Librarians read…a lot!
And since we read so much, we’re uniquely qualified to recommend books that we think others might enjoy. Here are some of the books that we’re reading right now that we think would be worth your time to consider.
Black Cake
Author:
Charmaine Wilkerson
“In this moving debut novel, two estranged siblings must set aside their differences to deal with their mother’s death and her hidden past–a journey of discovery that takes them from the Caribbean to London to California and ends with her famous black cake. In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a traditional Caribbean black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking journey Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child, challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their family, and themselves. Can Byron and Benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together Eleanor’s true history, and fulfill her final request to ‘share the black cake when the time is right?’ Will their mother’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever? Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut novel is a story of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names, can shape relationships and history. Deeply evocative and beautifully written, Black Cake is an extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch” –Provided by publisher.
The Devil is a Part-Timer! 1
Author:
Satoshi Wagahara
Do you want fries with your hellfire? Being soundly thrashed by the hero Emilia, the Devil King and his general beat a hasty retreat to a parallel universe… only to land smack in the middle of bustling, modern-day Tokyo! Lacking the magic necessary to return home, the two are forced to assume human identities and live average human lives until they can find a better solution. And to make ends meet, Satan finds gainful employment at a nearby fast food joint! With his devilish mind set on working his way up the management food chain, what will become of his thirst for conquest?!
Salsa Daddy : dip your way into Mexican cooking
Author:
Rick Martinez
“From the author of Mi Cocina comes a comprehensive (and unbelievably delicous) cookbook that focuses on one of the main pillars of Mexican cuisine: salsas. Featuring 75 salsas and 25 full meal recipes, this cookbook will have you whipping up fresh, enticing spreads in no time. Salsas are both the traditional heart of Mexican cooking-blending charred tomatillos and chiles goes back over five hundred years-and something cooks today can riff most freely, as Rick Martinez, beloved author of Mi Cocina, discovered while tasting a caramelized onion-serrano chile salsa in Mexico City. Salsas make irresistible snacks with chips, of course, but they will also elevate your grilled cheese, your burger, your tacos, or your whole meal. Rick takes us deep into the world of traditional and modern salsas, where a refreshing pico de gallo with oranges and avocados might be chopped up in a few minutes, or where you might simmer chipotles in milk and butter for a creamy, smoky, spicy sauce. With 75 salsa recipes and 25 simple meals that can each be made totally unique by your choice of salsas, this book shows you all the ways salsas can be the heart of your table, too.” — Provided by publisher.
Ten Days in a Mad-House
Author:
Nellie Bly
Ten Days in a Mad-House is a book by American journalist Nellie Bly. It was initially published as a series of articles for the New York World; Bly later compiled the articles into a book, being published by Ian L. Munro in New York City in 1887. The book was based on articles written while Bly was on an undercover assignment for the New York World, feigning insanity at a women’s boarding house, so as to be involuntarily committed to an insane asylum. She then investigated the reports of brutality and neglect at the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island (now called Roosevelt Island). The book received acclaim from critics at the time. The combination of her reportage and the release of her content brought her fame and led to a grand jury investigation and financial increase in the Department of Public Charities and Corrections.
The Ragpicker King
Author:
Cassandra Clare
Kel Saren, body double to Conor, crown prince of the dazzling city of Castellane, is caught between two worlds. In order to protect his beloved prince, Kel must find the culprits responsible for a massacre at the royal palace—and the only clues are held by the Ragpicker King, the notorious criminal who rules Castellane’s underworld. The trail Kel follows leads back to the Hill, where among decadent nobles and glittering parties a dark conspiracy to destroy the royal family has taken hold—a conspiracy headed up by the monstrous Artal Gremont, the man engaged to marry the woman Kel adores. Meanwhile, Lin Caster must face the aftermath of the greatest risk she’s ever taken. To save the life of a dying friend, Lin has falsely claimed to be the Goddess Reborn, the legendary heroine destined to save her people. Now the terrifying—but strangely magnetic—leader of her people has arrived to test her powers. The price of failure is exile, and only through her alliance with the Ragpicker King can she continue to access the magic that may save her. Then Prince Conor reappears in her life, demanding that she use her healing powers to cure the madness of his father, the King. Lin soon realizes the King is gripped by an ancient and terrible magic, one whose lure she cannot deny any more than she can deny her growing passion for Conor. As the simmering tensions in Castellane reach a fever pitch, Lin and Kel must decide who to trust when any false move means death—or worse.
