Mykle

Pet sematary

by King, Stephen, 1947-

FICTION King, Stephen

One of my favorite scary stories from Stephen King. This one showed me that even the written word could scare me. -Mykle

Star trek. Lower decks. Season 1

by

DVD TV Star Trek, Lower s. 1

Follows the exploits of the low-ranking support crew on one of Starfleet's least important ships in the year 2380.

This is a really funny show that shows the real work done on a starship which hilariously contrasts with the glorified bridge crews of previous shows. -Mykle

Interview with the vampire

by Anne Rice

FICTION Rice, Anne
Horror

Here are the confessions of a vampire. Hypnotic, shocking, and chillingly sensual, this is a novel of mesmerizing beauty and astonishing force—a story of danger and flight, of love and loss, of suspense and resolution, and of the extraordinary power of the senses. It is a novel only Anne Rice could write. (from Amazon)

This is one of my favorite childhood books. A great start to an amazing series. -Mykle

The Super Mario Bros. movie

by

jDVD Super

"A Brooklyn plumber named Mario travels through the Mushroom Kingdom with a princess named Peach and an anthropomorphic mushroom named Toad to find Mario's brother, Luigi, and to save the world from a ruthless fire-breathing Koopa named Bowser." --

Fun, lighthearted comedy for everyone. Jack Black as Bowser is pure genius. -Mykle

Iron widow

by Xiran Jay Zhao

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Zhao Xiran
Fantasy, Science Fiction

"Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers. The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall of China. It doesn't matter that the girls die from the mental strain. When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But when she gets her vengeance, it becomes clear that she is an Iron Widow, a rare kind of female pilot who can sacrifice males to power up Chrysalises instead. To tame her frightening yet valuable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest male pilot in Huaxia, yet feared and ostracized for killing his father and brothers. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so easily. She will take over instead, then leverage their combined strength to force her society to stop failing its women and girls. Or die trying."--

A really good debut novel mixing fantasy and sci-fi. It comes with murder, liberation, mystery, and some surprises. Well written and easy to read. It is also available as an e-audio book through Libby. -Mykle

Temple of no god

by H. M. (Hannah M.) Long

SCIENCE FICTION Long H. M.
Fantasy

"After a brutal war between the gods, Hessa - High Priestess of the Eangen - has brokered a fragile alliance between warring tribes and bought peace to her home. But a new threat is growing in the remnants of the once-great Arpa Empire. Three factions are vying to take the throne, the vast well of raw magical power only accessible to the Emperor. Hessa knows she cannot let this chance pass by - she must intervene, to protect her peoples' hard-won future. With the peace she has sacrificed so much for at stake, Hessa must lead an army of Algatt and Eangen warriors into the heart of enemy territory. But warring Arpa factions are not the only danger - a sinister new cult is on the rise, one that sucks the life from everything it touches. With enemies on every side and the fragile peace beginning to waver, Hessa must decide who to place on the throne - no matter what it may cost her." -- Publisher.

Another great read by Long. Full of magic and mystery, our protagonist is tasked with stopping a new threat. -Mykle

The boys

by Garth Ennis

COMIC Boys
Graphic Novels

This is going to hurt! In a world where costumed heroes soar through the sky and masked vigilantes prowl the night, someone's got to make sure the "supes" don't get out of line. And someone will! Billy Butcher, Wee Hughie, Mother's Milk, The Frenchman, and The Female are The Boys: A CIA-backed team of very dangerous people, each one dedicated to the struggle against the most dangerous force on Earth - superpower! Some superheroes have to be watched. Some have to be controlled. And some of them - sometimes - need to be taken out of the picture. That's when you call in The Boys! (synopsis from Amazon)

This is in my top 5 comics of all time. Gritty/dark and entertaining. -Mykle

Hall of smoke.

by H. M. (Hannah M.) Long

SCIENCE FICTION Long, H. M.
Fantasy, Adventure

Epic fantasy featuring warrior priestesses and fickle gods at war, for readers of Brian Staveley's Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne. Hessa is an Eangi: a warrior priestess of the Goddess of War, with the power to turn an enemy's bones to dust with a scream. Banished for disobeying her goddess's command to murder a traveller, she prays for forgiveness alone on a mountainside. While she is gone, raiders raze her village and obliterate the Eangi priesthood. Grieving and alone, Hessa - the last Eangi - must find the traveller and atone for her weakness and secure her place with her loved ones in the High Halls. As clans from the north and legionaries from the south tear through her homeland, slaughtering everyone in their path Hessa strives to win back her goddess' favour. Beset by zealot soldiers, deceitful gods, and newly-awakened demons at every turn, Hessa burns her path towards redemption and revenge. But her journey reveals a harrowing truth: the gods are dying and the High Halls of the afterlife are fading. Soon Hessa's trust in her goddess weakens with every unheeded prayer. Thrust into a battle between the gods of the Old World and the New, Hessa realizes there is far more on the line than securing a life beyond her own death. Bigger, older powers slumber beneath the surface of her world. And they're about to wake up.

This is my favorite book of the last several years. Very descriptive and compelling writing style. Once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. -Mykle

The eye of darkness

by George Mann

SCIENCE FICTION Star Wars
Adventure, Science Fiction

"One year after the tragic events of The Fallen Star, the Jedi fight to break the Nihil's control over the galaxy"--

Another fun read set in the High Republic. I love the way these books can really get you to care for characters over time yet don't shy away from tragic endings. -Mykle

Halo : evolutions : essential tales of the Halo universe

by various

SCIENCE FICTION Halo
Science Fiction

A great assortment of background stories set in the Halo universe. Fast, easy to read, and it's in bite size pieces. -Mykle

Chainsaw man

by Tatsuki Fujimoto

MANGA Fujimoto Chainsaw
Graphic Novels

Denji's a poor young man who'll do anything for money, even hunting down devils with his pet devil-dog Pochita. He's a simple man with simple dreams, drowning under a mountain of debt. But his sad life gets turned upside down one day when he's betrayed by someone he trusts. Now with the power of a devil inside him, Denji's become a whole new man--Chainsaw Man! --

Really fun. A bit gory but good story and great characters. -Mykle

Tombstone

by

DVD MOVIE ACTION Tombstone

After success cleaning up Dodge City, Wyatt Earp moves to Tombstone, Arizona, and wishes to get rich in obscurity. He meets his brothers there, as well as his old friend Doc Holliday. A band of outlaws that call themselves The Cowboys are causing problems in the region with various acts of random violence, and inevitably come into confrontation with Holliday and the Earps, which leads to a shoot-out at the OK Corral.

Classic Western. Kurt Russell plays a good Earp but Kilmer's Doc Holliday is legendary. A must watch film. -Mykle

Three kinds of lucky

by Kim Harrison

SCIENCE FICTION Harrison Kim
Fantasy

"Petra Grady has known since adolescence that she has no talent for magic-and that's never going to change. But as a sweeper first-class, she's parlayed her rare ability to handle dross--the damaging, magical waste generated by her more talented kin's spellwork--into a decent life working at the mages' university. Except Grady's relatively predictable life is about to be upended. When the oblivious, sexy, and oh-so-out-of-reach Benedict Strom needs someone with her abilities for a research project studying dross and how to render it harmless, she's stuck working on his team-whether she wants to or not. Only Benedict doesn't understand the characteristics of dross like Grady does. After an unthinkable accident, she and Benedict are forced to go on the run to seek out the one person who might be able to help: an outcast exiled ten years ago for the crime of using dross to cast spells. Now Grady must decide whether to stick with the magical status quo or embrace her own hidden talents . . . and risk shattering their entire world."--

The author's writing style was so good. It made this an easy read. I really enjoyed the idea that there's a waste byproduct from magic that has to be handled by specialists. -Mykle

The big Lebowski

by

DVD MOVIE COMEDY Big

A lazy, unemployed Southern Californian stoner who loves bowling gets mistaken for a millionaire with the same name. He's beaten up by men looking for money from the rich man's wife and gets drawn into the kidnapping of the millionaire's wife.

This movie is so weird and funny. A classic worth re-watching semi-regularly. Great performances from Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and John Tuturro. 10/10 -Mykle

The best of world SF.

by various

SCIENCE FICTION Best
Science Fiction

The future is coming. It knows no bounds, and neither should science fiction. They say the more things change the more they stay the same. But over the last hundred years, science fiction has changed. Vibrant new generations of writers have sprung up across the globe, proving the old adage false. From Ghana to India, from Mexico to France, from Singapore to Cuba, they draw on their unique backgrounds and culture, changing the face of the genre one story at a time. Prepare yourself for a journey through the wildest reaches of the imagination, to visions of Earth as it might be and the far corners of the universe. Along the way, you will meet robots and monsters, adventurers and time travellers, rogues and royalty. In The Best of World SF, award-winning author Lavie Tidhar acts as guide and companion to a world of stories, from never-before-seen originals to award winners, from twenty-three countries and seven languages. Because the future is coming and it belongs to us all. (summary from Amazon)

A great collection of Sci-Fi stories from authors all over the world. I really enjoy the perspectives coming from different parts of the world. Sci-Fi stories just haven't been published unless they were from the US or Europe. -Mykle

Yumi and the nightmare painter

by Brandon Sanderson

SCIENCE FICTION Sanderso Brandon
Science Fiction, Fantasy

"Yumi comes from a land of gardens, meditation, and spirits, while Painter lives in a world of darkness, technology, and nightmares. When their lives suddenly become intertwined in strange ways, can they put aside their differences and work together to uncover the mysteries of their situation and save each other's communities from certain disaster? "--

Brandon Sanderson is an amazing high fantasy and sci-fi author and this looks like his most fun book, to date. Put this on your holds list! -Mykle

The Golden Doves

by Martha Hall Kelly

OverDrive eBook
Historical Fiction, LGBTQ+, Suspense

Two former female spies, bound together by their past, risk everything to hunt down an infamous Nazi doctor in the aftermath of World War II—a pulse-pounding novel inspired by true events from the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls “Martha Hall Kelly deftly illuminates little-known complexities of the post-war era while painting a vivid portrait of the deep scars and trauma that Holocaust survivors carried.”—Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Sapphire American Josie Anderson and Parisian Arlette LaRue are thrilled to be working in the French resistance, stealing so many Nazi secrets that they become known as the Golden Doves, renowned across France and hunted by the Gestapo. Their courage will cost them everything. When they are finally arrested and taken to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, along with their loved ones, a reclusive Nazi doctor does unspeakable things to Josie’s mother, a celebrated Jewish singer who joined her daughter in Paris when the world seemed bright. And Arlette’s son is stolen from her, never to be seen again. A decade later the Doves fall headlong into a dangerous dual mission: Josie is working for U.S. Army Intelligence and accepts an assignment to hunt down the infamous doctor, while a mysterious man tells Arlette he may have found her son. The Golden Doves embark on a quest across Europe and ultimately to French Guiana, discovering a web of terrible secrets, and must put themselves in grave danger to finally secure justice and protect the ones they love. Martha Hall Kelly has garnered acclaim for her stunning combination of empathy and research into the stories of women throughout history and for exploring the terrors of Ravensbrück. With The Golden Doves, she has crafted an unforgettable story about the fates of Nazi fugitives in the wake of World War II—and the unsung female spies who risked it all to bring them to justice.

These characters are fictional but they went through some real stuff. Simultaneously sad and exciting, I had to put it down a few times but I always came back. -Mykle

Traditional Wicca : a seeker's guide

by Thorn Mooney

133.43 /Mooney
Nature, Religion

"A description of the structure, hierarchy, and training of a Traditional Wiccan coven, focusing on guidance for those seeking to join one"--

A great introduction into the magic and practices by someone who is very experienced. -Mykle

The enigma of Theresa Dolezal Feldwert and the Black Angel

by Timothy C Parrott

977.7655 /Parrott
History, Paranormal

Local History! Learn about the Black Angel statue in Oakland Cemetery. -Mykle

The city we became

by N. K. Jemisin

SCIENCE FICTION Jemisin N. K.
Fantasy, LGBTQ+

"Five New Yorkers must come together in order to save their city from destruction in the first book of a stunning new series by Hugo award-winning and NYT bestselling author N. K. Jemisin. Every great city has a soul. Some are ancient as myths, and others are as new and destructive as children. New York? She's got six. When a young man crosses the bridge into New York City, something changes. He doesn't remember who he is, where he's from, or even his own name. But he can feel the pulse of the city, can see its history, can access its magic. And he's not the only one. All across the boroughs, strange things are happening. Something is threatening to destroy the city and her six newborn avatars unless they can come together and stop it once and for all"--

I love the idea of a city being a living organism with avatars in charge of defending it. Jemisin has created some very lively and interesting characters for this modern fantasy novel. -Mykle

Star Wars. The Mandalorian, Season 1

by Rodney (Producer) Barnes

COMIC Star Wars Mandalorian Season 1
Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Adventure

"Din Djarin, the armored bounty hunter known to friend and enemy as simply the Mandalorian, has agreed to track down a target for a mysterious ex-Imperial client who offers to pay in Beskar, a rare metal revered by Mandalorians. But when Djarin locates the target--an adorable green toddler--all bets are off! Will Djarin follow his Mandalorian code and turn over the Child? And if he doesn't, what will the consequences be?"--Back cover of Season 1, part 1.

This is a beautiful comic version of the hit series. Learn to love Baby Yoda all over again! -Mykle

Dissenter on the bench : Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life and work

by Victoria Ortiz

BIOGRAPHY Ginsburg, Ruth Bader

"The life and career of the fiercely principled Supreme Court Justice, now a popular icon, with dramatic accounts of her landmark cases that moved the needle on legal protection of human rights, illustrated with b/w archival photographs"--

RBG is arguably one of the greatest justices of our time. I always love reading about her and her work. This book is a good take on her life and career. -Mykle

Chess for dummies

by James Eade

794.1 /Eade
Sports

Your quick and easy guide to the rules, strategies, and etiquette of chess. Offers easily understood explanations of the game and its components, to provide a one-stop resource for improving your chess skills.

Learn to chess! If you've been too intimidated to start, this book teaches the rules and goes lightly into theory and strategies. -Mykle

Mesozoic art : dinosaurs and other ancient animals in art

by

567.9 /Mesozoic
Art / Art History, Science

"Dinosaurs are endlessly fascinating to people of every age, from the youngest child who enjoys learning the tongue-twisting names to adults who grew up with Jurassic Park and Walking with Dinosaurs. As our knowledge of the prehistoric world continues to evolve and grow, so has the discipline of bringing these ancient worlds to life artistically. Paleoart puts flesh on the bones of long-extinct organisms, and illustrates they world they lived in. Mesozoic Art showcases twenty of the best artists working in this field, representing a broad spectrum of disciplines, from traditional painting to cutting-edge digital technology. Some provide the artwork for new scientific papers that demand high-end paleoart as part of their presentation to the world at large; they also work for the likes of National Geographic and provide art to museums around the world to illustrate their displays. Other artists are the new rising stars of paleoart in an ever-growing, ever-diversifying field." -- Amazon.com.

This book is full of really cool art depicting the ancient world. Also, you can leave it on your coffee table to spark a dinosaur chat with your friends. -Mykle

Mega guide to drawing manga

by Samantha Gorel

741.50952 /Gorel
Art / Art History, Crafts

The essential guide to drawing manga figures. Ideal for seasoned comic artists or complete beginners, this fantastic book is packed with clear instructions and inspiration for drawing manga figures. It begins with the basics and contains galleries of body parts, expressions and hair styles to inspire and encourage the reader, along with step-by-step guides to mastering fundamentals such as anatomy and hands and feet. A range of profiles, characters, genders and ages is included. Build up skill through drawing and inking and then experiment using different colouring media - including markers, watercolour acrylics and pencils - to achieve outstanding results.

I love drawing. I love manga. Now I can draw manga. Check out this book and so can you! -Mykle

Bowls & broths : build a bowl of flavour from scratch, with dumplings, noodles and more

by Pippa Middlehurst

641.595 /Middlehurst
Cookbooks

"Bowls & Broths is a super-fresh collection of broth-based recipes that will teach you how to season, layer and create versatile and exciting dishes from scratch"--Publisher's description.

You know when it's bad but broth often underappreciated in a good meal. Pretty much everything in here: noodles, dumplings, ramen, etc. -Mykle

Cobra Kai. Season 3

by

DVD TV Cobra s. 3

Miguel is in precarious condition after the brutal brawl between dojos, but not much could keep Kreese from continuing to manipulate his students into following his idealization of dominance through physical strength. Johnny keep seeking redemption while Daniel turns to the past for answers, each of them hoping to save their students in their own ways.

Cobra Kai is a continuation of the Karate Kid films. It has Johnny and Daniel mostly but many characters make guest appearances. It is the best thing on Netflix. -Mykle

Midnight horizon

by Daniel José Older

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Star Wars
Science Fiction, Fantasy

After a series of losses, the Republic seems to have the villainous Nihil marauders on the run. Jedi Masters Cohmac Vitus and Kantam Sy are sent to the world of Corellia, in the Galactic Core, to investigate a suspected Nihil attack. There, Padawans Reath Silas and Ram Jomaram encounter security specialist Crash, whose friend was one of the victims of the attack. What they uncover on Corellia turns out to be part of a great plan-- one that could lead the Jedi to their most stunning defeat yet. -- adapted from jacket

The High Republic is so captivating. Another good installment here. -Mykle

Talk to your cat : how to communicate with your pet

by Susie Green

636.8083 /Green
Animals

We all know cats can talk—but how do we find out what our cat is actually saying? Talk to Your Cat is the book that reveals the secrets of the enigmatic feline. With a host of cat lore and wisdom, as well as explaining body language, facial expressions, and the meaning of meows, the book breaks down the mysteries surrounding why cats do what they do! You’ll find information on cat psychology, how breeding controls behavior, finding the root cause of what has made your cat unhappy, and all sorts of fascinating facts to help you better understand your feline friend. Soon you will know everything there is to know about your cat! But we may never understand why they knocked that glass off the table…(Amazon Books)

If you need some tips on reading your cat's body language, or what they're trying to say to you, this is a good tool. -Mykle

God storm

by Ma, Coco, author.

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Ma, Coco

"Everything has a price. In the kingdom of Axaria, a darkness has fallen. After defeating the evil mother who summoned an immortal demon to kill her, newly coronated Queen Asterin Faelenhart should have every reason to celebrate. Her kingdom is safe, forbidden magic eradicated, and her friends are alive. Except Asterin's triumph has come at a devastating cost -- forced to choose between a lifelong friend and true love, she's lost both. But the shadows in Axaria have begun to stir once again, and no one is more starved for vengeance than Asterin... Yet it soon becomes clear that the shadows plaguing her kingdom are just the beginning. Another realm coexists with the mortal world -- the beautiful, nightmarish Immortal Realm ruled by the wicked God of Shadow, King Eoin. When their paths entwine, Asterin realizes that Eoin possesses exactly what -- and who -- she seeks most. And the fates of all those that she holds dear -- Orion, her missing Guardian; Luna, the friend she could not save; Harry, the demon who saved them all; and Quinlan, her beloved broken prince -- ultimately rest in the god's hands. But in a world of magic, not everyone is always as they seem. When shocking discoveries threaten everything and everyone that Asterin has sworn her life to protect, she won't be the only person forced to make a choice... a choice that will change the mortal world forever. And maybe even destroy it" --Amazon.

This is the second book in the series, but it's so good I had to include it. The first book, Shadow Frost was written by Ma at the age of 15. Still she did such a great job of writing complex characters (Way better than Christoper Paolini). -Mykle

Shine

by Jung, Jessica, 1989- author.

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Jung Jessica

Six years ago Korean American Rachel Kim was recruited by DB Entertainment, one of Seoul's largest K-pop labels. The rules are simple: Train 24/7. Be perfect. Don't date. Now, as the dark scandals of an industry bent on controlling and commodifying beautiful girls begin to bubble up, Rachel wonders if she is strong enough to be a winner, or if she will end up crushed. When she begins to develop feelings for K-pop star and DB golden boy Jason Lee, it's not just that he is charming, sexy, and ridiculously talented. He's also the first person who really understands how badly she wants her star to rise. -- adapted from jacket

This book was written by a real-life K-Pop star. It's a whirlwind tale of expectations, love, sabotage, and betrayal. We also have the 2022 sequel, Bright! -Mykle

The bone witch

by Chupeco, Rin, author.

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Chupeco Rin
Young Adult, Fantasy

Tea's gift for death magic means that she is a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community, but when an older bone witch trains her to become an asha--one who can wield elemental magic--Tea will have to overcome her obstacles and make a powerful choice in the face of danger as dark forces approach.

In a high fantasy world where you can literally give your heart to someone, a young necromancer accidentally raises her dead brother. Taken to a faraway island, she must learn to control her power amidst the threat of mysterious villains. This book really introduces a series that gets better with each book. -Mykle

The star-touched queen

by Chokshi, Roshani, author.

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Chokshi Roshani

Scorned and feared because of a formidable horoscope, Maya commits herself to her education only to land in an arranged marriage that culminates in her sudden elevation to the throne, a situation threatened by dark secrets and magic.

This book is a whirlwind of a tale. Escaping a forced suicide designed by her scheming father, our doomed princess, Maya, is whisked away by her arranged husband. He's not quite what he seems but neither is Maya. She must confront her past to ensure her future. -Mykle

A thousand steps into night

by Chee, Traci, author.

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Chee Traci

In the realm of Awara, where gods, monsters, and humans exist side by side, Miuko is an ordinary girl resigned to a safe, if uneventful, existence as an innkeeper's daughter. But when Miuko is cursed and begins to transform into a demon with a deadly touch, she embarks on a quest to reverse the curse and return to her normal life. Aided by a thieving magpie spirit and continuously thwarted by a demon prince, Miuko must outfox tricksters, escape demon hunters, and negotiate with feral gods if she wants to make it home again. But with her transformation comes power and freedom she never even dreamed of, and she'll have to decide if saving her soul is worth trying to cram herself back into an ordinary life that no longer fits her... and perhaps never did.

In an amazing world where demons, gods, and humans live together, a young woman fights against both societal expectations and a demon bent on controlling the world. Will she choose hew own humanity or the power to save everyone she loves? This book is my favorite on this list. Love, love, love it. -Mykle

Three dark crowns

by Blake, Kendare, author.

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Blake Kendare

On the island of Fennbirn, triplet sisters who each wield a coveted magic skill and claim an equal right to the throne must fight to the death when they turn sixteen for the title of Queen Crowned.

This is the first book in a series of magical and dark high fantasy novels. Triplet sisters with unique powers are forced into a fight for the throne and their lives. Complicated characters and prose make this a wonderful read. -Mykle

Yolk

by Choi, Mary H. K., author.

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Choi Mary

Jayne and June are nothing alike. Their family moved from Seoul to San Antonio and finally New York. The sisters don't want anything to do with each other... until June gets cancer. And Jayne becomes the only one who can help her. Now, flung together by sickness, bound by family secrets, they learn more about themselves and each other than they may be willing to confront. -- adapted from jacket

A modern and moving tale of two estranged sisters. Their tendencies for self-destruction were so relatable. The characters are complex and interesting. The portrayal of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders is really accurate and isn't stigmatizing. -Mykle