 Grady Hendrix is one of those writers who can have you laughing out loud one minute and then staring at the ceiling wondering why your eyes are leaking the next. How to Sell a Haunted House nails that weird, wonderful balance. On the surface, it’s a story about a brother and sister stuck cleaning up their parents’ house after a loss, except the house is crammed with creepy puppets and dolls that may or may not be alive. Sounds ridiculous, right? And it is. Hendrix leans all the way into the absurd, and you’ll find yourself laughing at how over-the-top some of it gets.
But then, right when you’re laughing, he sucker-punches you with something hard: grief, regret, the way siblings wound each other and carry those scars into adulthood. The haunted house is really just a stand-in for all the baggage that gets passed down in families, the secrets, the grudges, the unspoken hurt. It’s generational trauma wrapped up in a horror-comedy package, which makes it hit that much harder. I think that’s what makes Hendrix so good. You go in for the campy horror, some killer puppets, spooky house vibes, but you leave with your heart a little bruised. This book is hilarious, creepy, and surprisingly moving all at once. Check out the book at the library or download the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian
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 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  Okay, so let me just say it: this book destroyed me. Like, ugly crying, tissues everywhere, the whole thing. Human Acts is not the kind of book you breeze through on a lazy Sunday, it’s the kind of book that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go.
Han Kang, who, by the way, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2024 (well deserved) takes us straight into the Gwangju Uprising of 1980 in South Korea. If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone. Most Americans know nothing about it, which makes this book even more of a gut punch. She’s basically saying, “Look. Remember this. Don’t turn away.” And you can’t. The book is broken into different voices, people who lived it, suffered it, survived it, or didn’t. Every chapter feels like peeling back another layer of grief. Sometimes the writing is so sharp and raw that I had to stop, stare at the wall for a while, and then talk myself into picking it back up. It’s not easy. It’s not comforting. But man, it’s powerful. Han Kang builds this sort of memorial out of words, and reading it feels like standing in front of a monument where silence and tears are the only possible response. So yeah, this book devastated me. It broke me apart and left me different than when I started it. But isn’t that what great literature is supposed to do? Get the book at the library or download the eBook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  El Nino by Pam Munoz Ryan Illustrated by Joe Cepeda
Scholastic Press, released May 6, 2025 By Robin Munson El Nino is a Junior Fiction Fantasy book for ages 8-13. This is a story where reality and myth collide. Where one minute you are an elite swim team is training in the Ocean with your elite swim team off California and the next you, they stumble upon an underwater world with queens, mermalians, and cities of gold. Kai Sosa is grieving the disappearance of his sister, Cali. Although an elite swimmer, Cali is presumed dead after disappearing in the dense fog while swimming in the ocean leaving behind her family. Kai also ’s excitement of making the elite swim team swim team, but is overshadowed by his sadness and loss. He struggles with his swim times as he tries to work through his sadness and loss. Kai discovers Cali’s overdue library book, The Elusive Island of California, and reads it to get closer to his sister book about the myth of a sunken and mysterious underwater island. He decides to read the book in hopes to get closer to Cali and maybe figure out what happened to her. This is where reality and myth collide Throughout the book were the beautiful illustrations of Joe Cepeda’s artwork come alive. I appreciate the monochromatic blues of the art - how it is soothing even though the story of Kai’s grief is a heavy topic. This story was a fast read (only around 250 pages) and I found myself needing more. Kai sort of enters the world within the myth although I found this part of the book rushed. I felt the entry into the underwater world was abrupt and brief and it would have been nice for Kai to linger and show us more. That being said, I do understand that this was Kai’s grieving process and he seemed to need that last nudge to leave his sadness behind. The book is well written and worth the read. I recommend this book to any child interested in swimming, the ocean, or who have experienced a loss in their life. I give it three out of five stars. Thank you Scholastic Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Download the audiobook with your SPL card.  After his wife is killed in a mass shooting, Aaron discovers a mysterious hotel receipt, sending him on a desperate quest for answers in Ronald Malfi's Come With Me. His search unravels Allison's secrets and exposes a terrifying truth. Malfi is the master of creating chilling atmosphere where the familiar becomes sinister, and the setting itself amplifies the dread. The novel delves deep into the characters' heads, exploring their vulnerabilities and hidden darkness. The pacing builds suspense to a fever pitch, delivering unexpected and impactful scares. While touching on genre tropes, Malfi's unique voice and fresh twists keep readers guessing. He has easily become one of my favorite authors. Come With Me is a captivating and thought-provoking read for those that like a spooky thriller, tapping into our deepest fears.
Want to read it? Reserve the book at the library, or the eBook with your SPL card.  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  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. 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  Night by Elie Wiesel is a gut-wrenching, raw glimpse into one of history's darkest periods. In this memoir, Wiesel pulls no punches as he recounts his harrowing experiences during the Holocaust, making the reader feel every moment of despair, shock, and lingering disbelief. The narrative is both sparse and powerful, reflecting the stark reality of life in the concentration camps without ever drifting into unnecessary embellishment. Despite its brevity, the book packs an emotional punch, urging you to reflect on humanity, the loss of innocence, and the capacity for both cruelty and resilience. It’s a tough, unforgettable read that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.
Would you like to read this? Click here to reserve! With your SPL card, the eBook and audioboook are also available to reserve. 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. |
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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