What We're Reading: September 2023

"Grace had dreamed of a life in London since she was a child, but the reality of her experience is drastically different than what she hoped when her opportunity to live out her dream comes right before The Blitz. As the story progresses, Grace discovers a love of reading, a sense of belonging, and a strength and bravery she didn't know she possessed. This book is on my top ten! I felt like I was with Grace throughout. I laughed and cried right alongside her." - Jeanette T., Glen Burnie Library

"This title is pretty self-explanatory, but it offered so much more than I expected. Highlighting details of the collection, sorting and processing of curbside recyclables was really helpful in understanding WHY certain materials are or are not actually recycled vs. being theoretically recyclable. For example, are plastic bottle caps recyclable? Yes, but... when they aren’t attached to a bottle they are too small to be captured on their own – they usually fall through the disc screens and end up sorted with glass – so put the cap back on the bottle before recycling! What about greasy pizza boxes, yogurt cups or milk cartons? The answers are all here!" - Holly R., Odenton Library

"Sister Holiday, an (almost) reformed punk rocker and (not so) secret sleuth, has found a spiritual home with the Sisters of the Sublime Blood in New Orleans. But once a string of deadly arsons threatens the convent and Saint Sebastian's Catholic School where she teaches music, Sister Holiday teams up with an arson investigator to find out who is responsible - and who might be trying to frame her for the crimes. Sister Holiday is irreverent, sarcastic and committed to seeking justice, and a compelling character that drives this page-turner of a mystery. Fans of Gillian Flynn will appreciate the sly humor and story twists." - Sharon L., Odenton Library

"One night on her father's ranch in mid-1800s Mexico, a young Nena and her dear childhood friend, Néstor, are attacked by an unknown monster. Thinking her to be dead, Néstor brings her body back to her family and then takes off -consumed by grief and fear. However, Nena lived. Fate brings the two together again nine years later when the ranch is threatened by settlers -as well as the same monstrous nightmare that the two faced all those years ago. Nena and Néstor will need to work through the wounds of their past in order to protect their home and loved ones. This book successfully tells the tales of different kinds of monsters -from colonialism to classism to blood-*** creatures of the night. I recommend this book to horror fans who like different interpretations of vampires woven within complex stories." - Christine M., Edgewater Library

"Camp Damascus is the feature-length debut of Hugo Award finalist Chuck Tingle (of Pounded in the ***... internet fame). Holy smokes, Chuck Tingle can write! This probably shouldn't surprise me given the volume of material he churns out, but man, he really knocked my socks off. The story takes place in the town of Neverton, home of the world's most successful gay conversion camp, where the all-too-realistic Kingdom of the Pine church has made a literal deal with the devil in order to hold on to their title. At the risk of giving too much away, we follow Rose an autistic lesbian in a first-person narrative as she fights to uncover the truth about Camp Damascus. Perfectly tense with a deeply compelling and satisfying mystery (I dislike horror that only obfuscates, I want to feel scared, not confused.) To me, the vibes are very Clive Barker: sociopolitical commentary disguised as demonic machinations and body horror in this razor-sharp satire. Obviously, a content warning is merited given the nature of the violence, but if you can manage it safely as a self-proclaimed connoisseur of feminist horror, I would highly recommend it. Definitely a contender for my favorite book of the year." - Kelly T., Glen Burnie Library

"South Boston, 1974: The summer heat is sweltering, anger is running high on the eve of school desegregation and busing, a young Black man is found dead on the tracks of a Southie subway station, and Mary Pat Fennessy is determined to find who is responsible for her teenage daughter's disappearance - by whatever means necessary. This book combines elements of the crime thriller, historical social commentary, and tragic character study into a story that will stay with you long after you read the final page. Both long-time fans of Lehane's classics like Mystic River and those drawn to historical fiction that reflects current issues will appreciate the depth and punch of this compelling book. There is graphic violence and racist language contained in this novel. On my list for best books of 2023." - Sharon L., Odenton Library