​Alice Walker’s The Color Purple is raw, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting—a story about pain, resilience, and finding your voice. Told through letters from Celie, a young Black woman in the early 1900s South, the novel takes you through her journey of surviving abuse, forced marriage, and oppression while slowly discovering her own strength.

Celie’s life starts out brutal—she’s abused by the man she thinks is her father, married off to an even crueler man, and separated from her sister and children. But as the novel unfolds, she finds hope and power through relationships with incredible women like Shug Avery, a glamorous and free-spirited blues singer, and Sofia, who refuses to let anyone push her around. Their presence helps Celie realize she doesn’t have to be silent, and watching her transformation is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

Walker doesn’t sugarcoat anything. The novel tackles heavy issues—racism, sexism, sexual violence, and LGBTQ+ identity—with honesty. And that’s exactly why it has been banned and challenged so many times. Some people claim the content is too explicit or controversial for schools, but the reality is that The Color Purple tells stories that often get ignored or erased. It’s not just a novel; it’s a voice for people who’ve had to fight to be heard.
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Even with all the backlash, the book has remained a classic, inspiring a movie, a musical, and generations of readers. If you’re looking for a novel that’s emotional, thought-provoking, and empowering, The Color Purple is absolutely worth your time. And if a book keeps getting banned, that’s usually a sign it has something important to say.

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

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

​House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski is one of those rare books that's genuinely unlike anything you've read before. It's creepy, mind-bending, and totally unique, mixing psychological horror with an experimental approach to storytelling that keeps you guessing from start to finish.

On the surface, the story is about a family whose new home turns out to be mysteriously larger on the inside than on the outside—strange rooms and hallways appear, leading into darkness. But that's only the beginning. Danielewski tells the story through multiple layers: footnotes upon footnotes, scattered fragments, and pages that twist and turn physically as much as the narrative itself.

The complexity of the print and layout is actually one of the book's biggest strengths. Weird formatting, sideways text, pages with only a few words, and chaotic notes all mimic the confusion and anxiety experienced by the characters. It’s not just a style choice—it's a clever way to pull you deeper into the weirdness, making reading feel like you're actually exploring a dark, unpredictable maze.

Sure, the unusual style might throw off readers looking for something more straightforward, but if you're open to something different, that complexity pays off big time. It makes the experience feel fresh, immersive, and unforgettable.
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Overall, House of Leaves is creepy, fascinating, and creatively daring. It sticks with you long after you've finished, making you question what's real and what isn't. If you like books that challenge you and keep you on your toes, definitely give this one a try. This is a book you definitely need a physical copy to read.

Reserve it at the library here.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a raw and emotional coming-of-age story that perfectly captures the struggles of growing up. Told through letters from Charlie, an introverted and observant freshman, the book explores friendship, love, trauma, and self-acceptance. His bond with Patrick and Sam helps him navigate life’s highs and lows, making for a heartfelt and relatable journey.

This book doesn’t shy away from heavy topics like mental health, abuse, sexuality, and drug use—one reason it has been banned in some schools. But that honesty is exactly what makes it so powerful and important.
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While Charlie’s narration can feel overly naïve at times, the book’s authenticity and emotional depth make up for it. If you love coming-of-age stories that make you feel everything, this one is a must-read.

Get the book at the library, or download the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. The library also has the movie adaptation on DVD.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian