 We Need to Talk About Kevin is one of those books that sticks to your ribs in the worst possible way. It’s not just a story about a kid who grows up to do something horrific, it’s about parenting, blame, and that uncomfortable question: what if you just don’t like your own child?
The whole thing is told through letters from Eva, Kevin’s mom, to her estranged husband. She’s brutally honest about how motherhood never felt natural to her. She didn’t want to give up her career, she didn’t feel that rush of unconditional love everyone talks about, and from the very beginning Kevin seemed… off. Cold, manipulative, like he was always two steps ahead of everyone else. And that’s where the book gets under your skin. Did Kevin turn out the way he did because Eva never bonded with him? Or was he born this way and nothing could have changed it? Shriver never gives you an easy answer, and that’s what makes the story so unsettling. The writing is sharp and unsparing. You go into the book already knowing Kevin is going to commit a massacre, so the whole time you’re reading with this sense of dread. But the scariest parts aren’t the violence. They’re the little family moments where Kevin seems to know exactly how to twist the knife in his mom, and she can’t get anyone else to see it. It’s not a light read, and honestly it’s not one I’d hand to just anyone. But if you want a book that will mess with you and leave you thinking long after you finish, this one delivers. The movie with Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly is good, but the book? Way darker, way smarter, and way harder to shake off. Download the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. If you prefer a physical copy, ask about interlibrary loan. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian
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 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  If you’re looking for a horror novel that genuinely gets under your skin and stays there, This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno might just be the book to ruin your week in the best way possible.
The story follows Thiago, a guy reeling after the sudden death of his wife, Vera. He starts talking to her in the second person, so the whole book feels like a letter to someone who’s gone. And it’s not just sad (though it’s definitely sad). It’s weird, and unsettling, and at times downright terrifying. At first, the horror starts small. Strange noises, lights flickering, their smart speaker (Itza) acting possessed. You think, "Okay, haunted Alexa, that’s fun." But then it keeps escalating, and it becomes clear this isn’t just a haunted house or glitchy tech. There’s something bigger and stranger going on. Something that doesn't care about logic or closure. It’s like the horror version of grief itself. What really stuck with me, though, is how much heart is in this book. Thiago’s grief feels so real and so unfiltered. It’s messy. He’s angry, scared, numb, all of it at once. Moreno also weaves in subtle commentary on immigration, identity, and the alienation that comes with being a person of color in a country that treats you like an outsider even when you’re mourning. I will say, the book shifts gears pretty hard about two-thirds in. We move from haunted apartment to isolated cabin, and from domestic terror into full cosmic horror. Some people might find that jarring. I didn’t mind it. It felt like falling into the abyss alongside Thiago, but if you're someone who likes a neat resolution or grounded plot, the ending might leave you scratching your head. Still, for me, this book worked. It’s creepy. It’s sad. It’s strange in the best way. And it made me feel something deep in my gut. If you liked The Only Good Indians, or you want a horror novel that actually says something about what it means to lose someone, and to lose yourself in the process, pick this one up. Just… maybe don’t read it alone at night with a smart speaker nearby. Download the eBook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian |
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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