 Jonathan Katz’s Cleave the Sparrow is one of those books where you set it down and immediately think, what the hell did I just read, and why do I kind of love it? It’s satire cranked to eleven, absurdist comedy welded to existential dread, and politics skewered with the subtlety of a chainsaw. Imagine Vonnegut, Catch-22, and Dr. Strangelove all locked in a room together, fed nothing but espresso, bad cable news, and episodes of Rick and Morty, then told to write a novel before sunrise. That’s the vibe.
The story itself? I read the book and still don't know, and I'm pretty sure that was the point. Katz doesn’t give you a neat arc to follow, he throws you into a warped dystopia where media, politics, and human nature all get flayed open and roasted over the fire. It’s messy, chaotic, and deliberately overstuffed with ideas, but buried in all that noise are razor-sharp one-liners and these moments of clarity where you feel like the book just sucker-punched you with some hard truth about the absurdity of being alive. Is it for everyone? Absolutely not. If you need your fiction tidy, logical, and polite, this book will drive you up the wall. But if you’re willing to lean into the chaos, there’s something strangely exhilarating here. You’ll laugh, you’ll grimace, you’ll occasionally wonder if you’re losing your grip on reality. I know it's had mixed reviews. Certain portrayals feel insensitive, some sections read like a rant that went on too long. But honestly, even the flaws add to the manic energy of it all. It’s not neat. It’s not safe. It’s not “literary fiction” in the respectable sense. It’s more like being trapped in a late-night conversation with someone brilliant, unhinged, and just drunk enough to let something slip. Bottom line? Cleave the Sparrow isn’t a book you read for comfort. It’s a book you read to get shaken up, to laugh at the absurdity of the world, and maybe to feel a little less alone in the chaos. You’ll either bail after twelve pages or carry it with you like a strange fever dream you can’t stop thinking about. Check out the book at the library. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian
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 I went into All Systems Red by Martha Wells expecting, well, more murder from Murderbot. Instead, what I found was a deeply relatable, socially awkward security unit that mostly wants to be left alone so it can binge-watch its favorite space soap opera, The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon. Murderbot is less about killing sprees and more about navigating human interactions with the enthusiasm of someone stuck at a party they didn’t want to attend. It’s apathetic, snarky, and somehow manages to be endearing while trying (and failing) to stay detached from the humans it’s assigned to protect. Each book is more of a mystery in space rather than a Sci-Fi adventure, although there is some of that.
I’m not usually big on series as tend to lose interest or balk at the commitment of so many books, but I tore through all of the Murderbot Diaries books. They’re fast, fun reads with just enough existential angst to keep things wildly entertaining. And now there’s a TV adaptation on Apple TV, so Murderbot finally gets to be the star of someone else’s screen for a change. I’m curious (and a little nervous) to see how they handle its glorious misanthropy on screen. I've watched the first two episodes and they were delightful, but the season isn't over yet. Start your Murderbot adventure with the book at the library or use your SPL card to download the eBook or audiobook. Aimee Clark, Library IT  If you’re looking for a horror novel that genuinely gets under your skin and stays there, This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno might just be the book to ruin your week in the best way possible.
The story follows Thiago, a guy reeling after the sudden death of his wife, Vera. He starts talking to her in the second person, so the whole book feels like a letter to someone who’s gone. And it’s not just sad (though it’s definitely sad). It’s weird, and unsettling, and at times downright terrifying. At first, the horror starts small. Strange noises, lights flickering, their smart speaker (Itza) acting possessed. You think, "Okay, haunted Alexa, that’s fun." But then it keeps escalating, and it becomes clear this isn’t just a haunted house or glitchy tech. There’s something bigger and stranger going on. Something that doesn't care about logic or closure. It’s like the horror version of grief itself. What really stuck with me, though, is how much heart is in this book. Thiago’s grief feels so real and so unfiltered. It’s messy. He’s angry, scared, numb, all of it at once. Moreno also weaves in subtle commentary on immigration, identity, and the alienation that comes with being a person of color in a country that treats you like an outsider even when you’re mourning. I will say, the book shifts gears pretty hard about two-thirds in. We move from haunted apartment to isolated cabin, and from domestic terror into full cosmic horror. Some people might find that jarring. I didn’t mind it. It felt like falling into the abyss alongside Thiago, but if you're someone who likes a neat resolution or grounded plot, the ending might leave you scratching your head. Still, for me, this book worked. It’s creepy. It’s sad. It’s strange in the best way. And it made me feel something deep in my gut. If you liked The Only Good Indians, or you want a horror novel that actually says something about what it means to lose someone, and to lose yourself in the process, pick this one up. Just… maybe don’t read it alone at night with a smart speaker nearby. Download the eBook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  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. |
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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