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All the staff favorites published in 2020 |
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Battle ground: a novel of the Dresden files
by Jim Butcher
When the Last Titan, a being more dangerous than anything humanity has faced in a millennium, declares war on the city of Chicago, professional wizard Harry Dresden embarks on a defense that permanently transforms the mortal world.
The Dresden Files reaches 17 books with this latest release - and after that much story, readers may feel like the story was ready to be finished. Rather, the events of this installment have, once again, dramatically shifted the ground of this universe. in terrible and intriguing ways. Hopefully it won't be five years before we get the 18th book. -Kyle, Library Headquarters
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Deacon King Kong: A Novel
by James McBride
In the aftermath of a 1969 Brooklyn church deacon’s public shooting of a local drug dealer, the community’s African-American and Latinx witnesses find unexpected support from each other when they are targeted by violent mobsters.
Very entertaining and authentic. -Library staff member
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The empire of gold
by S. A. Chakraborty
In the final installment in the critically acclaimed trilogy, Nahri and Ali are determined to save both their city and their loved ones, but when Ali seeks support in his mother’s homeland, he makes a discovery that threatens not only his relationship with Nahri, but his very faith.
The Empire of Gold was an excellent ending to the trilogy by S. A. Chakraborty. -Adriel, Sebastopol Regional Library
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Piranesi
by Susanna Clarke
Living in a labyrinthine house of endless corridors, flooded staircases and thousands of statues, Piranesi assists the dreamlike dwelling’s only other resident throughout a mysterious research project before evidence emerges of an astonishing alternate world.
The beautiful prose, unique fantasy world, and the kind and curious narrator made this novel a fantastic escape from 2020. It would be great for book groups because there's so much in it to talk about. I'm still thinking about it, long after I finished reading it, and I bought copies for everyone for Christmas. -Katie, Library Headquarters
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The only good Indians: a novel
by Stephen Graham Jones
Four American Indian men, who shared a disturbing event during their youth, are hunted down years later by an entity bent on revenge that forces them to revisit the culture and traditions they left behind.
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The lying life of adults
by Elena Ferrante
The best-selling author of My Brilliant Friend presents the story of an Italian teen who searches for a sense of identity and clear perspectives when she finds herself torn between the refinements and excesses of a divided Naples.
The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante because it is beautiful, harsh, honest, and an ultimate page turner! - Courtney, Sebastopol Regional Library
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Ready player two: a novel
by Ernest Cline
A 1980s cultural assessment of the fantastical future of online behavior continues the story that began in the internationally best-selling futuristic novel, Ready Player One, that inspired a blockbuster Steven Spielberg film.
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All the devils are here
by Louise Penny
Horrified when his billionaire godfather is targeted in a near-fatal accident, Chief Inspector Gamache follows clues deep within the Paris Archives to uncover gruesome, decades-old secrets.
This is the only book I purchased for myself this year; and then waited to open it at the zoom launch party with Louise Penny. It was well worth the wait and became one of those books that one wants to read and yet never finish. Set in Paris rather than her beloved Three Pines, the details of the city, the complications of the mystery, and the relationships of the characters reinforce the true feelings of home, family, and connection. -Connie, Petaluma History Room
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Convenience store woman
by Sayaka Murata
A Japanese woman who has been working at a convenience store for 18 years, much to the disappointment of her family, finds friendship with an alienated, cynical and bitter young man who becomes her coworker.
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The death of Vivek Oji
by Akwaeke Emezi
In the wake of a southeastern Nigerian mother's discovery of her son's body on her doorstep, a family struggles to understand the enigmatic nature of a youth shaped by disorienting blackouts, diverse friendships and a cousin's worldly influence.
Freshwater (also by Emezi) was my favorite book of 2018 and their follow up did not disappoint! Emezi is a brilliant writer and storyteller. I will read anything they write! -Terra, Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library
Emezi is a powerful force in fiction right now. If you haven't read anything by them, make 2021 the year that you do! -Joy, Sebastopol Regional Library
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Beheld: a novel
by TaraShea Nesbit
The best-selling author of The Wives of Los Alamos retraces the story of the Pilgrims from the perspectives of the rebel Billington family, whose disputes with Puritan neighbors under the influence of a newcomer escalate into Plymouth’s first murder.
A fictionalized depiction of Plymouth colony’s early years as told from the perspective of outsiders. In this supposed paradise, women, serfs, and Native Americans are observers of the religious and political hypocrisies of town leaders. -Allison, Healdsburg Regional Library
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Troubles in paradise: a novel
by Elin Hilderbrand
As drama unfolds around her and her family after the death of her husband, who was leading a double life, Irene Steele gets some help from a mysterious source and a new beginning in the paradise of St. John after the truth is finally revealed.
It is the conclusion to a trilogy and is quite fun to read. -Library staff member
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The mercies: a novel
by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
In Finnmark, Norway, 1617, after 40 fishermen are drowned in the sea, the women of the tiny Arctic town of Vardo must fend for themselves especially when a sinister figure arrives, bringing with him a mighty evil that threatens their very existence.
Beautiful, compelling, I don't even like historical fiction and I was hooked from the first page. -Emma, Petaluma Regional Library
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Troubled blood
by Robert Galbraith
While visiting his family in Cornwall, Private Detective Cormoran Strike agrees to take on a cold case involving a woman who went missing in mysterious circumstances in 1974, and as Strike and his partner in the agency, Robin Ellacott, investigate the disappearance, they come up against a fiendishly complex case with leads that include tarot cards, a psychopathic serial killer, and witnesses who cannot all be trusted.
Latest in her adult mystery series - a great mystery, adds depths to the characters, continues the storyline. -Kim, Northwest Santa Rosa Library
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Hamnet: a novel of the plague
by Maggie O'Farrell
The award-winning author of I Am, I Am, I Am presents the evocative story of a young Shakespeare’s marriage to a talented herbalist before the ravaging death of their 11-year-old son shapes the production of his greatest play.
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Squeeze me
by Carl Hiaasen
When a high-society dowager murdered at the height of Palm Beach’s charity gala season is declared a political martyr by the colorful President she supported, a talented wildlife wrangler uncovers the truth amid the discovery of a controversial affair.
Fun to have something light and funny in this scary time. He always makes me laugh out loud! -Nancy, Northwest Santa Rosa Library
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The glass hotel
by Emily St. John Mandel
The award-winning author of Station Eleven presents a tale of crisis and survival in the hidden landscapes of homeless campgrounds, luxury hotels, private clubs and federal prisons, where a massive Ponzi scheme is tied to a woman’s disappearance at sea.
Excellent characters and story telling. -Angela, Library headquarters
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The house in the cerulean sea
by TJ Klune
Given a curious classified assignment to evaluate the potential risks posed by six supernatural orphans, a case worker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth bonds with an enigmatic caregiver who hides dangerous secrets.
A feel-good fantasy title with an adorable romance. -Stuart, Guerneville Regional Library
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Who speaks for the damned
by C. S Harris
Drawn into the investigation of a disowned nobleman’s death amid the disappearance of a mysterious young boy, Sebastian St. Cyr pieces together clues about the boy’s identity and the victim’s high-risk decision to return home.
A dark historical mystery that is complex and satisfying to its end.
-Library staff member, Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library
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American dirt
by Jeanine Cummins
Selling two favorite books to an unexpectedly erudite drug-cartel boss, a bookstore manager is forced to flee Mexico in the wake of her journalist husband’s tell-all profile and finds her family among thousands of migrants seeking hope in America.
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A long petal of the sea: a novel
by Isabel Allende
Sponsored by the poet Pablo Neruda to flee the violence of the Spanish Civil War, a pregnant widow and an army doctor unite in an arranged marriage only to be swept up by the early days of World War II.
A historical novel that mirrors our contemporary treatment of immigrants, and how things could be if we had compassionate leaders like Salvador Allende and Pablo Neruda. -Catherine, Northwest Santa Rosa Library
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Hood feminism: notes from the women that a movement forgot
by Mikki Kendall
An award-winning writer and frequent guest speaker presents a compelling critique of today’s black feminist movement that argues that modern activism needs to refocus on health care, education and safety for all women instead of a privileged few.
Hood Feminism, Mikki Kendall was a refreshing, real take on the importance of intersectional feminism. -Adriel, Sebastopol Regional Library
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Why we swim
by Bonnie Tsui
Sharing stories of Olympic champions, a Baghdad swim club, and modern-day Japanese samurai swimmers, a New York Times contributor investigates what about water—despite its dangers—draws us to it time and time again.
A winning combination of history, adventure, science, anthropology, sociology, sports, memoir and meditation. -Library staff member
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One life
by Megan Rapinoe
The Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women’s World Cup champion describes her childhood in a conservative California town, her athletic achievements and her public advocacy of civil rights and urgently needed social change.
Even though I'm not a normally sports fan (or a memoir fan), Rapinoe's was an uplifting, conversational read as well as an urgent call to action on social justice issues. -Katie, Library Headquarters
She's a Redding, CA native. It reads like a conversation with her. She is one of the most fascinating people out there right now.Her experience of coming out vs. taking a knee is astounding. The reader will be a better person for reading this book. -Library staff member
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Our house is on fire: scenes of a family and a planet in crisis
by Greta Thunberg
Written by a remarkable family and told through the voice of an iconoclastic mother, Our House Is on Fire is the story of how they fought their problems at home by taking global action. And it is the story of how Greta decided to go on strike from school, igniting a worldwide rebellion.
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Me and white supremacy: combat racism, change the world, and become a good ancestor
by Layla F Saad
The host of the “Good Ancestor” podcast presents an updated and expanded edition of the Instagram challenge that launched a cultural movement about taking responsibility for first-person racism to stop unconsciously inflicting pain on others.
I love that this book calls on white readers to do the deep, and often uncomfortable, work of addressing their own white privilege. It is unflinching and direct but also inviting. -Terra, Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library
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Hidden Valley Road: inside the mind of an American family
by Robert Kolker
Tells the heartrending story of a midcentury American family with 12 children, 6 of them diagnosed with schizophrenia, that became science’s great hope in the quest to understand the disease.
A riveting, hard-to-put-down book about mental illness, family secrets, and forgiveness. -Allison, Healdsburg Regional Library
This is a story about a family of 12 and six of the ten (all boys), one after the other, were diagnosed as schizophrenic. It was riveting! -Lara, Northwest Santa Rosa Library
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The meaning of Mariah Carey
by Mariah Carey
Global icon, award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, actress, mother, daughter, sister, storyteller, and artist Mariah Carey finally tells the unfiltered story of her life.
A brilliant and surprising memoir by someone often dismissed as a pop diva who’s struggled with her mental health. Carey details a painful childhood and how she broke free from a dysfunctional family to live out her singular vision of becoming a world-famous singer and songwriter.
-Allison, Healdsburg Regional Library
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How Yiddish changed America and how America changed Yiddish
by Ilan Stavans
An anthology about the history of the Yiddish language and its cultural influence in America contains contributions from luminaries such Michael Chabon, Art Spiegelman and Sophie Tucker.
Really fantastic anthology on a niche subject. -Emma, Petaluma Regional Library
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A promised land
by Barack Obama
A deeply personal account of history in the making—from the president who inspired us to believe in the power of democracy.
This was an interesting companion to Michelle Obama's Becoming. The details of his Presidential race and the early days of his Presidency is amazing. -Library staff member
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Breath: the new science of a lost art
by James Nestor
Drawing on thousands of years of medical texts and recent cutting-edge studies in pulmonology, psychology, biochemistry, and human physiology, Breath turns the conventional wisdom of what we thought we knew about our most basic biological function on its head. You will never breathe the same again.
I like his writing. He does his research and tests what he reports. Very engaging, well researched with lots of notes to explore further. -Nancy, Northwest Santa Rosa Library
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Homie: poems
by Danez Smith
Homie is Danez Smith's magnificent anthem about the saving grace of friendship. Rooted in the loss of one of Smith's close friends, this book comes out of the search for joy and intimacy within a nation where both can seem scarce and getting scarcer. In poems of rare power and generosity, Smith acknowledges that in a country overrun by violence, xenophobia, and disparity, and in a body defined by race, queerness, and diagnosis, it can be hard to survive, even harder to remember reasons for living. But then the phone lights up, or a shout comes up to the window, and family--blood and chosen--arrives with just the right food and some redemption. Part friendship diary, part bright elegy, part war cry, Homie is the exuberant new book written for Danez and for Danez's friends and for you and for yours.
Poetry by a BIPOC queer author. Powerful stuff! -Stuart, Guerneville Regional Library
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The autobiography of Alice B. Toklas
by Gertrude Stein
Originally published in 1933, this new illustrated edition, perfect for a new generation of readers, of Gertrude Stein’s most well-known work brings the glittering Parisian world to life, celebrating both Stein and Toklas in vivid color. Illustrations by Maira Kalman.
It's fun and very readable and the illustrations by Maira Kalman are terrific! -Kathleen, Guerneville Regional Library
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Transformer
by Kathleen Winter
The latest full-length poetry collection by local poet Kathleen Winter is full of beautiful, insightful pieces. -Rebecca, Central Santa Rosa Library
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Frida in America: the creative awakening of a great artist
by Celia Stahr
Describes the years the Mexican artist spent in America beginning in 1930 with her new, older, and already world-famous husband, Diego Rivera, and the impact living in diverse cities of San Francisco, Detroit and New York had on her painting.
In 1930, Frida Kahlo newly married to Diego Rivera began a three-year stay in the United States where Diego had mural commissions in San Francisco, New York, and Detroit. While living in San Francisco, Kahlo picked up a new visual language while straddling two cultures, employing indigenous people and alchemical symbols in her portraits. After seeing the “magical” home of botanist and horticulturist Luther Burbank, she added surreal touches to her work and painted a portrait of Burbank postmortem. Stahr, art professor at University of San Francisco, has given us a glimpse into our local history we might have otherwise forgotten. We even have a photograph of this visit in our library collection. -Vandy, Library headquarters
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Shit, actually: the definitive, 100% objective guide to modern cinema
by Lindy West
The best-selling author of Shrill reexamines iconic movies from the past 40 years to identify laugh-worthy plot holes and fictional misrepresentations in such esteemed blockbusters as Forrest Gump, The Lion King and Top Gun.
This year was stressful and it was hard to focus on anything to heavy or serious, therefore this deeply sarcastic and hilarious collection of film reviews was perfect. -Joy, Sebastopol Regional Library
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In Bibi's kitchen: the recipes & stories of grandmothers from the eight African countries that touch the Indian Ocean
by Hawa Hassan
The best-selling cookbook author of Feed the Resistance teams up with the founder and CEO of a company that makes condiments inspired by Somalia to present seventy-five recipes and stories gathered from grandmothers of eight African nations.
This beautiful cookbook celebrates the voices, stories, kitchens and recipes of home cooks throughout East Africa. It highlights the varied cultures, joys and opportunities of different countries and regions, going beyond the headlines and generalities that comprise typical knowledge of this part of the world. The book's gorgeous photography shows off kitchens, cooks, ingredients, techniques and landscapes. To top it all off, the 75 recipes represent great everyday dishes, practical and uncomplicated for home cooking, even in American kitchens--but utterly delicious and nourishing. -Library staff member
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Too much and never enough: how my family created the world's most dangerous man
by Mary L. Trump
In this revelatory, authoritative portrait of Donald J. Trump and the toxic family that made him, Mary L. Trump, a trained clinical psychologist and Donald's only niece, shines a bright light on the dark history of their family in order to explain how her uncle became the man who now threatens the world's health, economic security, and social fabric.
An enlightening look into what makes Donald Trump tick. It makes his actions (while not acceptable) a little more understandable. -Library staff member
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Calder: the conquest of space: the later years: 1940-1976
by Jed Perl
The concluding volume of the first authorized biography of one of the most important, influential, and beloved of 20th century sculptors, and one of the greatest artists in the cultural history of America--a vividly written, illuminating account of his triumphant later years.
Art History and Aesthetics are important topics. This book is well written and includes quite a bit of general history and ideas. It is long and detailed, which is great. -Library staff member
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You ought to do a story about me : addiction, an unlikely friendship, and the endless quest for redemption
by Ted Jackson
Documents the photojournalist author's 30-year friendship with former NFL star Jackie Wallace, describing the losses and addiction that led the three-time Super Bowl star to homelessness on the streets of New Orleans.
Because Jackie Wallace doesn’t have a Wikipedia page but he should. His story should not be lost to addiction and time.This book is an engrossing saga about a bond between two men over time with a friendship that spans all their differences. -Library staff member
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Class act
by Jerry Craft
Eighth grader Drew Ellis recognizes that he isn't afforded the same opportunities, no matter how hard he works, that his privileged classmates at the Riverdale Academy Day School take for granted, and to make matters worse, Drew begins to feel as if his good friend Liam might be one of those privileged kids and is finding it hard not to withdraw, even as their mutual friend Jordan tries to keep their group of friends together.
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Snapdragon
by Kat Leyh
Befriending an eccentric but savvy older woman who suggests that they help each other while raising a litter of orphaned baby opossums, a young girl discovers that the woman may possess real magic and a possible connection to her family.
Kat Leyh balanced unusual characters and interesting storyline. -Adriel, Sebastopol Regional Library
This is a perfect book! It has witches, animal spirits, rekindled romance and kids getting excited about learning. -Joy, Sebastopol Regional Library
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The low, low woods
by Carmen Maria Machado
When your memories are stolen, what would you give to remember? Follow El and Vee as they search for answers to the questions everyone else forgot. Shudder-to-Think, Pennsylvania, is plagued by a mysterious illness that eats away at the memories of those affected by it. El and Octavia are two best friends who find themselves the newest victims of this disease after waking up in a movie theater with no memory of the past few hours. As El and Vee dive deeper into the mystery behind their lost memories, they realize the stories of their town hold more dark truth than they could've imagined. It's up to El and Vee to keep their town from falling apart...to keep the world safe from Shudder-to-Think's monsters.
This book was creepy on just the right level to get my spooky going for October. It was well-written with an interesting plot and a twist I did not see coming. -Jovanna, Adult Literacy Program
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The Inkberg Enigma
by Jonathan King
Miro and Zia live in Aurora, a fishing town nestled in the shadow of a mysterious castle. Miro lives in the world of books; Zia is never without her camera. The they meet, they stumble upon a secret. With Zia determined to discover more, a reluctant Miro is pulled into a real-life adventure.
A really fun kids adventure-mystery, it's kind of a modern Nancy Drew.
-Katie, Library headquarters
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Wonder Woman: tempest tossed
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Princess Diana of Themyscira's 16th birthday celebrations are cut short when refugees break through to her island home and she defies her Amazon elders by trying to bring the outsiders to safety, but a stormy sea sweeps her away to where she must learn to survive in a foreign world full of danger and injustice.
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Long way down: the graphic novel
by Jason Reynolds
As Will, fifteen, sets out to avenge his brother Shawn's fatal shooting, seven ghosts who knew Shawn board the elevator and reveal truths Will needs to know.
Stunning, haunting, heartbreaking. -Terra, Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library
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Kent State: four dead in Ohio
by Derf Backderf
A commemorative 50th anniversary graphic-novel account of the May 4, 1970 shootings of Vietnam War college student protesters by the Ohio National Guard draws on in-depth interviews to profile the tragedy’s four victims.
A timely examination of the events surrounding the Kent State massacre. The graphic novel format, along with Backderf’s extensive research, bring clarity and empathy to the shooting. -Allison, Healdsburg Regional Library
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Heartstopper. Volume 1
by Alice Oseman
A heartwarming celebration of friendship, first love and coming out follows the unlikely relationship between a shy teen and a popular rugby player who become more than friends while navigating the ups and downs of high school.
A heartwarming and complicated romance between two teenage boys.
-Stuart, Guerneville Regional Library
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Crows: genius birds
by Kyla Vanderklugt
Presents information about the intelligence of crows, with examples including how they can solve simple problems, make their own tools, and have complex social lives.
This is one of my fav series for late elementary-middle school youth. And I love crows!! -Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library staff member
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Blue Period 1
by Tsubasa Yamaguchi
Yatora is the perfect high school student, with good grades and lots of friends. It's an effortless performance, and, ultimately...a dull one. But he wanders into the art room one day, and a lone painting captures his eye, awakening him to a kind of beauty he never knew. Compelled and consumed, he dives in headfirst--and he's about to learn how savage and unforgiving art can be....
Teen manga, it was....so good. Not your regular action manga, it is very deep! -Library staff member
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Unstoppable
by Adam Rex
Teaming up with a crab friend after narrowly escaping a cat, a bird is joined by an increasing number of animals that lend their respective strengths to an effort to prevent humans from destroying their forest. By the author of The True Meaning of Smekday.
So silly and great pictures. Perfect for a read-aloud. -Library staff member
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Black is a rainbow color
by Angela Joy
A child reflects on the meaning of being Black in this anthem about a people, a culture, a history, and a legacy that lives on.
Black is a Rainbow Color, Angela Joy was a book that told history with a gentle touch, taught inclusivity with black pride, and had warm, life affirming art. -Adriel, Sebastopol Regional Library
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Feathered serpent and the five suns: a Mesoamerican creation myth
by Duncan Tonatiuh
This pre-Columbian creation myth tells the story of Quetzalcoatl, one of the most important deities in ancient Mesoamerica, and his quest to create humankind.
I love Tonatiuh's signature style, and his version of this creation story is very fun and fascinating. -Katie, Library headquarters
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Julián at the wedding
by Jessica Love
The heroic young star from Julián Is a Mermaid bonds with a lively new friend during a family wedding filled with flowers, cake, dancing and kissing that reveals the power of friendship in the face of unexpected challenges.
The words and illustrations are GORGEOUS, and it smashes barriers. -Courtney, Sebastopol Regional Library
I loved the previous "Julian" book as well, and the illustrations! -Library staff member
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Prairie days
by Patricia MacLachlan
Inspired by the Newbery Medalist’s prairie youth, a nostalgic storybook combines MacLachlan’s signature sparse text with vibrant artwork by the illustrator of Lola’s Fandango to depict the earth-rich, star-quilted experiences of prairie farm and town life.
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There Must Be More Than That!
by Shinsuke Yoshitake
The award-winning creator of The Boring Book presents a gift-appropriate, uplifting story about perspective that shares timely, empowering messages about choosing one’s own future, overcoming anxiety and wading past the bad to embrace the possibility of good.
Cute artwork, very topical: kids don't have to limit their imagination to the choices adults offer them. Empowering. -Kim, Northwest Santa Rosa Library
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Papa, Daddy, & Riley
by Seamus Kirst
A little girl who loves both of her fathers wonders why she has to choose when a classmate asks her which of her dads is the real one, in a heartwarming tale that explains how families are made of love and that there are many ways to be part of one.
A multiracial queer family in a picture book is an automatic win! -Stuart, Guerneville Regional Library
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The old truck
by Jarrett Pumphrey
A resilient and steadfast old pickup truck works tirelessly alongside the members of a bustling farm, becoming part of the dreams and ambitions of a human family’s hardworking young daughter.
This picture book shows a determined little girl with the drive, ambition, and persistence to learn/dream of how to do unconventional jobs for females with her old red truck. When she grows up she succeeds in at least one! -Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library staff member
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Vamos! Let's go eat!
by Raúl the Third
A follow-up to ¡Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market finds Little Lobo excitedly attending a show starring his favorite wrestling champion before enjoying some of the delicious options being served from nearby food trucks.
Culturally relevant, creative, and interesting. -Library staff member
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All because you matter
by Tami Charles
A lyrical, heart-lifting love letter to Black and Brown children everywhere reminds them how much they matter, that they have always mattered and they always will.
The beautiful illustrations and ever perfect message make this book great for every kid to read and absorb. -Joy, Sebastopol Regional Library
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If you come to Earth
by Sophie Blackall
In this picture book, a boy writes a letter to an imagined alien, explaining all the things he will need to know about Earth and the people who live here--and adding a postscript asking what the alien might look like.
Beautifully illustrated. -Library staff member
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Max & Ruby and the Babysitting Squad
by Rosemary Wells
Ruby and Louise hope to raise money for the Orphan Bunny Fund with their new Babysitting Squad business, but watching their first client, Percy Wardropper, proves to be a challenge.
She never fails to make me laugh. -Catherine, Northwest Santa Rosa Library
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From the desk of Zoe Washington
by Janae Marks
Receiving an unexpected letter on her 12th birthday from the incarcerated father she has never met, a courageous young baker prepares for a cooking-show competition while scrambling to determine her father’s innocence.
Topical. Presents current events (wrongful incarceration of black men) in a gentle way accessible to 12 year olds. This is a well written novel for kids from the point of view of Zoe, a black girl with a protective mother, who receives a letter from her father who is in prison and wants to get to know her. -Kim, Northwest Santa Rosa Library
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A wish in the dark
by Christina Soontornvat
Escaping from the prison where he was born, Pong discovers harrowing truths about the gap between the world’s privileged ruling class and impoverished laborers, while the prison warden’s daughter who is hunting him uncovers other daunting secrets.
This book was set in a unique magical world and discussed restorative justice and the power of forgiveness and the danger of facism, all while telling an attention grabbing story. -Adriel, Sebastopol Regional Library
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Dress coded
by Carrie Firestone
Fed up with sexist dress codes and unfair conduct standards at a school where girls’ bodies are considered a distraction, Molly starts a podcast to protest the school’s disciplinary inequality before her small rebellion swells into a full-blown empowerment revolution.
Extremely relatable situation and well-rounded characters. -Katie, Library headquarters
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The one and only Bob
by Katherine Applegate
A sequel to the Newbery Medal-winning The One and Only Ivan finds Bob, helped by friends Ivan and Ruby, searching for his lost sister on a journey that is dangerously complicated by an approaching hurricane.
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King and the dragonflies
by Kacen Callender
A 12-year-old boy spends days in the mystical Louisiana bayou to come to terms with a sibling’s sudden death, his grief-stricken family and the disappearance of his former best friend amid whispers about the latter’s sexual orientation.
Won the National Book Award. A powerful story about a young black man coming to terms with homophobia, racism, and violence in his community. -Stuart, Guerneville Regional Library
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Th3 brav5
by James Bird
Targeted by bullies for his escalating OCD, Collin is sent to live with his biological mother on an Ojibwe reservation where his differences are accepted and where he finds companionship in a physically challenged girl whose circumstances inspire Collin to make a difficult choice.
It is written about a youth who can't find his place until his father forces him to live with with his mother, whom he does not remember. She lives on a reservation in another state. Then he blossoms. Collins' struggles with OCD, school, and life change with the move, for the better. -Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library staff member
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Becoming Muhammad Ali: a novel
by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander
Fully authorized by and written in cooperation with the Muhammad Ali estate, two powerhouse authors come together to tell the inspiring story of Cassius Clay, the determined boy who would one day become Muhammed Ali, one of the greatest sports heroes of all time.
Accessible, humorous, informative look at "The Greatest." Likely to inspire readers to learn more about this influential man. -Library staff member
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The King of Jam Sandwiches
by Eric Walters
Thirteen-year-old Robbie leads a double life. It's just Robbie and his dad, but no one knows that his dad isn't like most parents. Sometimes he wakes Robbie up in the middle of the night to talk about dying. Sometimes he just leaves without telling Robbie where he's going. Once when Robbie was younger, he was gone for more than a week. Robbie was terrified of being left alone but even more scared of telling anyone in case he was put into foster care. No one can know. Until one day when Robbie has to show the tough new girl, Harmony, around school. Can Robbie's new friend be trusted to keep his secret?
Here is another one that really shows what life is like for a child unlike myself. A foster child and a boy whose father is mentally ill. How they cope and how they hide their troubles. Really touching. -Nancy, Northwest Santa Rosa Library
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Finish the fight: the brave and revolutionary women who fought for the right to vote
by Veronica Chambers
This exciting collaboration with the New York Times will reveal the untold stories of the diverse heroines who fought for the 19th amendment. On the 100th anniversary of the historic win for women's rights, it's time to celebrate the names and stories of the women whose courage helped change the fabric of America.
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Shirley Chisholm is a verb
by Veronica Chambers
A picture book biography celebrating the life and contributions of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman in Congress, who sought the Democratic nomination to be the president of the United States.
What an inspiring story! -Adriel, Sebastopol Regional Library
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Nonsense!: the curious story of Edward Gorey
by Lori Mortensen
Profiles the education and eccentric brilliance of writer and artist Edward Gorey, discussing the creative process that led to more than 100 children’s books and inspired a generation of creators, from Lemony Snicket to Tim Burton.
Illustrator Chloe Bristol did an amazing job capturing the mood and feel of Edward Gorey's art. My kid (who is usually bored by picture book bios) really enjoyed his life story as well. -Katie, Library headquarters
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On the horizon
by Lois Lowry
The two-time Newbery Medal-winning author of the Giver Quartet explores the human stories behind World War II’s Pearl Harbor attack and Hiroshima bombing to contemplate what victims share in common and the importance of bridging cultural divides.
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Resist!: peaceful acts that changed our world
by Diane Stanley
Complemented by striking artwork and rich supplementary materials, a collection of 21 brief, comprehensive essays introduces history-shaping activists who have used peaceful resistance and non-violent protests to be heard, from Harriet Tubman and Mohandas Gandhi to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Greta Thunberg.
This is nicely illustrated picture book that gives one-page biographies of people who spoke out, stood up for their rights and the rights of others, and made a difference. Stories from Harriet Tubman to Greta Thunberg run chronologically and include BIPOC, LGBTQ and international activists. Very accessible to young people. -Kim, Northwest Santa Rosa Library
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Your place in the universe
by Jason Chin
A non-fiction introduction to the massive scale of the known universe.
This book on our universe puts it in terms everyone can understand, from young children to adults. The distance comparisons are very well done and understandable for any age. -Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library staff member
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Marie's ocean: Marie Tharp maps the mountains under the sea
by Josie James
A mixed-format picture book biography of STEM pioneer Marie Tharp describes the conventions of the early 20th century that challenged her pursuit of an Earth Sciences degree and her history-shaping first scientific charting of the Atlantic Ocean floor.
Women in science! Inspiring and something/someone I didn't know anything about. -Library staff member
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Rainbow revolutionaries: 50 LGBTQ+ people who made history
by Sarah Prager
Infused with pop-culture references and complemented by dynamic artwork, a celebration of the lives of 50 LGBTQ+ historical contributors includes profiles of individuals ranging from Alexander the Great and Alan Turing to Harvey Milk and Ellen DeGeneres.
Sarah Prager is great at writing biographies for kids! This collection is bound to feature folks you haven't heard of, and the art is wonderful. -Joy, Sebastopol Regional Library
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No reading allowed: the worst read-aloud book ever: a confusing collection of hilarious homonyms and sound-alike sentences
by Raj Haldar
The creators of the best-selling P Is for Pterodactyl juxtapose similar-sounding, synonym-comprised and punctuation-adjusted sentences on riotously illustrated, contrasting spreads that whimsically reveal the differences between such examples as “raining” and “reigning” cats and dogs.
One sentence, two meanings. What a language we have! It's hilarious - It's fun to read together with someone - a bunch of someones! -because all those someones of any age will be rolling on the floor laughing together. I chose it because I liked their other book: P is for Pterodactyl; and it proved to be equally funny (and instructive!). -Connie, Petaluma History Room
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Clap when you land
by Elizabeth Acevedo
An evocative novel in verse by the National Book Award-winning author of The Poet X follows the experiences of two grieving sisters who navigate the loss of their father and the impact of his death on their relationship.
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The phantom twin
by Lisa Brown
Haunted by the ghost of the stronger conjoined twin who did not survive their separation, Isabel struggles to find a place for herself in the world against a backdrop of the hardscrabble life of circus sideshow performers.
Creepy and interesting. -Adriel, Sebastopol Regional Library
Memorable main character, interesting setting, and an engaging plot. I really tore through this, anxious to see what happened. -Katie, Library headquarters
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Felix ever after
by Kacen Callender
Worrying that his combination of such marginalizing qualities as being Black, queer and trans are too impossible to allow happiness, Felix turns vengeful in the face of transphobic hate messages before finding himself in a quasi-love triangle.
Callender writes great slow burn romance and this is one of the most authentic-feeling YA books I've read in a long time. -Joy, Sebastopol Regional Library
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The gravity of us
by Phil Stamper
When his volatile father is picked to become an astronaut for NASA's mission to Mars, seventeen-year-old Cal, an aspiring journalist, reluctantly moves from Brooklyn to Houston, Texas, and looks for a story to report, finding an ally (and crush) in Leon, the son of another astronaut.
This book had wonderfully diverse characters with a plot that I haven't seen done before. Great for fans of reality television and space. -Karen, Petaluma Regional Library
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We unleash the merciless storm
by Tehlor Kay Mejia
A sequel to We Set the Dark on Fire finds La Voz operative, Carmen, forced to choose between the girl she loves and the success of a rebellion that has escalated to the point of civil war.
This the sequel to We Set the Dark on Fire. I feel this has a unique storyline with twists. -Library staff member
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The night country: a Hazel Wood novel
by Melissa Albert
A highly anticipated sequel to The Hazel Wood finds Alice and her fellow survivors targeted by a dark adversary at the same time Finch seeks a way back home in a deteriorating Hinterland.
Loved "The Hazel Wood" and fairytale-esque stories, looking forward to the companion book next year as well. -Emma, Petaluma Regional Library
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Serpentine
by Philip Pullman
The world-changing events of The Amber Spyglass are behind them, and Lyra and Pan find themselves utterly changed as well. In Serpentine, they journey to the far North once more, hoping to ask the Consul of Witches a most urgent question.
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Camp
by Lev AC Rosen
The author of Jack of Hearts (and other parts) presents a screwball comedy that critiques the culture of toxic masculinity as it is experienced by a 16-year-old youth at an LGBTQ+ summer camp where he reinvents himself to attract a crush’s attention.
A sex-positive book that tackles toxic masculinity amongst LGBT youth.
-Stuart, Guerneville Regional Library
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A song below water
by Bethany C. Morrow
A metaphorical tale follows the experiences of a Black teen siren and her haunted best friend, who find themselves targeted by violence when they are unable to hide their supernatural identities in an alternate world that discriminates against magic.
A diverse feminist urban fantasy with a bit of angst and a bit of romance, as well as the themes of self-discovery, courage, and loyalty to family (both "birth" and "found") and to friends. -Rebecca, Central Santa Rosa Library
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Clown in a cornfield
by Adam Cesare
Resolving to keep her head down through graduation when a factory closing divides the adults and kids in her small community, Quinn is caught in a dispute between tradition and progress before a homicidal corporate mascot begins targeting teens.
Gory, satirical, good commentary on 2020 America. -Library staff member
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Almost American girl: an illustrated memoir
by Robin Ha
Moving abruptly from Seoul to Alabama, a Korean teen struggles in a hostile blended home and a new school where she does not speak English before forging unexpected connections in a local comic drawing class.
Graphic novel, but a good story about an immigrant girl and her experiences in America. -Nancy, Northwest Santa Rosa Library
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Channel kindness: stories of kindness and community
by Lady Gaga
The global superstar and her mother collect stories from their Channel Kindness nonprofit to celebrate the quiet influence of kindness in today’s world and the examples of young people whose acts of bravery and resilience demonstrate the universal power of caring for others.
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Stamped : racism, antiracism, and you
by Jason Reynolds
A timely reimagining of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s National Book Award-winning Stamped From the Beginning reveals the history of racist ideas in America while explaining their endurance and capacity for being discredited.
This is an exceptional young adult adaptation of Kendi's work and should be required reading in schools. -Terra, Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library
Required reading for humans in this world. -Adriel, Sebastopol Regional Library
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Beyond the gender binary
by Alok Vaid-Menon
Poet, artist, and LGBTQIA+ rights advocate Alok Vaid-Menon deconstructs, demystifies, and reimagines the gender binary.
A quick read from a fantastic series that informs the reader about gender identity. It was a Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Nonfiction (2020). -Stuart, Guerneville Regional Library
This is a great handbook for teens wondering about gender. -Joy, Sebastopol Regional Library
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Selena: Reina de la Música Tejana
by Silvia López
La vida de Selena sirve de inspiración para las chicas latinas. Ella simboliza el poder de la familia, la determinación y el orgullo de las raíces. Su éxito anima a todas las chicas a soñar y les recuerda que luchen por alcanzar sus metas, sin importar quiénes son o cuáles son esas metas.
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Gracias, Omu!/ Thank You, Omu!
by Oge Mora
¡Todos en el vecindario sueñan con probar el delicioso guiso de Omu! Uno por uno, siguen sus narices hacia el delicioso aroma. Y uno por uno, Omu ofrece una porción de su comida. Pronto la olla está vacía. ¿Ha sido tan generosa que ya no le queda nada?
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Más allá
by Julia Alvarez
Poco después de jubilarse de la universidad donde enseñaba literatura, Antonia Vega, una escritora latina, pierde a su adorado esposo y su vida parece desmoronarse de repente. Hasta entonces parecía haber encontrado consuelo en la literatura que ama--las palabras de sus autores preferidos dan vueltas en su cabeza como plegarias--, pero la desaparición de su hermana, con su personalidad impredecible y su gran corazón, junto con la aparición de una inmigrante ilegal en el garaje de su casa, devuelven a Antonia a la dura realidad. En estas circunstancias, el mundo requiere más que palabras.
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Voyager
by Nona Fernández
Tomando nota de todo lo que lee, observa y piensa, al modo de las Voyager, esas sondas exploratorias del espacio, Fernández va vinculando ese registro a su propia historia y a la del país, planteando con inteligencia cuestiones que son de ahora y de siempre. Cómo recuerdan las estrellas y las personas son interrogantes que inevitablemente llevan a preguntarse cómo recuerdan los pueblos, y cómo olvidan, y Nona Fernández las aborda con la sagacidad y el ímpetu que caracterizan su obra.
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Death in her hands: A Novel
by Ottessa Moshfegh
Discovering a note and grave while walking her dog in the woods, an elderly widow becomes obsessed with learning the victim’s story before her grip on reality is shaken by what she uncovers.
The narrator absolutely captures your attention. Also a timely book, because it shows how loneliness and isolation takes on a life of it's own. Also, darkly funny which makes entering the protagonist's world digestible. -Courtney, Sebastopol Regional Library
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The Vanishing Half
by Brit Bennett
The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, southern black community and running away at age sixteen, it's not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, it's everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Ten years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. What will happen to the next generation, when their own daughters storylines intersect?
This is a completely absorbing family saga with complex characters. Excellent as an audiobook. -Terra, Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library
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The City We Became
by N. K. Jemisin
Every great city has a soul. Some are as ancient as myths, and others are as new and destructive as children. New York City? She's got six. But every city also has a dark side. A roiling, ancient evil stirs in the halls of power, threatening to destroy the city and her six newborn avatars unless they can come together and stop it once and for all.
This book was AMAZING and such a well done audiobook, so well read and the sound effects really added to it. -Emma, Petaluma Regional Library
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The darkest evening
by Ann Cleeves
Discovering a toddler in an abandoned vehicle near the run-down home where her estranged father grew up, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope approaches the property during a boisterous Christmas party before discovering the body of a woman outside.
Always love Ann Cleeves. She is amazing! Each of her different series is a treasure in its own way. This one is Vera Stanhope. Great readers! -Nancy, Northwest Santa Rosa Library
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Black Sun
by Rebecca Roanhorse
In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world. Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man's mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain.
Great science fiction featuring indigenous and queer characters. A full cast of narrators! I listened as an audiobook. -Stuart, Guerneville Regional Library
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Plain Bad Heroines
by Emily M. Danforth
The award-winning author of The Miseducation of Cameron Post makes her adult debut with this highly imaginative and original horror-comedy centered around a cursed New England boarding school for girls. A wickedly whimsical celebration of the art of storytelling, sapphic love, and the rebellious female spirit.
Narrated by Xe Sands. It took me a few "pages" to appreciate the tone of the voice actor's delivery, but once I did, and once I was hooked on the story, I stuck with it. For 19 and a half hours. -Rebecca, Central Santa Rosa Library
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A promised land
by Barack Obama
In the stirring, highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both hispolitical education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency--a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil.
Obama's voice is very soothing. -Library staff member
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The Thursday murder club
by Richard Osman
Meeting weekly in their retirement village’s Jigsaw Room to exchange theories about unsolved crimes, four savvy septuagenarians propose a daring but unorthodox plan to help a woman rookie cop solve her first big murder case.
Not my usual kind of thing, but it's so fun to have a light, playful book to listen to when the year has been so extreme. The reader is delightful, the British accent and all the asides, I was left wondering how this man could know so much about 70 and 80 year old women. I highly recommend this audio book to anyone who wants to lighten up.
-Catherine, Northwest Santa Rosa Library
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Clap When You Land
by Elizabeth Acevedo
Elizabeth Acevedo is a brilliant writer and reader. I highly recommend all of her books as audiobooks. It's impossible not to be immersed in the story and captivated by the characters. -Terra, Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library
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Rick
by Alex Gino
Eleven-year-old Rick Ramsey has generally gone along with everybody, just not making waves, even though he is increasingly uncomfortable with his father's jokes about girls, and his best friend's explicit talk about sex; but now in middle school he discovers the Rainbow Spectrum club, where kids of many genders and identities can express themselves--and maybe among them he can find new friends and discover his own identity, which may just be to opt out of sex altogether.
This audiobook was read by the author who has a great voice for the young main character. -Stuart, Guerneville Regional Library
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You should see me in a crown
by Leah Johnson
A Black, underprivileged misfit from a wealthy, prom-obsessed midwestern community carefully plans to attend a prestigious medical college before the unexpected loss of her financial aid forces her to compete for her school’s prom-queen scholarship.
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