​Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is one of those books that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. Set in the dystopian Republic of Gilead, a brutal theocracy that has taken over the U.S., the story follows Offred, a Handmaid whose only role in society is to bear children for the ruling class. It’s a deeply unsettling look at power, oppression, and the loss of personal freedom, made even more chilling by how plausible it all feels.

What makes the novel especially haunting is that Atwood didn’t invent Gilead out of thin air—every form of control and oppression in the book is based on real historical events. She researched totalitarian regimes, including Puritan New England’s strict theocracy, Nazi Germany’s reproductive policies, and the surveillance-heavy societies of Communist states. Real-world policies like Nicolae Ceaușescu’s forced birth laws in Romania also influenced the book’s depiction of women being stripped of their bodily autonomy. Even Gilead’s rigid language, with phrases like “Blessed be the fruit” and the manipulation of religious texts, is inspired by how real governments have used language as a tool of control.

Since its release in 1985, The Handmaid’s Tale has been at the center of controversy, frequently appearing on lists of banned books. Schools and libraries have challenged it due to its depictions of sexual violence, strong language, and themes of oppression and rebellion. However, these are the very reasons why many argue it should be widely read. Atwood herself has pointed out that banning a book about censorship and the control of knowledge only reinforces its message.

While it’s not an easy read, The Handmaid’s Tale is an essential one. It’s gripping, thought-provoking, and disturbingly relevant even decades after its publication. Whether read as a warning about the future or a reflection of real-world struggles, it’s the kind of book that forces readers to think critically about power, freedom, and the consequences of complacency.

Reserve the book at the library, or the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. We also have the TV show on DVD. Start with Season One! 

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

Cho Nam-joo’s Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is a simple yet powerful book that hits hard. It follows Kim Jiyoung, an ordinary woman in South Korea, as she slowly unravels under the weight of everyday sexism. One day, she starts speaking in the voices of other women—her mother, a former coworker—almost as if she’s lost herself completely. From there, the novel takes us through her life, showing all the ways society has pushed her down, from childhood to marriage and motherhood.

The writing is straightforward, even a little detached at times, but that makes the story feel even more real. There’s no big, dramatic moment—just a lifetime of small injustices that build up. What makes it even more unsettling is how normal it all seems. Jiyoung’s experiences aren’t unique to her; they’re just the way things are for so many women, in Korea and beyond.

The last part of the book, told from her psychiatrist’s perspective, is especially chilling. Without spoiling anything, let’s just say it makes it clear that nothing has really changed.
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This is one of those books that stays with you. It’s a quick read, but it packs a punch, making you think about all the invisible ways women are expected to sacrifice, adjust, and endure. If you’re interested in feminism, social issues, or just want a book that makes you feel something, this one is worth picking up.

Get the book at the library or download the eBook with your SPL card.

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