Spring is a perfect time of year to try a new book, whether reading outside in the sun or staying indoors when it rains. We hope these book recommendations brighten your day. We'll be back next month with another interview with a local reader.
Interested in participating? Contact Suzann Holland at sholland@monroepubliclibrary.org or at 328-7010.
"Rolling Blackouts: Dispatches from Turkey, Syria and Iraq" by Sarah Glidden
This illustrated memoir was my favorite read of 2016. Cartoonist Glidden accompanied two reporter friends and an American vet of the Iraq War to the Middle East in 2010. This book about their trip explores many topics, including impressions of the United States abroad, the difficulties of post-military life, and the ethics of journalism. Glidden's excellent watercolor illustrations bring an additional layer to the story by depicting herself as an observer and interpreter of events.
"The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
Thomas's debut novel is the must-read book of the spring. Starr is a 16-year-old girl who has to navigate between the poor neighborhood where her family lives and works and her upper-crust private high school. When she witnesses her childhood best friend, Khalil, get shot by a police officer, Starr must decide between standing up for her friend and her own safety, while struggling with the assumptions of her school friends.
"This Is How It Always Is" by Laurie Frankel
This new novel from one of my favorite authors partially takes place in Madison. Rosie, a doctor, and her writer husband, Penn, have four sons, a daughter, and a secret. Penn tells beautiful, funny stories to encourage his children to express their individuality, which often conflicts with Rosie's desire to have them fit in with friends and neighbors. As their family grows older, Penn and Rosie have difficulty resolving this issue until keeping the secret proves too difficult for their children. This is a beautiful book about family and identity.
"Archie: The New Riverdale" by Mark Waid and Fiona Staples
Whether you're a fan of the old Archie comics, or the new teen soap "Riverdale," you'll find something to love in this reboot of the Archie story. Archie has just broken up with his childhood sweetheart, Betty, over a mysterious incident, when the rich and beautiful Veronica moves to town. Fun storylines and beautiful art make this a don't-miss comic series.
"Alpha, Bravo, Charlie: The Complete Book of Nautical Codes" by Sara Gillingham
Budding sailors will enjoy this brightly illustrated guide to the phonetic alphabet, semaphore, nautical flags and Morse code. As an added bonus, each page features a different boat or sea vessel. What could be more fun than learning a bunch of secret languages while imagining voyages on the high seas?
"Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon
Read the book before you see the movie. Maddy is a teen who is allergic to everything and lives in a spotlessly clean and hermetically sealed house with her mom. When a cute boy named Olly moves in next door, they start communicating, first through the window and then online. Maddy starts to wonder about all the things she is missing by not being a part of the world - and makes plans to change things.
"The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789" by Joseph J. Ellis
I've been on a bit of an American History kick lately (any other "Hamilton" fans out there?), and this is an exceptional look at a piece of revolutionary history that I knew very little about. The 13 colonies, which had loosely confederated as the United States in order to win the Revolutionary War, functioned as independent states with separate governments both before and after the war. The quartet of the title - George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay - instead worked toward establishing the United States as a permanent, united nation.
"Vivian Maier: Out of the Shadows" by Richard Cahan and Michael Williams
Maier was a nanny who lived in New York City and took photographs as a hobby. After her death in 2009, her thousands of negatives were found and shared online. She is now known as one of the great street photographers of the 20th century. This beautiful book displays many of her photographs, alongside a discussion of her life and interviews with those who knew her.
"Same Sun Here" by Silas House and Neela Vaswani
This novel in letters is a perfect book for late elementary readers. Meena, an Indian immigrant living in New York City, and River, a boy living with his dad in Kentucky coal mining country, become pen pals. Their lives couldn't be more different, but they quickly become friends, and their friendship allows them both to have empathy for others.
"Why Not Me?" by Mindy Kaling
For a light spring read, try this humorous memoir by the actress and writer from "The Office" and "The Mindy Project." Mindy has a million things to say about female friendships, the impossibility of looking beautiful in Hollywood without a stylist, her best friend B.J. Novak, and settling into life as an independent adult. Her friendly, funny tone makes you feel like she's talking right to you and welcoming you into her circle of friends.
Looking for something new and popular to read this spring? Don't forget about the Most Wanted collection at Monroe Public Library, located on the first floor. We have bestsellers and in-demand titles - it might be your lucky day to find exactly what you're looking for!
- Cover to Cover is provided by the Monroe Public Library and is published the fourth Wednesday of the month.
Interested in participating? Contact Suzann Holland at sholland@monroepubliclibrary.org or at 328-7010.
"Rolling Blackouts: Dispatches from Turkey, Syria and Iraq" by Sarah Glidden
This illustrated memoir was my favorite read of 2016. Cartoonist Glidden accompanied two reporter friends and an American vet of the Iraq War to the Middle East in 2010. This book about their trip explores many topics, including impressions of the United States abroad, the difficulties of post-military life, and the ethics of journalism. Glidden's excellent watercolor illustrations bring an additional layer to the story by depicting herself as an observer and interpreter of events.
"The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
Thomas's debut novel is the must-read book of the spring. Starr is a 16-year-old girl who has to navigate between the poor neighborhood where her family lives and works and her upper-crust private high school. When she witnesses her childhood best friend, Khalil, get shot by a police officer, Starr must decide between standing up for her friend and her own safety, while struggling with the assumptions of her school friends.
"This Is How It Always Is" by Laurie Frankel
This new novel from one of my favorite authors partially takes place in Madison. Rosie, a doctor, and her writer husband, Penn, have four sons, a daughter, and a secret. Penn tells beautiful, funny stories to encourage his children to express their individuality, which often conflicts with Rosie's desire to have them fit in with friends and neighbors. As their family grows older, Penn and Rosie have difficulty resolving this issue until keeping the secret proves too difficult for their children. This is a beautiful book about family and identity.
"Archie: The New Riverdale" by Mark Waid and Fiona Staples
Whether you're a fan of the old Archie comics, or the new teen soap "Riverdale," you'll find something to love in this reboot of the Archie story. Archie has just broken up with his childhood sweetheart, Betty, over a mysterious incident, when the rich and beautiful Veronica moves to town. Fun storylines and beautiful art make this a don't-miss comic series.
"Alpha, Bravo, Charlie: The Complete Book of Nautical Codes" by Sara Gillingham
Budding sailors will enjoy this brightly illustrated guide to the phonetic alphabet, semaphore, nautical flags and Morse code. As an added bonus, each page features a different boat or sea vessel. What could be more fun than learning a bunch of secret languages while imagining voyages on the high seas?
"Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon
Read the book before you see the movie. Maddy is a teen who is allergic to everything and lives in a spotlessly clean and hermetically sealed house with her mom. When a cute boy named Olly moves in next door, they start communicating, first through the window and then online. Maddy starts to wonder about all the things she is missing by not being a part of the world - and makes plans to change things.
"The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789" by Joseph J. Ellis
I've been on a bit of an American History kick lately (any other "Hamilton" fans out there?), and this is an exceptional look at a piece of revolutionary history that I knew very little about. The 13 colonies, which had loosely confederated as the United States in order to win the Revolutionary War, functioned as independent states with separate governments both before and after the war. The quartet of the title - George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay - instead worked toward establishing the United States as a permanent, united nation.
"Vivian Maier: Out of the Shadows" by Richard Cahan and Michael Williams
Maier was a nanny who lived in New York City and took photographs as a hobby. After her death in 2009, her thousands of negatives were found and shared online. She is now known as one of the great street photographers of the 20th century. This beautiful book displays many of her photographs, alongside a discussion of her life and interviews with those who knew her.
"Same Sun Here" by Silas House and Neela Vaswani
This novel in letters is a perfect book for late elementary readers. Meena, an Indian immigrant living in New York City, and River, a boy living with his dad in Kentucky coal mining country, become pen pals. Their lives couldn't be more different, but they quickly become friends, and their friendship allows them both to have empathy for others.
"Why Not Me?" by Mindy Kaling
For a light spring read, try this humorous memoir by the actress and writer from "The Office" and "The Mindy Project." Mindy has a million things to say about female friendships, the impossibility of looking beautiful in Hollywood without a stylist, her best friend B.J. Novak, and settling into life as an independent adult. Her friendly, funny tone makes you feel like she's talking right to you and welcoming you into her circle of friends.
Looking for something new and popular to read this spring? Don't forget about the Most Wanted collection at Monroe Public Library, located on the first floor. We have bestsellers and in-demand titles - it might be your lucky day to find exactly what you're looking for!
- Cover to Cover is provided by the Monroe Public Library and is published the fourth Wednesday of the month.