This Sunday at 2pm our monthly poetry reading cosponsored by the NC Poetry Society continues with Lenard D. Moore and Mackenzie Kozak.
Our sharing of July reading recs continues as this week we have titles worthy of your attention from Pete, Juliana, AND Johanna. Before we dive into all the reading goodness, mark you calendars. Saturday, August 1st at 11amauthor Audrey Perrott read from her new graphic novel for early readersOnce Upon a Tail, with music, interactive activities, and special treats! If you are planning on attending, please usethis link to RSVP, It will help us know how many to prepare for!
PETE'S PILE
The Silent House of Sleep by Allan Gaw What a smart historical mystery! London, 1927, two bodies found in a shallow grave fused together as if in an embrace. Scotland Yard is befuddled but pathologist Jack Cuthburt has some ideas if only the police would listen. This is way more than just a police procedural, think the poet Virgil, WWI, PTSD, women’s rights and other issues, all intertwined without getting in each other’s way, and you’ll have an idea of how good this well written story is.
They Stole a City: Wilmington’s White Supremacist Coup and the Families Who Live with it’s Legacy by Lauren Collins Easily one of the best books I’ve read this year. Excellent narrative non-fiction about what happened on November 9th,1898, the violent overthrow of a democratically elected local government, but which goes beyond those events to follows the lives of four families, 2 white, 2 black through the ensuing decades to show the repercussions of that ugly day and its effects upon a modern Wilmington. Superb!
What Came West: A Novelby Josh Weil Do you miss the late, great Cormac McCarthy? Well, if you need a fix look no further than this sprawling, yet riveting, look at westward expansion and manifest destiny writ both large and small. It’s the story of a young man who runs from society, moving ever westward in the hopes of leaving civilization behind but who after seemingly finding peace is always overrun by the rapacious hordes searching for riches or just their own sense of space. This is the United States in a nutshell, both beautiful and violent, and written in a style all the authors own like the American dream.
JULIANA'S STACK
How to Kill a Guy in Ten Datesby Shailee Thompson An absolute page turner! An unlikely yet delightful blend of slasher horror and romantic comedy, this was a book I read through my fingers yet couldn't put down. How much do romance and horror have in common? More than you think... a final girl and a leading lady both have to overcome hurdles to find their happy ending, and it may not be as easy as they hope.
You Didn't Hear This From Me: Mostly True Notes on Gossipby Kelsey McKinney Gossip to so many people is negative and hurtful, but McKinney traces its roots to being a tool for the safety of marginalized groups, a search for truth amongst lies, and a desperation for community. This book offers a nuanced and questioning approach to gossip that will leave everyone's tongues wagging. The case for gossip isn't all good or all bad, but somewhere in between... but you didn't hear that from me.
Automatic Noodleby Annalee Newitz A heartwarming story set in the not-so-distant future where a group of forgotten robots open their own noodle shop. In a world where they have never had the freedom to choose beyond what their maker created them to do, these robots get choose a path, choose a family, and form a community. A short and sweet read that will leave you craving noodles, this story is a must read!
JOHANNA'S SHELF
When it comes to reading on the beach or by the pool, I always want a paperback, so I chose some entertaining summer reads that are easy to throw in your bag and go.
The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett I love the layering of absurdity, tragedy, and dark humor in this road-trip story! I would say this book is very different from Annie Hartnett's last novel, but what's similar is something she does so well: each character's perspective is so whole and so distinct. Whether it's PJ, our central character who is equal parts distraught, delusional, and warm-hearted, or one of the troubled (but funny!) orphans he chooses to take in, or one of the many side characters who they meet along the trip, their lives and motivations are so human and so realistic to the reader. Annie Hartnett's animal characters are also stellar: Pancakes the death-predicting cat is absolutely my favorite thing about The Road to Tender Hearts.
Lady Like by Mackenzi Lee Lady Like is a love letter to regency romance novels and queer women in history. I adored Harry and Emily's love story: from their first fiery meeting, through their ridiculous schemes, mistakes, and a good amount of kissing, all the way to their hard-earned and lovely happily-ever-after. Mackenzi Lee always strikes the perfect balance between historical truth and indulgent dramatic entertainment; it is such a delight to read her novels!
Cultish by Amanda Montell I find it utterly fascinating to learn about cults and fringe religions; I’ve read some fantastic books and watched countless documentaries. Cultish gives an overview of the most well-known high control groups and then delves deeper into the ways language creates in-groups and power structures. Looking beyond religious control, Montell analyzes language practices used by beauty brands, CrossFit, and multi-level marketing schemes as a linguist. Cultish is a juicy and enlightening read, crafted by an adept writer.
Run for the Hillsby Kevin Wilson Another excellent summer road-trip novel! Kevin Wilson has a knack for building very human stories on top of truly zany foundations. Run for the Hillsis the story of four siblings coming together for the first time to discover what they do and don't have in common. There's such interesting variety within these characters and it was fascinating to see them interact with one another while driving cross-country in a PT Cruiser.
