​Let me start with a confession: I usually avoid series. The thought of investing in six, seven, or OMG ten volumes of anything makes me feel like I'm being roped into a cult. So when I picked up Dungeon Crawler Carl, I wasn’t expecting to get hooked. I was expecting a few laughs, maybe some dumb fun. What I got was an obsessive, page-devouring spiral of pure joy, horror, and unhinged delight.

This book, this series, is absurd, brilliant, and bananas in all the best ways. Imagine if The Hunger Games got drunk with The Running Man, invited a sentient cat with a gambling addiction, and then all of them were thrown into a sadistic alien reality show dungeon designed by someone who clearly has beef with humanity. That’s the vibe.

Carl is our reluctant hero, snatched from a crumbling Earth in his boxers and thrust into a dungeon where survival is livestreamed for galactic entertainment. His companion, Princess Donut, a bedazzled, talking Persian cat with the charisma of a diva and the bloodlust of a warlord, might just be one of the best-written characters in genre fiction, full stop. The tone whiplashes between comedy, gore, heart, and sheer insanity in a way that somehow works. Dinniman writes like he’s in on the joke but still deeply committed to telling a real story underneath the chaos. And, he does.

The world-building is endlessly creative and unrelenting. There’s no time to catch your breath, just as you're getting used to one deranged monster or trap, the next level hits harder. It’s funny, horrifying, emotionally sincere, and yes, addictive. I devoured these books. Plural. Me. The stand-alone-book-preferring heathen.

If you’re tired of Sci-fi/Fantasy/Dystopia that takes itself too seriously, or if you want to read something where the stakes are real, the satire is sharp, and the cat has better dialogue than most human protagonists, start crawling. Just don’t expect to stop. Oh, and sadness. Book Eight isn't out until this fall.

Get Dungeon Crawler Carl at the library.

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

​Watchmen isn’t your typical comic—it’s a gritty, dark ride that flipped the superhero genre upside down and gave it a good shake. Written by Alan Moore and paired with Dave Gibbons' incredibly detailed artwork, this graphic novel set the bar ridiculously high, showing comics could dive into heavy stuff and still be seriously entertaining.

Set in an alternate 1980s America, superheroes exist—but they're pretty far from perfect. Instead of saving the world with a flourish and a smile, they're complicated, messed-up characters who often make things worse. Moore packs the pages with hidden meanings and clever symbolism, sprinkling in politics, history, and existential dread along the way. Every time you reread it, there's something new to uncover. And believe me, you will reread it to find what you missed.

Watchmen didn't just impress comic fans—it got some serious recognition. It snagged a Hugo Award in 1988—the only graphic novel ever to do so—and picked up multiple Eisner Awards. People still regularly name-drop it as one of the greatest comics ever made.

The real magic, though, is in Moore's hidden layers. Characters like Rorschach and Dr. Manhattan aren't just cool antiheroes; they're symbols for deeper ideas—Cold War fears, identity crises, and the messy struggle of finding meaning in a crazy world.

Watchmen is way more than just superheroes—it's a dark, smart, and twisted story you'll keep thinking about long after you put it down.

Get the book at the library or the eBook on Libby. We have the also 2009 movie directed by Zack Snyder based on the comic, as well as the HBO Miniseries, which takes place years after the events in the graphic novel. I enjoyed the movie, but the TV show was amazing.

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

​Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is one of those books that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. Set in the dystopian Republic of Gilead, a brutal theocracy that has taken over the U.S., the story follows Offred, a Handmaid whose only role in society is to bear children for the ruling class. It’s a deeply unsettling look at power, oppression, and the loss of personal freedom, made even more chilling by how plausible it all feels.

What makes the novel especially haunting is that Atwood didn’t invent Gilead out of thin air—every form of control and oppression in the book is based on real historical events. She researched totalitarian regimes, including Puritan New England’s strict theocracy, Nazi Germany’s reproductive policies, and the surveillance-heavy societies of Communist states. Real-world policies like Nicolae Ceaușescu’s forced birth laws in Romania also influenced the book’s depiction of women being stripped of their bodily autonomy. Even Gilead’s rigid language, with phrases like “Blessed be the fruit” and the manipulation of religious texts, is inspired by how real governments have used language as a tool of control.

Since its release in 1985, The Handmaid’s Tale has been at the center of controversy, frequently appearing on lists of banned books. Schools and libraries have challenged it due to its depictions of sexual violence, strong language, and themes of oppression and rebellion. However, these are the very reasons why many argue it should be widely read. Atwood herself has pointed out that banning a book about censorship and the control of knowledge only reinforces its message.

While it’s not an easy read, The Handmaid’s Tale is an essential one. It’s gripping, thought-provoking, and disturbingly relevant even decades after its publication. Whether read as a warning about the future or a reflection of real-world struggles, it’s the kind of book that forces readers to think critically about power, freedom, and the consequences of complacency.

Reserve the book at the library, or the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. We also have the TV show on DVD. Start with Season One! 

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

​The Passage by Justin Cronin is one of those books you'll never forget. Beautifully written and totally absorbing, it blends horror, sci-fi, and post-apocalyptic adventure in an unforgettable way. Cronin’s writing style is lyrical and vivid, pulling you deep into a richly imagined world from the very first page.

The heart of the story is its characters, especially Amy, whose story breaks your heart and leaves you rooting for her. She’s brave, vulnerable, and a strong, young female protagonist. Cronin captures human emotions and relationships beautifully, making the story feel personal, even against an epic backdrop.
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Reading this book feels like living inside its pages—every scene is painted so clearly that you’re fully immersed in the experience. It’s thrilling, emotional, and haunting in the best possible way.
I loved every minute of The Passage. It's a truly special read.

​Get the book at the library or download the audiobook or eBook.

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

American War by Omar El Akkad was hard. This was a messed-up, dystopian take on another US Civil War brought on by climate change. It's about a girl, Sarat, growing up in the middle of it all, and how all the violence and loss turns her into a rebel.

This book is dark and gripping though, and it feels all too real. El Akkad mixes war, politics, and what happens to people in a way that just punches you in the gut. Definitely not a beach read, but if you're into those dystopian stories that make you think way too much about what could actually happen, you should check it out.

Reserve the hard copy at the library, or the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

1984 pulls you into a world where the government watches everything, controls what people think, and even rewrites history. Winston Smith, the main character, dares to question the system—but in a place where Big Brother sees all, that’s a dangerous game.

Orwell’s writing is unsettling and powerful. We’ve seen nations dealing with real-life examples of media suppression and attempts to rewrite history, making this dystopian story feel eerily close to reality. While it’s clearly fiction, it scratches that uneasy spot where the line between imagination and truth starts to blur.

The book has been banned in some places for its political themes, sexual content, and sharp critique of authoritarianism. Some found it too radical, while others just thought it was too bleak.
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Love it or hate it, 1984 stays with you forever. It’s a must-read for anyone who cares about freedom, censorship, and the dangers of unchecked power.

We have the novel as well as a graphic novel if you prefer. There's also an eBook and audiobook available for download with your SPL card. There is also a Spanish edition eBook and audiobook available.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

Fahrenheit 451 throws you into a world where books are illegal, and firemen don’t put out fires—they burn books instead. Guy Montag, one of these firemen, starts to question everything after meeting a curious young woman. As he secretly begins reading the books he’s supposed to destroy, he realizes just how much his society fears knowledge and independent thought.

Bradbury’s writing is intense and poetic, making this dystopian world feel eerily close to home. It’s not just a book about censorship—it’s about what happens when people stop thinking for themselves and let entertainment replace real conversation.

Ironically, Fahrenheit 451 has been banned and challenged in schools for its themes, language, and critique of censorship—the very thing it warns about.
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It’s a quick, thought-provoking read that still feels relevant today. If you care about free speech, curiosity, and the power of books, this one’s a must-read.

There are many options for checking out this title! We have the novel and the graphic novel adaptation. We also have a copy in Spanish! You can download the eBook. There are four different readers to choose from for the audiobook, Stephen Hoye.  Christopher Hurt, Tim Robbins, or author Ray Bradbury himself. We also have the 1966 film on DVD available for checkout.

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

This book was written way before COVID, but the way it described those early pandemic vibes was spot on! The dry humor, the office drama, the worries about foreign labor, gender issues—it was all so relatable. And I loved the story of her immigrant parents adjusting to life in the U.S., then bringing her over as a kid. Such a beautiful story, I was genuinely bummed when it ended. Can’t wait to read more from this author!

Aimee, IT Librarian

​Interested in this book? Click here to reserve it in the catalog!

There are also digital versions for download with your library card. Click here to reserve the eBook and click here to reserve the audiobook.