Langley-Adams Library Recommendations

In need of a humorous feel-good book? I highly recommend "All About Me" by Mel Brooks! I also recommend that you listen & read it-as Mel narrates it and the book provides photos. I listened to this while I was walking and found myself laughing out loud. I am sure all that walked past me wondered what I was listening to-ha!        Mel Brooks is more than meets the eye by the way. Did you know that Mel, 95 years old, was taught military engineering skills at the Virginia Military Institute and served as a corporal in the 1104th Engineer combat Battalion, 78th Infantry Division defusing land mines as the Allies advanced into Nazi Germany? That his real name is Melvin Kaminsky? Did you know thanks to Brooks' production company "The Elephant Man", "The Fly", "84 Charing Cross Road'-just to name a few dramatic movies got made? Mel was smart enough to realize he was too known for comedy to let his association with these great films be known (unti...

It's 2061, and a comet is about to hit Earth, wiping out the world's population and making the planet inhabitable. Only a privileged few get the opportunity to go to space and live on a new planet. Twelve-year-old Petra Peña and her family are given this rare opportunity because her parents are scientists who will be able to help make the new planet habitable for humans. The catch is that getting to the new planet, Sagan, will take 380 years, so Petra, her brother Javier, her parents, and the many other passengers on the ship will be put in a cryogenic sleep until they reach the new planet.  When Petra wakes up, she realizes something is wrong immediately. Instead of waking up and seeing her family, she realizes that everyone on the ship is now brainwashed. Her family is gone and the ship is now ruled by The Collective, which is determined to erase all information about and artifacts from Earth. Petra is the only one who remembers Earth and the stories her grandmother told her....

When Claire Kovalik and her crew intercept a distress call at the edge of known space, the message leads them to a luxury cruiser, the Aurora, which had been lost for decades. Eager to claim the wreck and cash in on their find, the team boards the vessel only to encounter a horrific scene of mayhem and death. Dead Silence kept me entertained from the very beginning as I was determined to learn what happened to Claire and her crew aboard the Aurora, and what caused the violent scene they encountered.  Not only was this book a real page turner, it also tackled topics including corporate greed, mental illness, and how people deal with stressful/traumatizing experiences. S.A. Barnes did a great job developing her characters, particularly the main character Claire Kovalik, whose experiences at a Mars colony as a child directly influence how she handles the situations she finds herself in throughout the book. I highly recommend this book for any fan of either science fiction or horror as...

Opioid, Indiana is the heart-wrenching story of Riggle, a grief stricken 17 year old from the border of Texas who finds himself trying to acclimate to the weather and culture change of moving to rural Indiana. Having nowhere else to turn, he finds he has to navigate the hardships of the rural drug culture. Along his travels, Riggle is fortunate enough to find a great best friend who showed him kindness and that he wasn’t alone on this Earth.  Riggle embarks upon on a hero’s adventure to find his addict uncle to avoid being put in a state home for orphans, but the rent is due in a few days and Riggle isn't sure he can earn enough before then. Along his travels Riggle meets the colorful people of Opioid, Indiana and sees the possible futures his life could take if his chooses one path over another.  Sherry Sabins Library Assistant If you liked this, you might also enjoy (Both available in the MVLC):

In this alternate, fantastical history, witches are real. Or, they were real. Now, women's ability to do witching has been made illegal for women. While women can do magic, it is frowned upon, and the only thing they are allowed to do is little charms to help themselves with "women's" or household work. In 1893, James Juniper is on the run and ends up in New Salem, where her estranged sisters Beatrice Belladona and Agnes Amaranth reside (and yes, there is a reason for those names!). She soon finds a purpose and joins the local women's rights movement - first interested in women's suffrage, but wanting  more . She wants to bring witching back. Agnes finds herself pregnant and is first hesitant to join the movement her sister wants to create in case she puts her baby in danger. Beatrice is an assistant librarian at the New Salem College, but has secretly been delving into research about women's witching, and how to bring it back. Juniper's sisters end up...

The Man Who Died Twice is the second offering from British comedian Richard Osman, and if you haven’t already read his first book, The Thursday Murder Club , stop what you’re doing and get it now. Seriously. It’s that good.   This second book picks up a week after the first one ends and brings back all of the best characters from the first book. The group of four septuagenarians, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim, set off to solve their next mystery after Elizabeth receives a letter from a new resident at Cooper’s Chase retirement community with whom she shares a bit of history. Osman’s talent at combining humor and the quaintness of a retirement community in the English countryside with more “gritty” topics like murder, drug dealing, jewel theft, and the mafia really shines in this novel, and you can really tell that he enjoys writing these characters as much as the readers love reading them. Matthew McNichol Library Assistant This book is available in regular and large print...

The members of the Montoya family are used to strange, magical things happening around them. It all seems to stem from their family matriarch,  Orquídea .  One day, each of the Montoyas, living all over the United States, receive an invitation from  Orquídea  that states she's dying, and each member of her family should come collect their inheritance. When everyone arrives, they find  Orquídea  turning into a tree, and she still won't fully explain the magic that has always been in their lives. What they learn is that their family matriarch made a deal 48 years ago - a deal that affected all of them, and now she's trying to protect them from a danger none of them even imagined. This book was fantastic! It was full of whimsy and magic. I enjoyed that the book alternated between  Orquídea's life in the past and the current lives of her descendants, and how they intertwine. I highly recommend this book if it sounds like something you might enjoy! Darcy Le...

Lobstah Gahden Written by Alli Brydon & EG Keller Illustrated by EG Keller This educational and funny book follows the story of Walter, the lobster who is competing against his neighbor, Milton, in the annual Swell Gahdens contest. But what happens when trash and pollution start destroying all of Milton and Walter’s hard work? They work together to solve the problem!  This picture book is a fun read since the entire book is written in an over-the-top “wicked awesome” Boston accent. The ending of the book includes "lobstah" fun facts, ways that children can help reduce ocean pollution, and organizations that are helping Walter, Milton, and their neighbors! Trillions of Trees Written & Illustrated by Kurt Cyrus This book follows a little girl who attempts to buy a trillium tree, but is misheard and is instead sent a trillion trees! It follows her, her brother, and her entire community as they plant the trees in yards, parks, and reservations to restore a forest after...

In  Six Crimson Cranes , Shiori is a princess with magic living in a land that seemingly no longer has magic, making it taboo. She discovers that her stepmother is also a sorceress. Upon her discovery, Shiori's stepmother banishes her from her home and turns her six brothers into cranes. Shiori is cursed to be silent; with every word she speaks, one of her brothers will die. Shiori must learn to rely on herself, the power of silence, and some unexpected allies to break her stepmother's curse. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes YA fantasy and fairy tales! Darcy Lepore Library Director Available at Langley-Adams Library. If You Like Six Crimson Cranes:

  "This scrumptious  New York Times  bestseller has a whole lot of kick! Dragons love tacos. They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, and teeny tiny tacos. So if you want to lure a bunch of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos. Buckets and buckets of tacos. Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa . . . oh, boy. You're in red-hot trouble. The award-winning team behind  Those Darn Squirrels!  has created an unforgettable, laugh-until-salsa-comes-out-of-your-nose tale of new friends and the perfect snack." (goodreads.com) Have you ever wanted to host a taco part for dragons? If you answered yes, make sure you have enough tacos to fill a boat, and definitely DO NOT put out any spicy toppings or the consequences could be disastrous!  Dragons Love Tacos  by Adam Rubin follows a young boy who learns about dragons and their love of tacos and parties from the nar...

  "Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family, and the power of literature to bring us together, perfect for fans of  The Lilac Girls  and  The Paris Wife ." A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we are—family, friends, and favorite authors— The Paris Library  shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places." (goodreads.com) I LOVE libraries and have since I was a child. I was that child who counted down the days until I could get my library card, sit among the stacks and read the day away. So, when Sue, our Adult Services Librarian, recommended this book to me, I didn't blink an eye. From the Art Deco book cover to the way the author wove a story of love, loyalty and bravery set amongst the backdrop of a library, I was hooked from the start.  I ap...

  "Turtle really likes standing in his favorite spot. He likes it so much that he asks his friend Armadillo to come over and stand in it, too. But now that Armadillo is standing in that spot, he has a bad feeling about it . . . Here comes The Rock from the Sky, a meditation on the workings of friendship, fate, shared futuristic visions, and that funny feeling you get that there's something off somewhere, but you just can't put your finger on it." (goodreads.com) This book has a very unique illustration and writing style, and it is genuinely hilarious for parents and children alike. It chronicles three animals as they sit in their favorite spots and interact with one another. This is an extremely charming little story that is a lot of fun to read. Hannah Longo Library Page Available at Langley-Adams Library. Other Pictures Books By Jon Klassen:

  Lost Stars by Claudia Gray is a coming of age story of love and war. This young adult Star Wars novel starts off eleven years before the events of A New Hope, when the two main characters, Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree, meet for the first time at a ceremony being held by the Galactic Empire on their home planet. The two of them quickly become friends, and, later on, join the imperial academy on Couruscant. After both of them gain a substantial amount of experience fighting for the Empire in the actual Galactic Civil War, Thane eventually realizes that he disagrees with the Empire’s ways so much so that he would rather be on the other side of the war, the Rebel Alliance. Thane joins the rebellion and continues to fight in the war despite Ciena still being on the opposite side. The book follows Thane and Ciena until after the events of Return of the Jedi. As an experienced storyteller, and someone who has gained a positive reputation among hardcore Star Wars fans, Claudia Gray unde...

  “ To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.” (g oodreads.com ) This story is a sweet and complicated teen romantic comedy with many twists and turns, with suspense and laughter, and, of course, romance. Readers such as myself will love the almost real story- telling of Ms. Han and all her books. Jhanliz Guzman-Mata Langley-Adams Library Volunteer

"High schooler Ryuu knows he's transgender. But he doesn't have anyone to confide in about the confusion he feels. He can't tell his best friend, who he's secretly got a crush on, and he can't tell his mom, who's constantly asking why Ryuu is always dressing like a boy. He certainly can't tell Jin, the new transfer student who looks like just another bully. The only time Ryuu feels at ease is when he's wearing his favorite clothes. Then, and only then, the world melts away, and he can be his true self.  One day, while out shopping, Ryuu sees an unexpected sight: Jin. The kid who looked so tough in class is shopping for the same clothes that Ryuu loves. And Jin offers Ryuu a proposal: to start their own brand and create apparel to help everyone feel comfortable in their skin. At last, Ryuu has someone he can open up to--and the journey ahead might finally give him a way to express himself to everyone else. Boys Run The Riot is about a transgender tee...

" Long before George Takei braved new frontiers in  Star Trek , he woke up as a four-year-old boy to find his own birth country at war with his father's -- and their entire family forced from their home into an uncertain future. In 1942, at the order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, every person of Japanese descent on the west coast was rounded up and shipped to one of ten "relocation centers," hundreds or thousands of miles from home, where they would be held for years under armed guard. They Called Us Enemy  is Takei's firsthand account of those years behind barbed wire, the joys and terrors of growing up under legalized racism, his mother's hard choices, his father's faith in democracy, and the way those experiences planted the seeds for his astonishing future." (Goodreads.com) They Called Us Enemy   was a moving personal account of the internment of Japanese Americans in the United States during World War II. In this graphic novel Takei does a...

" Leigh Chen Sanders is absolutely certain about one thing: When her mother died by suicide, she turned into a bird.  Leigh, who is half Asian and half white, travels to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents for the first time. There, she is determined to find her mother, the bird. In her search, she winds up chasing after ghosts, uncovering family secrets, and forging a new relationship with her grandparents. And as she grieves, she must try to reconcile the fact that on the same day she kissed her best friend and longtime secret crush, Axel, her mother was taking her own life. Alternating between real and magic, past and present, friendship and romance, hope and despair,  The Astonishing Color of After  is a novel about finding oneself through family history, art, grief, and love." (Goodreads.com) The Astonishing Color of After  had an interesting way of processing grief. Pan did a lovely job of creating a magical twist to how families grieve, especially when th...

"Sophomores Abby, Brit, Christine, and Sasha are fed up. Hazelton High never has enough tampons. Or pads. Or adults who will listen. Sick of an administration that puts football before female health, the girls confront a world that shrugs―or worse, squirms―at the thought of a menstruation revolution. They band together to make a change. It’s no easy task, especially while grappling with everything from crushes to trig to JV track but they have each other’s backs. That is, until one of the girls goes rogue, testing the limits of their friendship and pushing the friends to question the power of their own voices." (Goodreads.com) Go with the Flow was a great graphic novel about a group of girls dealing with their periods. I  wish I had a book like this growing up.   It did a great job at showing the struggles of individuals who menstruate.   Meghan McCabe Children & Youth Services Librarian Available at the Langley-Adams Library

" For decades, we’ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. "F**k positivity," Mark Manson says. "Let’s be honest, shit is f**ked and we have to live with it." In his wildly popular Internet blog, Manson doesn’t sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is—a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today.  The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k  is his antidote to the coddling, let’s-all-feel-good mindset that has infected American society and spoiled a generation, rewarding them with gold medals just for showing up. Manson makes the argument, backed both by academic research and well-timed poop jokes, that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade, but on learning to stomach lemons better. Human beings are flawed and limited—"not everybody can be extraordinary, there are winners and losers in society, and some of it is not fair or your fault." Manson advises us to get to...

" Justyce McAllister is top of his class and set for the Ivy League—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. And despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can't escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates. Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out. Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it's Justyce who is under attack." (Goodreads.com) Dear Martin  by Nic Stone is worth the read. It sucks you in and you want to read it in one sitting. It does a great job at mirroring current events and the struggles that teens have dealing with double standards. Meghan McCabe Childr...