​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

 Redshirts by John Scalzi is a riot! This absurdly funny, meta sci-fi adventure is about a bunch of low-ranking space crew members who realize they're basically cannon fodder. I'm serious, they die a lot. As they try to figure out what's going on, they stumble on this completely bananas truth about their universe.

It's a quick, fun read with tons of witty jokes, crazy plot twists, and a lot of affection for (and playful jabs at) old-school sci-fi. Ever wonder why those random background characters always bite the dust in space? This book totally gets you.

​Sound like your jam? Reserve it at the library here or download the eBook with your SPL card here.

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

Misha Byrne is a rising star. He's nominated for an Oscar. His TV show is a hit. Now the studio wants him to kill off the gay stars of his show on the season finale. He's not down with the idea, and suddenly he's being stalked by the monsters of his previous films. It's a delightfully inclusive story where love wins, but we still get blood, guts, and evil lambs.

This was everything you’d hope for from the legendary author. It takes the classic horror trope and gives it a twist, delivering a story that’s as funny and weird as it is touching and empowering.

The blend of campy horror, sharp social commentary, and genuine emotion makes it a standout. If you’re a fan of Chuck Tingle or just want a unique and entertaining read with a ton of feels.

Aimee, IT Librarian

​Interested in this book? Click here to reserve it in the catalog! Or if you prefer, eBook and audiobook.

Wu Zetian is, without a doubt, awesome. She is one of my favorite heroines. From the first pages, she drew me in and kept me guessing what she was going to do, and every time she blew me away with her attitude and flair. The novel’s twists and turns were (for me) unpredictable—and that’s a hard feat. That, mixed with Xiran’s stellar descriptions and worldbuilding, had me hooked for DAYS after I read it. There are themes of feminism, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are prominent in the writing. The first time I read it was in 2021. I have been patiently waiting for three years for the sequel, and I’m excited to say that for Christmas this year, I finally got a publication date, AND the second book. Keep a lookout for Heavenly Tyrant for a chance to see where Zeitan’s story goes after this excellent read.

Mariah Wills, Library Clerk

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

Digital copies are available with your SPL card. Click here for eBook and click here for the audiobook.