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General Recommendations

Best of 2020 for Adults

By:

Chapel_Hill_AdultStaff

Chapel Hill Public Library

Staff-created list

A curated list of the Chapel Hill Librarian's favorite reads from 2020!

By:

Chapel_Hill_AdultStaff

Chapel Hill Public Library

1-25 of 34 items

1-25 of 34 items

We Ride Upon Sticks

We Ride Upon Sticks

by Barry, Quan

Book - 2020

Kristen S: "A hilarious coming of age story about a 1980s high school field hockey team pledging their allegiance to the devil in order to become cha...Show more Kristen S: "A hilarious coming of age story about a 1980s high school field hockey team pledging their allegiance to the devil in order to become champions. Barry is able to create a rich backstory for each team member, giving them all equal love and attention, which is no small feat. I read this thinking it was a horror story, and kept waiting for the shoe to drop. Don't be like me! Take your time enjoying the quirky characters, nostalgia, and smart humor." Show less

Kristen S: "A hilarious coming of age story about a 1980s high school field hockey team pledging their allegiance to the devil in order to become cha...Show more Kristen S: "A hilarious coming of age story about a 1980s high school field hockey team pledging their allegiance to the devil in order to become champions. Barry is able to create a rich backstory for each team member, giving them all equal love and attention, which is no small feat. I read this thinking it was a horror story, and kept waiting for the shoe to drop. Don't be like me! Take your time enjoying the quirky characters, nostalgia, and smart humor." Show less

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The Vanishing Half

The Vanishing Half

by Bennett, Brit

Book - 2020

Krystal: "I still haven't read The Mothers, but I surely will now. This book, her sophomore effort, was fantastic. I'm a character reader, and it doe...Show more Krystal: "I still haven't read The Mothers, but I surely will now. This book, her sophomore effort, was fantastic. I'm a character reader, and it does not disappoint in that area... or any area really. What works incredibly well here is the unfolding (un-spooling, more like) of each character, across decades, and their connections to one another. And the exploration of race, reckonings and all, feels true to each- as gross and frustrating as it can be. In other words, there is no easy or convenient conclusion at any point; no simplistic or insincere bows wrapping up anything here. Solid from start to finish." Show less

Krystal: "I still haven't read The Mothers, but I surely will now. This book, her sophomore effort, was fantastic. I'm a character reader, and it doe...Show more Krystal: "I still haven't read The Mothers, but I surely will now. This book, her sophomore effort, was fantastic. I'm a character reader, and it does not disappoint in that area... or any area really. What works incredibly well here is the unfolding (un-spooling, more like) of each character, across decades, and their connections to one another. And the exploration of race, reckonings and all, feels true to each- as gross and frustrating as it can be. In other words, there is no easy or convenient conclusion at any point; no simplistic or insincere bows wrapping up anything here. Solid from start to finish." Show less

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The Field Guide to Citizen Science

The Field Guide to Citizen Science

How You Can Contribute to Scientific Research and Make A Difference

by Cavalier, Darlene

Book - 2020

Dale: "This is the perfect pandemic book for families who want to get started on their citizen science journey." Dale: "This is the perfect pandemic book for families who want to get started on their citizen science journey." Show less

Dale: "This is the perfect pandemic book for families who want to get started on their citizen science journey." Dale: "This is the perfect pandemic book for families who want to get started on their citizen science journey." Show less

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Love Lettering

Love Lettering

by Clayborn, Kate

Book - 2020

Martha: "The premise of this – an Instagram-famous hand letterer puts a secret code in a wedding announcement for a couple she thinks will break up, ...Show more Martha: "The premise of this – an Instagram-famous hand letterer puts a secret code in a wedding announcement for a couple she thinks will break up, and the mathematician groom sees the pattern and shows up at her door to ask her about it – is really fun, but it’s the execution that truly shines; Kate Clayborn writes so beautifully and thoughtfully that you know that every single word has been chosen with great care. This is wonderful". Show less

Martha: "The premise of this – an Instagram-famous hand letterer puts a secret code in a wedding announcement for a couple she thinks will break up, ...Show more Martha: "The premise of this – an Instagram-famous hand letterer puts a secret code in a wedding announcement for a couple she thinks will break up, and the mathematician groom sees the pattern and shows up at her door to ask her about it – is really fun, but it’s the execution that truly shines; Kate Clayborn writes so beautifully and thoughtfully that you know that every single word has been chosen with great care. This is wonderful". Show less

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When No One Is Watching

When No One Is Watching

A Thriller

by Cole, Alyssa

Book - 02020

Maia: "Alyssa Cole never disappoints, so when she writes something billed as a thriller, I'm willing to follow where she leads even though thrillers ...Show more Maia: "Alyssa Cole never disappoints, so when she writes something billed as a thriller, I'm willing to follow where she leads even though thrillers give me nightmares. As expected, it was well-written, expertly plotted, and absolutely terrifying. I would recommend this book to a lot of different readers--those who love thrillers, those who want to read more social-justice based fiction that will get them thinking, white readers who want to better understand the experiences of communities of color, and anyone who just wants a really well-written book." Show less

Maia: "Alyssa Cole never disappoints, so when she writes something billed as a thriller, I'm willing to follow where she leads even though thrillers ...Show more Maia: "Alyssa Cole never disappoints, so when she writes something billed as a thriller, I'm willing to follow where she leads even though thrillers give me nightmares. As expected, it was well-written, expertly plotted, and absolutely terrifying. I would recommend this book to a lot of different readers--those who love thrillers, those who want to read more social-justice based fiction that will get them thinking, white readers who want to better understand the experiences of communities of color, and anyone who just wants a really well-written book." Show less

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Dinner in French

Dinner in French

My Recipes by Way of France

by Clark, Melissa

Book - 2020

Susan B: "This is unfussy, approachable food - she takes classic French dishes and tweaks them for modern American palate and takes familiar American dishes and gives them that - how do you say? - je ne sais quoi." Susan B: "This is unfussy, approachable food - she takes classic French dishes and tweaks them for modern American palate and takes familiar American dishes and gives them that - how do you say? - je ne sais quoi." Show less

Susan B: "This is unfussy, approachable food - she takes classic French dishes and tweaks them for modern American palate and takes familiar American dishes and gives them that - how do you say? - je ne sais quoi." Susan B: "This is unfussy, approachable food - she takes classic French dishes and tweaks them for modern American palate and takes familiar American dishes and gives them that - how do you say? - je ne sais quoi." Show less

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The Undocumented Americans

The Undocumented Americans

by Cornejo Villavicencio, Karla

Book - 2020

Rachel W.: "The Undocumented Americans is an excellent piece of journalism that details the impact and influence undocumented Americans have on our s...Show more Rachel W.: "The Undocumented Americans is an excellent piece of journalism that details the impact and influence undocumented Americans have on our society. Villavicencio focuses her book on the undocumented Americans we don’t often talk about—not the DREAMers and DACA recipients, but the people cleaning up Ground Zero after 9/11 and waiting in lines for work at construction sites. Throughout the book, Villavicencio uses her interviews with undocumented Americans to explore the complexities of her own upbringing." Show less

Rachel W.: "The Undocumented Americans is an excellent piece of journalism that details the impact and influence undocumented Americans have on our s...Show more Rachel W.: "The Undocumented Americans is an excellent piece of journalism that details the impact and influence undocumented Americans have on our society. Villavicencio focuses her book on the undocumented Americans we don’t often talk about—not the DREAMers and DACA recipients, but the people cleaning up Ground Zero after 9/11 and waiting in lines for work at construction sites. Throughout the book, Villavicencio uses her interviews with undocumented Americans to explore the complexities of her own upbringing." Show less

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A Rogue of One's Own

A Rogue of One's Own

by Dunmore, Evie

Book - 2020

Sarah: "I appreciate how Dunmore brings in timely political activism. It’s a great way to update and refresh the romance genre. Her strong, ambitious...Show more Sarah: "I appreciate how Dunmore brings in timely political activism. It’s a great way to update and refresh the romance genre. Her strong, ambitious lead, Lady Lucie, is a suffragist intent on a plan to bring down the Married Women’s Property Act. The struggle Lucie finds herself in between time for her political cause and time for emotional life is one that all women can relate to. Throw in a poetic rake she has known since childhood and a hate to love story arc; I found this thoroughly enjoyable. Great read alike for authors Julia Quinn and Martha Waters." Show less

Sarah: "I appreciate how Dunmore brings in timely political activism. It’s a great way to update and refresh the romance genre. Her strong, ambitious...Show more Sarah: "I appreciate how Dunmore brings in timely political activism. It’s a great way to update and refresh the romance genre. Her strong, ambitious lead, Lady Lucie, is a suffragist intent on a plan to bring down the Married Women’s Property Act. The struggle Lucie finds herself in between time for her political cause and time for emotional life is one that all women can relate to. Throw in a poetic rake she has known since childhood and a hate to love story arc; I found this thoroughly enjoyable. Great read alike for authors Julia Quinn and Martha Waters." Show less

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The Guest List

The Guest List

by Foley, Lucy

Book - 2020

Susan B: "Early in the pandemic, a member of staff dropped a galley of this in my mailbox on a Friday. I cracked it open Saturday morning, finished ...Show more Susan B: "Early in the pandemic, a member of staff dropped a galley of this in my mailbox on a Friday. I cracked it open Saturday morning, finished it Saturday evening, and by Sunday and passed it on to a neighbor. An Agatha Christie-esque tale of a destination wedding on a remote island off the Irish coast with drunken college roommates, bickering in-laws, and a dead body, of course. " Show less

Susan B: "Early in the pandemic, a member of staff dropped a galley of this in my mailbox on a Friday. I cracked it open Saturday morning, finished ...Show more Susan B: "Early in the pandemic, a member of staff dropped a galley of this in my mailbox on a Friday. I cracked it open Saturday morning, finished it Saturday evening, and by Sunday and passed it on to a neighbor. An Agatha Christie-esque tale of a destination wedding on a remote island off the Irish coast with drunken college roommates, bickering in-laws, and a dead body, of course. " Show less

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Crooked Hallelujah

Crooked Hallelujah

by Ford, Kelli Jo

Book - 2020

Krystal: "Felt like this one was meant for me. Strong emphasis on people and place and the ties that bind. Loved the writing as well, straight forwar...Show more Krystal: "Felt like this one was meant for me. Strong emphasis on people and place and the ties that bind. Loved the writing as well, straight forward with poetic tendencies. There is an unexpected turn at the end that I found really dark and haunting and... brilliant... because of its unexpectedness and seeming authenticity- a warning in case a lighter read would better serve right now. Great debut." Show less

Krystal: "Felt like this one was meant for me. Strong emphasis on people and place and the ties that bind. Loved the writing as well, straight forwar...Show more Krystal: "Felt like this one was meant for me. Strong emphasis on people and place and the ties that bind. Loved the writing as well, straight forward with poetic tendencies. There is an unexpected turn at the end that I found really dark and haunting and... brilliant... because of its unexpectedness and seeming authenticity- a warning in case a lighter read would better serve right now. Great debut." Show less

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Transcendent Kingdom

Transcendent Kingdom

by Gyasi, Yaa

Book - 2020

Maia: "Transcendent Kingdom is beautifully written and compulsively readable, told in the voice of Gifty, an ivy league graduate student investigatin...Show more Maia: "Transcendent Kingdom is beautifully written and compulsively readable, told in the voice of Gifty, an ivy league graduate student investigating the neuroscience of reward-seeking behavior in mice. She explores the intersection of science and religion as she struggles to reconcile her life as a scientist with her evangelical upbringing, as well as the relationships between immigration, racism, mental illness, and addiction, tracing a nonlinear narrative path through her life and family. It reads like a conversation with a very close friend with whom you can be completely raw and honest." Show less

Maia: "Transcendent Kingdom is beautifully written and compulsively readable, told in the voice of Gifty, an ivy league graduate student investigatin...Show more Maia: "Transcendent Kingdom is beautifully written and compulsively readable, told in the voice of Gifty, an ivy league graduate student investigating the neuroscience of reward-seeking behavior in mice. She explores the intersection of science and religion as she struggles to reconcile her life as a scientist with her evangelical upbringing, as well as the relationships between immigration, racism, mental illness, and addiction, tracing a nonlinear narrative path through her life and family. It reads like a conversation with a very close friend with whom you can be completely raw and honest." Show less

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Cool Town

Cool Town

How Athens, Georgia, Launched Alternative Music and Changed American Culture

by Hale, Grace Elizabeth

Book - 2020

David F: "Grace Elizabeth Hale combines her first person experience (she lived in Athens while attending the Univ. Of Georgia) and her academic train...Show more David F: "Grace Elizabeth Hale combines her first person experience (she lived in Athens while attending the Univ. Of Georgia) and her academic training as a historian (Ph.D. in history from Rutgers Univ.) to great effect in this history of the Athens, GA music scene. Focusing on the period from the late 1970s to the late 1980s, Hale argues that Athens became a locus for new expressions of a Bohemian diaspora. Starting with the formation of the band The B-52s, Hale chronicles the development of the scene which would go on to produce R.E.M., Pylon, and Love Tractor, among many others. Beyond the music, Hale discusses how the local scene participants changed one small Southern town in ways that still reverberate". Show less

David F: "Grace Elizabeth Hale combines her first person experience (she lived in Athens while attending the Univ. Of Georgia) and her academic train...Show more David F: "Grace Elizabeth Hale combines her first person experience (she lived in Athens while attending the Univ. Of Georgia) and her academic training as a historian (Ph.D. in history from Rutgers Univ.) to great effect in this history of the Athens, GA music scene. Focusing on the period from the late 1970s to the late 1980s, Hale argues that Athens became a locus for new expressions of a Bohemian diaspora. Starting with the formation of the band The B-52s, Hale chronicles the development of the scene which would go on to produce R.E.M., Pylon, and Love Tractor, among many others. Beyond the music, Hale discusses how the local scene participants changed one small Southern town in ways that still reverberate". Show less

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Boyfriend Material

Boyfriend Material

by Hall, Alexis J.

Book - 2020

Martha: "This is the smart, banter-y, swoony, laugh-out-loud funny romance I needed in this nightmare of a year. Reading this felt like watching a ro...Show more Martha: "This is the smart, banter-y, swoony, laugh-out-loud funny romance I needed in this nightmare of a year. Reading this felt like watching a romcom – I can’t overstate how smart the writing and characterization (of both heroes, and of all their friends) is, and how much fun (and oh-so-British) this book is from start to finish". Show less

Martha: "This is the smart, banter-y, swoony, laugh-out-loud funny romance I needed in this nightmare of a year. Reading this felt like watching a ro...Show more Martha: "This is the smart, banter-y, swoony, laugh-out-loud funny romance I needed in this nightmare of a year. Reading this felt like watching a romcom – I can’t overstate how smart the writing and characterization (of both heroes, and of all their friends) is, and how much fun (and oh-so-British) this book is from start to finish". Show less

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Soul Full of Coal Dust

Soul Full of Coal Dust

A Fight for Breath and Justice in Appalachia

by Hamby, Chris

Book - 2020

Krystal: "This is the best kind of investigative journalism- thorough and informative without losing human connection. Camby, a Pulitzer Prize winnin...Show more Krystal: "This is the best kind of investigative journalism- thorough and informative without losing human connection. Camby, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, begins in the late 60s when national attention was finally given to the dangerous working conditions of coal mines and Congress was pushed to take action on two fronts- improving underground air quality and formalizing a medical benefits system for Black Lung patients. He continues through late 2016, introducing readers to countless miners and their advocates who fought tooth and nail for the benefits and conditions promised them, all the while exposing the absolute wretchedness of Big Coal. If you think mustache-twirling cartoon villains, you are not far off. Alas, this is real life; thank goodness for folks fighting the good fight, on this front and every. Recommended reading regardless of your opinions about fossil fuels." Show less

Krystal: "This is the best kind of investigative journalism- thorough and informative without losing human connection. Camby, a Pulitzer Prize winnin...Show more Krystal: "This is the best kind of investigative journalism- thorough and informative without losing human connection. Camby, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, begins in the late 60s when national attention was finally given to the dangerous working conditions of coal mines and Congress was pushed to take action on two fronts- improving underground air quality and formalizing a medical benefits system for Black Lung patients. He continues through late 2016, introducing readers to countless miners and their advocates who fought tooth and nail for the benefits and conditions promised them, all the while exposing the absolute wretchedness of Big Coal. If you think mustache-twirling cartoon villains, you are not far off. Alas, this is real life; thank goodness for folks fighting the good fight, on this front and every. Recommended reading regardless of your opinions about fossil fuels." Show less

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The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires

by Hendrix, Grady

Book - 2020

Robyn W: "The suburbs can be... murder! A group of friends living in a leafy, bucolic suburb in Charleston decide to set up their own book club conce...Show more Robyn W: "The suburbs can be... murder! A group of friends living in a leafy, bucolic suburb in Charleston decide to set up their own book club concentrating on serial killers, as you do. An outsider, James Harris, arrives, and while he slips into the community easily, Patricia is unsure about Harris. Who is he? Where is his money coming from? And why does he not like going outside to enjoy the long Charleston summers?" Show less

Robyn W: "The suburbs can be... murder! A group of friends living in a leafy, bucolic suburb in Charleston decide to set up their own book club conce...Show more Robyn W: "The suburbs can be... murder! A group of friends living in a leafy, bucolic suburb in Charleston decide to set up their own book club concentrating on serial killers, as you do. An outsider, James Harris, arrives, and while he slips into the community easily, Patricia is unsure about Harris. Who is he? Where is his money coming from? And why does he not like going outside to enjoy the long Charleston summers?" Show less

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This Will Make It Taste Good: A New Path to Simple Cooking

This Will Make It Taste Good: A New Path to Simple Cooking

by Howard, Vivian

Book - 2020

Robyn W: "I was a big fan of Deep Run Roots, but not all of the recipes were easy to make in my tiny kitchen (my oven was never going to bake her tom...Show more Robyn W: "I was a big fan of Deep Run Roots, but not all of the recipes were easy to make in my tiny kitchen (my oven was never going to bake her tomato pie as well as she could). This book certainly hits the sweet spot of having great recipes you can easily make, but also being full of beautiful pictures. Howard never takes herself too seriously, and it's full of great recipes and good ideas I can't wait to try (the little green dress is one I am very excited to make)". Show less

Robyn W: "I was a big fan of Deep Run Roots, but not all of the recipes were easy to make in my tiny kitchen (my oven was never going to bake her tom...Show more Robyn W: "I was a big fan of Deep Run Roots, but not all of the recipes were easy to make in my tiny kitchen (my oven was never going to bake her tomato pie as well as she could). This book certainly hits the sweet spot of having great recipes you can easily make, but also being full of beautiful pictures. Howard never takes herself too seriously, and it's full of great recipes and good ideas I can't wait to try (the little green dress is one I am very excited to make)". Show less

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Wine Girl

Wine Girl

The Obstacles, Humiliations, and Triumphs of America's Youngest Sommelier

by James, Victoria

Book - 2020

Becky W: "An interesting, yet heart breaking, memoir of a young woman breaking into the sommelier world. Victoria James has the intelligence and fort...Show more Becky W: "An interesting, yet heart breaking, memoir of a young woman breaking into the sommelier world. Victoria James has the intelligence and fortitude to climb the male-dominated restaurant wine business to become the country's youngest sommelier. Amazon.com describes her story as, "an insider account of a glamorous industry riddled with abuses." The family storyline reads a bit like The Glass Castle; siblings mostly raising themselves due to parental physical and emotional absence." Show less

Becky W: "An interesting, yet heart breaking, memoir of a young woman breaking into the sommelier world. Victoria James has the intelligence and fort...Show more Becky W: "An interesting, yet heart breaking, memoir of a young woman breaking into the sommelier world. Victoria James has the intelligence and fortitude to climb the male-dominated restaurant wine business to become the country's youngest sommelier. Amazon.com describes her story as, "an insider account of a glamorous industry riddled with abuses." The family storyline reads a bit like The Glass Castle; siblings mostly raising themselves due to parental physical and emotional absence." Show less

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The Sirens of Mars

The Sirens of Mars

Searching for Life on Another World

by Johnson, Sarah Stewart

Book - 2020

Dale: "Beautifully written! Page turning non fiction is hard to come by. Allen Lane from NewScientist.com puts it like this, "The book is part m...Show more Dale: "Beautifully written! Page turning non fiction is hard to come by. Allen Lane from NewScientist.com puts it like this, "The book is part memoir, part history, part education, and the three flow together so smoothly you might not even realise how much you are learning about Mars."" Show less

Dale: "Beautifully written! Page turning non fiction is hard to come by. Allen Lane from NewScientist.com puts it like this, "The book is part m...Show more Dale: "Beautifully written! Page turning non fiction is hard to come by. Allen Lane from NewScientist.com puts it like this, "The book is part memoir, part history, part education, and the three flow together so smoothly you might not even realise how much you are learning about Mars."" Show less

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Tightrope

Tightrope

Americans Reaching for Hope

by Kristof, Nicholas D.

Book - 2019

Krystal: "I read a fair amount about the lives of poor and working class folks (including the disappearing middle class), out of a desire to better u...Show more Krystal: "I read a fair amount about the lives of poor and working class folks (including the disappearing middle class), out of a desire to better understand how we, as a country, got where we are, where we are going, what we can do about it, and on a more personal note, to strengthen my values. This well-rounded, well-written book definitely helped. And I appreciated Kristof's first-hand knowledge as a native of Yamhill, Oregon, a blue collar town devastated by job loss. Throughout he asks himself a very important question- how did he end up being ok when so many of his friends and neighbors did not? Recommended." Show less

Krystal: "I read a fair amount about the lives of poor and working class folks (including the disappearing middle class), out of a desire to better u...Show more Krystal: "I read a fair amount about the lives of poor and working class folks (including the disappearing middle class), out of a desire to better understand how we, as a country, got where we are, where we are going, what we can do about it, and on a more personal note, to strengthen my values. This well-rounded, well-written book definitely helped. And I appreciated Kristof's first-hand knowledge as a native of Yamhill, Oregon, a blue collar town devastated by job loss. Throughout he asks himself a very important question- how did he end up being ok when so many of his friends and neighbors did not? Recommended." Show less

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Red Pill

Red Pill

by Kunzru, Hari

Book - 2020

David F: "Kunzru has written a novel of our times. It is unclear until the very end exactly when the action is taking place, but we recognize the wor...Show more David F: "Kunzru has written a novel of our times. It is unclear until the very end exactly when the action is taking place, but we recognize the world as our own right away. The protagonist is a writer who is struggling with his work. He is married and has a supportive partner and they have a young daughter. They live a relatively comfortable, seemingly happy, life in New York City. Despite his circumstances, he is struggling. The issues of the day, and his relatively new fatherhood, have him worrying deeply about what is happening in our world. The novel moves from New York to Berlin as our protagonist is offered a fellowship at an institute where he thinks he’ll be able to focus on his writing. He does find focus, but it is not of the kind he expected and it is not a healthy kind. HIs life devolves into obsession and paranoia. He embarks on a dangerous quest which might mean utter ruin". Show less

David F: "Kunzru has written a novel of our times. It is unclear until the very end exactly when the action is taking place, but we recognize the wor...Show more David F: "Kunzru has written a novel of our times. It is unclear until the very end exactly when the action is taking place, but we recognize the world as our own right away. The protagonist is a writer who is struggling with his work. He is married and has a supportive partner and they have a young daughter. They live a relatively comfortable, seemingly happy, life in New York City. Despite his circumstances, he is struggling. The issues of the day, and his relatively new fatherhood, have him worrying deeply about what is happening in our world. The novel moves from New York to Berlin as our protagonist is offered a fellowship at an institute where he thinks he’ll be able to focus on his writing. He does find focus, but it is not of the kind he expected and it is not a healthy kind. HIs life devolves into obsession and paranoia. He embarks on a dangerous quest which might mean utter ruin". Show less

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Mudlark

Mudlark

In Search of London's Past Along the River Thames

by Maiklem, Lara

Book - 2019

Robyn W: "Mudlarking is the art of looking for objects washed up in the tide of a lake or a river. Many of us have mudlarked and didn't even realize ...Show more Robyn W: "Mudlarking is the art of looking for objects washed up in the tide of a lake or a river. Many of us have mudlarked and didn't even realize it had a name, but it is commonly associated with the River Thames in Lodon. Reading like a very detailed post from her incredibly popular Instagram, Maiklem describes the art of looking for historical objects in the London mud and each chapter describes different parts of the Thames as it winds it's way to sea. A beautiful read, full of facts and information." Show less

Robyn W: "Mudlarking is the art of looking for objects washed up in the tide of a lake or a river. Many of us have mudlarked and didn't even realize ...Show more Robyn W: "Mudlarking is the art of looking for objects washed up in the tide of a lake or a river. Many of us have mudlarked and didn't even realize it had a name, but it is commonly associated with the River Thames in Lodon. Reading like a very detailed post from her incredibly popular Instagram, Maiklem describes the art of looking for historical objects in the London mud and each chapter describes different parts of the Thames as it winds it's way to sea. A beautiful read, full of facts and information." Show less

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The 99% Invisible City

The 99% Invisible City

A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design

by Mars, Roman

Book - 2020

Robyn W: "This could have been a very boring book, full of dry facts about things around you that you don't care about as you have never noticed them...Show more Robyn W: "This could have been a very boring book, full of dry facts about things around you that you don't care about as you have never noticed them. It could have been patronizing, or it could have been so ridiculously technical only the engineering inclined would find it interesting. It could have even been bland scripts from a podcast you haven't listened to yet. However, this book has been a delightful surprise, and I am glad I picked this up on impulse. This acts as a beautiful introduction to the award winning podcast of the same name, but you do not need to have listened to any of it to read it to appreciate it. Designed as well as the city architecture it talks about, this is a book to drop in to at random and learn new facts about the everyday items you see in any urban area. It's also a great conversation starter, if you're like me and just have to tell everyone about what you have just read". Show less

Robyn W: "This could have been a very boring book, full of dry facts about things around you that you don't care about as you have never noticed them...Show more Robyn W: "This could have been a very boring book, full of dry facts about things around you that you don't care about as you have never noticed them. It could have been patronizing, or it could have been so ridiculously technical only the engineering inclined would find it interesting. It could have even been bland scripts from a podcast you haven't listened to yet. However, this book has been a delightful surprise, and I am glad I picked this up on impulse. This acts as a beautiful introduction to the award winning podcast of the same name, but you do not need to have listened to any of it to read it to appreciate it. Designed as well as the city architecture it talks about, this is a book to drop in to at random and learn new facts about the everyday items you see in any urban area. It's also a great conversation starter, if you're like me and just have to tell everyone about what you have just read". Show less

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Mosquito Supper Club

Mosquito Supper Club

Cajun Recipes From A Disappearing Bayou

by Martin, Melissa

Book - 2020

David F: "Am I the only one who likes to read cookbooks, even if I never cook a recipe from them? I hope not, because cookbooks like this are a joy t...Show more David F: "Am I the only one who likes to read cookbooks, even if I never cook a recipe from them? I hope not, because cookbooks like this are a joy to read for the window they provide on the cultures of their authors. Melissa Martin was born and raised in a small town on the Louisiana coast called Cocoderie. Her cookbook is a love letter to a place which is disappearing. In an all too not-too-distant future, her work documenting the foodways of her Cajun culture will stand as testament to a terroir that has been reclaimed by rising waters, and to a people who have once again been forced to migrate. Martin cares deeply about the issues that face the land and the people she comes from. Reading this book may be the closest one can come to spending a week celebrating, cooking, eating, and living with a gracious Cajun host without traveling to Louisiana". Show less

David F: "Am I the only one who likes to read cookbooks, even if I never cook a recipe from them? I hope not, because cookbooks like this are a joy t...Show more David F: "Am I the only one who likes to read cookbooks, even if I never cook a recipe from them? I hope not, because cookbooks like this are a joy to read for the window they provide on the cultures of their authors. Melissa Martin was born and raised in a small town on the Louisiana coast called Cocoderie. Her cookbook is a love letter to a place which is disappearing. In an all too not-too-distant future, her work documenting the foodways of her Cajun culture will stand as testament to a terroir that has been reclaimed by rising waters, and to a people who have once again been forced to migrate. Martin cares deeply about the issues that face the land and the people she comes from. Reading this book may be the closest one can come to spending a week celebrating, cooking, eating, and living with a gracious Cajun host without traveling to Louisiana". Show less

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Deacon King Kong

Deacon King Kong

by McBride, James

Book - 2020

Maia: "This is both hilarious and ultimately heartwarming, set in 1969 in a fictional Brooklyn housing project based on McBride's childhood neighborh...Show more Maia: "This is both hilarious and ultimately heartwarming, set in 1969 in a fictional Brooklyn housing project based on McBride's childhood neighborhood. The characters are so complex, and while they are all flawed and difficult, I ended up loving them. My favorite part was the theme of spiraling chaos set off by a seemingly unrelated event, like a Rube-Goldberg machine at every level of the narrative." Show less

Maia: "This is both hilarious and ultimately heartwarming, set in 1969 in a fictional Brooklyn housing project based on McBride's childhood neighborh...Show more Maia: "This is both hilarious and ultimately heartwarming, set in 1969 in a fictional Brooklyn housing project based on McBride's childhood neighborhood. The characters are so complex, and while they are all flawed and difficult, I ended up loving them. My favorite part was the theme of spiraling chaos set off by a seemingly unrelated event, like a Rube-Goldberg machine at every level of the narrative." Show less

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Mexican Gothic

Mexican Gothic

by Moreno-Garcia, Silvia

Book - 2020

Susan B: "My fave cover art of the year and my fave book. A great gothic tale with all the usual things - family manor, weird family connections, pl...Show more Susan B: "My fave cover art of the year and my fave book. A great gothic tale with all the usual things - family manor, weird family connections, plucky heroine - but set in remote small town in Mexico. As one reviewer said, Rebecca meets Guillermo del Toro." Show less

Susan B: "My fave cover art of the year and my fave book. A great gothic tale with all the usual things - family manor, weird family connections, pl...Show more Susan B: "My fave cover art of the year and my fave book. A great gothic tale with all the usual things - family manor, weird family connections, plucky heroine - but set in remote small town in Mexico. As one reviewer said, Rebecca meets Guillermo del Toro." Show less

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