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Headquarters Staff Picks May 2018
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Look Alive Out There: Essaysby Sloane Crosley To say I’m a Sloane Crosley fan is probably a mischaracterization. I’m more of a friend in a completely one-sided relationship. Sloane doesn’t know I exist, yet anytime I refer to her or read any article about her, my brain automatically replaces “Crosley” with “Sloane”. And quite honestly, my weird but not abnormal behavior would probably be a topic Sloane herself would tackle, as much of her writing highlights her awkward navigation of the waters of life. In Sloane’s most recent book, Look Alive Out There, she narrates the slice-of-life situations we’ve all been through or heard about, in particular a number of acrs that focus on her neighbors, from the best apartment/worst neighbor scenario (“Outdoor Voices”) to the friendly then unexpectedly dead neighbor scenario (“Perfect Stranger”). All of Sloane’s essays are strong, but she’s at her strongest when she turns her observational humor inward. The closing essay, “The Doctor Is a Woman”, highlights her firm efforts to not think about having children, so she never has to decide whether to have them or not, and then being confronted with freezing her eggs in case she ever does decide to attempt parenthood. She notes that women enter and organize themselves in the pre-procedure class in the order of the parenting skills: perfect future mothers in the front and early, moms who let their kids drink in the basement in the back. Sloane arrives late, and second-to-last, but at least she wasn’t last...until she realizes she hasn’t brought a pen. My one-way friendship with Sloane is reaching eight years this year, pulling me back to when she released her first book, I Was Told There’d Be Cake. My favorite story from that collection described what would happen if she died and what her parents would find in her apartment if she did: her secret drawer of My Little Ponies would be would and would irrevocably change the Crosleys’ perception of their daughter. Sloane’s stories have matured past the My Little Pony stage, but they’re still as funny and relatable as ever. My girl’s still got it.
Jess
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Social Creatureby Tara Isabella BurtonWow. What an insane, frenetic, stress dream of a novel. I absolutely devoured this book and immediately recommended it to a friend. Louise Wilson is the ultimate "cool girl" a la Gillian Flynn/Gone Girl monologue fame. She knows the language and behavior she needs to imitate to survive in all kinds of situations - to the point that she's not even sure she knows who she is or what she actually wants anymore. When she meets the gorgeous, rich, and outrageously self-obsessed Lavinia - she uses this chameleonesque charm to propel herself into Lavinia's elite, party-centric social circle in NYC. And then she screws it all up. An urban, contemporary nightmare that exploits the digital age in a way that will have you gritting your teeth in anxiety as you turn each page. I couldn't stop reading it. Rebecca
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Memoirs of a Geishaby Arthur Golden Chiyo, is an ordinary Japanese girl in every way except one, she has startling grey blue eyes. Chiyo lives with her father, mother, and sister and a poor fishing village and lives a fairly ordinary life. However, Chiyo’s life becomes anything but ordinary when her mother suddenly becomes ill and dies and her father sells her and her sister. The man who buys them takes Chiyo into the city, separates her from her sister, and sells her into indentured servitude to a woman who, because of her eyes, believes she could become a geisha. However, to become a geisha Chiyo must first successfully learn how to impress her cruel new owner while living with an even crueler geisha named Hatsumomo who actively tries to make sure Chiyo fail at everything. Not only that, but Chiyo does not even want to become a geisha. That is until one day, in the midst of despair, a passerby shows her kindness, gives her a reason for living, and makes her realize that becoming a geisha is the only way she can get out of her miserable circumstances. The only problem is to become a geisha she must somehow learn to overcome Hatsumomo, who has made it her mission to make sure becoming a geisha is the last thing Chiyo will ever do. Although historical fiction is typically not what I gravitate toward I must say once I dived into Golden’s Memoir of a Geisha I fell in love. Not only does Golden give his readers a very detailed idea of what being a Geisha would have been like, but he also paints a picture of what Japanese life and culture in the 1940s could have been like. In addition, Golden’s story is so immersive that if feels as if you were hearing this story from Chiyo herself as you walked the streets of Japan. So if you’re in the mood for a good historical fiction book and are interested in Japan look no further than Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha. Seth
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To Kill a Kingdomby Alexandra Christo Ever since I read Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant a few months ago, I've been really into books about mermaids. But like sissy girly mermaids. KILLER MERMAIDS. (Which are technically referred to as "sirens" in both books.) This is my second killer siren book and I have to say I liked it almost as much as Into the Drowning Deep. It's far more about the characters than the science / discovery, because in To Kill a Kingdom, everyone knows that sirens exist and that they are deadly, and many cultures either avoid the sea or have developed methods of hunting and killing sirens. In short, there is an ongoing war between humans and the sirens. Honestly, it almost read to me as an adult version of The Little Mermaid, where, except instead of being a cute, slightly rebellious mermaid princess with a crush on a prince who wants to be human, the main character (still a princess) is the most savage, bloodthirsty siren of all and is turned into a human as punishment. I loved everything about this; it's exactly the type of YA I like to read. The plot clips along nicely, the romance element is not overdone and the ending is very satisfying. The characters are dynamic and believable, especially Lira. Gotta love a book where the protagonist is a little bit nasty (actually a LOT nasty) but then struggles to redeem herself. This is a wonderful standalone and I'm so impressed that this is a debut.
Taylor
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The Red Hunterby Lisa Unger “When you seek revenge, dig two graves. One of them for yourself.” When another person destroys your life and strips you of your humanity, there are seemingly two options: retribution or healing. Both Zoey and Claudia’s lives have been touched by evil in very different but equally shocking ways. Zoey Drake chooses retribution while Claudia Bishop chooses healing. Bound by a ramshackle house and a hidden bag of money within, these two women are on a collision course for each other. Because as we all know, the past doesn’t like to stay in the past. With multiple timelines and POVs, this is a twisty read you’ll want to devour. Part thriller, part whodunit, part character study, Unger just gets it right in so many ways. This is the first of many of her books that I plan on reading. For that “can’t put it down” kind of read, grab this one. Crystal
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Exhibit Alexandraby Natasha Bell Alexandra Southwood is missing. She was supposed to take her daughters, Charlotte and Lizzie, to swim class but never made it home from work. Her husband, Marc, is devastated and knows Alex would never leave her family. As the police investigate, they discover her bloody belongings by a river. All signs point to a homicide investigation rather than a missing persons case, but Marc cannot let go that she may still be alive. Marc is haunted by the lack of answers as days turn to months, and months turn into a year with no news of his wife. Refusing to let her go, Marc embarks on a journey to find answers and, hopefully, his wife. But does he really want to know his wife’s secrets? Where is Alex? Better yet, who is Alex? Exhibit Alexandra is a beautifully written novel with an original twist (and twisted) ending. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I really like how Natasha Bell uses the character’s profession to further the development of the plot. Natasha Bell describes some real artists and controversial works of art, a discussion I found interesting and thought provoking. Exhibit Alexandra left me unsettled, fascinated, and unable to walk away until I had consumed every word. Exhibit Alexandra is an addictive tale that I highly recommend you try. Brandi
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All-American Murder: The Rise and Fall of Aaron Hernandez, the Superstar Whose Life Ended on Murderers' Rowby James Patterson All-American Murder is about the rise and fall of pro football player Aaron Hernandez. Aaron had everything going for him. He had a huge contract with the New England Patriots and even played in the Super Bowl. In 2013, his career ended when he was charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd. All-American Murder details Aaron’s early life, life in the NFL, and his untimely death. Patterson, along with coauthors Alex Abramvich and Mike Harvkey, bring readers an interesting, easy read. I love reading true crime and would highly recommend this one! Shannon
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If I Runby Terri Blackstock Casey Cox is Shreveport Police Department’s primary suspect in the investigated murder of her friend, Brent Pace. She insists she did not murder Brent and fights to escape the wrongdoings of someone else. Former military officer Dylan Roberts is hired by Brent’s family to find Casey. Dylan’s tumultuous journey leads him to alarming evidence that changes his perspective during his search. Terri Blackstock is an inspirational author who writes about people in danger. In spite of the challenges people face, her novels offer hope and remind readers that there is purpose in trials. If I Run, Blackstock’s latest series, involves her well known writing style. I like how clever Casey becomes while staying clear from the police. Her tenacious ways starts a trusting friendship with Dylan and prohibits injustice from going unrecognized. After reading these suspense driven thrillers, I was left with a greater appreciation for heroines. Bernadette
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Sometimes I Lieby Alice Feeney Meet Amber Reynolds. She is 35 years old, she is married to Paul, she has a bad case of OCD, she works at a morning radio show, and she has a tendency to recite nursery rhymes in her head when her mind wanders. Oh yeah, she’s also in a coma and nobody seems to know how she got there...not her sister, not her parents, not her husband, and not the man who has mysteriously appeared from her past. Alice Feeney’s debut novel was everything I expected and more! Amber Reynolds is the ultimate unreliable narrator, and I knew that right from the beginning because she flat out states, “sometimes I lie.” However, I had no clue how the story was going to pan out. There were so many little twists interspersed throughout the novel and that really helped to build the suspense because everyone had something to hide. Then there were a handful of major revelations late in the book which I thoroughly enjoyed. Sure, they left me gaping and stuttering and re-reading like a fool but I absolutely did not mind being so utterly deceived. Sometimes I Lie more than lived up to its hype and I can’t wait to see what Alice Feeney writes next. Isabel
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The Broken Girlsby Simone St. JamesFiona Sheridan has never gotten over her older sisters murder. Though the killer was sentenced and has spent the last 20 years in prison, something about what happened still haunts her. When a mysterious benefactor begins to renovate the dilapidated girl’s home where her sister’s body was found, Fiona finds herself pulled into an investigation that shines light both on her sister’s murder and on a mysterious death that occurred on the grounds 60 years prior. And surrounding all of this is Mary Hand. A specter that has been seen wandering the forests around the home since its establishment in 1919. This was a fabulous read with a slightly gothic feel and a contemporary heroine. Themes of friendship, loyalty and justice are threaded throughout the plot alongside mild shivers from the ghost story and cold case murder elements. The author deftly handles all these pieces without ever losing the reader and neatly wraps up all the ends by the close of the novel. A must read for mystery fans.
Rebecca
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All the Names They Used for God: Storiesby Anjali Sachdeva A young woman who strikes fear into the hearts of many due to her albinism finds and dwells in a deep cave. Aliens land in the world and are okay with humans, but their spores can kill people, so the Masters have all human hands replaced by metal tines. John Milton struggles mightily to create his magnum opus through his blindness, aided by an angelic muse. A man inhales the just-invented first shards of fiberglass during an explosion, leaving him and his daughter at the mercy of her boss, an archaeologist with a grand idea. Old Bob is replaced by New Robert, and New Robert’s motto, say yes to everything, leads him on a wild, unplanned trip to Glacier National Park with an equally wild, unplanning woman. And two girls abducted by Boko Haram find their revenge through unconventional means. Hope, optimism and magical realism overflow from Anjali Sachdeva’s collection of short stories, All the Names They Used for God, and the combination makes for some of the best short stories I’ve read in a long time. Sachdeva’s spectrum of stories, which crosses continents and time periods, puts me in the mind of George Saunders’s Tenth of December, and Sachdeva’s collection is just as strong. There is no weak point, and the final story, “Pleiades”, in which a set of genetically engineered septuplets starts dying, until only one remains, packs a particularly powerful ending, both in the story itself and as a finale to the collection. All the Names They Used for God is required reading for short story fans. Jess
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The likeness by Tana French "I’ll never be free of her. I wear her face; as I get older it’ll stay her changing mirror, the one glimpse of all the ages she never had. I lived her life, for a few strange bright weeks; her blood went into making me what I am, the same way it went to make the bluebells and the hawthorn tree."While this book is technically a sequel to In the Woods, it actually takes place a few months before that story comes to a conclusion and can technically be read as a standalone or out of order. The setup is slightly far-fetched. A girl using Cassie's previous undercover alias -Lexie Madison- is found dead, and the police have absolutely no leads on who did it. So Cassie decides to go back undercover as Lexie again and see if she can find any leads from the inside. The only problem is, Lexie's life now revolves around an incestuously tight-knit group of friends. While the group is fiercely loyal and supportive of each other, it becomes clear straight away that something is off - but does that mean one of them is the killer?
Despite the unrealistic premise, it absolutely works. Each of characters has enough strength on their own to carry the story, but they work together well enough to make anything believable. The Likeness is just as much of a psychological novel as it is a mystery - Cassie's struggle to stay under cover and the dissolution of her state of mind are just as important as the actual murder investigation. Throughout, French expertly details the mental effects of a criminal investigation on the detectives involved. We watch as Cassie becomes consumed by the case, becoming more and more involved on a personal level. We watch her struggle to remain objective and not think of these people as her friends.
While I didn't think it was possible to be completely spellbound and enraptured by a mystery novel I absolutely was. French has a way of writing evocative, deeply psychological prose that just gets in your head and your bones and sucks you in. You get to know the characters thoughts and feelings inside and out with the same intimacy as you'd know your best friend. By the end of this book, I had to take a minute and remember that Cassie Maddox is actually a fictional character, because I felt like I knew her. I honestly can't think of another writer that can do this to the same effect. Taylor
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Black Panther The Marvel movie magic continues with Black Panther, which tells the story of King T’Challa and his rise to power in the Kingdom of Wakanda, a secret, technologically-advanced nation. Viewers first met T’Challa in the film Captain America: Civil War when he was seeking revenge against Bucky Barnes (aka The Winter Soldier) for his father’s death. In Black Panther, T’Challa returns to Wakanda in order to claim his father’s throne. To the outside world, Wakanda seems like an ordinary third-world country. On the inside, however, it is flowing with a beauty and richness that is unparalleled. Oh yeah…it also houses Vibranium, a powerful metal that absorbs vibrations and kinetic energy to become stronger and unbreakable. It’s what the Wakandans use to create and use their advanced technology, including T’Challa’s sleek and impenetrable suit. As you can imagine, the Vibranium makes Wakanda a very desirable place to rule; thus, King T’Challa faces both internal and external forces as he tries to keep his country from falling into the wrong hands. With a DVD/Blu-ray release date set for May 15th, Black Panther is set to claw its way into your home…much like it clawed its way to the top of the box office earlier this year. At once a powerful story about family, a commentary on racial divides, and a breathtaking film-viewing experience, Black Panther is one of the best Marvel films I’ve seen. Make sure you reserve your copy today or make plans to come to our Friday Flicks @ 6 viewing on June 1st. Whatever you do, don’t go watch the new Avengers: Infinity War movie without having seen this first! Isabel
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Con Air When Army Ranger Cameron Poe accidentally kills a guy who’s going after his pregnant wife, he’s shipped off to the locker for eight long years. While his daughter grows up without him, Poe keeps in touch, writing letters to the little girl and promising her he’ll be there for her eighth birthday. Poe’s paroled the day before his daughter’s big day, and he’s ready to go home. The only thing standing in his way is a bunch of dangerous convicts on a plane that have just killed the pilot and entrapped all the security guards. What ensues is a wild ride across southern California, through Death Valley and onward to Las Vegas, where the convicts are planning to disappear forever. But if anyone can handle this mess, it’s Cameron Poe. Before I go on to the positives--can we talk about Nicolas Cage’s accent in Con Air? It’s half southern, half Ted Kennedy. Yikes. But to look beyond the apparent lack of a dialect coach on set, Con Air is packed with all the hallmarks of a classic action movie: convicts, explosions, airplanes, crazy people, and one massive chase scene on the Las Vegas Strip. The cast of convicts include big star power: Danny Trejo, Dave Chappelle, Ving Rhames, John Malkovich, and Steve Buscemi all bring it as the baddest of the bad. Con Air may not have won any Oscars, but who cares? On my list of thoroughly entertaining action movies, Con Air is up there with Die Hard.
Jess
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Wonder Wonder is an inspiring film based on the bestselling novel by R.J. Palacio. 11 year old Auggie Pullman was born with a facial deformity and makes the brave decision to attend school for the first time. Auggie is teased and bullied but ends up teaching everyone a powerful lesson in the importance of kindness and acceptance. Wonder is a fantastic film starring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson, who gave an amazing performance as Auggie’s parents. Definitely a must see for the whole family! Shannon
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After a storms destructive occurrence, a mist forms sending locals to the nearest grocery store to begin necessary repairs. Everyone is talking about the storm’s devastating aftermath when police cars and fire trucks go speeding down the highway. Suddenly, a man comes running inside the store yelling, “There’s something in the mist!” creating a terrifying disturbance and a heartrending ending. What’s beyond the mist is unimaginable. Denial, disbelief, and utter confusion have transfixed upon those who are trapped inside the store. Death is slowly approaching the people and the fear of not knowing what is in the mist has kept me interested in this strange phenomenon, because once you go outside, you don’t return…well…that’s what the mist leads you to believe.
Bernadette
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Erased vol. 1by Kei SanbeSatoru is twenty-eight years old with an uneventful life and an average job. Yet Satoru’s normal life suddenly changes when one day he experiences a strange phenomenon. In this phenomenon he goes back in time several minutes and relives the same moment again. Satoru soon learns that every time he experiences this time travel something tragic is about to happen. He also realizes that by spotting what is out of place when he is reliving these moments he can stop the tragedies from ever happening. Even with this strange gift Satoru manages to live a normal life until one day he cannot find out what what is wrong during one of his episodes, and the result is horrific. After work he arrives home to find his mother stabbed to death. Not only that, but he has been framed for her murder. However, when all seems lost he experiences another time reversal. Except this time is different, instead of going back several minutes in time he finds himself back in elementary school right before the murders of two of his classmates. His conclusion? The man that murdered his classmates is the same man that murdered his mother, and if he can solve these murders he just might be able to save her. If you are a fan of graphic novels or manga this book could easily be a new favorite. On the other hand if you have never read anything remotely like a graphic novel, much less a manga, than this is a great book to get your feet wet. The reason I think it can appeal to any kind of reader is because the story is able to evoke in its readers a great plethora of emotions while still remaining fluid and fast paced. It is the type of book that was able to make me feel horror, humor, sympathy, excitement, empathy and ultimately, and most importantly, satisfaction, and any story that is able to do that deserves a recommendation. Seth
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Norman and Brendaby Colin Thompson Norman and Brenda are about as plain and ordinary as you can get. They both have jobs, but neither of them have friends, acquaintances, or really anyone else to keep them company. So, they go about their humdrum lives being bored, lonely, and generally unhappy. As the years go by, they each wonder if and when things will get better for them. Will the stars ever align for Norman and Brenda? By now you’re probably thinking Norman and Brenda sounds like the most depressing book ever, but I promise you that is not the case; it’s a deceptively miserable little book! Since Norman and Brenda lead such parallel lives with similar thoughts, feelings, and actions, it is quite comical that they repeatedly miss bumping into one another. With its positive overall message, quirky illustrations, and over-the-top circumstances, what’s not to love about Norman and Brenda? Isabel
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The Underwater Welderby Jeff Lemire Jack Joseph has a job welding pipes for an oil rig off the coast of Nova Scotia. Life is great – good job, baby on the way – but Jack is haunted by the disappearance twenty years ago of his father, who went diving on Halloween night and never returned. The approach of Halloween draws Jack into a quest to uncover the mysteries of his past before he can fully embrace his future. This is exactly what I want from a graphic novel! A brilliant story, characters with depth, and mesmerizing art that captures the mood of the story and the character’s feelings. Jeff Lemire is a master storyteller and his greatest talent lies in creating tales that emotionally invest his readers. The Twilight Zone vibe of this graphic novel will have you hooked from the first page. Brandi
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The FallStella, a senior detective with the London Police Force, is brought over to Belfast to oversee the investigation of a local murder. From the very get-go we, the audience, are aware of the identity of the killer, Paul, who turns into a serial killer. So the intrigue of this show isn’t the whodunit, it’s the prolonged cat-and-mouse game between Paul and Stella; and it’s more than fair to say that both are obsessed with each other. With lots of twists and turns and constantly wondering if Paul will pay for his sins, this series kept me engaged the whole time. And what I really enjoyed most was how you can tell the writers want you to see how Stella and Paul are actually not so different from each other. There is a lot to unpack here psychologically speaking. A fascinating drama.
Crystal
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It has been a long time since I listened to an entire album from start to finish, but with Vance Joy’s sophomore album, Nation of Two, it was honestly quite a pleasure. The artist, best known for the breakout hit “Riptide,” has created a warm album with an overall soothing tone and thoughtful lyrics. The biggest hit off Nation of Two is “Lay It On Me,” but even though that’s the only song I knew going into it, I have to admit that I now enjoy each of the tracks. You know that feeling you get when a song ends and you know exactly what is going to come on next? I have that feeling every time I listen to this CD on the car stereo. My personal favorite song off this album is “Like Gold,” which is a love song about an old flame. The sound is super catchy despite the lyrics reading a bit more on the somber side. I also quite enjoy “Take Your Time,” which starts out with striking lyrics: “There’s an ocean inside my head; waves that don’t ever rest.” I don’t have anything negative to say about Nation of Two; it is simply music to my ears. Isabel
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