 This book unsettled me in the best way. It’s set in small-town Minnesota and immediately took me back to my own childhood. I grew up in the shadow of Jacob Wetterling and Jonny Gosch disappearing. Adults were constantly warning us we were gonna get kidnapped, but at the same time they basically let us roam wild like little feral animals until dark. That mix of freedom and fear is all over this book.
Lourey captures it perfectly through Cassie’s eyes, the secrets, the predators everyone pretended not to see, the unease simmering under small-town life. Reading it felt way too familiar, like someone cracked open the childhood I remember but didn’t want to think too hard about. Creepy, raw, and unforgettable. Check out the book at the library. Aimee Clark, Library IT
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 Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar is one of those books that’s going to either knock the wind out of you in the best way or leave you muttering “what just happened?” under your breath. It’s Akbar’s first novel, though you can tell immediately he’s a poet. Every sentence is so vivid, sometimes you have to stop and reread just to absorb it all.
The main character, Cyrus Shams, is this queer, Iranian-American recovering addict whose life is one big, messy search for meaning. His mom died in a plane crash when he was a baby, and he’s been carrying that baggage around ever since. The book is about grief, but also about art, love, faith, and what it even means to be a “martyr” when you’re not necessarily in a religious war, but trying to make it through another day without falling apart. The structure is… all over the place, in a good way if you like that sort of thing. You get dream sequences, diary entries, snippets of poetry, and even weird conversations with Lisa Simpson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it’s raw and devastating, sometimes it’s surreal enough that you’re not totally sure if it’s really happening. If you’re cool with a novel that reads like a fever dream written by a poet who’s just a little obsessed with death, Martyr! will probably stick with you long after you finish it. If not, you’ll at least get some beautiful prose out of it. Get the book at the library or download the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) About Scripture’s Most Controversial Issues by Dan McClellan isn’t just a good read, it’s the kind of book that makes you stop mid-page and think, Wait… how did I not know this before? I loved it. Not in the polite, “yes, that was interesting” way, but in the full-on “this just rewired my brain” kind of way.
McClellan doesn’t simply toss out familiar verses and call it a day, he digs in. He peels back centuries of translation quirks, cultural drift, and straight-up misunderstandings, then lays the text out next to the world it was actually written in. Suddenly, passages you’ve heard a thousand times start sounding different, clearer, sharper, more human. What makes it work is his style. He’s a scholar, sure, but he’s not talking down to you from some academic tower. He’s more like the friend who happens to know way too much about the Bible and can explain it in a way that makes you go, “Ohhh, that makes sense now.” He connects the original language with the culture of the time, and the result is genuinely eye-opening. This book doesn't tell you what to think. It gives you the tools to look deeper and see what’s really there, then decide for yourself. And once you see it, you’ll never read the Bible the same way again. If you are interested in faith, Southwest Asian history, or just seeking meaning buried under layers of time and assumptions, this is a must-read. Get the book at the library, or download the audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  I’ve read a few of Frieda McFadden’s thrillers, and while I always appreciate the wild ride she takes the reader on, I usually find her protagonists a bit exhausting. It's like I'm being held hostage by someone with no chill and a lot of secrets, very superficial, materialistic, and frankly naïve people. That said, The Teacher was a standout for me. Easily my favorite of hers so far.
The pacing was sharp, the tension was just the right amount of unhinged, and the characters were compelling enough that I didn't feel the urge to throw my Kindle across the room (a genuine concern with some of her more frustrating narrators). Best of all were the twists, those classic McFadden whiplash but with extra polish. And that final twist in the last couple of pages? Perfectly nasty. Totally blindsided me in the best way. If you’re new to McFadden or looking for a gateway into her particular brand of domestic chaos and psychological suspense, this is the one I’d recommend. Get the book at the library or download the audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman
Harper Collins, released June 17, 2025 What a delight! Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman is a huggable mystery. One of those books where the main character, Muriel Blossom, reminds you of someone you know and love like your mother, grandmother, older neighbor, or yourself. Muriel, a widower and recent lottery winner, decides to take a bucket list Parision river cruise with her life long friend, Elinor. Possibly because of Muriel’s age (68), plumpness, and overall compassionate demeanor, she becomes a dupe within a crime. But, as the story unfolds, we learn that Muriel is much smarter than anyone thinks. I had a lot of fun with this book. Laura Lippman is a seasoned mystery/detective writer with numerous awards and it shows. It is a heist turned into a murder mystery wrapped up in 270 pages. Muriel Blossom proved to be a great travel companion with her warmth, humor and wit. Mrs. Blossom hinted at being bitten by the travel bug. Yes, more Muriel Blossom adventures please. The pacing was great and I often found myself laughing out loud. This book is a perfect book club read with themes such as aging, identity and second chances. But, this is also a fun cozy read - go ahead, allow yourself the indulgence of traveling with Mrs. Blossom. I give it five out of five stars. Thank you Harper Collins for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Robin Munson, Adult Programming & Grant Specialist Librarian Download this book with your SPL card on eBook or audiobook.  I went into All Systems Red by Martha Wells expecting, well, more murder from Murderbot. Instead, what I found was a deeply relatable, socially awkward security unit that mostly wants to be left alone so it can binge-watch its favorite space soap opera, The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon. Murderbot is less about killing sprees and more about navigating human interactions with the enthusiasm of someone stuck at a party they didn’t want to attend. It’s apathetic, snarky, and somehow manages to be endearing while trying (and failing) to stay detached from the humans it’s assigned to protect. Each book is more of a mystery in space rather than a Sci-Fi adventure, although there is some of that.
I’m not usually big on series as tend to lose interest or balk at the commitment of so many books, but I tore through all of the Murderbot Diaries books. They’re fast, fun reads with just enough existential angst to keep things wildly entertaining. And now there’s a TV adaptation on Apple TV, so Murderbot finally gets to be the star of someone else’s screen for a change. I’m curious (and a little nervous) to see how they handle its glorious misanthropy on screen. I've watched the first two episodes and they were delightful, but the season isn't over yet. Start your Murderbot adventure with the book at the library or use your SPL card to download the eBook or audiobook. Aimee Clark, Library IT |
The SPL StaffWe work here at the library, and we’re into all kinds of books! How Do I Get These Books?See our Quickstart Guides page for information on how to use the online catalog and how to get eBooks and audiobooks for your specific device. You can also contact us there if you need more help!
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