Fiction
The remains of the day
Kazuo Ishiguro
FICTION Ishiguro, Kazuo
Fiction, Historical Fiction
The novel's narrator, Stevens, is a perfect English butler who tries to give his narrow existence form and meaning through the self-effacing, almost mystical practice of his profession. In a career that spans the second World War, Stevens is oblivious of the real life that goes on around him -- oblivious, for instance, of the fact that his aristocrat employer is a Nazi sympathizer. Still, there are even larger matters at stake in this heartbreaking, pitch-perfect novel -- namely, Stevens' own ability to allow some bit of life-affirming love into his tightly repressed existence.
Dear Sweet Pea
Julie Murphy
"Thirteen-year-old Patricia, widely known as Sweet Pea, navigates her parents' unconventional divorce and finds herself in the unlikely role of her town's advice columnist"--
Added by Anne W
An American marriage
Tayari Jones
eAUDIO
Fiction
"Newlyweds Celestial and Roy, the living embodiment of the New South, are settling into the routine of their life together when Roy is sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit. An insightful look into the lives of people who are bound and separated by forces beyond their control"--
“An American Marriage” will have you thinking about the effects of incarceration and the messiness of human relationships. -Becky
A high five for Glenn Burke
Phil Bildner
jFICTION/Bildner Phil
Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ+, Kids
After researching Glenn Burke, the first major league baseball player to come out as gay, sixth-grader Silas Wade slowly comes out to his best friend Zoey, then his coach, with unexpected consequences.
Added by Anne W
Hurricane child
Kheryn Callender
jFICTION Callende Kheryn
Fiction, Adventure, LGBTQ+, Kids
Born on Water Island in the Virgin Islands during a hurricane, which is considered bad luck, twelve-year-old Caroline falls in love with another girl--and together they set out in a hurricane to find Caroline's missing mother.
Added by Anne W
Martin McLean, middle school queen
Alyssa Zaczek
Seventh-grader Martin McLean has trouble expressing himself except at Mathletes competitions and, now, as a female impersonator but his first-ever drag show falls on the same night as an important Mathletes tournament.
Added by Anne W
Birdie and me
J. M. M. Nuanez
jFICTION/Nuanez, J. M. M.
Fiction, LGBTQ+, Kids
Ever since their free-spirited mama died ten months ago, twelve-year-old Jack and her gender creative nine-year-old brother, Birdie, have been living with their fun-loving Uncle Carl, but now their conservative Uncle Patrick insists on being their guardian which forces all four of them to confront grief, prejudice, and loss, all while exploring what 'home' really means.
Added by Anne W
Better Nate than ever
Tim Federle
jFICTION Federle Tim
Fiction, Kids, LGBTQ+
An eighth-grader who dreams of performing in a Broadway musical concocts a plan to run away to New York and audition for the role of Elliot in the musical version of "E.T."
Added by Anne W
The writing is superb, and for those who enjoy Downton Abbey this book provides a comfortable amount of upstairs/downstairs intrigue. I did enjoy the main character's development over his car trip, reflecting on his life and coming to recognize the faults in choices he made. This is an excellent choice for those interested in midcentury Britain. -Amanda