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Staff Picks

All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

3/31/2025

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cover for All the Sinners Bleed
This book goes hard. Really hard. S.A. Cosby takes us to a small Southern town with big secrets, and the result is a gritty, emotional rollercoaster that’s part murder mystery, part social commentary, and completely impossible to put down.

The story follows Titus Crown, the first Black sheriff in a deeply divided Virginia county, as he investigates a horrifically disturbing crime. What starts as one murder quickly unravels into something much darker, and Titus ends up confronting not just a killer, but the deep-rooted racism and hypocrisy baked into the town's history.

Cosby's writing is sharp, raw, and real. He’s got a way with words that hits you right in the gut. One minute you’re caught in a tense shootout, the next you’re reflecting on trauma, justice, and what it means to do the right thing in a messed-up world.

Titus is a total standout, flawed, principled, tired, but relentless. He’s the kind of character you root for because he’s trying so hard in a place that’s actively working against him.
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If you’re into crime thrillers with depth, soul, and a little blood on the page, All the Sinners Bleed is your book. S.A. Cosby is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

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

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

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Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger

3/27/2025

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Book Cover for Friday Night Lights
​Friday Night Lights isn’t just a book about high school football, it’s about how a whole town’s identity gets wrapped up in a game. H.G. Bissinger follows the 1988 Permian Panthers in Odessa, Texas, showing how the town lives and breathes for Friday night football. But it’s not all touchdowns and glory. The book digs into tough topics like racism, economic struggles, and the insane pressure these teenage players face.

What makes this book so powerful is that Bissinger doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He captures the highs and lows of small-town football culture, the way people treat these kids like heroes one minute and disposable the next. The players aren’t just athletes; they’re real people with complicated lives, and the book gives them the depth they deserve.

Of course, because Friday Night Lights deals with real issues, it’s been banned in some schools. Complaints usually focus on its language or tough themes, but banning it just avoids the uncomfortable conversations it sparks—conversations that are still relevant today. It’s frustrating that a book showing the reality of sports culture and small-town America gets censored just because it’s not always pretty.
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Even if you’re not into football, this is a gripping, sometimes unsettling read that goes way beyond the game. It’s about dreams, pressure, and what happens when winning is everything. Definitely worth picking up.

Get the eBook or audiobook. If you prefer a physical copy, talk to us about interlibrary loan.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

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Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

3/5/2025

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Of Mice and Men cover
John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is a short but unforgettable story about two friends, George and Lennie, trying to make a better life for themselves during the Great Depression. They dream of owning land, but life doesn’t go easy on them, and things take a heartbreaking turn.

The book has been banned in some schools because of its language, racial slurs, violence, and tough topics like sexism and disability. Some think it’s too harsh, while others say it’s an important look at the struggles of the time.

No matter how you feel about it, Of Mice and Men is one of those books that stays with you. It’s about friendship, dreams, and how unfair life can be—but that’s what makes it so real.

Check it out at the library. Get the audiobook narrated by Gary Sinise or the eBook. We also have the DVD of the movie starring Gary Sinise and John Malkovich. 

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

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Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi

2/28/2025

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Cover for Antiracist Baby
Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi is a fun, colorful, and meaningful picture book that helps introduce young kids to the idea of fairness, inclusion, and standing up against racism. With nine simple steps, Kendi encourages little readers (and the adults reading with them) to be aware of racial differences, challenge injustice, and embrace kindness.

The book’s bright and bold illustrations by Ashley Lukashevsky make it super engaging for kids, and the rhyming text keeps things fun while delivering an important message. It’s a great starting point for parents who want to have early conversations about race in an age-appropriate way.

Even though Antiracist Baby is meant to promote positive values, it has been banned in some schools and libraries for addressing race and social justice. But that’s exactly what makes it such an important book—it encourages open conversations and helps raise thoughtful, compassionate kids.
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This is a great pick for parents, teachers, and caregivers looking to introduce kids to big ideas in a simple, engaging way. It’s a book that sparks important discussions while keeping things fun and accessible for little ones.

Reserve it at the library!

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

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I am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina

2/27/2025

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Cover for I am Alfonso Jones
I Am Alfonso Jones is a graphic novel that hits hard. Alfonso is a Black 15-year-old boy with big dreams, but his life is cut short when he’s wrongfully shot by an off-duty cop after a hanger is mistaken for a gun. In the afterlife, he meets other victims of police violence, while his family and friends fight for justice back home.

The story is raw, emotional, and eye-opening, with powerful artwork that brings it to life. It’s been challenged in some schools for tackling police brutality and racial injustice, but that just makes it an even more important topic to discuss.

If you’re looking for a book that makes you think and feel, with great art to boot, this one’s a must-read.

Check it out at the library.

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

2/25/2025

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cover of To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of those books that sticks with you. Set in the 1930s South, it’s told through the eyes of Scout Finch, a curious, sharp kid growing up with her brother Jem and their dad, Atticus. When Atticus, a lawyer, defends a Black man falsely accused of a crime, Scout starts to see the ugly side of the world—racism, injustice, and the way people refuse to do what’s right.

Harper Lee’s writing is simple but powerful, making big themes like racism, morality, and empathy easy to connect with. At its core, it’s about growing up and realizing the world isn’t always fair, but that standing up for what’s right still matters.

The book has been banned and challenged in some schools for its discussions of race, language, and tough topics. Some people think it’s too controversial, but others see it as an important read for understanding history and injustice.
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Whether you’re reading it for the first time or coming back to it, To Kill a Mockingbird is a book that makes you think, feel, and see things a little differently.

Reserve the novel in regular or Large Print. Or, download the eBook or audiobook narrated by Sissy Spacek. We also have the classic movie starring Gregory Peck available on DVD for checkout.

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

To Kill a Mockingbird the movie
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Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

2/22/2025

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Cover for Stamped
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You isn’t a dry history book—it’s fast, engaging, and written in a way that feels like a conversation. Jason Reynolds takes Ibram X. Kendi’s work and makes it super readable, breaking down how racist ideas started, how they’ve changed over time, and how they still show up today.

This book has been praised for making tough topics easy to understand, especially for younger readers. But it’s also been banned in some schools for talking about systemic racism and U.S. history. Some critics say it’s too divisive, while others believe it’s an important tool for understanding the world we live in.
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No matter where you stand, Stamped gets people talking. If you want a fresh, honest take on history and race, this is a book worth reading.

Get a copy at the library or download the audiobook. There is also Stamped (for Kids) that was adapted for younger audiences by Sonja Cherry-Paul. Reserve it at the library!

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

Cover of Stamped for Kids
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The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

2/19/2025

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Cover for The Bluest Eye
Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye is a heartbreaking and powerful novel that dives deep into themes of race, beauty, and self-worth. Set in 1940s Ohio, it follows Pecola Breedlove, a young Black girl who believes that having blue eyes will make her beautiful and, more importantly, loved.

Morrison’s writing is stunning—poetic, raw, and completely immersive. She doesn’t hold back in exploring tough topics like racism, trauma, child abuse, and societal neglect, making this a book that’s as thought-provoking as it is emotionally heavy. It’s not always an easy read, but it’s an important one that forces you to see the world through a different lens.
​
Though The Bluest Eye has been banned in many places for its difficult themes, it remains a must-read. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you long after you’ve finished, reminding you of the power of storytelling and the importance of representation in literature.

Get the eBook or audiobook download with your SPL library card. If you prefer a physical copy, contact us and we can order one through interlibrary loan.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian


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Night by Elie Wiesel

2/6/2025

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Book Cover for Night
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

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The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias

2/2/2025

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Book cover for The Devil Takes You Home
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. 

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    The SPL Staff

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  • Home
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