A short list of some of our favorite books we read this year.
Ray Walling, Acting State Librarian
DB104572 Four Thousand Weeks: Time management for mortals by Oliver Burkeman
Journalist offers a guide to the philosophy of time management and to finding joy as you move through life. Beginning with the assumption that the average human has four thousand weeks to fill over the course of their life, Burkeman investigates the ways we make choices about time. Contains violence and strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2021.
Maggie Witte, Outreach Librarian
DB 98951 The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
As a case worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, Linus Baker spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages. He is unexpectedly given a highly classified assignment: travel to a remote island orphanage where six dangerous children reside. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2020.
DB100078 The Empire of Gold by S. A. Chakraborty
Daevabad has fallen. After a brutal conquest stripped the city of its magic, Nahid leader Banu Manizheh and her resurrected commander, Dara, must try to repair their fraying alliance and stabilize a fractious, warring people. Sequel to The Kingdom of Copper (DB 93701). Contains strong language, violence, and some descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2020.
Nataly Renfro, Machine Clerk
DB 70061 Dreamfever: Fever Series Book 4 by Karen Marie Moning
The battle for Dublin begins as fae and human worlds collide. Sidhe-seer MacKayla Lane is at the mercy of erotic cravings that draw her toward two dangerous men whom she can neither deny nor trust. Sequel to Faefever (DB 67812). Strong language, explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2009.
Michael Lang, Director
DB105930, BR 24241 Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki.
Shizuka has made a deal with the devil to deliver the souls of violin prodigies, and when she meets a talented young transgender runaway, she knows she's found her final candidate. But when Shizuka meets retired starship captain Lan Tran, her plans are soon derailed. Some violence and some strong language. 2021.
"This book combines a whole bunch of things that I love (music, science fiction, doughnuts, video games) into a story both heartbreaking & heartwarming, about the powers of love and music." - M. Lang
DB107236 Hell's Half-Acre: The untold story of the Benders, a serial killer family on the American frontier
by Susan Jonusas
Study of the Bender family, whose homestead in Labette County, Kansas, was the site of numerous murders and a mass grave. Discusses the social environment of the early 1870s, the Bender family and their victims, and the investigation and search for the family after neighbors discovered the crime. Some violence. Commercial audiobook. 2022.
"Whether you’re familiar with the Bloody Bender saga or a newbie, this book has something to offer. Jonusas tells the familiar tale of murder in Labette Co. and then doggedly pursues the family as they make their escape, following every possible trail to try and answer the question of what happened next. Bender experts and southeast Kansas locals might not find anything new within, but I sure did." - M. Lang
Amanda Diggs, Production Manager
DB 92465 Toil and Trouble: 15 Tales of women & witchcraft edited by Jessica Spotswood & Tess Sharpe.
Compilation of fifteen feminist tales of women embracing their magical powers and witchcraft. In Tehlor Kay Mejia's "Starsong," sixteen-year-old Esperanza, a bruja, surprises herself when she connects on social media with a skeptic, a NASA-loving girl. Strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2018.
"I liked that there was a diversity of authors, settings, characters, and types of witches represented. Most of the stories were engaging and well-written. I think it would be enjoyable for adults as well as teens." - Amanda
Dylan Calhoon, Patron Services Manager
The teenaged members of the Blyton Summer Detective Club last solved a case together in 1977. Thirteen years later, they return to where their adventures began, to confront their inner demons and the real monsters that are waiting for them. Strong language, violence, and some descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2017.
Jason Brinkman, Library Assistant
DB 103420 The Premonition: A pandemic story by Michael Lewis
Author of The Fifth Risk (DB 93357) and The Undoing Project (DB 87002) examines the work of scientists and pandemics experts who worked to spread the word and respond to COVID-19. Profiles include a secret group of doctors with world-class pedigrees, but no official permission. Strong language. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller. 2021.
DB105337 The Judge's List by John Grisham
Lacy Stoltz, from The Whistler (DB 86026), is thinking about leaving the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct when she's contacted by Jeri Crosby. Jeri's father was murdered twenty years ago and believes a current judge was behind it. Lacy must discover the truth. Violence and strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2021.
"Classic Grisham" - Jason