 The Passage by Justin Cronin is one of those books you'll never forget. Beautifully written and totally absorbing, it blends horror, sci-fi, and post-apocalyptic adventure in an unforgettable way. Cronin’s writing style is lyrical and vivid, pulling you deep into a richly imagined world from the very first page.
The heart of the story is its characters, especially Amy, whose story breaks your heart and leaves you rooting for her. She’s brave, vulnerable, and a strong, young female protagonist. Cronin captures human emotions and relationships beautifully, making the story feel personal, even against an epic backdrop. Reading this book feels like living inside its pages—every scene is painted so clearly that you’re fully immersed in the experience. It’s thrilling, emotional, and haunting in the best possible way. I loved every minute of The Passage. It's a truly special read. Get the book at the library or download the audiobook or eBook. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian
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 Sam DuChamp is the author of spy thrillers that sell, but he's no Tom Clancy. He invents a new character, Quichotte, an aging representative of a pharmaceutical company obsessed with reality TV. He has fallen in love with the host of a young daytime TV show and is convinced that she will feel the same. He even imagines a son, Sancho, into existence, and they climb into Quichotte's beat-up car, heading toward New York City on a surreal journey to meet his future bride—without knowing that she has secrets of her own. The narrative switches between Sam and Quichotte, who are more alike than not, showing that Sam is using his character to work out his own demons. Or perhaps, where does fiction end and reality begin?
I loved this book. LOVED. Reserve the book here or download the audiobook with your SPL card here. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  Allen Eskens’ The Quiet Librarian is one of those books you just can’t put down. Think The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah with a tiny sprinkle of John Wick.
The story follows Hana Babic, a quiet, mousy, unassuming librarian in Minnesota with a dark, complicated past. When her best friend is murdered, Hana suddenly finds herself responsible for a young boy—and pulled into a web of danger tied to a life she thought she’d left behind. Back during the Bosnian War, she was a teenage resistance fighter known as the Night Mora, a figure who became something of a boogeyman to the oppressing army. She buried that part of herself long ago, but now it’s all bubbling back up as she tries to protect the boy and figure out what really happened to her friend. What really makes this book stand out is Hana. She’s complex, brave, and haunted in a way that feels totally real. Watching her shift from someone who just wants to stay invisible to someone who has no choice but to face her past is both powerful and heartbreaking. Eskens does a fantastic job weaving together past and present, showing how trauma leaves its mark—but also how strength and healing can grow from it. The writing is sharp, the pace is spot-on, and the emotional moments really land. If you’re into stories about hidden identities, strong women, and a bit of mystery with real emotional weight, The Quiet Librarian is 100% worth the read. Reserve the book at the library here. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  It's 1348, and the Black Plague is decimating Europe. In France, a disgraced knight rescues a girl from a grim fate among the dead. She claims the plague is just the beginning; Lucifer and his fallen angels are preparing to wage war on Earth. She's headed to Avignon (where the Pope resided at the time) because destiny calls. The knight's intrigued – will he join her and act as her protector? They also pick up a drunken priest along the way. The girl herself… is she delusional, or is she truly a voice of God?
Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman is fantastic. It's a rich blend of fantasy, heavy on religious symbolism, with a touch of horror and historical fiction. It crosses genres so effectively, and I highly recommend it. Click here to reserve the audiobook for download with your library card. Prefer a physical copy? Ask us to interlibrary loan 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. 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.  American War by Omar El Akkad was hard. This was a messed-up, dystopian take on another US Civil War brought on by climate change. It's about a girl, Sarat, growing up in the middle of it all, and how all the violence and loss turns her into a rebel.
This book is dark and gripping though, and it feels all too real. El Akkad mixes war, politics, and what happens to people in a way that just punches you in the gut. Definitely not a beach read, but if you're into those dystopian stories that make you think way too much about what could actually happen, you should check it out. Reserve the hard copy at the library, or the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  Sharon M. Draper’s Blended is a powerful and relatable story about identity, family, and figuring out where you fit in. The book follows 11-year-old Isabella, whose parents are divorced—her dad is Black, her mom is white—and she feels like she’s constantly switching between two worlds. As she moves between their homes, their expectations, and even their cultures, she struggles to figure out who she really is.
Draper does an amazing job capturing what it’s like to be a middle schooler dealing with family changes and big questions about race and identity. The story is easy to read but doesn’t shy away from tough topics, including racism and feeling torn between two sides of yourself. There’s even a shocking and emotional moment involving police violence that makes this book especially relevant. Despite its important themes, Blended has been banned in some schools for addressing race, privilege, and police brutality. However, these are exactly the kinds of conversations that make the book so valuable. Draper handles these issues with honesty and sensitivity, making Blended a must-read for young readers and adults alike. Reserve the book at the library or download the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  To Kill a Mockingbird is one of those books that sticks with you. Set in the 1930s South, it’s told through the eyes of Scout Finch, a curious, sharp kid growing up with her brother Jem and their dad, Atticus. When Atticus, a lawyer, defends a Black man falsely accused of a crime, Scout starts to see the ugly side of the world—racism, injustice, and the way people refuse to do what’s right. Harper Lee’s writing is simple but powerful, making big themes like racism, morality, and empathy easy to connect with. At its core, it’s about growing up and realizing the world isn’t always fair, but that standing up for what’s right still matters. The book has been banned and challenged in some schools for its discussions of race, language, and tough topics. Some people think it’s too controversial, but others see it as an important read for understanding history and injustice. Whether you’re reading it for the first time or coming back to it, To Kill a Mockingbird is a book that makes you think, feel, and see things a little differently. Reserve the novel in regular or Large Print. Or, download the eBook or audiobook narrated by Sissy Spacek. We also have the classic movie starring Gregory Peck available on DVD for checkout. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian   The Poet X is a powerful story told in verse about Xiomara, a Dominican-American teen who finds her voice through poetry. Caught between her strict religious upbringing and her need for self-expression, she pours her thoughts into her notebook, using poetry to figure out who she really is.
Acevedo’s writing is raw and emotional, making Xiomara’s journey feel real and relatable. The book has been banned in some schools because it talks about sexuality, religion, and standing up for yourself—but that just makes it even more worth reading for adults and youth alike. If you love stories about finding your voice and pushing back against expectations, this one’s for you. Reserve it at the library or get the audiobook with your SPL card. Aimee Clark, IT Librarian  True Grit by Charles Portis isn't just your typical Western; it's a fantastic story of revenge, but also surprisingly funny and touching. Told from the point of view of the super-independent 14-year-old Mattie Ross, it's all about her going after the guy who killed her dad. She hires Rooster Cogburn, a tough, one-eyed US Marshal, and their unlikely team-up is what makes the book so great. Portis's writing is a joy to read – really witty and descriptive. Sure, it's a revenge story, but the characters, especially Mattie (she's amazing!) and the wonderfully grumpy Rooster, are what make this book unforgettable. True Grit is a timeless story about courage, determination, and how complicated justice can be, and it's told brilliantly. I'm not usually into Westerns, but I loved this one. Highly recommend!
Reserve the library book (also in Large Print) or use your SPL card for the audiobook. 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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