Book List

Readalikes for Top 2023 Reads

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2023 is officially winding down, which means the “Best of” and “Top Picks” lists are in full swing. Stay tuned for our own Top 10 Reads of 2023, which will be coming to the blog next week.

In the meantime, here are some readalikes for the most-requested books of 2023. What is a readalike? A readalike is a suggested book that has a similar style, plot, or genre to a book that you enjoyed reading. We love to suggest books for you, so stop by the Reference Desk anytime to get a recommendation. If you were one of the folks checking out these top titles this year and want a similar book, keep reading for suggestions!

Did you read Lessons in Chemistry?

In the early 1960s, chemist and single mother Elizabeth Zott, the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show due to her revolutionary skills in the kitchen, uses this opportunity to dare women to change the status quo.

Try The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmao!

The tale of two sisters who, surrounded by a cast of unforgettable characters, assert their independence and courageously carve a path of their own in 1940s Rio de Janeiro.

Did you read Tom Lake?

In the spring of 2020, Lara’s three daughters return to the family’s orchard in Northern Michigan. While picking cherries, they beg their mother to tell them the story of Peter Duke, a famous actor with whom she shared both a stage and a romance years before at a theater company called Tom Lake.

Try Flight!

A group of siblings and their spouses gather for Christmas in upstate New York to try decide through rising tensions and old hurts what to do with the house their recently deceased mother has left them.

Did you read Simply Lies?

A twisting new psychological thriller in which two women–one a former detective, the other a dangerous con artist–go head-to-head in an electrifying game of cat and mouse.

Try Never Tell!

While D. D. Warren investigates a pregnant woman’s suspicious role in the murders of her father and husband, Flora draws on her own haunted past to identify an unsettling link to one of the victims.

Did you read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo?

When an aging and reclusive Hollywood icon selects an unknown magazine reporter to write her life story, the baffled journalist forges deep ties with the actress during a complicated interview process that exposes their tragic common history.

Try Did You Hear about Kitty Karr?

A multigenerational saga that traverses the glamour of old Hollywood and the seductive draw of modern-day showbiz.

Did you read Fourth Wing?

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. 

Try A Deadly Education!

An unwilling dark sorceress destined to rewrite the rules of magic clashes with a popular combat sorcerer while resolving to spare the lives of innocents.

Happy reading!

-Melinda

Hygge and Beyond: Cozy Vibes All Around

MelindaLeave a comment

Photo by Pavan Trikutam on Unsplash

In 2016, one Danish word began to crop up in popularity: hygge (pronounced hooga). Hygge doesn’t have a direct English translation, but according to the official website of Denmark, “hygge is about taking time away from the daily rush to be together with people you care about – or even by yourself – to relax and enjoy life’s quieter pleasures.” The general spirit of most translations relate to the feelings of being cozy, relaxed, and grateful, and “reflects the values of Danish society: equality and the well-being of everybody.”

Hygge took the world by storm and quickly begged the question- what other Nordic traditions and concepts are we missing out on? Read on to learn about other practices to build into your daily life to up the cozy factor and bring international practices into your home. As the winter days are around the corner and daylight hours are shrinking, take time to enjoy the season.

The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking

Why are Danes the happiest people in the world? The answer, says Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, is Hygge. Loosely translated, Hygge–pronounced Hoo-ga–is a sense of comfort, togetherness, and well-being. “Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience,” Wiking explains. “It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe.”

Cosy: The British Art of Comfort by Laura Weir

Cosy is “the slacker’s guide to staying at home, an antidote to peak frazzle.” With trademark Anglo cheekiness, Laura Weir perfectly captures the British essence of cosy. She celebrates socks, warms to the joys of toasty open fires, and extols the virtues of a quiet walk, ultimately enticing us all to create the British magic of cosy in our everyday lives.

Niksen: Embracing the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing by Olga Mecking

Niksen is not a form of meditation, nor is it a state of laziness or boredom. It’s not scrolling through social media, or wondering what you’re going to cook for dinner. Rather, to niks is to make a conscious choice to sit back, let go, and do nothing at all.

Njuta: Enjoy, Delight In by Niki Brantmark

Do you aspire to live a more peaceful, intentional life of mindfulness, positivity, and gratitude? Njuta (pronounced “nyutah”), which means “enjoy” or “delight in,” is the Swedish art of savoring the moment. Focused on finding happiness in even the smallest things, njuta can be applied to every area of life: 

The Little Book of Lykke by Meik Wiking

In The Little Book of Lykke, Meik identifies the six factors that explain the majority of differences in happiness across the world–togetherness, money, health, freedom, trust, and kindness–and explores what actions we can take to become happier. As he reveals, we can deepen our blissfulness and contentment with little adjustments in our behavior.

The Little Book of Fika by Lynda Balslev

While the Danish concept of hygge as caught on around the globe, so has lagom– its Swedish counterpart. An essential part of the lagom lifestyle, fika  is the simple art of taking a break–sometimes twice a day–to enjoy a warm beverage and sweet treat with friends.

Cozy: The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World by Isabel Gillies

When we talk about being cozy, most of us think of a favorite sweater or a steaming cup of tea on a rainy day. But to Isabel Gillies, coziness goes beyond mere objects. To be truly cozy, she argues, means learning to identify the innermost truth of yourself and carrying it into the world, no matter your environment.

Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living by Linnea Dunne

The Swedish concept of Lagom (pronounced “lah-gom”) roughly translates to “not too little, not too much, just right.” This charming book introduces readers to a new way of balanced living that promises happiness and sustainability in work and in life.

Happy reading!

-Melinda

Native American Stories

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November is Native American Heritage Month, a month dedicated to “paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.” The literary side of that ancestry includes authors such as Louise Erdrich, Joy Harjo, and Tommy Orange, and we have definitely seen an influx of published Native American and Indigenous stories in the last few years.

Here are six own voice fiction releases from this year that are perfect to celebrate Native storytellers and authors. It was difficult to narrow down a list of titles, so check out the collections on Libby and Hoopla for more suggestions!

Never Whistle at Night edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

Many Indigenous people believe that one should never whistle at night. This belief takes many forms- for instance, Native Hawaiians believe it summons the Hukai’po, the spirits of ancient warriors, and Native Mexicans say it calls Lechuza, a witch that can transform into an owl. But what all these legends hold in common is the certainty that whistling at night can cause evil spirits to appear-and even follow you home.

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones

Four years after her tumultuous senior year, Jade Daniels is released from prison right before Christmas when her conviction is overturned. But life beyond bars takes a dangerous turn as soon as she returns to Proofrock. Convicted Serial Killer, Dark Mill South, seeking revenge for thirty-eight Dakota men hanged in 1862, escapes from his prison transfer due to a blizzard, just outside of Proofrock, Idaho.

The Lost Journals of Sacajewea by Debra Magpie Earling

Raised among the Lemhi Shoshone, in this telling the young Sacajewea is bright and bold, growing strong from the hard work of “learning all ways to survive”: gathering berries, water, roots, and wood; butchering buffalo, antelope, and deer; catching salmon and snaring rabbits; weaving baskets and listening to the stories of her elders. When her village is raided and her beloved Appe and Bia are killed, Sacajewea is kidnapped and then gambled away to Charbonneau, a French Canadian trapper.

A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power

From the mid-century metropolis of Chicago to the windswept ancestral lands of the Dakota people, to the bleak and brutal Indian boarding schools, A Council of Dolls is the story of three women, told in part through the stories of the dolls they carried….Sissy, born 1961, Lillian, born 1925, and Cora, born 1888.

Swim Home to the Vanished by Brendan Shay Basham

When the river swallowed Kai, Damien’s little brother didn’t die so much as vanish. As the unbearable loss settles deeper into his bones, Damien, a small-town line cook, walks away from everything he has ever known. Driving as far south as his old truck and his legs allow, he lands in a fishing village beyond the reach of his past where he hopes he can finally forget.

Stealing by Margaret Verble


Kit Crockett lives on a farm with her grief-stricken, widowed father, tending the garden, fishing in a local stream, and reading Nancy Drew mysteries from the library bookmobile. One day, Kit discovers a mysterious and beautiful woman has moved in just down the road.

Kit and the newcomer, Bella, become friends, and the lonely Kit draws comfort from her. But when a malicious neighbor finds out, Kit suddenly finds herself at the center of a tragic, fatal crime and becomes a ward of the court.

Happy reading!

-Melinda

NaNoWriMo

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If you’ve been putting off writing that novel, November is the time to hunker down and get started. National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) takes place during the whole month of November. The organization began in 1999 and has grown to have over 400,000 participants. The challenge is self-directed but if you’re interested in winning any of the prizes, you’ll have to follow the rules:  

  1. Your novel must be at least 50,000 words and written between November 1st and November 30th. 
  1. Writing done before November 1st doesn’t count, although you can include outlines, character profiles, research, and citations in your draft. Basically, the 50,000 words should be prose written during November. 
  1. Write a novel. The term “novel” is broadly defined here. If you say it’s a novel, it’s a novel. 
  1. You should be the only author of 50,000 words. If you’re co-writing a novel, each author should contribute 50,000 words of their own. 
  1. The writing must be coherent (you can’t just copy and paste one sentence or one word to get to 50,000 words). 
  1. You need to be at least 13 years old to participate, and if you’re under 17, you have the option to sign up for the Young Writers Program. (source: https://kindlepreneur.com/nanowrimo/) 

Whether you’re ready for the challenge or just want to use NaNoWriMo as the perfect time to put pen to paper, check out these books for inspiration:

No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-stress, High-velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days by Chris Baty 

Letters to a Writer of Color by Deepa Anappara 

I’m Still Writing: Women Writers on Creativity, Courage, and Putting Words on the Page by Virginia Ann Byrd 

Bushwhacking: How to Get Lost in the Woods and Write Your Way Out by Jennifer McGaha 

Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life after which Everything was Different by Chuck Palahniuk 

Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami 

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King 

-Linnea

Haunted Reads

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We’re nearing the end of spooky season and if you haven’t gotten your fill of scary stories, here are some to keep you in the spirit of witches, hauntings, and monsters: 

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson 

“An 80-year-old mansion harboring dark secrets comes to menacing life in this classic spine-tingling tale from Shirley Jackson. Anthropologist and ghost hunter Dr. John Montague invites three strangers to stay in haunted Hill House for the summer. One of the guests is 32-year-old Eleanor, for whom three months in a haunted house is preferable to caring for her invalid mother. Soon, Eleanor begins to see and hear things that the other guests cannot. Is it all in her imagination, or is she the only one who can perceive the evil that lurks in Hill House?” 

A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand 

“Hand’s new novel revisits the infamous haunted house from Shirley Jackson’s classic The Haunting of Hill House. Holly, a struggling playwright looking to flesh out her witchy comeback, thinks that Hill House, the eerie mansion she’s stumbled across in Upstate New York, would be the perfect place to finish her play. She rents the house and takes her partner Nisa, a singer; their friend, sound guy/actor Stevie; and theater legend Amanda along, despite warnings and a disturbing first visit. The house rapidly reveals itself to be a malevolent force, playing on the past traumas and insecurities of its guests with typically devastating consequences.” 

I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid 

“It’s snowing, and the unnamed narrator is traveling with her new boyfriend Jake to visit his parents at the family farm. The novel’s vague title seems to become clearer as the narrator repeatedly ponders calling off their relationship. While this revelation may not have arrived at the best of times, it’s quickly apparent that a failed relationship is the least of her problems. When the couple arrives at their destination, Jake’s parents are awkward, and the evening goes from strange to unsettling as the narrator explores the setting of Jake’s childhood. When the pair drive home, the weather takes a turn for the worse. Jake turns off the highway and parks by an empty high school. He goes inside, leaving the narrator alone and frightened. When she enters the building, her vague sense of foreboding turns into outright terror. Interspersed throughout are snatches of conversation about some unknown act of violence that only heightens the feeling of unease.” 

Pet Sematary by Stephen King 

“When the Creed family’s beloved cat, Winston Churchill, dies, Dr. Louis Creed — on the instructions of his elderly neighbor — buries the animal not in the “Pet Sematary” where local children inter their deceased pets, but rather in the haunted Indian burial ground behind it. The next day, a changed Churchill comes back, a little smellier and more vicious than before. What will happen when a person dies and is buried in the same area?” 

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw 

“Four friends gather at a Heian-era mansion in the Japanese countryside to celebrate the elopement of two of their group. From the start, something is off. There’s no paper trail of their rental, for reasons the owner makes vague; more unsettling is that this house has a haunted history. A thousand years ago, a bride awaited her groom at the site; he never arrived. She made her guests bury her alive under the building’s foundation so she could await him forever. Every year since, it is said, a young woman is sacrificed to help the lost groom find his way back to his beloved. This short novel, immersed in unease and oozing menace, is engrossing and methodically paced. The atmosphere, the characters, and their strained, complicated relationships are carefully constructed and slowly revealed, until the group finds itself in the middle of a nightmare, stalked by a faceless woman in white as they fight to leave the mansion alive. The conclusion will leave all unsettled, haunting both characters and readers.” 

Lone Women by Victor LaValle 

“In 1915, Montana allows unmarried, Black women the opportunity to claim a homestead, so, having lived her entire life in a California farming community with her parents, Adelaide Henry, 31, sets off. But before she leaves, Adelaide places her murdered parents in bed and burns the house down. Taking only an overnight bag and a heavy, securely locked trunk containing her family’s curse, one that she is now solely responsible for controlling, Adelaide will attempt to flee her past while still shackled to it, thus setting LaValle’s latest, a pervasively uneasy and brilliantly plotted horror-western hybrid, in absorbing motion. Readers are led to Big Sandy to meet its marginalized and outcast citizens, feel the wide open, unforgiving landscape, and watch the captivating drama, both real and supernatural, unfold. Told with a pulp sensibility, this masterfully paced tale, with short chapters, heart-pounding suspense, a monster that is both utterly terrifying and heartbreakingly beautiful, and a story line focused on the power of women, bursts off the page.” 

-Linnea

Happy Birthday, John le Carré!

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Today is the great novelist’s John le Carré’s birthday! Le Carré briefly served in British Intelligence during the Cold War, which no doubt informed his writing. Best known for his espionage novels, he is considered one of the greatest novelists of the postwar era. If you haven’t yet explored his works, here are a few to start with (and the movies based off them as well!): 

The Night Manager (DVD) 

The Night Manager  

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (DVD) 

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold 

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (DVD) 

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy  

A Perfect Spy (DVD) 

A Perfect Spy  

-Linnea

Celebrity Stories

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The book world is about to be abuzz this fall with celebrity memoirs. While I can’t promise that the details shared in these stories are salacious, I can promise that if you love a good celebrity life story, you’ll have your pick of celebs from all arenas of stardom, from Full House to Happy Days, Broadway to the Grand Ole Opry.

These books are hitting the library shelves in October and November, so get on the holds list for these titles now! Just click the book title to get to the library catalog.

The Woman In Me by Britney Spears

In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice–her truth–was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey–and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history.

My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand is by any account a living legend, a woman who in a career spanning six decades has excelled in every area of entertainment. She is among the handful of EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) and has one of the greatest and most recognizable voices in the history of popular music. 

If You Would Have Told Me by John Stamos

Stamos beat the odds and over the past four decades has proved himself to be one of his generation’s most successful and beloved actors. Whether showing off his comedic chops on Full House or his dramatic skills on ER, John has surprised everyone, most of all himself.

Worthy by Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith was living what many would view as a fairy-tale of Hollywood success. But appearances can be deceiving, and as she felt more and more separated from her sense of self, emotional turmoil took hold. Sparing no detail, Worthy chronicles her life.

Making It So by Patrick Stewart

Making It So is a revealing portrait of an artist whose astonishing life–from his humble beginnings in Yorkshire, England, to the heights of Hollywood and worldwide acclaim took him to his legendary onscreen work in the Star Trek and X-Men franchises.

Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger

The world’s greatest bodybuilder. The world’s highest-paid movie star. The leader of the world’s sixth-largest economy. That these are the same person sounds like the setup to a joke, but this is no joke. This is Arnold Schwarzenegger. And this did not happen by accident.

Thicker than Water by Kerry Washington

While on a drive in Los Angeles, on a seemingly average afternoon, Kerry Washington received a text message that would send her on a life-changing journey of self-discovery. In an instant, her very identity was torn apart, with everything she thought she knew about herself thrown into question.

Being Henry by Henry Winkler

Henry Winkler, launched into prominence as “The Fonz” in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is. Brilliant, funny, and widely-regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood, Henry shares the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you.

Talking to My Angels by Melissa Etheridge

Over the past twenty years, Melissa Etheridge has been blessed with success, love, joy, contentment, freedom, and release. She became a mother again, recorded eleven albums, toured the world, performed at the Grammy Awards, won an Oscar, discovered her one true love, and underwent a profound spiritual awakening.

Behind the Seams by Dolly Parton

Featuring behind-the-scenes stories from Dolly Parton’s life and career, and the largest reveal of her private costume archive, this gorgeously photographed book spotlights her most unforgettable looks from the 1960s to now. 

Energy Follows Thought by Willie Nelson

For the first time ever, and to help celebrate his 90th birthday in 2023, American icon Willie Nelson provides the stories behind the lyrics of 160 of his favorite songs, along with a dynamic assortment of never-before-seen photos and ephemera.

Happy reading!

-Melinda

Autumn Equinox

LinneaLeave a comment

Today marks the official beginning of autumn and I, for one, couldn’t be happier! Now’s the time for cozy blankets, pumpkin spice lattes, and apple picking. Bring out the flannels and sweaters, the boots and scarves, and let’s curl up with the perfect fall-themed book. 

Autumn by Ali Smith 

“England is at a turning point. Brexit has just passed and xenophobia and electric fences are dividing the nation. At 32, Elisabeth is still trying to decide what her future holds, and the widespread national uncertainty has left her feeling unsettled. As the nation erupts around her, she looks to her past for comfort, visiting her mother and Mr. Gluck, the neighbor who helped raise her. Daniel Gluck, now more than a century old, was once a constant friend to Elisabeth, but now he lies in a deep sleep that might be his last. Visiting weekly to read to him, Elisabeth realizes how little she knows about the man who was once her devoted companion. With a strong nod to British pop culture, its eponymous art movement, and mid-century feminism, the reluctantly revelatory nature of this story creates a well-rounded allegory symbolic on many levels. The start of Smith’s Seasonal quartet, this is delightfully cerebral and relevant.” 

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery 

“Anne, an eleven-year-old orphan, is sent by mistake to live with a lonely, middle-aged brother and sister on a Prince Edward Island farm and proceeds to make an indelible impression on everyone around her.” 

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler 

“A year in the life of a beguiling young woman in the wild world of a famous downtown New York restaurant follows her burning effort to become someone of importance through a backwaiter job that enables her indulgences in culinary and intellectual interests.” 

The Secret History by Donna Tartt 

“A transfer student from a small town in California, Richard Papen is determined to affect the ways of his Hampden College peers, and he begins his intense studies under the tutelage of eccentric Julian Morrow.” 

Still Life by Louise Penny 

“When the body of Jane Neal, a middle-aged artist, is found near a woodland trail used by deer hunters outside the village of Three Pines, it appears she’s the victim of a hunting accident. Summoned to the scene, Gamache, an appealingly competent senior homicide investigator, soon determines that the woman was most likely murdered. Like a virtuoso, Penny plays a complex variation on the theme of the clue hidden in plain sight. She deftly uses the bilingual, bicultural aspect of Quebecois life as well as arcane aspects of archery and art to deepen her narrative. Filled with unexpected insights, this winning traditional mystery sets a solid foundation for future entries in the series.” 

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness 

“Discovering a magical manuscript in Oxford’s library, scholar Diana Bishop, a descendant of witches who has rejected her heritage, inadvertently unleashes a fantastical underworld of daemons, witches and vampires whose activities center around an enchanted treasure.” 

The October Country by Ray Bradbury 

“The “Undiscovered Country” of the author’s imagination is revealed in a collection of stories that chronicles an underground city where drowned lovers are reunited, a carnival where a miniature man has his dreams fulfilled every night, and a glass jar that hold memories and nightmares.” 

The Inn at Tansy Falls by Cate Woods 

“When the death of her best friend sends her halfway across the world, Londoner Nell Swift must decide if she’s ready to step outside of her comfort zone and grab a second chance at life. Nell and Megan have been best friends since university, and when Megan dies young at 37, Nell is devastated. What Nell doesn’t know is that before she died, Megan wrote Nell a last request to spread her ashes in Tansy Falls, Vermont, where Megan spent idyllic summers during her childhood. Megan also set up a two-week itinerary that will have Nell visiting Megan’s favorite spots and seeing her favorite people. During the two weeks in Tansy Falls, Nell falls for the small-town charm, plus the charms of a handsome forester named Jackson. At the end, Nell must decide if stepping away from her safe life in London is worth the magic of Tansy Falls. Set against a lush Vermont backdrop and featuring characters that readers will feel like they have known forever, The Inn at Tansy Falls  is a heartfelt contemporary about life, loss, and love that will utterly charm and delight readers and leave them clamoring for a follow-up.” 
 

-Linnea

Back to School 

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It’s late August which, aside from confusion because of how quickly the summer is slipping by, means back to school! For some of us that may mean packing lunches and figuring out morning routines. For others, we can just choose to read about school rather than live through it. And if that’s the case, here are some books to enjoy about school without having to step foot in one: 

The St. Ambrose School for Girls by Jessica Ward 

“Relentlessly bullied by St. Ambrose’s queen bee, Greta Stanhope, Sarah Taylor finds an ally in her roommate Ellen, a cigarette-huffing, devil-may-care athlete, and determined not to let Greta break her, finds her world unraveling in ways she could never have imagined when a scandal unfolds, resulting in murder.” 

Welcome to the School by the Sea by Jenny Colgan 

“At Downey House, a charming English boarding school on the sea, new teacher Maggie is determined to make her mark, which jeopardizes her relationship with her safe, dependable boyfriend, while new student Simone tries to fit in and fellow student Fliss tries to get out.” 

School Days: A Novel by Jonathan Galassi 

“When the Leverett School’s headmaster asks him to help investigate an abuse charge, English teacher Sam Brandt, a former student, embarks on a quest to get to the heart of Leverett where his assumptions about his own life are shaken.” 

The School for Good Mothers: A Novel by Jessamine Chan 

“After one moment of poor judgment involving her daughter Harriet, Frida Liu falls victim to a host of government officials who will determine if she is a candidate for a Big Brother-like institution that measures the success or failure of a mother’s devotion.” 

The Finishing School: A Novel by Joanna Goodman 

“When she is invited as a guest to her former finishing school, Lycee International Suisse, best-selling writer Kersti Kuusk—who is determined to, once and for all, find the truth surrounding her best friend Cressida’s death long ago—probes the cover-up, unearthing a frightening underbelly of lies and abuse at the prestigious establishment.” 

Promise Boys by Nick Brooks 

“Becoming prime suspects in the murder of their principal known for doling out extreme discipline, three Urban Promise Prep School students team up to catch the real killer and clear their names.” 

-Linnea 

National Dog Month

MelindaLeave a comment

August has gone to the dogs, it’s National Dog Month!

According to Forbes, over 65 million U.S. households have a canine companion, so chances are if you’re reading this, you’re a dog owner. Or as the old joke goes, maybe your dog actually owns you.

Either way, we hope these reads remind you of your favorite furry family members in the very best way. Take a break from playing fetch, cuddle up with your dog and enjoy a doggo-inspired book this month. Just like our dogs, these books may make you cry, laugh, or throw up your hands in frustration.

But hopefully just like our dogs, they’ll remind you to take a minute, slow down, and enjoy the world around you.

Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley

Teddy is unhappily single in L.A. In between sessions with his therapist and dates with men he meets online, Teddy has debates with his dachshund, Lily, who occupies his heart. Unfortunately, he is also able to communicate with the “octupus” attached to Lily’s head, which is soon revealed to be a metaphor for Lily’s lethal cranial tumor.

The Friend by Sigrid Nunez

When a woman unexpectedly loses her lifelong best friend and mentor, she finds herself burdened with the unwanted dog he has left behind. Her own battle against grief is intensified by the mute suffering of the dog, a huge Great Dane traumatized by the inexplicable disappearance of its master, and by the threat of eviction: dogs are prohibited in her apartment building. While others worry that grief has made her a victim of magical thinking, the woman refuses to be separated from the dog except for brief periods of time.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Nearing the end of his life, Enzo, a dog with a philosopher’s soul, tries to bring together the family, pulled apart by a three year custody battle between daughter Zoe’s maternal grandparents and her father Denny, a race car driver.  

Good Boy by Jennifer Finney Boylan

This is a book about dogs: the love we have for them, and the way that love helps us understand the people we have been. It’s in the love of dogs, and my love for them, that I can best now take the measure of the child I once was, and the bottomless, unfathomable desires that once haunted me. There are times when it is hard for me to fully remember that love, which was once so fragile, and so fierce.

I Could Chew on This and Other Poems by Dogs by Francesco Marciuliano

Doggie laureates not only chew on quite a lot of things, they also reveal their creativity, their hidden motives, and their eternal (and sometimes misguided) effervescence through such musings as “I Dropped a Ball,” “I Lose My Mind When You Leave the House,” and “Can You Smell That?” 

Travels with Charley: in Search of America by John Steinbeck

Author John Steinbeck was 58 when he set out to rediscover the country he had been writing about for so many years. With his elderly French poodle, Charley, he embarked on a quest across America, from the northernmost tip of Maine to California’s Monterey Peninsula.

Happy reading!

-Melinda