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Blackout

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Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Nicola Yoon
Format: Audiobook
Who it’s for: Teens

*Sighs* New York City in the summer. The birds are chirping, music is playing, kids running around and all is well in the world, then a blackout happens. “Blackout” is a book that proves the city of New York is smaller than we think. Each character in the series of short stories within the book interconnect throughout and it exudes the story of young Black teens in love. I saw this book last year in an article and was SO excited about its release. It gives the book world something it desperately needs – Black teens in love and living life. The inclusiveness of the characters is something that makes this book a great read. All six authors are powerhouses and I hope to see more collaborative stories from them in the future.

Find Blackout in the catalog.

Malibu Rising

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Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Format: Audiobook
Who it’s for: Adults

It’s official: I am obsessed with Taylor Jenkins Reid and her writing. This book is about the Rivas family and their life in lavish Malibu. As most families, the Rivas have a few dysfunctions and each individual character has a secret of their own. Nina, the oldest is currently on a journey to find herself. She never wanted to be the center of attention but in order to provide for her family, she is thrown into a life of fame that brings people into her life that she’s not sure are there for her, or for something else. The book tells a story of what happens on the night of the infamous Nina Rivas end of summer bash. The twists and turns of this book, and the secrets that these characters hold will have you wanting to know more and more about this family.

I am a big fan of audiobooks and the narrator was able to bring this story to life. I cannot wait to see what Taylor Jenkins Reid gives us next.

Find it in the catalog

Me and My Fear

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Me and My Fear written and illustrated by Francesca Sanna
Format: Picture Book
Who’s it For: Kids

Me and My Fear tells the story in a comforting tone of a young girl processing a great deal of change. These changes include moving to a new country and attending a new school with all of the uncertainty change brings. Fear is an ever present albeit soothing companion ironically, not frightening or dark. As the young girl navigates her new world she discovers friends and becomes aware that fear is present in everyone’s life in some shape or form.

Me and My Fear continues the story of a refugee family which began with The Journey. The story easily stands on its own focusing on a young girl processing a great deal of change.

Find Me and My Fear here!

 

 

After Sundown

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After Sundown by Linda Howard and Linda Jones
Who it’s for: Adults
Format: Book

Sela, the reclusive owner of a general store in the eastern Tennessee Mountains finds safety in solitude, Ben the mysterious ex-military man living alone in the wilds of Cove Mountain may be the only man that can break through her protective shell.  For years, he’s kept his distance from Sela and other not really communicating with anyone in the small town that sits below his mountain top home.  Then one day Ben appears at Sela,s store to warn her about the impending solar storm threat, capable of taking down the power grids in communities across the globe.  Sela must now find the strength and courage to step up and become the leader of Wears Valley, the small town where she lives with her aunt, cousin and a community of people that have known her most of her life.  She and Ben discover that in the dark, cut off from the outside world, danger brings together a community of people determined to survive a new way of life.   Along with two guarded hearts in a battle for survival where there is no more playing it safe–in life or in love.  This story had me thing about what if something similar happened around this community?  Would we know how to survive in this situation or would there be panic and chaos like there was with the pandemic and the threat of gas shortages.

Find After Sundown in the catalog!

 

Good Girl, Bad Blood

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Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson
Format: Audiobook
Who it’s for: Teens

The sequel to “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” begins with Pip, our main character from the first book and the beginning of her podcast that has gone viral. Pip has insisted that her detective and investigating days are behind her due to all of the chaos and hurt she caused in the first novel. That is until her friend begs for her help. Connors brother Jamie Reynolds has disappeared and the police are not making it a priority to try to find him. And so the investigation begins! Pip takes her investigation digitally and encourages her listeners to help find Jamie.

I am loving this series so far! Listening to it on audiobook captivated me and left me wanting more of the story. The new-age media tie-in of podcasting was awesome and I felt that it made the story more relatable. There is a third and final book set to be released in September 2021 and I cannot wait!

Find it in the catalog

Surprise by Mies Van Hout

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Surprise

By Mies Van Hout

Format: Book

Who’s it for: Kids

Another international children’s treasure, Surprise was originally published in New Zealand in Dutch by Mies Van Hout. The complex and emotional world of planning, parenting and raising children are depicted by colorful bird representations. Surprise (following Happy and Friends) provides another wonderous chalklike, kaleidoscope printed canvas by Van Hout. Children and adults alike will enjoy following the journey of yearning to letting go.

Find Surprise in the catalog here.