talked about reading outside of your comfort zone. If you’ve spent a lot of time doing anything that takes you away from the familiar, it’s nice to go back to what gives you comfort. I do quite a bit of comfort reading, especially as I’ve gotten older. Reading as an activity has changed quite a bit for me over the years, and now (aside from required reading that I do for work) it has really become a way for me to unwind and take a mental and emotional break from the real world. So what does that mean exactly? It can come in a lot of forms.
Sometimes it is reading a truly high-stakes fantasy novel where the fate of the world lies in the hands of the “chosen one” protagonist. Despite the peril and death that play a large role in these books, they often take place in worlds that have nothing to do with ours (no matter how much I may wish that fae, dragons, and magical abilities were real), so it feels safe being a total outside viewer.
However, I can appreciate that this might not be everyone’s idea of a relaxing read. In fact, often for me it isn’t either. More often, a comforting read for me is a novel about food or low-stakes magic. Bonus points for a novel that is both. For the most part, fantasy books are more like the novels that I described above—with world-altering battles between good and evil. However, I really love reading books where the magic is subtle and part of a more mundane setting, grounded in familiarity and containing characters dealing with more ordinary problems. This is often termed “magical realism,” in a very general sense, but those that abide by a stricter definition of the postmodernist genre would probably not classify some of the books I mentioned as magical realism, so I often refrain from using the term.
The bottom line is that comfort reading looks different for everyone, and there is certainly nothing wrong with gravitating toward books that help you relax. Oftentimes the term “guilty pleasure” gets tossed around when speaking about certain genres of literature. As someone who reads quite a lot of what people might dismiss as being pure fluff (although I would challenge that notion, too), I resent this term when directed at others’ reading habits or even one’s own reading habits. Too often (myself included) readers almost apologize for the books that they read, shamefully mentioning that they are reading a book that is pure entertainment and may not require the intellectual vigor that one might need for other books. I say, read what you like proudly and unapologetically. There is no shame in reading what gives you joy and contentment. cp
Low Stakes Reading
Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu
In this YA Graphic Novel, Nova Huang is a teen witch who lives in a sleepy, yet supernatural New England town. She spends much of her time helping out in her grandmother’s bookshop, which specializes in spell books. One day, Nova encounters a white wolf who turns out to be her childhood crush, a nonbinary shifter named Tam. The story has magic, ghosts, and family (both the found and the blood-related kind). Oh, and mooncakes of course. cp
The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz
A sweet science fiction romance, The Cybernetic Tea Shop is a lovely low stakes novella. Clara is a technician that specializes in fixing “Raise” AI companions. The child of migrant worker parents, Clara never sticks around in one place for long and never makes any real connections with others besides her Raise Hummingbird companion. But this changes when she meets Sal, a fully autonomous robot who runs a tea shop in her new town. Created before the law that stopped the creation of robots like her, Sal is slowly breaking down - and there are no more parts being manufactured or experts around who might know how to fix her. She has outlived her master, the previous owner of the tea shop, and is ostracized by a world that doesn’t know what to do with her. Clara might be the only one who can help Sal - and as they spend more time together, they learn more about one another, themselves, and what they really want from life. Bittersweet and tender, I love this peek into a future world through the lens of two queer women - one human, one robot - who fall in love despite their pasts and a world against them. rr
Bidding for the Bachelor by Jackie Lau
Although Bidding for the Bachelor is the second book in the Fong Brothers series, you definitely do not need to read the first book in order to enjoy this one. In fact, I still have not read the first book and I enjoyed this book greatly. This book has a leisurely romance, slight family drama, and some outrageous (but totally believable) scenes at the bachelor auction. What I took away from this book is that certain grandmothers will do whatever it takes to get an eligible bachelor for their granddaughter/son. Whatever. It. Takes. jl
A Letter to Three Witches by Elizabeth Bass
This is a romantic comedy involving the haphazard love lives of three cousins who all just happen to be witches, Gwen, Trudy, and Milo. Gwen’s adopted sister Tannith has sent a letter to each of the cousins, outlining her plan to bewitch one of their partners and her plans to seduce and run off with one of them by the week’s end. All three cousins are sent into a tailspin, believing that their partners are the ones who are sure to fall for Tannith’s spell and leave them for good. As an added complication, because of a major magical mishap performed by their great-great-grandfather (who knew that one person could be responsible for the Dust Bowl?), they are all technically forbidden by the Grand Council of Witches from performing magic. As a result, they are woefully inept at combating Tannith, and they must break the rules and learn some basic magic quickly. But with the Council sending “watchers” to keep them in check and their tendency to cause minor disasters due to being magical novices, do they even stand a chance? cp
Tommy Cabot was Here by Cat Sebastian
I originally read this novella as part of an anthology, He’s Come Undone. The last story in the collection and it was also my favorite. Everett has just moved back to Massachusetts after years spent living in England (and trying to forget a certain Tommy Cabot). Fate has other plans for him and he runs into Tommy Cabot almost immediately. This story takes place September - December and has a delicious autumnal feeling to it. (Is any place more autumnal than New England?) I love the quiet, steady pacing of this story. Cat Sebastian wrote a companion story about Tommy’s nephew, Peter, which is equally delightful. That is more of a grumpy/sunshine trope than this story and both are highly worth reading. jl
Chef’s Kiss by Jarett Melendez
Another graphic novel, this one involving food, is about finding one’s calling after graduating from college and being suddenly faced with the real world. Shortly after graduating with a degree in English and moving into a new apartment with a few of his friends from college, Ben is quickly realizing that landing a job that involves his two loves (reading and writing) is harder than he anticipated. Try as he might, he can’t seem to get it together and find his path the way his friends have seemed to. He finally encounters an ad for a job as a cook at a restaurant, which claims that no experience is necessary. Ben is pretty good in the kitchen, and the job interview involves a series of increasingly difficult cooking challenges that he must train for over the course of a few weeks. Soon, he finds more and more engrossed in the world of fine dining as he both starts to fall for Liam, one of the chefs at the restaurant, and for the culinary arts themselves. This is a sweet and funny read that also features a discerning food critic who just happens to be an adorable pet pig. cp
The Geek Who Saved Christmas by Annabeth Albert
If you enjoy that grumpy/sunshine trope and also like Christmas stories, The Geek Who Saved Christmas is for you. Gideon Holiday and Paul Frost are neighbors who get more than they expected when they make a Christmas bargain. If Gideon can help get Paul’s house holiday ready for a family visit, Paul will participate in the holiday lights fundraiser. This book is cozier than a mug of cocoa! jl
Witch Please by Ann Aguirre
More witches in small towns, this time in Illinois. The first in the Fix-it Witches series, this adult romance book features Danica Waterhouse, a witch who runs an appliance and electronics repair shop with her (also witch) cousin, Clementine. Although an ordinary shop to an outsider, Danica and Clementine are both technomancers who employ the use of magic to repair their client’s gadgets and appliances. After a bad break up (and her family’s increasing meddling in her love life), Danica makes a pact with Clementine to swear off relationships for a while and just focus on having fun and living for themselves. However, things get a little complicated when Danica meets local baker Titus Winnaker, who is not only undeniably attractive, but also possibly (probably) cursed. One of the reasons why I chose this one for the list is because, not only does it undeniably fit the theme, but it is also written by an author who I normally associate with her decidedly high-stakes YA post-apocalyptic dystopian with zombies from about a decade ago. Also of note, this is the first novel I’ve encountered in the wild that makes a casual reference to the COVID-19 pandemic. cp
A Man and His Cat by Umi Sakurai
A Man and His Cat by Umi Sakurai is an absolutely heart-warming, wholesome manga series. The story centers around Fukumaru, a cat who has been rejected by potential adopters many times for being “ugly”, and the middle-aged widower, Kanda Fuyuki, who ultimately adopts him and is immediately enamored with the kitten. Silly, cute episodes ensue as they get to know each other and adapt to living together. I utterly adore this manga - it has such a wonderful, sweet story with endearing characters. The manga creator has really captured that pure love between pet and human, and how it can change both for the better. Although it is very low stakes and adorably drawn, there are some very real pains that both Kanda and Fukumaru are still dealing with: Kanda is still grieving the loss of his wife and unable to perform as a pianist anymore, and Fukumaru misses his mother and siblings. Together, though, they learn to heal and trust once again despite their pasts. If I'm ever having a bad day, this is the first manga I reach for. rr
Teach Me by Olivia Dade
Would you believe that, prior to the pandemic, I didn’t read romance novels? And now here I am, recommending a fourth romance novel in one listicle. Actually, this is a recommendation for a whole series. Teach Me is the first in the Something About Marysburg series by Olivia Dade, which follows the exploits of teachers at Marysburg High School. All of the books and stories in this series are utterly delightful. One of the things I love best about these books is the respect the author gives to teachers. The teachers in this series are all very dedicated to their profession, as seen in their very thoughtful approaches to what they do. jl
Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
No magic in this one! Well, unless you count how utterly enchanting and charming this romance is. Dahlia Woodson is a recently divorced woman who has lost her way in life a bit and has joined a reality TV cooking competition hoping to find purpose and to win a hefty cash prize. London Parker, a talented amateur cook from Nashville, is the first openly nonbinary contestant on Chef’s Special who plans to come out to an audience of millions despite their own father’s transphobia and lack of approval. Despite keeping their eyes on the prize for different reasons, London and Dahlia grow closer over the course of the competition, realizing that their growing attraction to each other is more real than anything on the show. This is my favorite kind of romance for low-stakes reading—-likable and relatable characters, great dialogue, and a subtle plot. cp
The Essays of EB White by EB White
No romance here! Unless you count my love for the writing of EB White, which is entirely chaste. Yes, it is the same EB White who wrote Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little. (My intro to this newsletter begins with “greetings and salutations”, a phrase which I first encountered in Charlotte’s Web about 35 years ago. I can probably place a great deal of the blame for my love of language squarely on the doorstep of Mr. White.) If you are anything like me, then you probably only know him for the three children’s books that he wrote and have not given him much more thought than that. It turns out that Mr. White was, for most of his career, a writer and editor at The New Yorker. The children’s book thing was just a lark. (Here is an article from The New Yorker about the very interesting history of Charlotte’s Web and the children’s librarian at the New York Public Library who hated it and did her best to make the book disappear.) Anyway, back to the essays - This book is a collection of 31 essays that Mr. White wrote over a long period of years about many things. Many of them center on his life in Maine, a place he loved dearly. This is a book to be savored over time, not a book to rush through quickly. White’s thoughtful writing has stayed with me and is something I hope to revisit time and again. jl
Poetry for Adults
It’s almost a joke among poets and the people who read them that nobody reads poetry anymore. I think at least part of the reason for that is that people have a very specific, narrow idea of what a poem is, and if that doesn’t appeal to them then they think they don’t like poetry at all. But one of the things I like most about poetry is its variability, and its malleability; in a poem, you can do just about anything. So, for poetry month, I wanted to recommend some work that probably isn’t what comes to mind for most of us when we think of a poem.
The first book isn’t poetry at all, but a book-length essay about poetry: The Hatred of Poetry, by Ben Lerner. Lerner is a poet himself, and has given a lot of thought not only to why people don’t read poetry, but why, in his experience, so many people are anxious to establish just how much they don’t like it. His argument, oversimplified, is that we use the word “poetry” not just as a label for a particular literary form, but as a statement of quality. Think about when a speech is described as “poetic”— that doesn’t mean it was in rhyming couplets, it means it was beautiful. So, when people try to read poetry, then go in with the expectation that the work is going to be some sublime, perfect expression of eternal truths. But poetry is made by humans, and so it will often fail to live up to this expectation, so readers are always disappointed. There’s a lot more in the book, including a consideration of what is widely considered the worst poem ever written. Whether you like to read poetry or not, it will give you some things to think about.
Next, I have two very different works by the same author: Anne Carson’s The Autobiography of Red and Nox. The first is a kind of novel in poetry, or poetic novel— but not really a novel in verse. Occasionally it does look like poetry, on the page— single column, lots of space around it— but not always. But it describes events and, in particular, emotions in more suggestive, elliptical ways that leave it to the reader to fill in the gaps. The story is a kind of retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Geryon, whose cattle Hercules had to steal as one of his twelve labors. In the original, Hercules kills Geryon, but in Carson’s version they become romantically involved. It’s a modernization in some ways, but Carson knows her mythology (she’s translated several ancient Greek works herself), and so it also holds on to the deep strangeness of a story from a very different time and culture.
Nox is something else altogether. When her brother died unexpectedly after years of estrangement, Carson began assembling a handmade book of fragments about him and his life— bits of poetry, prose, photos, letters, and more— as a way to try to make sense of his death. Nox is a facsimile or recreation of that book, and rather than the usual bound form it is a single long piece, folded accordion-style and packed in a hard case. Is as much a work of visual art as anything else, but it's the best argument I know of for the capaciousness of poetry.
The work of Claudia Rankine also challenges expectations of what poetry should look and sound like. Back in the summer of 2020, when there were lots of anti-racist reading lists circulating around the internet, I though that her book Citizen: An American Lyric should have gotten more attention than it did. The pieces in the book are prose poems— almost miniature essays. Most of them describe specific “microaggressions” from the perspective of the victims; the examples come from real experiences that Rankine collected. Her plain, undramatic depiction of these events reveals them as simultaneously routine and intolerable. Other parts of the book include a sort of photo-essay on the treatment of Serene Williams by both the media and the world of professional tennis. Rankine’s most recent book, Just Us, goes further in this direction, with many photographs and documents (emails, social media posts) that her text responds to and comments on. Like Carson’s Nox, the book is, as much as anything else, a record of a person trying to think their way through something that might ultimately be impossible to understand. jf
Poetry Recommendations
The Kissing of Kissing by Hannah Emerson
As a big poetry fan and a poet myself, I always love to read collections of poetry during April. One of the most memorable that I read this month wasThe Kissing of Kissing the debut work of Hannah Emerson, a nonspeaking autistic poet. Emerson’s use of language is so interesting and impactful - she uses repetition to emphasize and - in a very unique way - bring out new meanings to the words she keeps using. “Kissing” becomes more than what we know as kissing - it becomes a way of connecting, of loving, of understanding, and appreciating. “Yes” is emphasis, joy, celebration. These poems explore nature, connection, identity, frustration and love - and they are beautiful. They are also so enjoyable to read aloud to yourself. This is the start of a literary collection, The Multiverse, curated and created by neurodivergent writers - and I certainly plan on following the subsequent publications.
Swollening by Jason Purcell
Another debut collection of poetry I read in April was Swollening by Jason Purcell. This collection looks at the intersection of life as a queer, chronically ill individual - it looks at internalized homophobia, at pain and reaching towards hope in a world against you, the struggle to connect emotionally, romantically, sexually with others when you are in pain both emotionally and physically. This collection can be visceral, painful, but it is hopeful and it is also honest and well worth reading.
It can be hard to review poetry sometimes - in many ways, I feel that reading poetry can be an experience, one where some parts click more than others, sometimes you are left with more of a feeling than conscious words to explain what you just read. Sometimes the best way to understand is to experience it for yourself; both The Kissing of Kissing and Swollening feel like experiences, a dip into the lives and perspectives of Emerson and Purcell. rr
Middle Grade/YA Books in Verse
House Arrest by KA Holt
Warning: this book might rip your heart out. Timothy is under house arrest. He attempted to use a credit card that wasn’t his to buy medicine for his baby brother who is terribly ill. Also, Timothy is 12. (I have spoiled NOTHING, by the way. This is merely the setup for the book.) In another issue, I wrote about KA Holt’s previous book, Rhyme Schemer, in which we see life through the eye of a bully who is bullied. In this book, we see life through the eyes of someone who is admittedly a criminal. If these books don’t make you see differently through your own eyes, then I don’t know what will. jl
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
I listened to this one on audiobook, and I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if I had just read it. Elizabeth Acevedo is a slam poet, and she really makes the text come alive with her reading. Xiomara Batista, an Afro-Latina teenager, has lived in Harlem her whole life, caught between the woman she is growing into and the girl her religious mother wants her to be. Wanting to keep the peace as much as possible, Xiomara hides much of herself from her mother, pouring out all of her true feelings onto the pages of a notebook. However, after secretly joining her school’s slam poetry club, she realizes that she must figure out a way to both live her truth while also remaining her mother’s daughter. Acevedo’s writing is stunning, and Xiomara is both vulnerable and unapologetically brave. cp
Closer to Nowhere by Ellen Hopkins
Ellen Hopkins is best known for her YA novels, also in verse, that are about hard-hitting topics and feature one word titles, such as Trick, Crank, Impulse. For many years, I kept these books in my professional back pocket. These books often serve as the key to unlock reading for a certain kind of reluctant reader. Closer to Nowhere is a different kettle of fish, however. This is a middle grade story told in alternating viewpoints by Hannah, whose life was perfect until her extremely weird and annoying cousin came to live with her family, and Cal, who has to move in with his aunt and uncle after his mother dies and his father goes to jail. This book has stayed with me. jl
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
This book is stunning. Another one that I listened to on audiobook, it was read by the author, and while I think sometimes this can work against a book, in this case it was perfect and wonderfully authentic. The story follows the main character, Michael, who we see grow from a young boy growing up in London with his mother and sister to a young man attending university. Michael is mixed race and gay, and while he experiences some bullying growing up, he also has support from his family and close friends. While the book is serious at times, it is also incredibly funny and joyful. Michael slowly embraces aspects of his true self, growing from a boy who asked for a Barbie doll for his seventh birthday to a young man who joins a drag club at his school and becomes The Black Flamingo. cp
Ain’t Burned All the Bright Yet by Jason Reynolds
While this book is technically poetry, the poem is only three sentences long. Most of the space in this book is taken up by the amazing illustrations, done by Jason Griffin. The Jasons met in college and their long-standing friendship shines through in the way the text and graphics interact. Reading this was a beautiful experience. jl
Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry
In this middle grade novel in verse, the perspectives alternate between a girl named Calli and a boy named Jinsong. Calli and her mother have moved frequently due to her mother’s string of bad relationships, resulting in Calli starting at a new school 10 times in the past eight years. While being the new kid is difficult enough, Calli has Tourette Syndrome, which she attempts to hide from her classmates and teachers. Almost immediately ostracized and teased by her peers, the only person who is kind to Calli is Jinsong, her new neighbor and classmate who also happens to be one of the most popular kids in seventh grade. While their friendship quickly blossoms outside of school, Jinsong isn’t prepared to risk his other friendships and Calli is too afraid to be honest about her neurological disorder. I really enjoyed the voices in this one, especially Calli’s. This middle grade book does share the trope that seems common in books aimed at this age group—the adults (most of them) are kind of the worst. Calli doesn’t seem to be getting the support she needs from school or from her mother, and some of it doesn’t ring completely true. However, I think the rest of the book is strong enough to overcome this. cp
Finding Langston by Lisa Cline-Ransome
Okay, this is technically not a book written in verse. It is totally written in regular old prose. It is, however, a book about a poet and poetry and the power that they have. In 1946, Langston moves to Chicago from the south with his father, to find a better life. Whether or not they find something better is debatable, but life is certainly different. While Langston learns to navigate this new life, he also discovers the Bronzeville branch of the Chicago Public Library and the works of Mr. Langston Hughes, for who he was named. This is the first in a trilogy. jl
AAPI
The New Girl by Jesse Q Sutanto
In this YA thriller, Indonesian American Lia Setiawan is a new student on scholarship for track at Draycott Academy, an elite boarding school in California. Lia feels immediately out of place at her new school among her super-wealthy classmates (in the vein of Crazy Rich Asians) and quickly learns that a web of deception, dead bodies, and dirty secrets lies just beneath the surface of the picture-perfect exterior. Among the faculty and the students, Lia isn’t sure there is anyone who can be trusted, and she must find a way to protect herself from those who may wish her harm. There aren’t too many books out there with Indonesian-American protagonists, and I especially appreciated the exploration of the racial tension that exists between East Asians and Southeast Asians. Too often, the representation of Asians in literature is rather monolithic. This book also falls under the category of “dark academia,” which I am all about these days. cp
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Michelle Zauner, the Korean-American lead vocalist and songwriter of the band Japanese Breakfast, lost her mother to pancreatic cancer in 2014. Her 2021 memoir, Crying in H Mart, is like witnessing her raw grief in real-time. It hurts, it is ugly, it is painful - but it is also beautiful, it is honest, and unlike any memoir I have read before. Zauner does not hide the ugly sides of losing someone, not even if she’s the one who may be seen in a not-so-flattering light - and I appreciate the memoir even more for that. The title refers to H Mart, a chain of supermarkets in America that sells Asian groceries and products, that Zauner went to with her mother, and she explores the use of cooking and sharing Korean food to express love and connect with both her mother and her culture. Crying in H Mart is brutal and haunting, and so very real. rr
Cold by Mariko Tamaki
Mariko Tamaki is probably better known for her work on graphic novels and comic books, so this YA mystery might come as a surprise to some readers. High School senior Todd Mayer is found dead in a park, naked and frozen. Georgia, a younger student at the same school, didn’t know Todd but is determined to find out more about him and how he died. The chapters alternate between those told by Georgia and those told by Todd’s ghost. This was a well-constructed mystery and a poignant story of a needless death. It is a very quick and satisfying read. (Note: If you are wary of fantastical elements, you should know that nobody can see the ghost. The ghost is really just a storytelling device to tell the reader about incidents in the past.) jl
Himawari House by Harmony Becker
Although this was marketed as a YA Graphic Novel, technically the protagonist has graduated from high school and is spending her gap year in Tokyo, Japan in a sharehouse with other young adults. Though born in Japan, Nao has become rather disconnected from her cultural roots, forgetting the language that she grew up with and knowing little about the family that she and her parents left behind after moving to the United States. Nao and two of her roommates have also traveled to Japan (from Singapore and South Korea) for a chance to begin anew and forge their own paths, and all of them form a strong friendship through a year of love, heartbreak, and the challenges of coming-of-age. This sweet slice-of-life is like trying on a new sweater and finding that it somehow feels like something you’ve always worn. cp
The Verifiers by Jane Pek
Claudia works at a private inquiry firm that specializes in online dating. This means that people can check up on the folks that they meet while dating online to verify just how much they say is true (and how much is not). When a client who’s made some unusual requests goes missing and then turns up dead, Claudia breaks the rules to get to the truth. If you are like me and want your beach reads to require a little brain power, but not too much, this is a great choice. jl
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
In this YA historical fiction novel, set in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the height of the Red Scare, seventeen-year-old high school Lily Hu is finding it difficult to be herself and to be the dutiful daughter her family expects her to be. While 1954 is difficult enough for Chinese Americans who are careful not to raise their government’s suspicions lest they risk deportation, Lily also realizes that she faces additional danger for the “crime” of being in love with another girl. Despite the risks, Lily and her classmate Kath allow their love to blossom, finding community at the Telegraph Club, a lesbian bar in San Francisco. Lily’s tender coming-of-age tale is fragile and hopeful in a time (not too long ago) that is often hostile and bleak. This is a novel that has received a lot of critical acclaim, and rightfully so. Even if you’re not someone who normally reads YA fiction, I still highly recommend this book. cp
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
This was a really fun, light fantasy novel about the power of maps. Helen is the daughter of two famous lights in the world of cartography. She, herself, however, committed some grievous wrong and has been banished to the lowest echelons of map society for the past 7 years. When her father dies, Helen sees a way to right some old wrongs. I am not going to pretend that this was a really serious book or anything, but it certainly fits my definition of a good beach read. jl
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
This YA novel is a Romeo and Juliet retelling in a re-imagined, fantasy version of 1926 Shanghai. Honestly, I could pretty much just stop there. If you aren’t already on board with that premise, I’m not sure this is the book for you. During this time period, Shanghai is unofficially run by two rival gangs who exist above the law. Juliet Cai is the Scarlet gang’s heir, and Roma Montagov is the heir to the White Flowers. Though Juliet and Roma were once romantically involved before the events of the book (prior to Juliet living in the United States for five years), their relationship ended in betrayal. However, they are forced to set their differences aside to solve a deadly mystery—-a contagion (or a monster?) has taken over the streets of Shanghai that is causing members of both gangs to suddenly go mad and claw out their own throats. Both the Scarlets and the White Flowers fear the madness could threaten their power. Though there is plenty of the tortured, star-crossed romance familiar to the Shakespeare tale, there is also a healthy dose of history here with details about the social and political climate of Shanghai in the 1920s. Also, although the book is technically a fantasy, it is pretty light. This is the first book in a completed duology, and although I did enjoy both, this was a rare series where I honestly enjoyed the second one a bit more. cp
A Gentleman’s Murder by Christopher Huang
To be perfectly honest with you, I’m still reading this one. Well, since I am being honest, I should probably tell you that I am listening to the audiobook, but that does not change the fact that I have not technically finished it. I have been making a concerted effort to read more diversely but one can only read as diversely as the books that are available. And if one really enjoys reading traditional, fair play detective mysteries (not police procedurals, not thrillers, not noir, not cozy mysteries), one’s options are fairly limited. However, this book fits the bill perfectly. When Eric Peterkin, son of a British father and Chinese mother, gets embroiled in a murder at his gentleman’s club in London, his innate sense of fairness pushes him to find those responsible and make sure there’s no cover-up. This is Huang’s first book and I was stunned to learn that it was essentially self-published. If you are looking for an Agatha Christie-esque mystery that deals with issues like race head on, please take the trouble to find this book. It is well worth your time. jl
Mental Health Awareness
The Collected Schizophrenias: Essays by Esmé Weijun Wang
One of my favorite books of essays is The Collected Schizophrenias by Esmé Weijun Wang. Living with schizoaffective disorder, Wang explores the journey to diagnosis, her experiences as a mentally ill professional, what it means to be considered high-functioning as well as the strange invisible hierarchy of mental illness while hospitalized, and how mental illness is treated by both those who are not and those who are also mentally ill. She writes about her episodes of psychosis and how it affects herself and her loved ones, her fears of passing her illness to any children she may have - and I find this perspective invaluable. A slim but powerful memoir in essays, Wang does not necessarily give answers to everything she brings up, but she gives perspective and experience, and so much to think about. rr
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
As a YA librarian, it is close to impossible for me to imagine that anyone is unaware of John Green. I am told, however, that outside of the world of YA, he is, apparently, less well known? That being the case, I am recommending Turtles All the Way Down, which is his most recent YA book. (Actually, to be perfectly honest (again), I really recommend you read everything that Mr. Green has written. He is an excellent and thoughtful writer and worthy of your attention. I sincerely hope that teens are reading his books because he is an adult I would like them to be influenced by. He’s the real deal Holyfield.) This book contains mystery elements but it is mostly a coming of age story about Aza who, while dealing with the usual teenage challenges and trying to solve the afore-mentioned mystery, is also dealing with obsessive compulsive disorder. (Mr. Green also has obsessive compulsive disorder, in case anyone is wondering.) Also, there is a tuatara in the book. Click here to find out what that means. jl
The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson (CP)
Hayley lives with her father, Andy, who has suffered from PTSD since returning from the Iraq War, and who she often has to take care of more than he takes care of her. Hayley and her father have moved frequently but have now settled in the town where Andy grew up in an attempt to give Hayley more stability. Though she attempts to live a normal life, attending school for the first time in five years and even making a new friend or two, her father’s demons are not going away, and his coping mechanisms involve drug and alcohol abuse. The book was published in 2014, which is just long enough ago for Hayley to seem a bit different form the protagonists portrayed in newer novels—-disillusioned, largely mistrustful of her “normal” peers, and a bit caustic. Hayley’s aloof exterior is hiding a torrent of emotions and her own mental health struggles, and the book centers around her coming to terms with her past and attempting to keep her father from succumbing to his disorder and addictions. Though an intense read at times, the book is just as gripping as Laurie Halse Anderson’s more famous book, Speak.
Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella
Yes, this is the Sophie Kinsella who writes the Shopaholic books. No, this is not a Shopaholic book, although I am told those are quite fun. This is a young YA/middle grade book about 14 year old Audrey, who stays inside of her house, wearing dark sunglasses, due to a severe anxiety disorder. Then she meets her older brother’s friend, Linus, who makes things a little bit better. (Note: I don’t want to spoil anything but I do want to make it clear that Linus does NOT “save” Audrey or “fix” her. We wouldn’t be here, having this conversation if that were the case.) I really loved Audrey’s family in this book, who were very real and very funny. jl
Dear Scarlet: The Story of My Postpartum Depression by Teresa Wong
Teresa Wong’s graphic memoir, Dear Scarlet, is written in the form of a letter to her daughter, Scarlet. It focuses on her experience with PPD - postpartum depression, a seldom talked about but very real experience of many parents after they give birth. There is a stigma around postpartum mental illnesses - parents are expected to be overjoyed, to be so happy to have brought their child into this world. But Wong opens up about her struggles with self-worth and isolation, the sadness and the pressure she felt to be happy about her newborn daughter. This graphic memoir explores her journey of healing, all the different methods she tries to feel better. Her art is simplistic but evocative, and I appreciate the honesty Wong has when describing her PPD - this is a brave and powerful memoir. Rr
White Smoke by Tiffany Jackson
I almost did not read this book, because I have a rather low tolerance for horror, but the number of rave reviews eventually made me give this ghost story a chance, and I am so glad that I did. While seemingly a classic tale of a family moving into a haunted house amidst a neighborhood full of secrets, the book also tackles a number of topical social issues in addition to highlighting the mental health challenges facing Mari, the protagonist. Mari is haunted by ghosts from her old life, and she attempts to begin anew with her newly blended family in a Midwestern town. She is recovering from a percocet addiction that almost claimed her life, living with anxiety as well as an intense phobia of bed bugs. She is also secretly reliant on marijuana to relieve the worst of her symptoms. As a result, her mother and new stepfather keep a very watchful eye over her, and while Mari is fighting battles within, she also comes to suspect that her new house may be haunted by malicious ghosts and that the town that they have moved to is hiding a dark past (and present). However, due to her history, her parents do not trust her and think she may be unstable and unreliable. This book has a lot going on, but Tiffany Jackson is masterful in weaving an intricate plot that pays off in the end. cp
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh
Hyperbole and a Half is the first of two autobiographical graphic memoirs that Allie Brosh has written. (I also recommend reading Solutions and Other Problems after you read this one. In fact, you should just get them together because you’ll just want to keep reading.) In case anyone is wondering what a graphic memoir is, it means that it is written like a comic book, not that it contains extra lurid details. The books talk a lot about Ms. Brosh’s struggles with depression. I think these books are most like the works of David Sedaris in tone. Ms. Brosh does a really great job of taking situations that are kind of messed up or sad and making them seem really funny to the reader. Also, to be really clear, these books are not intended for children. They contain quite a few swear words. If this bothers you, probably give these books a miss. jl
Books We’re Looking Forward To
The Honeys by Ryan La Sala
This has already received a lot of early buzz, despite not being released until August! Ryan La Sala’s debut, Reverie, was a YA fantasy novel involving alternate realities, waking dreams, and magical powers. This book sounds a bit different, described as dark academia with elements of horror and a bucolic, summertime twist. After reading Reverie, I am excited to see where La Sala’s creative mind will take his readers next. cp
A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poison by Kate Khavari
This is Kate Khavari’s debut novel, so my interest is based solely on the description of the novel, having had no prior experience of her work. The book takes place in London, 1923, where Saffron Everleigh is a research assistant in botany to Dr. Maxwell. When Mrs. Henry drops dead at a party, Dr. Maxwell becomes the prime suspect, having recently argued with Dr. Henry. Saffron must clear Dr. Maxwell’s name or lose the chance to go on the Amazon expedition! This sounds like a really fun read for summer. jl
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
Ali Hazelwood’s novel, The Love Hypothesis, was one of the most popular romantic comedy books of 2021, taking BookTok and other book-related blogs and social media by storm. By the time I read it, it was already really hyped up, and yet I still really loved it. Hazelwood writes light-hearted love stories specifically about women in STEM and academia, which is not something typically explored in the genre, and I’m looking forward to reading more stories in this vein. In addition to these two full-length novels, she also has a series of novellas (The STEMinist Novellas). cp
Flying Solo by Linda Holmes
Okay, first of all, if you haven’t read Holmes’ previous novel, Evvie Drake Starts Over, go do that now. The rest of the newsletter can wait. I loved Evvie Drake so much and I can’t wait to see what Holmes does in her next book. This has a similar vibe, from the description that I’ve read - it’s a journey of self-discovery in a small town in Maine. I am so here for this. (Note: Holmes is one of the hosts of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast so her name may already be familiar to you.) jl
Heat Wave by TJ Klune
This is probably my most-anticipated read of the year. Heat Wave is the third and final book in TJ Klune’s high-energy YA trilogy, The Extraordinaries, which is all about superheroes and supervillains and being joyfully, unapologetically, and sometimes chaotically your truest self. The series has been engaging and surprising, and although taking place in the fictional metropolis of Nova City, has also dealt with very real societal issues as well. The best part, however, has been spending time with all of the characters. TJ Klune has a real knack for creating characters that you instantly care about and want to get to know even outside of the boundaries of a book. Reading this novel will be like saying farewell to a few friends, but I still can’t wait to see how it all comes together! cp
A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder by Dianne Freeman
This is the fifth book in the Countess of Harleigh series and, since I have already made so many confessions in this issue, I feel I must tell you that I haven’t read the fourth yet. So it is possible that the series took a serious turn in book 4 that I am unaware of and that I am sending you into dark and terrible waters. Only time will tell. The Countess of Harleigh series is set in Victorian England and follows the adventures of Frances Wynn, an American heiress who married a British aristocrat, only to find herself widowed at a relatively young age. The series starts with A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder. I have found them to be a very fun read so far and look forward to getting caught up with the series. jl
Featured Author
Seanan McGuire
Seanan McGuire writes genre-bending fantasy books for adults that lean into the realm of creepy and bizarre. Most of my experience of her books comes from her Wayward Children series, which is composed of several (fairly short) books that alternate between exploring fantastic alternate worlds and following the ongoing stories of young residents of Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children. Beginning the series with Every Heart a Doorway, McGuire introduces a reality in which various children have traveled to other worlds through magical portals (e.g. Narnia) and, for one reason or another, have found themselves unwillingly returned to Earth with seemingly no way back. These children, though their experiences in these other worlds vary widely, all find it difficult to adjust back to their original realities and yearn for their other lost lives. They all live in a home run by Eleanor West, who is (was) a wayward child herself. As I mentioned, these are quick reads, but McGuire creates fanciful worlds that range from the enchanting and fairy tale to the mind-bending and macabre and fills them with diverse characters who are thoughtful, flawed, and deeply human. I’ve finished most of the books in this series in one or two sittings—highly recommended! cp