​The Devil in the White City surprised me in the best way. I picked it up for the serial killer. Let’s be real here: H.H. Holmes is what drew me in. The whole idea of a charming murderer building a hotel of horrors during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair? Creepy and fascinating. I was ready for the true crime vibes.

But then, unexpectedly, I got completely sucked into the other half of the book—the part about the actual building of the fair. I didn’t think I’d care much about architecture or city planning or a bunch of guys arguing over blueprints, but Erik Larson somehow made it all feel epic. The stakes were weirdly high, and you start rooting for these stressed-out designers like they're action heroes in a race against time.

The pacing flips between Holmes’s sinister antics and the overwhelming, awe-inspiring task of creating the fair from scratch and the contrast makes both parts even better. By the end, I was just as obsessed with the Ferris wheel as I was with the murder castle. Who knew?

Definitely recommend it if you like your history with a side of murder and unexpected emotional investment in urban landscaping.

Erik Larson has this wild talent for taking what should be a dry history lesson and turning it into something you tear through like a thriller. The Devil in the White City isn’t just a book about a fair and a murderer, it’s a masterclass in how to make nonfiction feel downright cinematic. When is Leo's movie coming? Never? Argh!!!

Larson doesn’t just dump facts on you, he builds them, scene by scene, with so much tension and atmosphere that you forget you’re technically learning. He writes like a novelist but sticks to the historical record, which somehow makes it even more gripping. He’ll set a scene with the creak of wood, the stink of mud, the overwhelming pressure of deadlines, and then cut to Holmes luring another victim with eerie calm. The contrast is genius. One side is a mad dash to build a utopia; the other is slow, calculated evil unfolding behind closed doors.

What makes it obscenely entertaining is how he casts real people like characters in a prestige drama. Daniel Burnham, the architect trying to hold the fair together, becomes this tortured, ambitious protagonist. Holmes, of course, is chilling, but never a cartoonish villain. Larson lets the creepiness unfold subtly, which makes it even worse (in a good way). Even side characters feel alive and distinct. It’s like history woke up, got dressed, and said, “Let me tell you a wild story.” This was easily as entertaining as any crime novel.

Give his books a try, this is a great one to start with. Larson doesn’t just recount events, he resurrects them. And somehow, he makes the bureaucratic nightmare of planning a world’s fair feel just as suspenseful as tracking a serial killer. That’s a magic trick not many writers can pull off.

Check the book out at the library, or we have the audiobook on CDs. You can also download the eBook or audiobook directly to your device with the Libby app with your SPL card.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

This book is a heartfelt, emotional story that weaves together history, love, and loss in a really touching way. Set in Seattle, it follows Henry Lee, a Chinese American man who, in 1986, comes across a piece of his past when he learns about belongings found in the old Panama Hotel, items left behind by Japanese American families sent to internment camps during World War II. This discovery brings back memories of his childhood, especially his friendship (and first love) with Keiko, a Japanese American girl.

The story jumps between the 1940s and the 1980s, showing young Henry dealing with racism, family pressure, and the heartbreak of being separated from Keiko. At the same time, older Henry is trying to come to terms with his past and figure out what it all meant. The writing is simple but really effective, and Ford does a great job of making you feel the emotions of the characters.
​
While some parts of the story are predictable, the book has a lot of heart. It’s bittersweet, just like the title suggests, and it sticks with you long after you finish. If you like historical fiction with strong emotional depth, this is definitely worth a read.

Get the book at the library! Or if you prefer, download the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card.

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

The United States of Absurdity is an absolutely ridiculous, yet strangely informative, deep dive into some of the most bizarre moments in American history. Written by Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds, the comedic duo behind The Dollop (one of my favorite podcasts), this book brings their signature mix of humor and historical research to the page in a way that makes you laugh, cringe, and question how half of these events even happened.

The book is packed with short, punchy chapters covering everything from disastrous medical experiments to inexplicably bad decisions by U.S. politicians, all presented in a way that makes history feel less like a dry lecture and more like a fever dream. The writing is snappy, irreverent, and full of the kind of banter that fans of The Dollop will immediately recognize.

Some standout moments include the story of Elmer McCurdy, the outlaw whose mummified body ended up as a carnival attraction, and the absolutely deranged antics of medical quack John Brinkley, who made a fortune implanting goat testicles into men as a cure for impotence. There’s also a healthy dose of absurd sports stories, mind-boggling government missteps, and the kind of historical figures who make Florida Man look like an amateur. My personal favorite was the story of Major League pitcher Rube Waddell.
​
If you like your history unfiltered, hilarious, and just a little bit horrifying, The United States of Absurdity is a must-read. It’s perfect for fans of weird trivia, dark humor, and anyone who enjoys learning about the most ridiculous corners of American history.

Reserve the book at the library!

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You isn’t a dry history book—it’s fast, engaging, and written in a way that feels like a conversation. Jason Reynolds takes Ibram X. Kendi’s work and makes it super readable, breaking down how racist ideas started, how they’ve changed over time, and how they still show up today.

This book has been praised for making tough topics easy to understand, especially for younger readers. But it’s also been banned in some schools for talking about systemic racism and U.S. history. Some critics say it’s too divisive, while others believe it’s an important tool for understanding the world we live in.
​
No matter where you stand, Stamped gets people talking. If you want a fresh, honest take on history and race, this is a book worth reading.

Get a copy at the library or download the audiobook. There is also Stamped (for Kids) that was adapted for younger audiences by Sonja Cherry-Paul. Reserve it at the library!

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

After we broke away from Great Britain, the Articles of Confederation were supposed to run the show, but they just didn't work. So, the same folks who led the revolution and got the government started got together again to fix things. That's where our Constitution came from. Now, if you want to understand why they set things up the way they did—like checks and balances and separation of powers—you've got to read The Federalist Papers. Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison wrote them to explain exactly why this new Constitution was so important. They cover everything, from why we need a strong federal government to how to protect our rights, and honestly, it's all still relevant today.

The Federalist Papers are available to reserve at the library and always available as an eBook download. 

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian