May 2022 - Staff Reading Suggestions
RIVER OF THE GODS: GENIUS, COURAGE, AND BETRAYAL IN THE SEARCH FOR THE SOURCE OF THE NILE
by Candice Millard
(Releases May 17, 2022)
The author of The River of Doubt is back to tell the story of two British explorers and their dangerous quest through the interior of Africa to discover the source of the Nile River. Burton and Speke set out with enormous entourages, reduced to a fraction of their size by desertion, thievery and death. Fevers, insect borne diseases and an intense rivalry slowed their travels for months. Recovery seemed impossible but somehow the two survived their trek from Zanzibar and lived to tell their stories. River of the Gods is an incredible look at what it takes, physically and mentally, to survive in the face of the unknown.
-Beth
UNLIKELY ANIMALS
by Annie Hartnett
How to describe a story about a small New England town that involves family drama, missing persons, opioid addiction, blossoming love, life threatening diseases, affairs, hallucinations, a class of 5th graders, an Our Town-like Greek chorus of ghosts, all wrapped up with a community theatre production of Titanic: The Musical?? Hmmmm . . . quite simply a joyful, loving tribute to small town life. You will be charmed by Hartnett's compassion which is evident on every page.
-Laura S
TWO NIGHTS IN LISBON
by Chris Pavone
(Releases May 24, 2022)
On newlyweds Ariel and John's first morning in Lisbon, Ariel awakes alone in their bed. John doesn’t respond to texts or calls causing Ariel to head to the police and the American Embassy. The authorities dig into Ariel's story, her past, and her name change, all of which arouse suspicion. What we don't know is more than what we do know… especially when a powerful man needs his secrets to be kept. Gripping, wild ride of a thriller.
-Beth
THE FOUNDLING
by Ann Leary
(Releases May 31, 2022)
The Foundling takes place in 1927 when eugenics was practiced. Women who were deemed mentally unfit were prohibited from having children. Often they were found unfit by a male in their life after having an affair or child out of wedlock.

Mary and Lillian grew up in the same orphanage and find their paths crossing again in their twenties at a "progressive" psychiatric institute. This story is loosely based on the authors own grandmother’s story. A fascinating piece of historical fiction and my favorite book this month.
-Kirsten
THE FAVOR
by Nora Murphy
(Releases May 31, 2022)
Two young, newly married women live parallel lives in suburban Washington, DC. They’re professionals without children, have handsome husbands at the top of their game, and are miserable! Leah is out for a walk when she hears voices spilling out of McKenna’s home. It’s all too familiar, and their parallel lives intersect and take off from here. "The Favor" is a page turner at its best!
-Beth
IN LOVE: A MEMOIR OF LOVE AND LOSS
by Amy Bloom
In Love is a poignant memoir about love and loss. Amy Bloom writes about the journey she and her husband Brian take as he deals with his early Alzheimer’s diagnosis and his decision to “rather die on my feet than live on my knees.” Amy is a gifted writer who eloquently shares this journey of the ending of Brian’s life. Amy doesn’t try to justify Brian’s decision or explain her moral reasoning. Instead she simply explains her love for the man who was the late love of her life. My favorite line -“When you’ve buried all your closest friends, how worked up can you get about a trace of lipstick on a coffee cup?” - tells you that this book is about what really matters.
-Martha
START WITHOUT ME: I'LL BE THERE IN A MINUTE
by Gary Janetti
I discovered Gary Janetti’s Instagram account during the pandemic lockdown and laughed out loud at his hilarious, snarky observations on life and culture. Of course, that led me to read his first book of essays, Do You Mind if I Cancel, and I’ve been a fan of his ever since. His latest is (mostly) a collection of stories from his life growing up gay in Queens, NY; you’ve got nuns, summer camp, Carol Burnett and even The Wizard of Oz. Are you hooked yet? I’d love to sit next to him at a party and listen to his commentary, but reading this book will have to do! 
-Di
FREEZING ORDER: A TRUE STORY OF MONEY LAUNDERING, MURDER, AND SURVIVING VLADIMIR PUTIN'S WRATH
by Bill Browder
After the death of his friend and lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, Bill Browder is determined to go after Sergei's killers. This timely story is all about dirty money and the corrupt Russian officials directed by Vladimir Putin who wanted Browder jailed and silenced. Browder's desire was to make them face justice by convincing the US and other countries to pass the Magnitsky law which imposes asset freezes on human rights violators. This book was fascinating.
-Eleanor
REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES
by Shelby Van Pelt
Can you imagine a cross between A Man Called Ove and My Octopus Teacher? This lovely read is it! Tova, a widow who works the nightshift cleaning the Sowell Bay Aquarium, finds herself befriending Marcellus, the giant Pacific octopus who has been on display for several years. Tova and Marcellus are both lonely creatures, and they develop the ability to communicate with each other. Down the coast in California, Cameron is in his thirties and rudderless. Raised by his aunt, he is obsessed with finding his birth father. Tova, Cameron and Marcellus' paths converge and the result is a completely uplifting read-- reaffirming of the positive side of human (and animal) nature.
-Laura S & Morley
BREATHLESS
by Amy McCulloch
If you've watched the documentary 14 Peaks, you’ll recognize much of what journalist Cecily Wong faces as she attempts to summit Manaslu, the eighth highest peak in the world. Mountaineer Charles McVeigh invited Cecily to join his “14 Clean” expedition for his last of the 14 climbs, with the promise of granting her the coveted interview with him after they both summit. But even at base camp there’s a darkness that follows this climbing crew, with an early unexplained death of one of their team. Cecily is as prepared as she can be for the physicality of the climb, but nothing can prepare her for what she will have to face at high altitude in this fast paced mystery!
-Beth
AN HONEST LIE
by Tarryn Fisher
(Direct to Paperback)
I enjoyed this story of a woman who escapes from the cult that killed her mother when she was a child. Presently she has put her past behind her: living a new life, dating the perfect man and on her way to a girls weekend in Vegas. When one of the women goes missing in Vegas, she finds herself confronting her disturbing past. A page turner!
-Kirsten
THE SWIMMERS
by Julie Otsuka
The new novel from the author of Buddha in the Attic is broken into two pieces. The first portion is a witty, satirical and at times comedic look at society told through the lens of a group of nameless swimmers at a public pool. The conclusion takes a wholly different path and is an insightful look at one of those swimmers, Alice, as she tumbles into the world of aging and dementia. Told through the eyes of her daughter, the reader learns of the life of the mother she is losing: a Japanese American child during the war, a wife, a mother, a nursing home resident. Once again, Otsuka's slender volume packs a mighty punch and her prose will cut you to the bone.
-Laura S
HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
by David Sedaris
(Releases May 31, 2022)
David is back with a laugh-out-loud collection of essays. David's irreverent attitude is on full display in pieces about COVID restrictions, his partner Hugh's idiosyncrasies, and outings with his sister Amy, to mention a few. His commencement address to Oberlin College had me on the floor. Things do turn rather dark and serious when David discusses his fraught relationship with his father, who recently passed away at age 98. To our customers who continue to support the store by purchasing audiobooks from Libro: this is a must as David reads it himself.
-Laura S

FOR MIDDLE GRADERS & YOUNG ADULTS
FOR YOUNG ADULTS

FAMILY OF LIARS: THE PREQUIL TO WE WERE LIARS
by E. Lockhart
FINALLY! The prequel to the blockbuster YA novel "We Were Liars is here!" We are back with the Sinclair family on their private island; this time it's an earlier summer when the parents of the original novel are teenagers. The Sinclairs are a privileged family. They are loving, loyal and deeply flawed. Once again, secrets will collide and lives will be forever altered--leaving the reader breathless!
-Laura S
FOR MIDDLE GRADERS

MY OWN LIGHTNING
by Lauren Wolk
Lauren Wolk, one of my absolute favorite middle grade authors, is back with a sequel to the Newbery Honor Winner Wolf Hollow. Once again set on the western Pennsylvania farm with Annabelle and her family, not long from the tragedy that cost war veteran Toby his life; this new novel focuses on the themes of acceptance and forgiveness. The book opens with Annabelle caught in a terrifying storm, ultimately struck by lightning. Annabelle believes that the lightning strike has heightened her senses, and perhaps even given her the ability to understand animals' thoughts. She quickly finds herself embroiled in a scheme to protect abused dogs, assisted by none other than her former nemesis. Annabelle must learn the pitfalls of making assumptions, and the power of forgiveness.
-Laura S
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