 Reading My Dark Vanessa was an extremely difficult and unsettling read. Russell doesn’t just tell a story; she dissects the decay beneath the surface of a power imbalance, carving into the marrow of consent, memory, and grooming until you’re left raw and unsettled.
Vanessa, the protagonist, is both victim and unreliable narrator of her own life. She’s fifteen when her teacher, Strane, begins his predatory “romance,” but the brilliance of the novel lies in how Russell captures the long echo of that abuse. The way Vanessa clings to the idea of being “special” even as her adult self unravels under the weight of truth. You want to shake her, you want to protect her, and sometimes you even want to believe her rationalizations, which is the exact trap Russell sets: she forces us to experience the seduction and the horror side by side. I had to put this down a few times. The book holds a mirror to the way society excuses powerful men and shames girls for their own exploitation. It makes you complicit in Vanessa’s struggle, and that’s the point. It’s supposed to be uncomfortable. The language is sharp, the atmosphere suffocating, and the emotional honesty is almost unbearable at times. At the end, you don’t walk away with neat answers or triumphant catharsis. Instead, you’re left with jagged edges, anger at Strane, grief for Vanessa, and maybe a gnawing reflection on the blind spots in your own perception of abuse. Dark, devastating, and unforgettable, My Dark Vanessa is less a novel than an autopsy of trauma, and reading it feels like opening wounds you didn’t know you had. It's a great book, but it's very upsetting. This book is available for download as an eBook or audiobook. Ask us for interlibrary loan if you prefer a physical copy. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian
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 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  Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak is one of those books that sticks with you long after you turn the last page. It follows Melinda Sordino, a high school freshman who becomes an outcast after calling the cops at a summer party. What no one knows is that something terrible happened to her that night, something she can’t bring herself to talk about. As the school year drags on, she withdraws more and more, struggling with trauma, isolation, and the weight of staying silent.
Anderson’s writing is raw and honest, perfectly capturing what it’s like to feel unheard and alone. Melinda’s journey is heartbreaking but also incredibly powerful as she slowly finds her voice through art. It’s a tough read at times, but that’s what makes it so important. Despite its message, Speak has been challenged and banned in schools because of its themes of sexual assault and mental health. Some argue it’s “too mature” for teens, but honestly, that’s exactly why it should be read. Pretending these issues don’t exist doesn’t protect kids, it just leaves them unprepared to deal with them in real life. This book is a must-read, not just for teenagers but for anyone who’s ever felt silenced or ignored. Speak is about survival, resilience, and the power of speaking up, which makes banning it all the more frustrating. Instead of taking it off shelves, we should be making sure everyone has access to stories like Melinda’s. because they matter. Get the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. The library has the graphic novel available for checkout, and you can get the eBook graphic novel. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian |
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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