 Friday Night Lights isn’t just a book about high school football—it’s about how a whole town’s identity gets wrapped up in a game. H.G. Bissinger follows the 1988 Permian Panthers in Odessa, Texas, showing how the town lives and breathes for Friday night football. But it’s not all touchdowns and glory. The book digs into tough topics like racism, economic struggles, and the insane pressure these teenage players face.
What makes this book so powerful is that Bissinger doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He captures the highs and lows of small-town football culture—the way people treat these kids like heroes one minute and disposable the next. The players aren’t just athletes; they’re real people with complicated lives, and the book gives them the depth they deserve. Of course, because Friday Night Lights deals with real issues, it’s been banned in some schools. Complaints usually focus on its language or tough themes, but banning it just avoids the uncomfortable conversations it sparks—conversations that are still relevant today. It’s frustrating that a book showing the reality of sports culture and small-town America gets censored just because it’s not always pretty. Even if you’re not into football, this is a gripping, sometimes unsettling read that goes way beyond the game. It’s about dreams, pressure, and what happens when winning is everything. Definitely worth picking up. Get the eBook or audiobook. If you prefer a physical copy, talk to us about interlibrary loan. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian
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 I went into this expecting a boy-and-his-dog story, but it turned out to be so much more. At its heart, it’s about a boy who idolizes his late grandfather. His father walked out, his mother is struggling with a back injury that’s led to opioid addiction, and they live in extreme poverty. He’s doing everything he can to keep their hardships hidden from others, fearing intervention from protective services, while desperately trying to hold onto the property his grandfather left him.
An incredible read. Want to read it? Click here to reserve! Or if you prefer, get the eBook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias is a raw, gut-punch of a story that’s equal parts crime thriller, horror, and heartbreaking drama. It follows Mario, a grieving father drowning in debt after his daughter's illness. Desperate to make things right, he takes a job with a cartel, and things spiral into a brutal nightmare. Think Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul with a sprinkle of supernatural.
The writing is sharp and vivid, pulling no punches as it dives into grief, faith, classism, racism, and the ugly choices people make when life leaves them no way out. It’s dark, gripping, and totally unforgettable—perfect if you’re into gritty, no-holds-barred fiction that keeps space in your brain forever. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian Interested? Click here to reserve! An audiobook version is available to reserve with your SPL card as well.  In 1975, a 13-year-old girl from a wealthy family vanishes from a summer camp. Oddly, her older brother disappeared from the same camp 14 years earlier. To make things even stranger, her parents own the camp.
This story dives into class divides—the wealthy camp owners, their privileged friends, and their children who attend, contrasted with the local workers hired to maintain the camp and its grounds. It’s a tale of power, privilege, and the secrets that simmer beneath the surface. This was such a gripping, eerie read. The mix of mystery and atmosphere totally pulls you in, and the creepy, woodsy vibes blows you away. The story keeps you guessing, and the characters feel so real. If you’re into dark, twisty tales with a lot of feels, this is your book. Aimee, IT Librarian Interested in this book? Click here to reserve it in the catalog! We even have it in Large Print! Use your SPL card to reserve the eBook or audiobook. |
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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