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The Moon Within

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The Moon Within by Aida Salazar
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Celi Rivera has many questions. What should she do about these new feelings she has for her classmate Iván? How should she best support her closest friend as they experiment with their gender expression? And will her mother really insist on throwing her a traditional moon ceremony when Celi’s first period arrives? This lyrical novel in verse does a fantastic job of portraying that lifechanging and magical, yet incredibly awkward, prepubescent time in one’s life when it feels like there are more questions than answers. Like its forebear, Judy Blume’s Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret, this book would be an indisputably beneficial and relatable read for any person who has ever had questions about growing up.
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Dark and Deepest Red

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Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore
Publication Date: January 14, 2020
Book
Who It’s For: Teens, Adults

This is a beautiful and haunting story told in a dual timeline, linking people across five centuries. The story will hearken the tale of The Red Shoes, by Hans Christian Andersen, but it is so much more.

In 1518 France, Lavinia is swept into the chaos of a dancing plague, but her role is not that of victim, but as suspect. Her strange family and strange ways must mean only one thing: she is a witch. Five centuries later, Emil is linked to the past by blood, and Rosella by a beautiful pair of red shoes. Separated by 500 years, what must Lavinia and Emil do to save the people they love?

In this dark fairy tale, the author blends history, family, love, betrayal, women’s and girls’ roles in society, and the treatment of marginalized peoples in the past and present into a magical story.

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Red, White & Royal Blue

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Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Format: Book, eBook, Audiobook
Who it’s for: Adults

Alex hates Henry. Henry is pompous, stuffy, and obviously has no sense of humor. But when a small argument causes an international incident, Alex and Henry are forced to play nice. For these young men are not your typical 20-somethings. Alex is the son of the first female president of the United States and Henry is the younger grandson of the Queen of England and 3rd in line for the throne. Therefore, despite their obvious disdain for one another, Alex and Henry must strike up a fake friendship for the good of national relations. But as they spend time together at public events where the ever-present press can snap photos of their fake friendship, it soon becomes clear that Henry and Alex do not hate one another. Instead, it’s very possible they are falling in love. How are the FSOTUS (first son of the United States) and a British royal supposed to make this work? With humor, feeling and a bit of shenanigan, Casey McQuiston gives readers a truly beautiful love story and a delightful romance with an HEA (happily ever after).
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The Wicked + The Divine

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The Wicked + The Divine
Format: eBook, Book
Who it’s for: Adults

The Wicked + The Divine takes place in a world much like the one we are familiar with, but with a unique twist: Every ninety years, a phenomenon called the Recurrence takes place, and 12 deities – gods and goddesses – incarnate the bodies of young people, imbuing them with supernatural powers. For two years these members of the “Pantheon” use their powers to create superhuman art, inventions, and inspiration. They are loved and hated. Then they die. And it’s happening again.

It’s the 2010’s, and our gateway to the Pantheon is Laura, a “fangirl.” Laura adores the Pantheon and would do anything to be among them. She attends a deity’s performance, gets to meet some, befriends one, and is then swept up into a vast conspiracy involving the all the gods, the mysterious person who discovers/awakens them, and the truth behind the Recurrence and what causes it.

The Wicked + The Divine is a story about life and death. It’s a story about music and how it can speak to us and through us. It’s a story about the desire to create, and how consuming that drive can be. It’s a story about the cult of celebrity: how we worship them, or attempt to “cancel” them. (The Pantheon are the ultimate stars; they even bare resemblance to pop music icons to reinforce this idea.)

If you like mythology, music, and mystery, check out the graphic novel series The Wicked + The Divine, starting with Vol. 1 The Faust Act. We have the complete series at the library, and digitally via Hoopla. See it in our 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 Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles)

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The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding
Format: Book
Who’s it For: Teens

If you’d like to start your Summer Reading off right with a light hearted summer romance, look no further than The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding. Abby Ives is all set to have a fantastic summer. Thanks to her hard work on her plus size style blog, she’s landed an internship at her favorite retro-inspired fashion boutique, handling their social media for the summer. She’s really excited because the internship usually leads to part time job in the fall! But this year the boutique has hired two interns! Abby will have to compete for that job against the other intern: a mysterious young woman named Jordi Perez. Jordi’s specialty is photography, and her photos are so sophisticated, and Jordi is so mature, Abby is sure that Jordi will get the job. Abby can’t stop thinking about Jordi, and soon it’s not just because of the competition… Abby’s pretty sure she’s falling in love with the artsy and enigmatic Jordi Perez!

In addition to being a fun and heartwarming romance, this book has great messages about body positivity, family relationships, friendships and how they change, not judging people based on first impressions, and I haven’t even mentioned the cheeseburgers! (There are a lot of cheeseburgers in this book!) Find it in our catalog