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The Bride Test

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The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
Release Date: May 07, 2019
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

The Bride Test is the much anticipated follow-up to Hoang’s debut novel The Kiss Quotient. The Bride Test features Khai Diep, a 26-year-old living with autism, and Esme Tran, the woman his mother has selected from Vietnam to be his future wife. As Khai struggles to understand his emotions and Esme battles her insecurities, the pair embark on a journey of companionship. What makes this novel unique is that Hoang, the author, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in 2016, and Hoang’s father also has autism. Additionally, the character Esme was inspired by Hoang’s mother who immigrated to the United States. Hoang’s writing reflects those experiences, and she creates characters that are realistic and believable. She delves into sensory processing issues, as well as the stigma associated with being an immigrant. The result is an affectionate romance novel that will leave readers wanting more. Find it in the catalog.

The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion

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The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion by Margaret Killjoy
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

Danielle Cain’s best friend has suddenly, and without explanation, killed himself. She’s distraught, and she wants answers. She travels to her friend’s last known whereabouts: Freedom, Iowa, to discover a commune of individuals like herself: free spirits, artists, outcasts, punks… and spell casters?

It appears the residents of Freedom have summoned an otherworldly being, a red deer with three antlers, to protect their home, but now it’s turned upon them, with deadly consequences. Magic is real, people are in danger, and somewhere in all of this may lie the answers to Danielle’s questions about her friend’s suicide.

This book is filled with mystery, suspense, and interesting characters. I found it intriguing and difficult to put down, having never read anything like it before. I recommend it to adult or mature teen readers who are looking for something unique to read, and if you like it there is a sequel! Find this book in our catalog

The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction

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The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction by Meghan Cox Gurdon
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

The Enchanted Hour celebrates the simple yet profound practice of reading books out loud to others: to children, of course, but to adults as well, especially those who are ill or elderly. “Story time” soothes premature babies and accelerates children’s language acquisition. It can strengthen family bonds at all ages and alleviate loneliness for adults. This book takes you on a tour through all these benefits and more.

In the author’s own description, her book’s main ingredients are “memoir and advocacy [mixed] with science, history, art, and literature”. This medley of approaches turns out to be a recipe for a delightful hybrid of persuasive essay and how-to manual, leavened with anecdotes both poignant and comical. Some of Gurdon’s own passages were so eloquently composed that I felt compelled to read them aloud to others!

The title of the last chapter captures the book’s central message: “There is No Present Like the Time”. Taking the time to read aloud to someone—a child, a sibling, a parent—may be one of the most rewarding gifts you ever give to them, and to yourself.

Find it in the catalog.

Hildegard of Bingen: Scientist, Composer, Healer, and Saint

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Hildegard of Bingen: Scientist, Composer, Healer, and Saint by Demi
Publication Date: April 7, 2019
Who it’s for: Kids

Hildegard of Bingen was born in 1098, and she was one of the most remarkable and influential women of her time. Blessed with an astonishing array of talents, Hildegard was a mystic, theologian, scientist, doctor, nutritionist, composer, writer, linguist, and artist. Popes and kings, as well as humble peasants, sought her wise counsel. Today, Hildegard of Bingen is recognized as a saint and doctor by the Catholic Church and is  revered by many Lutherans and other Protestants. Find out more about her life in this beautifully illustrated book by award-winning author, Demi.

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Find more  illustrated biographies by Demi

(Don’t) Call Me Crazy

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(Don’t) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation About Mental Health Edited by Kelly Jensen
Format: Book
Who it’s For: Teens and Adults

(Don’t) Call Me Crazy is a collection of essays, poems and drawings that discusses different aspects and experiences of mental health. The 33 collaborators come from various backgrounds, including authors like Libba Bray and Victoria Schwab, actress Kristen Bell, and former figure skater Nancy Kerrigan.

The book is broken down into five chapters of essays that deal with similar topics. The first seeks to define the word “crazy” in terms of each individual’s personal experience and their relationship to the word. The second discusses our culture’s stigmas surrounding mental illness. The third discusses addictions and eating disorders, while the fourth addresses anxiety and depression. The book finishes with a discussion of recovery and healing.

(Don’t) Call Me Crazy is an important work for teenagers and adults alike. No matter if one has personal experience with mental illness, knows someone living with one or has no experience with mental illness, everyone can gain something from the book. Whether to make a personal connection or inspire a better understanding, the perspectives brought forth by the collection show the multitude of different aspects of mental health and show that every person’s experience is different. No one’s experience with mental illness is exactly like another’s, but the book may provide comfort to those struggling with their own.

(Don’t) Call Me Crazy inspires an important discussion about a topic that many in our society find too uncomfortable to talk about. It is, however, becoming vital that we engage in open conversation about mental health. Collections like (Don’t) Call Me Crazy aid in that conversation, especially for teens.

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Drawn Together

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Drawn Together by Minh Lé
Publication Date: June 5, 2018
Format: Book
Who’s It For: Kids

Who says art is optional?!! This wonderful story grabbed my heart on the first read. Drawn Together is an awesome book about the power of art, and its ability to bring all kinds of people together.

A boy is dropped off, much against his will, to visit with his non-English-speaking grandpa. Without words the distance between them couldn’t be wider! What will they do all day, when neither can understand or communicate with the other? They try television (nope), sharing a lunch (umm, no). Eventually the boy gives up and goes to get his sketchpad and markers to pass the time. Suddenly Grandpa reappears- with HIS sketchpad and brushes! As they begin to draw together, pictures without words let them see each other as they are for the first time, and they create adventures and worlds to express themselves that build a bridge to love and understanding.

Find it in the catalog