 Random House/The Dial Press - set for release February 10, 2026
By Robin Munson Families are complicated. Tiny spats, on the surface, that appear to be ridiculous can cause a rift that seemingly can’t be repaired. This is what happens in Allegra Goodman’s newest novel, This Is Not About Us. While Jeanne is in hospice dying of cancer, her two older sisters, Helen and Sylvia, are fighting over apple cake. This novel reads like a series of vignettes where each chapter tells the story and point of view of the three sisters' extended family members. Although the stories can be messy, they are also very relatable. I really enjoyed reading this character driven book. Allegra Goodman is a master writer and able to hit all the regular trials and tribulations that we, as readers, have experienced ourselves. Goodman expertly weaves the stories and points of view of the different generations of the Rubenstein family. From parents ignoring harsh coaching in hopes of their child’s future greatness to a divorced father feeling guilty about dating again. Still, during all these difficult life crises and the angst surrounding it, there is a lifting and an ease when those difficult moments finally pass. I recommend this book to anyone who loves character driven novels (there are a lot of characters in this book).This book is short on plot, so if you need a book with a plot that carries you through, then this may not be the book for you. That being said, it is well written and the characters are so well formed that they themselves carried me to the end - not the plot. This Is Not About Us comes out on February 10, 2026 for all to enjoy. Thank you Random House/Dial Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Get the audiobook with your SPL card.
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 Karin Slaughter doesn’t do light reads, and Pretty Girls is no exception. This book is dark, disturbing, and extremely unsettling. The most frightening horror isn't ghost or vampires. It's what can happen in the real world.
The story follows two sisters, Claire and Lydia, who haven’t spoken in years. They’re brought back together after a tragedy, and soon find themselves unraveling a horrifying mystery that ties back to the disappearance of their older sister, Julia, two decades earlier. It’s got all the classic Slaughter trademarks, that tight pacing, layered characters, and brutal honesty about violence, grief, and survival. Slaughter doesn’t just write about crime. She drags you into the emotional wreckage it leaves behind. The scenes are graphic and the subject matter is rough, sexual violence, exploitation, manipulation, but none of it feels gratuitous. It’s all part of showing just how far evil can go and how strong people can be when faced with it. Claire’s transformation from sheltered wife to a woman who refuses to be a victim is satisfying. Lydia’s grit and sarcasm balance it out beautifully, giving the book a messy, real emotional core amid all the horror. It’s not for everyone. If you’re sensitive to violence or want something cozy, run the other way. But if you can stomach the darkness, Pretty Girls is one of those thrillers that stays with you long after you close the book. Get the book at the library, or download the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  This book unsettled me in the best way. It’s set in small-town Minnesota and immediately took me back to my own childhood. I grew up in the shadow of Jacob Wetterling and Jonny Gosch disappearing. Adults were constantly warning us we were gonna get kidnapped, but at the same time they basically let us roam wild like little feral animals until dark. That mix of freedom and fear is all over this book.
Lourey captures it perfectly through Cassie’s eyes, the secrets, the predators everyone pretended not to see, the unease simmering under small-town life. Reading it felt way too familiar, like someone cracked open the childhood I remember but didn’t want to think too hard about. Creepy, raw, and unforgettable. Check out the book at the library. Aimee Clark, Library IT  Alice Walker’s The Color Purple is raw, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting, a story about pain, resilience, and finding your voice. Told through letters from Celie, a young Black woman in the early 1900s South, the novel takes you through her journey of surviving abuse, forced marriage, and oppression while slowly discovering her own strength.
Celie’s life starts out brutal, she’s abused by the man she thinks is her father, married off to an even crueler man, and separated from her sister and children. But as the novel unfolds, she finds hope and power through relationships with incredible women like Shug Avery, a glamorous and free-spirited blues singer, and Sofia, who refuses to let anyone push her around. Their presence helps Celie realize she doesn’t have to be silent, and watching her transformation is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Walker doesn’t sugarcoat anything. The novel tackles heavy issues, racism, sexism, sexual violence, and LGBTQ+ identity with honesty. And that’s exactly why it has been banned and challenged so many times. Some people claim the content is too explicit or controversial for schools, but the reality is that The Color Purple tells stories that often get ignored or erased. It’s not just a novel; it’s a voice for people who’ve had to fight to be heard. Even with all the backlash, the book has remained a classic, inspiring a movie, a musical, and generations of readers. If you’re looking for a novel that’s emotional, thought-provoking, and empowering, The Color Purple is absolutely worth your time. And if a book keeps getting banned, that’s usually a sign it has something important to say. Get the book at the library or download the audiobook or eBook. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian |
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