 Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar is one of those books that’s going to either knock the wind out of you in the best way or leave you muttering “what just happened?” under your breath. It’s Akbar’s first novel, though you can tell immediately he’s a poet. Every sentence is so vivid, sometimes you have to stop and reread just to absorb it all.
The main character, Cyrus Shams, is this queer, Iranian-American recovering addict whose life is one big, messy search for meaning. His mom died in a plane crash when he was a baby, and he’s been carrying that baggage around ever since. The book is about grief, but also about art, love, faith, and what it even means to be a “martyr” when you’re not necessarily in a religious war, but trying to make it through another day without falling apart. The structure is… all over the place, in a good way if you like that sort of thing. You get dream sequences, diary entries, snippets of poetry, and even weird conversations with Lisa Simpson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it’s raw and devastating, sometimes it’s surreal enough that you’re not totally sure if it’s really happening. If you’re cool with a novel that reads like a fever dream written by a poet who’s just a little obsessed with death, Martyr! will probably stick with you long after you finish it. If not, you’ll at least get some beautiful prose out of it. Get the book at the library or download the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian
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 Sam DuChamp is the author of spy thrillers that sell, but he's no Tom Clancy. He invents a new character, Quichotte, an aging representative of a pharmaceutical company obsessed with reality TV. He has fallen in love with the host of a young daytime TV show and is convinced that she will feel the same. He even imagines a son, Sancho, into existence, and they climb into Quichotte's beat-up car, heading toward New York City on a surreal journey to meet his future bride without knowing that she has secrets of her own. The narrative switches between Sam and Quichotte, who are more alike than not, showing that Sam is using his character to work out his own demons. Or perhaps, where does fiction end and reality begin?
I loved this book. LOVED. Reserve the book here or download the audiobook with your SPL card here. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  Wishtree by Katherine Applegate is a sweet, thoughtful story about kindness, friendship, and standing up for others. The story is told from the perspective of Red, an old oak tree that has been a part of the neighborhood for centuries. Every year, people tie their wishes to Red’s branches, hoping for good things to come. But when a new family moves in and isn’t welcomed by everyone, Red and its animal friends decide to help in their own special way.
Applegate’s writing is simple but powerful, making this a quick read that really sticks with you. It’s got a great message about inclusion and community, reminding us all to be a little kinder. Some schools have banned it because of its themes of diversity and acceptance, but honestly, that just makes it even more important to read. If you love heartfelt stories with a bit of magic and a lot of heart, Wishtree is definitely worth picking up. Reserve the book here. You can also get the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  The Sympathizer is a thrilling mix of spy thriller and historical drama set during and after the Vietnam War. The nameless narrator, a conflicted double agent, struggles with divided loyalties between communist Vietnam and capitalist America, all while delivering sharp, sarcastic insights. With twists, dark humor, and a deep dive into identity and betrayal, this book is a solid, thought-provoking read that hooks you from the beginning and keeps you on your toes, never knowing where it will go.
Reserve the book from the library or get the eBook with your SPL card. Viet Thanh Nguyen won the Pulitzer for this novel and well as many other awards, and he certainly deserved all of them! It has since been made into an HBO series starring Robert Downey Jr. playing multiple roles that the narrator meets during his life. Hoa Xuande of Cowboy Bebop plays our narrator, and Sandra Oh also stars. The showrunner and director of several episodes is Park Chan-wook, famous for Decision to Leave and the Vengeance Trilogy (Oldboy, Lady Vengeance, and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance) which can be viewed on Kanopy with your SPL card at the time of this post. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  This is an unforgettable read. It’s his story of making a dangerous journey from El Salvador to the U.S. as a nine-year-old, all alone. His writing is so raw and vivid, you feel every moment of fear, hope, and determination he went through. I wanted to reach through the pages and hold him. This book hits hard but also shows so much heart and resilience. It’s eye-opening and emotional, the kind of story that stays with you. If you want a real, human look at migration, this one’s a must-read. Aimee, IT Librarian Interested in this book? Click here to reserve it in the catalog! We even have it in Spanish! With your SPL card, you can reserve the eBook in English or Spanish. The audiobook is read by the author and available in English.  On August 12, 2022, Salman Rushdie walked onto a packed amphitheater stage to give a talk about keeping writers safe in these dark times. Out of nowhere, a man jumped from the audience and started stabbing him for 27 seconds. People sat there, stunned, almost thinking it was some kind of performance art. Then Rushdie’s 70-something colleague tackled the guy, snapping the audience out of their trance, and they joined in. Rushdie barely survived. He lost an eye. His attacker, nicknamed “A,” short for a three-letter word for donkey, had never even read Rushdie's work. He’d just seen a few YouTube videos and learned to hate.
This book celebrates those who saved him. It’s a tribute to free speech, pushing back against the rising tide of censorship, hate, and authoritarianism. But, more than anything, it’s a love story. Rushdie is surrounded by love, and it’s a love letter to his wife, Eliza, who stood by him through it all. Aimee, IT Librarian Interested in this book? Click here to reserve it in our catalog! You can also click here to reserve the audiobook narrated by Salman Rushdie himself with your SPL card. |
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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