August 2021 - Staff Reading Suggestions
THE COMFORT BOOK
by Matt Haig
You know Matt Haig from his recent bestseller, The Midnight Library, but did you know he’s had two books on the bestseller list at the same time this summer? The Comfort Book is just as it sounds--a collection of reassuring thoughts from the author’s experiences through his own mental health journey. Mostly inspiring, sometimes raw, but always real, his thoughts jump from the page with the common theme of connection with one another and acceptance of ourselves. Perfect for the bedside table, for a friend, for yourself.
-Beth
PARADISE: ONE TOWN'S STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE AN AMERICAN WILDFIRE
by Lizzie Johnson
On November 8, 2018, the people of Paradise, California awoke to a gray sky and gusty winds. Consuming an acre a second, the Camp Fire was fast upon them. With little warning residents were trapped by the flames and by the next morning 85 people were dead. Drawing on years of on-the-ground reporting and reams of public records, Johnson provides a minute-by-minute account of the inferno—what went wrong and how to avert future disaster. A fascinating and gripping story of the nation’s deadliest wildfire in a century.
-Kathy
THE MADNESS OF CROWDS: A NOVEL  
by Louise Penny
(Releases August 24, 2021)
Lisa's Pick:

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is asked to provide security for what promises to be a non-event. A visiting Professor of Statistics will be giving a lecture at the nearby university.

While he is perplexed as to why the head of homicide for the Sûreté du Québec would be assigned this task, it sounds easy enough. That is until Gamache starts looking into Professor Abigail Robinson and discovers an agenda so repulsive he begs the university to cancel the lecture. They refuse, citing academic freedom, and accuse Gamache of censorship and intellectual cowardice.

Discussions become debates, debates become arguments, which turn into fights. As sides are declared, a madness takes hold...
WE ARE THE BRENNANS
by Tracey Lange
Sunday Brennan wakes up in a hospital after a drunk driving accident. Alone, and needing to recover, she is forced to return to her large Irish family in New York: the exact place she fled 5 years prior after a very painful experience she has kept a secret. This debut novel is full of memorable characters, heart and the power of family to come together despite their differences.
-Laura S
AFTERPARTIES
by Anthony Veasna So
Anthony Veasna So is not a name many know. A young man and author-known for his short stories- died unexpectedly in December of 2020. Talented and interesting, you should Google him, and then read his book. My introduction to his work was this spring when I read his short stories called Afterparties. So grew up in CA in a crazy Cambodian American family-rich fodder for his storytelling. Googling him after having read him, he now has a special place in my heart and I appreciate his book even more. It's just the right amount of crass mixed in with amazing writing, and l felt like I was there watching these stories unfold.
-Molly
A SLOW FIRE BURNING
by Paula Hawkins
(Releases August 31, 2021)
In her newest thriller, the author of The Girl on the Train tells the story of a young man found murdered on a houseboat in London. His troubled mother recently fell to her death, and when her shocking past comes to light, it's not such a surprise that both of their lives were falling apart. Well developed characters and a twisting and turning plot make this a perfect late summer read.
-Beth
ONCE THERE WERE WOLVES
by Charlotte McConaghy
Inti Flynn, her twin sister and a team of biologists move to a remote area of the Scottish Highlands to reintroduce fourteen wolves to the area in an effort to re-wild the landscape. Inti battles the locals' fears as well her own broken past even as the wolves begin to thrive. One night a farmer is attacked and Inti makes a reckless decision that has a ripple effect on the entire community. This beautifully written, naturalistic thriller by the author of Migrations has received starred reviews everywhere and should not be missed!
-Di (and Staff)
THE GUILT TRIP
by Sandie Jones
Jackie and Kirsten's pick:

Six friends. Three couples. One fatal misunderstanding . . .From the New York Times bestselling author of the Reese’s Book Club pick The Other Woman, comes a gripping domestic suspense novel about a group of friends and the secrets they've kept. Great suspenseful, summer read! 

Children & Young Adult Selections

IN THE WILD LIGHT
by Jeff Zenter

Jeff Zentner's book months ago, and have been itching to sell it ever since then. Jeff is a storyteller and poet, and his new book incorporates his beautiful poetry by way of his protagonist, Cash Pruitt. Cash and his pal, Delaney, leave rural TN for an elite boarding school out east. Cash struggles with saying goodbye to his grandparents and small-town life. The two friends confront plenty of hurdles, situations, and conflicting emotions in their new environment. I'm a huge fan of Zentner's previous young adult novels, and his newest is just fantastic.
-Molly
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