A Lot Like Christmas by Connie Willis

This book of short stories by Hugo Award winning author Connie Willis is sure to get you in the spirit of the season. She puts a fantastical spin on many cherished holiday traditions, from android Rockettes to high-tech decorations. Willis also pays homage to the classics, pondering what the ghosts from Dickens's A Christmas Carol do in a modern December, and presenting a Christmas mystery that takes cues from both Arthur Conan Doyle and Edgar Allan Poe. A couple of tales touch on the biblical story, including a trio of contemporary magi cruising the interstate, and a nativity lost in time. Willis' love of holiday movies is also on full display (are you team It's a Wonderful Life or team Miracle on 34th Street?). She even includes her personal advent calendar of movie suggestions.

The stories in A Lot Like Christmas are light fare with just a dash of science fiction and a healthy dose of humor; perfect for listening to while putting up decorations or baking cookies.

Devolution by Max Brooks

Amidst the settling ash and chaos following the eruption of Mount Rainier, there is a massacre of a nearby community. Built to be eco-friendly and self-sufficient, Greenloop is already considered “off-the-grid living,” but in the aftermath of the eruption, the tiny town is even more cut off from the rest of Washington. So when, fleeing the fires, a group of Bigfoot – that’s right, BIGFOOT – descend upon the community, all Hell breaks loose.

The whole book takes place after the massacre, and is written as a series of interviews with people connected to the event, along with excerpts from a diary found at the scene. The reporter is able to bring the whole story to life and recreate the gruesome events by blending the interviews and diaries together, along with some real-life accounts of primatologists and anthropologists, like Jane Goodall.

This is is a wonderfully terrifying read that will have you sleeping with the lights on and taking a second look at the treeline the next time you go camping. The audiobook version was spectacular, especially since it is narrated by multiple great voice actors, who do a tremendous job voicing the fear and the anxiety felt by the residents of Greenloop. It’s not like Max Brooks to write sequels, but the cliffhanger at the end of Devolution will leave you begging for a second book. As Halloween approaches, there is no more perfect, scary, “campfire-y” story you’d want to read or listen to than this book. 10 out of 10 on the “scare-the-****-out-of-you” scale!

Absolute Carnage by Donny Cates

Someone is going around looking exactly like Eddie Brock, with a Venom-like suit, on a killing spree, taking out anyone who has ever called any of the various symbiotes their host. Though troubling for the world, it’s especially troubling for Eddie Brock, now wanted as a serial killer. Knowing well that the real perpetrator is Kleetus Cassidy, aka Carnage, Brock must team up with Spiderman and what few other heroes will believe he’s innocent, and put a stop to Carnage.

Though DC has more been known to utilize dark and gritty elements in their stories than Marvel, few characters get as twisted as Carnage, and his appearance here is no different. Absolute Carnage is a horror story; that much is obvious from its reliance on the literal dark, along with plenty of violent imagery, overwhelming odds, and a plot to summon an otherworldly abomination to Earth: the source of all of the symbiotes in the universe. Carnage’s ability to take over people’s minds and twist them to his goals adds to the overall sense that Absolute Carnage might have at least partially been inspired by the likes of H.P. Lovecraft, creator of the Cthulhu mythos. The story does suffer from relying on previous storylines, which causes it to lose some of its accessibility, but fans of Venom (and especially of his recent film) will enjoy this tale to thrill.

Hell's Bell by Keri Arthur

Witches Lizzie and Belle have been best friends since childhood, but now they are on the run from Lizzie’s family, who are considered witch royalty. They currently own a cafe on the Faelan Werewolf Reservation and perform psychic readings on the side.

During the adventures of the first book, some people in town learned that Lizzie and Belle may be more than they led the reservation council to believe, including Lizzie’s new love interest, ranger Aiden O’Connor. They thought they were still safe, until Lizzie is awakened by church bells during the witching hour and can sense the evil, vengeful presence of a soul eater on the hunt. As the body count climbs, Lizzie’s life and business are put in peril. But the biggest threat is an outside witch brought in to hunt the soul eater. He views Lizzie and Belle as a puzzle he needs to unscramble, which may lead her family right to their doorstep.

The Lizzie Grace series takes place in Australia, which is also where the author and narrator live. As such, there are some phrases that the average American wouldn’t hear on a daily basis, but Littrell says them so smoothly that you don’t have to stop and ponder the meaning. Littrell gives the narration of the book a more personal feel, like you're really listening to the story from Lizzie herself, which is something that I often feel is missing from audiobooks.

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

Malorie didn't believe there was something out there at first. Her sister tried to warn her. Incidents of suicide and madness were popping up around the world but nothing close to home. Until their parents stopped answering the phone. Then there were cases occurring in their city. Finally, pregnant and scared, Malorie finds her sister in the bathroom in a pool of blood. Thus starts a frightening tale of unknowns and survival. In an attempt to find civilization with two young children in her care, Malorie takes to the the river to find a group who is self sustaining, and waiting for their arrival. But will they be able to make it, completely blind to the elements? Will the children be able to keep their blindfolds on? Or will the creatures get to them?

Bird Box is an atmospheric horror novel written in a quiet way that instantly gives the reader goosebumps. Malerman creates a dystopian world full of uncertainties that is completely original and addictive. Cassandra Campbell narrates the audiobook with hushed tones and a perfectly timed voice. This is a perfect book for readers looking for a subdued horror novel.

The Snagglepuss Chronicles: Exit Stage Left by Mark Russell

Snagglepuss, a famous Broadway playwright in 1953's America, is called before the House Un-American Activities Committee for potential subversion of the government with his performances. He denies it. Behind his fantastic life, however, Snagglepuss is living a hidden life as a homosexual man, with a sham marriage to a woman who knows his secret, and a boyfriend who he meets regularly at a bar. While he tries to get his latest production off the ground, HUAC refuses to let him go and hunts for some proof of their claims, hoping to turn the playwright into an example and ruin his career.

The Snagglepuss Chronicles is bizarre in all the best ways. It takes itself very seriously, which makes the fact that it portrays Hannah-Barbara classics such as Huckleberry Hound, Quickdraw McGraw, and the eponymous Snagglepuss as closeted gay men during a very turbulent time in American history all the better. No one would expect these characters to be anything more than two-dimensional, like their original selves, but these are men with deep flaws, sincere personalities, and honest relationships... and it somehow works. It provides a wonderful look at the duplicity of people in positions of power, and how that power can corrupt and make you blind to doing what’s right. In many ways, Snagglepuss is very reminiscent of the 2015 film Trumbo, except replace Communism with homosexuality.

With its new and interesting take on some classic characters, The Snagglepuss Chronicles is delightfully strange, and strangely heartfelt.

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s Good Omens sees the long foretold coming of the Antichrist, which is a big problem, not just for all the people caught in the way of Armageddon, but for the angel Aziraphale, and the demon Crowley, Heaven and Hell’s representatives on the mortal plane. Both have grown rather accustomed to the comforts of the world, and, scheming together, they hatch a plot to stop the end of the world.

There’s a reason this novel makes so many lists of "must read" or, more appropriately, "must listen to" books. The writing in it is wonderful, with colorful characters, hilarious quips, and fantastic imaginings of apocalyptic entities. One would not think of the four horsemen as being fun or funny people, but these writers manage it somehow. It’s not terribly long, either, so, if you have an afternoon, give it a listen! It was also recently turned into an excellent TV miniseries by Amazon and the BBC.

An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

Sophie Beckett, an illegitimate daughter of an earl, plays servant to her wicked stepmother and stepsisters. One night, Sophie sneaks out to attend a masquerade ball at the house of the Bridgertons, a wealthy, popular family within London society. When she meets Benedict Bridgerton, they quickly become enchanted with one another during the magical evening. But when the clock strikes midnight, Sophie disappears, leaving Benedict with no clue what she looks like or who she is.

After many seasons of tiresome London balls, Benedict is immediately captivated by Sophie’s charm and her mysterious demeanor. Determined to find her and vowing to marry no other, he searches all of London-- to no avail. When he begins to develop a romantic relationship with Sophie the maid, he struggles between his vow and knowing he can never actually marry a servant. Sophie, refusing to compromise her principles, struggles between keeping her identity a secret and avoiding her stepmother, who is determined to make her life miserable.

A retelling of Cinderella, Sophie and Benedict’s story is full of passion and longing making for an exciting and sympathetic tale. It is the third book and easily my favorite of the Bridgerton series, although it can also serve as a standalone Regency romance. The Bridgertons have also been adapted into a Netflix series with producer Shonda Rhimes. It is expected to launch sometime in 2020!

The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand

Clendenin Hughes was supposed to be Dabney’s one true love, but his dreams of exploring the world outside their Nantucket home compelled Dabney to let him go. Now over twenty years later, he's back, but Dabney has moved on with her life. She’s married, running the chamber of commerce, and seemingly happy with her days. What does his presence mean? Will she respond to his repeated attempts to meet up? And what about their daughter, Agnes, whom he never met? Will he now want to be a part of her life?

Elin Hilderbrand has written an emotionally stirring story that is hard to put down. Fans of Jodi Picoult or Mary Kay Andrews should give this one a try.

My Boyfriend is a Bear by Pamela Ribon

Nora is just like any other woman in her mid-twenties. She works a job she hates, hangs out with friends, and has been through more bad relationships than she can count. She perhaps finds her true love in the most unlikeliest of places: a literal 500 pound American black bear who, after scaring her in the woods, returns something she dropped. Kind, considerate, big, and fuzzy, she must convince her friends, family, and even herself, that this is more than just an extreme rebound: it’s true love.

Calling Ribon’s book an oddball comedy-romance would be doing it a serious disservice. Nora and “The Bear” (as he is always called) do normal couple things: get dressed up, go on dates, hang out with friends, go to parties etc. Their relationship has ups and downs, twists and turns, and doubts from both about the validity of their potential together. Except, The Bear is a bear. The book never tries to hide this fact, nor does anyone doubt what he is. Most of the comedy comes from the sheer absurdity of this as we watch The Bear get a job to support himself and Nora, but we also see him comfort Nora after her cat dies. There’s some real quality insight into not letting others opinions stop you from living your best life, and living life for yourself even if that means not being with the people you care about the most. If you can bear the odd imagery, this book is a fun little story with plenty of cute to satisfy.

Friends and Strangers by J. Courtney Sullivan

Friends and Strangers tells the story of two women at a crossroads in their life. Sam, a senior at an all girls college, has signed on to babysit Elisabeth's baby, Gil, part-time. The women indulge in a quick friendship, relying on one another for honest insight as Sam prepares to adjust to a new more grown up life outside of college and Elisabeth adjusts to her new life in a small town. Both women, however, find themselves dealing with personal demons, elitism and privilege.

Sullivan's latest novel comes from the point of view of both women, telling a relatable coming-of-age story with decisions and situations from two separate points in a person's life. She does such a spectacular job drawing you into the lives of Sam and Elisabeth that you feel like you know them personally. I had a hard time letting go of this novel, so much so that I found myself up at all hours to finish it! An easy and insightful read, Sullivan fans will not be disappointed.

The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

Kristen is a fierce, loyal, smart, funny, and driven woman who makes life decisions based on logic, not feelings. When she meets Josh, the best man in her best friend’s wedding, she tries to use logic to keep their relationship strictly platonic, even though she’s never felt this way about anyone in her life-- not even her boyfriend (who is overseas in the military). However, wearing her ugliest clothes, no makeup, and forgoing a hairbrush for days doesn’t stop Josh from thinking she’s the most beautiful woman he’s ever met. As a veteran, Josh respects Kristen's boyfriend and doesn’t act on his feelings-- at least not until he breaks up with her through a voicemail telling her he re-enlisted.

Without the boyfriend in between them, they can no longer resist each other. But Kristen has health issues and a secret surgery that will make it impossible for her to have children, the one thing that Josh has made clear is a deal-breaker for him. He wants an entire sports team full of his own kids, and that’s the one thing Kristen can’t give him. No matter how much Kristen loves him, she knows she can’t deny him his dreams and pushes him away. To Josh, however, he doesn’t want a family if he can’t have it with Kristen.

This is a fantastic rom-com that will have you laughing one minute and crying the next as you deal with Kristen’s infertility issues with her.

Check out our e-book or e-audiobook copies from Library on the Go (Libby/Overdrive)!

Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View by various authors

Published in celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the release of Star Wars: A New Hope, this collection of short stories is sure to delight any fan of the Star Wars saga.

Forty stories, each written by a different author, follow the action of that first movie, but from the perspective of observers. Aliens, androids, stormtroopers, and even a few beloved characters share their small role as witnesses to the greater action. Ever wonder what the Han/Greedo showdown looked like to the cantina band? Want to get the backstory on that tentacled creature in the trash compactor? Curious about the paperwork required to keep a planet destroying battle station running? This is the place to find the answers.

Written by a variety of celebrated authors, actors, and artists, these quick, enjoyable reads range from humorous to heroic to heartbreaking; perfect for dipping into and out of while awaiting the next season of The Mandalorian.

Check out our e-book and e-audiobook copies of this book through eReadIllinois (Axis360)!

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

Cassie Hanwell is one of the best firefighters Austen, Texas, and one of the few female ones. The book begins with her being the youngest and first woman to receive an award for Valor. However, at the ceremony, the man handing her the award is an alderman she hasn’t set eyes on since high school, who happens to be the reason she doesn’t do relationships. When he gropes her onstage, she loses it and beats the crap out of him. And thus, her perfectly curated life begins to unravel.

The next day, her estranged mother calls, asking her to move to Boston because of her health issues, and Cassie's boss gives her an ultimatum: give a public apology to the alderman, or else be terminated. She chooses Boston. Her first day at the Boston firehouse, she’s struck with an unwanted attraction to another rookie, which is against all of the rules. Firefighters don’t have feelings, and they most certainly don’t date other firefighters. A few months later, she starts being stalked by one of the men from her firehouse, escalating the raw emotions she’s not equipped to deal with, until everything she’s worked so hard for blows up in her face.

Will she have the strength to overcome the obstacles? Will she let the cruelty of others dictate how she lives her life? Will she learn that having emotions can make you even stronger? You'll have to read it to find out, but I can tell you it's worth a look.

Check out our e-book or e-audiobook copies of this book from eReadIllinois (Axis360), or the e-audiobook from Library on the Go (Libby/Overdrive)!

Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar

In an alternate universe, Superman lands in Communist-controlled Ukraine and become a symbol for the U.S.S.R. rather than the United States. In the coming decades, as Cold War tension mounts, American genius Lex Luthor leads the attempt to stop him and his ever-spreading ideology by any means necessary. Given the increasing number of retakes on superhero origin stories, especially in recent years, its odd to find one as refreshing as Red Son. Perhaps this has to do with Millar’s refusal to rely on tropes, cliches, and pre-established lore, or perhaps it's because Superman seems to truly believe in his Communist ideology, much as he usually epitomizes the American Way.

One of the more interesting aspects of Red Son is how similarities can be drawn between it and real world tensions. Superman, normally a hero, is in many ways the villain of this story, both as an enemy to Americanism, and in his ethics. Influenced by his near omnipotent power, he goes so far as to lobotomize criminals to create peace. Luthor, the “hero” in that case, isn’t much better, manipulating the American people to raise funding for super weapons, turning DC heroes into his own soldiers, and creating twisted clones and monsters to try and stop Superman. Given this, who then, if either of them, is really fighting for good?

Check out this graphic novel electronically through our Hoopla e-book library!

The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo

During their senior year of college, Lucy and Gabe randomly come together on September 11, 2001, before going in separate directions. They reconnect years later and fall into a passionate love affair only to be separated again, but this time because Gabe accepts a job as a photographer with the Associated Press overseas and Lucy refuses to leave her job in New York City. Both wanting to make their mark on the world, neither wants to give up their dream for their relationship. Keeping a light friendship post break-up through the years, they are once again reconnected, though in tragedy, thus leaving Lucy with an important decision to make.
This novel had me fully invested after the first page. It's an original idea, a recount of Lucy's life with Gabe, as told by Lucy herself. A story of first love, The Light we Lost is a melancholy story with realistic undertones that make it completely relatable to the reader. To be read with a box of tissues, you will be instantly immersed in Lucy's life from the very beginning through the end.

Check out our e-book or e-audiobook copies of this book through Library on the Go (Libby/Overdrive) or eReadIllinois (Axis360).

Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn

The island of Nollop is named for its most famous citizen: Nevin Nollop, creator of the pangram, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Nollopians love language and take great pride in the creative use of their large vocabularies. Indeed, Nollop is a wordy paradise until an ordinary event triggers a fanatical response by the governing council. The council's actions snowball until the Nollopians are robbed of their beloved language, resulting in mayhem, mass exodus, and even a few deaths. These tragic events are documented in the letters of the titular Ella, her family and friends, who are at first horrified witnesses, then determined resistance fighters seeking to restore order through an act of linguistic heroics.

This book is a humorous bit of stunt writing as the calamity removes letters from usage with nearly every chapter, challenging the author to perform grammatical acrobatics to present a readable story. Dunn achieves this feat and some others that will delight language enthusiasts. He also emphasizes the importance of free communication to the well-being of society. Crossword puzzle lovers should enjoy this quick read while picking up several new words along the way.

Check out our e-book copies of this book through Library on the Go (Libby/Overdrive) or eReadIllinois (Axis360)! 

I, Eliza Hamilton by Susan Holloway Scott

In the last several years, Alexander Hamilton has reentered our popular culture thanks in large part to Ron Chernow’s biography of the man as well as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical. A great deal is known about Alexander, but what about his wife? Susan Holloway Scott has written a fictional account of the life and times of the Hamiltons, but in this case, it is all from the perspective of Eliza, his wife. Readers are taken through the Revolutionary War to post-war times and beyond. Eliza is the central figure in the story, and it is through her that the reader is shown the ups and downs of her life but also her strength of character.

Right from the very beginning, the story truly draws the reader in with this fresh perspective, and the momentum to want to read more never wavers as the reader becomes more and more invested in the characters. I, Eliza Hamilton is a highly recommended historical fiction novel. Check out one of our e-book or e-audiobook copies through Overdrive or Hoopla!

The Physician by Noah Gordon

Set in the 11th century, The Physician follows the life of Rob J. Cole from his impoverished childhood as an English orphan to becoming the titular physician. After his parents' death, Rob joins a performing troupe and becomes quite an accomplished juggler. This dexterity will serve him well in his future occupation. He later apprentices with a traveling barber/surgeon and realizes that medicine is his true calling. Thus begins his quest to gain true medical knowledge, something beyond leeches and tooth-pulling. To do so he travels to Persia and then must disguise himself as a Jew in order to attend the Muslim medical school. The tale of his journey there, his studies, and his return home is full of adventure and interesting characters.

The Physician is lengthy, but the story is a good one. Fans of epic historical fiction like Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth should enjoy it. It is the first in a multi-generational trilogy following certain Cole family descendants. The next title, Shaman, takes place during the American Civil War, while Matters of the Heart, the final book, is set in the present day. Themes of medicine and the Jewish faith run throughout the series.

Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman

The year is 1602 in the court of Queen Elizabeth I, and turbulent and violent weather all across Europe is convincing many of an oncoming apocalypse. Queen Elizabeth, hoping to ensure England’s survival, turns to the help of court magician Dr. Stephen Strange, and intelligence officer Sir Nicholas Fury, both of whom are to help England secure a treasure of the Knights Templar long thought lost. To do so, however, they will have to contend with assassins, foreign powers, and the Inquisition.

Neil Gaiman’s reputation as a master writer shines in this work. Each and every Marvel character, slotted brilliantly into their role in this pre-colonial version of the Marvel universe, feels similar enough to recognize but unique enough to stand out as their own interpretations. The same goes for the character designs; similar, but different enough to delight fans. The art style, while nothing terribly unique, does include fantastic covers for each issue, rendered like 17th century paintings. The story itself is riveting, and though it starts slow with its world-building, is deeply engrossing with plenty of twists and turns. Some twists are easier to guess with knowledge of the characters, but others will keep even the most well-versed readers wondering until the very end.