The Librarians Suggest

I don't come across many books that I think everyone should read. I read this for one of our book clubs at work and I found The Hate U Give  by Angie Thomas well deserving of all the hype. It's one of the most honest reads I've read in a long time. I mostly read adult fiction/nonfiction but every now and then I like to pick up a YA or children's book and I'm really glad we picked this for book club.  Starr Carter witnesses the death of her childhood best friend Khalil, who was unarmed, at the hands of a white cop. Living in a poor neighborhood but attending a fancy prep school, Starr finds it even harder to navigate both of her worlds with the decision to speak out about what happened weighing heavily on her and her family.  I try to avoid spoilers so I'm going to leave it at that! It's beautifully written, powerful and thought provoking. This book doesn't hold back and it is a great reminder of how powerful your voice can be and that you shou...

Hello! So our discussion of Kate Chopin's "The Awakening" fell through and is lost in the digital world. Technically our discussion of "3 Strange Tales" by Ryunosuke Akutagawa is Episode 11 but for posting reasons and because we can't stand a skipped number, it's labeled as Episode 10. Overall we really enjoyed reading these stories. We won't say too much as we of course want you to listen to the episode. The stories are indeed strange but there are actually 4 (bonus!). They are atmospheric and thought provoking. So give Episode 10 a listen, read the book if you get a chance and let us know what you think of these strange tales. See you in the stacks, Gina, Sarah & Jade

Tolstoy is usually the first Russian fiction people start reading, Bukgakov is just as much a literary genius! I seriously cannot put this down! "Follow me, reader! Whoever told you there is no such thing in the world as real, true, everlasting love? May the liar have his despicable tongue cut out! Follow me, my reader, and only me, and I"ll show you that kind of love." 

Today's book of the day is a middle grade read by Grace Lin. Inspired by folktales her father has told her, Minli goes on an extraordinary adventure, encountering all sorts of characters and creatures, to ask the Old Man on the Moon how she can change her family's fortune. 

Time for another book of the day! Haruki Murakami's short story "The Second Bakery Attack" from the collection "The Elephant Vanishes" was just read on the Levar Burton Reads podcast! He's one of Jade's favorite authors. What's one of your favorite short story collections?