Ryan: Reclaiming Conversation by Sherry Turkle. This book really tackles the challenges of living in a smartphone era. Think of how many times you see a family, or a group of friends, together in a physical space, yet everyone is absorbed in their phones. Think of the connections and skills we are losing because of this behavior. Reading this book challenges you to assess your own behavior, and to cherish the times we choose to unplug.
Autumn: The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra. This book is a collection of short stories about life in the USSR, but each weaves into the next with a fluidity unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Reading this book will have you both inspired and humbled by how much of an impact one person has on the world; a powerful, lyrical piece, it will have you crying, laughing, and begging everyone you know to read it.
Michael: Deadfall by Anna Carey. Full of tension and adrenaline, this second book in the Blackbird Duology is a must-read. With action-packed scenes and a dystopian setting, this is a great pick for anyone who loves Maze Runner, Hunger Games, and the Legend series. Prepare to sit on the edge of your seat.
Traci: Finders Keepers by Stephen King. I have enjoyed many of Stephen King’s books, but this isn’t one of his typical weird ghoulish stories. It is the second volume in a trilogy focusing on Detective Bill Hodges, following Mr. Mercedes. The book is about the murder of reclusive writer John Rothstein (an amalgamation of John Updike, Philip Roth, and J. D. Salinger), his missing notebooks and the release of his killer from prison after 35 years.
Marggie: First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen. A witty, magical story set in the heart of fall, Allen’s second book in the Garden Spells series is a great adult pick for lovers of YA. Allen also sprinkles in great autumn recipes for anyone who wants to experience the book in a whole new way.
Heidi: The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins. The Library at Mount Char is an urban fantasy/horror novel about Carolyn and her adopted “family” who are studying the seemingly endless knowledge of an immortal being that they call “Father”. The lessons that they learn are terrifying but powerful. After years of fear and torture at the hands of the Father and some of her siblings, Carolyn wants to break free from her living nightmare. How exactly does one escape from a god?
Looking for more staff picks? Visit our reading suggestion page for great selections!
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