Category Reviews

The Book Cover depicts two young people, one wearing blue and one wearing brown and gold, reaching out for each other while moving through space in front of a bright heavenly body., with distant stars in the background.

The Stars Too Fondly by Emily Hamilton

elianahcls Leave a comment
The Book Cover depicts two young people, one wearing blue and one wearing brown and gold, reaching out for each other while moving through space in front of a bright heavenly body., with distant stars in the background.

by Eliana H.

What makes someone a person? What is needed to fall in love? How might society grapple with a significant and mystifying setback in their efforts to secure a safe new home for humanity? What might another dimension be like? What are the moral ramifications of destroying a sentient species we can’t begin to comprehend if it means saving humanity? Readers of The Stars Too Fondly by Emily Hamilton may find themselves pondering these and other questions, while also laughing, crying, and maybe falling a little bit in love themselves.

Twenty years ago, humanity’s hope suffered a huge blow. The Providence I, a spacecraft powered by a dark matter engine, was supposed to take its crew of more than 200 people to a planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, where they would establish the first human colony on an exoplanet. Instead, the entire crew vanished at the moment of launch, leaving the empty ship and a very confused populace behind. Cleo McQueary and her best friends were children when the Providence I crew was preparing to launch and then disappeared, and they have grown up under the shadow of the mystery, wondering what happened. 

Due to a troubled relationship with her father, Cleo spends most of her time with those best friends who have become her chosen family, Abe, Kaleisha, and Ros. Each of them was profoundly influenced by the anticipation of the Providence I launch and the disaster of the crew’s disappearance. Now adults, they have spent the past two decades frustrated by Earth’s abandonment of space exploration after being unable to determine what happened to the Providence I crew. And of course, the situation on Earth has continued to deteriorate since then as well. 

Cleo’s insatiable curiosity has led the four friends to devise a “space heist,” where they will break into the abandoned facility owned by now-defunct Erebus Industries and explore the Providence I for themselves. The friends are able to reach the ship surprisingly easily, but things do not go according to plan from there. The dark matter engine activates at Cleo’s touch, and they find themselves heading toward Proxima Centauri B. None of them are trained astronauts, and they haven’t even said goodbye to their families. Thankfully, their topics of expertise are fairly relevant. They also have unexpected help from a holographic version of the original mission’s captain, Wilhelmina Lucas. Captain Lucas looks just the same as they remember, but she’s 20 years behind on what has been happening. And, of course, she’s a computer construction of the real Captain Lucas’s consciousness. 

This particular computer has a lot more personality than readers may be used to, and the book invites readers to consider what constitutes consciousness and sentience – is this version of Billie, as Captain Lucas invites her unexpected passengers to call her, a person? Cleo and her friends certainly come to see her as one, even without ever being able to physically interact with her. The relationships they develop with her certainly push the boundaries of what one would imagine might develop between a human and a hologram. As the group tries to solve the problem of returning home to Earth, they also work to unravel the mystery of exactly what happened on the Providence I all those years ago. Will they be able to find the missing crew? Will they make it home themselves? What else will they discover on their travels? To learn the answers, check out The Stars Too Fondly, a debut described by the publisher as “part space odyssey, part sapphic rom-com.”

Eliana is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at the Elkridge Branch and co-chair of the HCLS Equity Committee. She loves reading, even if she’s slow at it, and especially enjoys helping people find books that make them light up. She also loves being outside and spending time with friends and family (when it’s safe).

The photograph depicts an open book with a heart in pink and white made of stiffened string, spread across the open pages.

Celebrating Book Clubs

emilyhcls Leave a comment
A group of folks from the Noontime Book Club stand on the steps at Central holding books in front of their faces, with one person holding a clock set to twelve o'clock.

by Emily B.

One of the best parts of working at the library is getting to talk about books. So, naturally, I was excited to be asked to co-facilitate the virtual book club Eclectic Evenings a few years ago. I quickly discovered how much we learn, not only from the books, but from each other. Piyali, facilitator of the Global Reads and Light but Not Fluffy book groups at our Miller Branch, sums up the magic of book clubs well: “It always amazes me to see how book clubs become a safe space for sharing life’s experiences… Although we meet once a month, it always seems like a reunion of friends. It is a beautiful feeling.”
In our modern world where thousands of books are immediately available (thanks to apps like Libby), perhaps it feels a little radical to join a book club. Sure, it can seem like a time commitment — but think of it more as a commitment to lifelong learning, broadening literary horizons, and connecting with fellow readers. One book club member comments, “books are great learning opportunities for me. They open up my world.”

The opportunity to read outside your comfort zone is often fruitful. Shana says, “One of my favorite things about this book club [Books on Tap] is that it has introduced me to books and authors I probably would not have found on my own.” Even if every book isn’t your cup of tea, it can lead to compelling discussions or a new perspective. Sahana, who facilitates Between the Lines: An Intersectional Book Club, comments that one of their favorite aspects of book groups is hearing the refrain “I wouldn’t have read this if not for book club, and I really liked it!”

At HCLS, book clubs come in all shapes and sizes. Some meet in-person at the library or in the community, others virtually. Many feature a wide array of genres and topics while others carve out their own niche, focusing on graphic novels, music, or sci-fi and fantasy. There’s something for every reader.
For those who want to connect with other readers without the worry of assigned reading, consider Miller’s What’s on your Shelf?. Julie, one of the facilitators, says, “even though we’re not all reading the same book each month, we always learn so much and have a fabulous time.”

In our busy, stressful lives a book club can be a respite from the chaos, and a chance to reflect and grow in a supportive environment. A member of a handful of HCLS book discussion groups, Ellen remarks, “It’s amazing how deep a conversation you can have with people you only see once a month and with whom your primary shared interest is reading.”

The book cover photo shows a rural two-lane road extending past corn fields and a fence, with blue mountains in the distance.

Members of HCLS staff-led book clubs recommend some of their favorite reads:

American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal by Neil King: Because it made me look at trees differently. It brought me peace and joy in the ordinary.

A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers: For a book mostly about aliens, it had such introspective tidbits about humanity.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel: The book club opened my eyes to the fun of reading dystopian novels, fantasy, and other genres that I would never have selected myself.

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger: It’s a heartbreaking yet heartwarming story of four runaway orphans.

The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai: This is an historical fiction set in Vietnam. I learned about the history and culture of Vietnam as it follows the Tran family.

Trust by Hernan Diaz: I’ve never read a book like it before. It features four distinct books within a book, lots of twists and reveals that build on each other.

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann: It was well researched and well written. Everyone in our group loved it.

Visit the HCLS classes and events calendar to learn more about book club discussion opportunities at any branch and out in the community!

Emily is an Instructor & Research Specialist at HCLS Central Branch. When she’s not reading, she enjoys puzzling, listening to music, and re-watching old seasons of Survivor.

The book cover depicts a woman standing on a bed and leaning against a wall, with her eyes closed and face upturned towards the ceiling. Her lips are red and match her red dress, fastened over a white underskirt. Her long brown hair tumbles around her bare shoulders. The dress is in the style of the 1700's and the scene has a dark, Gothic feel, although she appears to be lit by natural light from a nearby window.

The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas 

Alex Higgins Leave a comment
The book cover depicts a woman standing on a bed and leaning against a wall, with her eyes closed and face upturned towards the ceiling. Her lips are red and match her red dress, fastened over a white underskirt. Her long brown hair tumbles around her bare shoulders. The dress is in the style of the 1700's and the scene has a dark, Gothic feel, although she appears to be lit by natural light from a nearby window.

by Alex H.

If you’re anything like me, September 1 marks the start of Halloween season (yes, season). There’s no better way to celebrate the start of all things scary and ghoulish than by reading a horror novel, and that’s what I did when I picked up Isabel Cañas’ newest book, The Possession of Alba Díaz. If you like ghosts, Mexican history, and gothic romance, this is the story for you!

The Possession of Alba Díaz is set in Zacatecas, Mexico in 1765. When a plague descends on her city, a young woman named Alba and her family retreat into the mountains. They take refuge at a mine owned by Alba’s fiancé and his family, but it is not the safe haven they were promised. Alba starts sleepwalking and hearing strange voices from deep in the mine, but most worrying of all is how she no longer feels alone in her own head. 

Meanwhile, Elías, the black sheep of her fiancé’s family, has arrived in the New World hoping to quickly make his fortune and escape his greedy family. His plan falls apart when he meets Alba and the two are drawn to one another, despite her rather inconvenient engagement to his cousin and the demon lurking under her skin. Lucky for Alba, Elías knows a thing or two about demons… 

I raced through this book. Cañas does a wonderful job of blending history and the paranormal to create a rich, fully lived-in world. Her two narrators, Alba and Elías, have voices that are distinct and wholly compelling, which makes for an electric romance. As for the horror aspect, Alba’s possession takes up a large chunk of the novel and there are more than a few creepy scenes. I’d say they lean more towards unsettling than scary, but your mileage may vary. 

Come for the haunted mine and angry demon, stay for the gothic romance and a delightfully wicked ending that’ll have you desperate for more historical horror this Halloween season. 

The Possession of Alba Díaz is available in print from HCLS in English and Spanish, and as an e-book and an e-audiobook from Libby/OverDrive.

Alex is a Teen Instructor & Research Specialist at the Glenwood Branch. When she’s not at the library, she likes to crochet cute animals, read all the horror and romance books she can get her hands on, and write stories about things that go bump in the night. 

The background of the cover show a cloudy sky all in soft blues and green. In front, three offset black arches, outlined in pink, frame a small golden bird.

One’s Company by Ashley Hutson

Angie Engles Leave a comment
The background of the cover show a cloudy sky all in soft blues and green. In front, four offset black arches, outlined in pink, frame a small golden bird.

by Angie E.

After surviving a series of devastating traumas, including the loss of both parents and a harrowing act of violence, Bonnie Lincoln wins the lottery in Ashley Hutson’s novel One’s Company. Instead of buying a new house in the traditional sense, she moves to an isolated mountain compound and hires staff to construct an exact replica of the 1980s sit-com Three’s Company set, complete with everyone’s apartment units.

In what she now calls home, Bonnie attempts to live as each of the show’s characters, cycling through their wardrobes, their quirks, their scripted joy. It’s a surreal and (I have to say bizarre!) premise, but Hutson manages it with such clarity that it never feels absurd, even if does seem alarming yet somehow inevitable. There’s something hauntingly familiar about the way Bonnie seeks refuge in nostalgia. In a world that often feels too sharp, too loud, too cruel, Bonnie’s retreat into the sitcom world of Three’s Company feels less like madness and more like a desperate kind of hope.

As a child of the 70s and early 80s who watched and adored Three’s Company during its original prime time run and in reruns, I get it. I have lived there once, in front of the screen. But Bonnie’s journey is a reminder that even though nostalgia can be a balm, it can also be a blade. What makes One’s Company so affecting is its refusal to pathologize Bonnie. Her choices are extreme, even worrisome, but they are also deeply human. Who among us hasn’t longed to disappear into a simpler world, one where problems resolve in 22 minutes and laughter is guaranteed? Bonnie’s obsession is not just escapism, it’s a taking back of control, a rewriting of her own narrative in a world that has repeatedly written over her.

Angie is an Instructor & Research Specialist at Central Branch and is a co-facilitator for Reads of Acceptance, HCLS’ first LGBTQ-focused book club. Her ideal day is reading in her cozy armchair, with her cat Henry next to her.

The book cover depicts the four half-siblings in the story on their road trip in a red Volkswagen bug. One of them holds a handheld video camera as he is leans out of the window and is filming a chicken who appears to be following the car.

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson

Kristen B. Leave a comment
The book cover depicts the four half-siblings in the story on their road trip in a red Volkswagen bug. One of them holds a handheld video camera as he is leans out of the window and is filming a chicken who appears to be following the car.

by Kristen B.

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson is the story of what might be the weirdest road trip ever conceived. If “found family” is a popular theme in books these days, what do you call it when you actually find your family? As in siblings you never knew existed.

Reuben Hill drives a rented PT Cruiser and is on a quest to locate his father, who disappeared when he was a child, and his half-siblings who live across the United States. Here’s the catch: the siblings don’t know that each other exists. Rube (nicknames are a thing) hired a private investigator after his mom died to get some answers to his life’s mysteries. He finds Madeline Hill (Mad) working the roadside stand at the organic farm in Tennessee where she and her mom live. From there, they head to Oklahoma to find the next sister (Pep, which is short for Pepper), who plays women’s collegiate basketball at the highest level. Then, on to Utah and finally to California.

It’s a quirky setup, filled with snacks and shared life experiences. Their mutual father (Chip, Chuck, Charlie, Carl Hill) left each of his families, although he still keeps in contact with the moms, as he headed ever further westward. The Hill progeny are all blessed with strong mothers – not perfect, but certainly able single parents. Each child has mostly fond memories of their father, but also justifiable frustration and anger over his abandonment of them. With each new family, Mr. Hill became an expert enthusiast in a different area – from writing to farming to basketball to film.

When the book wraps up at a wealthy wilderness retreat in California, the Hill half-siblings really, truly feel like family to one another. Sometimes exasperated, but always lovingly so, they realize that their connections to each other matter – maybe more so than the relationship to their missing parent. They have each already grieved and processed that fact of life to greater or lesser extents. About that missing parent: I will give author Wilson full credit for NOT redeeming him entirely. While I was left wanting more about this bunch of cool, nerdy, confused but ultimately good-hearted folks, it was a lovely summer read filled with good emotions and hope. There’s nothing weird about that.

Run for the Hills is available from HCLS in print and as an e-book and an e-audiobook from Libby/OverDrive.

Kristen B. is a devoted bookworm lucky enough to work as the graphic designer for HCLS. She likes to read, stitch, dance, and watch baseball (but not all at the same time).

A bright striped cover features a white a circle with the title and author information in it.

Hooray! I Ate My Math Homework!

jeanboone1 Leave a comment
A bright striped cover features a white a circle with the title and author information in it.

by Jean B.

HCLS offers many resources for supporting students: skill building activities on our website, research materials and guidance, Brainfuse online tutoring, and free access to computers and printing, to name just a few. Explore a new place to look for homework help – the cookbook aisle!

Why not start the school year with a plan to do more family cooking that fosters math learning and fun? Cooking with kids builds a wide range of math skills — from counting, sorting, and measuring, to sequencing, fractions, ratios, and budgeting. Best of all, instead of a completed worksheet, cooking produces something delicious to eat and share!

Start early and involve even the youngest children in kitchen tasks and food conversations. Ask them to count the ingredients or compare the measuring cups to find the biggest or smallest. Talk about the steps in the recipe and let them name what goes first, second, third, last. Make a pattern with cookies on a pan or fruit on a plate.

To get some great ideas for things to make with the littlest cooks, check out Look and Cook Breakfast: A First Book of Recipes in Pictures by Valorie Fisher. With simple recipes presented visually, pre-readers can decipher what happens at each step, while the grown-up oversees the sharp tools and oven. You’ll soon be feasting on Tasty Toast, Choco Pillows, and Topsy-Turvy Eggs! Older chefs can tackle more involved tasks. Challenge them to double or halve the quantity of one ingredient or work out the fractions involved in dividing a pizza equally. Let them help with grocery shopping, evaluating the price of ingredients for value or the correct quantity for a recipe.

Inspire them with The How-to Cookbook for Young Foodies by Janna Saltz and the editors of Delish, which offers great information on cooking techniques as well as recipes the whole family can enjoy like Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet, Chicken Tacos, or Chocolate Pizza.

Even cleanup can be a math game – your student builds spatial reasoning skills by puzzling out the best way to fit dishes in the dishwasher.

Cookbooks + Kids + Math = a win for everyone! This fall, strengthen your student’s math skills, create new and interesting meals, get help in the kitchen, and inspire a young chef!

Jean is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS Central Branch. She loves talking about books with people of all ages, but especially enjoys leading the Heavy Medals book club for fourth and fifth graders, exploring award-winning books of all genres. 

The book cover depicts a hand reaching through the crack in a door to turn the doorknob; the area surrounding it has several bloodstains.

The Tenant by Freida McFadden

carmenjessophclibraryorg Leave a comment
The book cover depicts a hand reaching through the crack in a door to turn the doorknob; the area surrounding it has several bloodstains.

by Carmen J.

I’ve never had a live-in tenant, as the thought of living with a stranger — regardless of their glowing references and background checks — seems straight out of an episode of Criminal Minds or Law and Order: SVU. And while I don’t usually fall for hype surrounding “buzzed about” authors, I made an exception for Freida McFadden, in the interest of literary experiment.

I devoured The Tenant, which centers on Blake Porter, a VP of marketing and newly engaged to girlfriend Krista. Blake loses his job, and in order to afford his New York brownstone, he agrees to take in a tenant. But not just any ordinary tenant: The young and beautiful Whitney moves in to help make ends meet for Blake and Krista. Hard-working, charming, smart, and nice, Whitney is the perfect tenant, right? Soon, nothing is right when Blakes discovers dead bodies, family secrets, fruit flies, infidelity, itchy laundry detergent, and plenty of bloodshed. McFadden writes a story dripping with intrigue, one that makes you question how much you can truly trust a stranger living in your home.

There is a reason McFadden’s books are often checked out in our branches. Here, she’s crafted a suspenseful page-turner with twists and turns right up until the epilogue.  The Tenant will live rent-free in your thoughts long after the last page.

The Tenant is available from HCLS in print, large print, as an audiobook on CD, and as an e-audiobook from Libby/OverDrive.

Carmen J. is a teen instructor at HCLS East Columbia Branch. Among her favorite things are great books, all things 80s, shamelessly watching The Bachelor, gardening, and drinking anything that tastes like coffee.

The book shows a mansion with ten windows and several chimneys, displayed inside a puzzle piece.

Several More Selections to Finish Summer Reading

juliefitzreader Leave a comment
The book cover shows someone with long, streaming hair across their eyes, dressed half in a knight's chain mail and half in a ball gown. Moths and flower blossoms float in the foreground.

By Howard County Library System staff

We’re getting even closer to the start of school. If you enjoyed our last compilation, there’s still a little bit of time left to read and we’re still full of suggestions! Whether you’re looking for a narrative to take with you for Labor Day weekend or a thoughtful novel to share with your book club this autumn, our staff continues to share their recent summer reading recommendations. And remember, readers’ advisory is one of our favorite ways to make connections with readers in the community – so if none of these suit your tastes or your reading goals, please stop by any branch and ask the instructors and research specialists for more reading ideas!

The book cover shows a body frozen in a space capsule with what looks like a clawed hand extending across the top of the capsule.

Cold Eternity by SA Barnes

Space horror is my new favorite genre mash-up, and SA Barnes has cemented herself as the queen of this space. Her newest, Cold Eternity, is a creepy story about a woman on the run who takes a job on ghost ship filled with dozens of cryogenically frozen passengers.

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

Rachel Gillig is back with another decadent and enthralling romantasy after wrapping up her debut duology that began with One Dark Window. In The Knight and the Moth, a priestess must team up with a heretical knight when her fellow priestesses start disappearing. 

~ Alex H., Teen Instructor and Research Specialist, Glenwood Branch

The book cover depicts a woman with her head covered with a cloth, holding a rosary, her head haloed as if she were a saint. The colors are bright and there are hot pink flames in the foreground.

Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

During the summer of 1996, awkward teens Frankie and Zeke create a mysterious poster and plaster it all around their town, leading to chaos and mass hysteria. The teens go their separate ways after that fateful summer, now known as The Coalfield Panic of 1996, and their secret exists only between them until a journalist begins poking around 20+ years later. The characters feel fully-realized as does the setting. This is the first book I’ve read by Kevin Wilson and I can’t wait to read more!

American Rapture by CJ Leede

A sudden zombie outbreak sends sheltered teen Sophie on an action-packed road trip across the Midwest in search of her twin brother, who was sent away to a conversion camp by their ultra-religious parents. A coming-of-age story filled with horror, heartbreak, and gore — think The Last of Us with a dash of religious trauma.

~ Emily B., Adult Instructor and Research Specialist, Central Branch

The book shows a mansion with ten windows and several chimneys, displayed inside a puzzle piece.

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr

Love a good puzzle do you? Well, what if your entire life… was a puzzle?

Meet Clayton Stumper—found as a baby with nothing but a cryptic note and raised by a secret British society of puzzle geniuses. When Clayton turns 25, his mysterious past decides it’s time to be solved. This debut is a heartwarming, brain-tickling mystery packed with eccentric characters, emotional twists, and riddles. It’s reads as if The Da Vinci Code put the kettle on, got all warm and cozy, and joined a Sudoku club in the Cotswolds. If you like your fiction with clues, codes, and a dash of emotional catharsis—add this one to your TBR pile!

Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

What happens when a picture-perfect, ‘nice neighborhood’ life gets a little… kidnapped? Meet the Fletchers: wealthy, neurotic, self destructive, greatly traumatized — and that’s before the father is abducted from their own driveway! In Long Island Compromise, the American Dream gets duct-taped, stuffed in a van, and ransomed back to you — but somehow, the cost is even more than before. It’s equal parts hilarious, devastating, and deeply Jewish, yet somehow makes existential despair and generational trauma feel kind of warm and fuzzy.

~ Wendy C., Adult Instructor and Research Specialist, Central Branch

Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler

Wives and mothers of a certain age can completely relate to Anne Tyler’s heroine, Delia Grinstead, who suddenly flips a switch while on family vacation at the beach. Delia, frustrated and feeling isolated, just walks away, finding a new life in a small rural town; as she says to her mother-in-law, “because I just like the thought of beginning again from scratch” (139).

But is Delia just re-enacting her suburban life and hoping for a different outcome? When her daughter, Susie, invites her home for Susie’s wedding, we’re all waiting to discover the answer – and, I have to say, I had no idea what would happen, even just a few pages from the end. With her delightful sprinkles of local color and her deep, deep understanding of human nature, Ladder of Years truly is near-perfection.

The book cover shows members of the British Special Air Service during World War II, seated and standing in a group, wearing overcoats and holding cups of coffee.

Rogue Heroes: The History of the SAS, Britain’s Secret Special Forces Unit That Sabotaged the Nazis and Changed the Nature of War by Ben Macintyre

This is narrative nonfiction that reads in many places like the screenplay for an action/adventure movie, in only the best sense. Author Macintyre puts us right in the thick of the action in North Africa during World War II, as the newly-minted Special Air Service trains in the desert and embarks on daring behind-the-lines raids to destroy German supplies and equipment, particularly planes in their airfields.

Despite some resistance from the upper brass, the men who led and trained the group, David Stirling and Paddy Mayne, end up making a huge difference in the fate of the fight against Rommel, and they inspire feats of bravery and moments of true courage among their ruffian-like band of recruits. The author makes clear that the SAS were innovative game-changers who did things others couldn’t or wouldn’t even attempt. A really great story, told well.

~ Julie F., Adult Instructor and Research Specialist, Miller Branch

An animated family in poses with arms raised in excitement or fright is centered over the silhouette of a burger, all against a bright yellow background

Bob’s Burgers Movie

Angie Engles Leave a comment
An animated family in poses with arms raised in excitement or fright is centered over the silhouette of a burger, all against a bright yellow background

by Angie E.

The Bob’s Burgers Movie throws the lovable and zany Belcher family onto the big screen with all the charm, chaos, and condiment-fueled comedy fans adore. Between Tina’s erotic friend-fiction fantasies, Gene’s musical ambitions (this time with a burger-themed rock opera, obviously), and Louise’s pink-ear-capped schemes, the Belchers are beefier than ever. Toss in a murder mystery, some off-key original songs, and the eternal struggle to pay rent, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for delicious dysfunction.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or a first-time fryer, this film is a celebration of awkward family love, small business spirit, and burger puns that never quit. It’s heartfelt, hilarious, and just weird enough to make you wonder if your food might burst into song. In a season five episode of Bob’s Burgers, Tina (the eldest of the Belcher children and one of the most lovelorn characters to ever appear in animation) is righteously upset when a friend of hers mentions the girl he likes is way “out of his league.” The scene takes place in a bowling alley (again, the smart writing!) and Tina yells, “Damn it, there are no leagues!” The intercom interrupts to call forth bowling leagues that are entered in a contest. Well, okay, Tina continues, there are bowling leagues, “but there should be no people leagues.”

Bob’s Burgers pulls me in like no other comedy. I absolutely want to live in BB’s world, I want to know all of the characters and walk down the streets of their town and visit their shops and their boardwalk. I want to go to karaoke with Linda, talk about life with Tina and get into hijinks with Louise and Gene. Never have I known a show to be both wholesome and provocative, to be sweet and subversive. Best of all, Bob’s Burgers holds on to  kindness, even in the middle of chaos. One of my favorite quotes from the show, from any show really, is this:

Maybe we all have a little bully inside of us. Maybe when we think people are being mean to us it can make us mean. But even if people are difficult we have to resist, we have to try to be nice. Maybe it will bring out the nice in other people.

HCLS owns the first season of Bob’s Burgers as well as the movie. For more seasons, consider using Interlibrary Loan Services.

And if you want to try your hand at some Bob’s Burgers-inspired cooking, you might want to check this out: The Bob’s Burgers Book: Real Recipes for Joke Burgers.

Angie is an Instructor & Research Specialist at Central Branch and is a co-facilitator for Reads of Acceptance, HCLS’ first LGBTQ-focused book club. Her ideal day is reading in her cozy armchair, with her cat Henry next to her.

The book cover depicts a distant lighthouse on a cliff against a cloudy sky, with waves crashing below and two people approaching the lighthouse.

Several Selections to Finish Summer Reading

juliefitzreader 1 Comment
The title depicts a swirling circular staircase from above, with someone ascending carrying an assortment of dishes on what appears to be a tea tray.

By HCLS Staff

The fourth of July may seem like a distant memory and school is revving up again soon – perhaps too soon for some! – but summer reading at Howard County Library System is still in full swing. If you’re a teen or an adult in search of a book full of fun, fantasy, or escape, summer reading is for you, too! Check out this list of recommendations from our instructors and complete your summer reading adventure, now through August 31.

The book cover depicts the title's cyborg unicorn, Lisa Cheese holding a drink with the other hand clenched in a fist, an alien-like humanoid holding a guitar, and the face of someone wearing headgear and goggles.

Lisa Cheese and Ghost Guitar: Attack of the Snack by Kevin Alvir 

Lisa Cheese is a unicorn girl who finds herself drawn into a battle between an evil burger corporation and a mom-and-pop restaurant. This quirky graphic novel is perfect for fans of vintage comics, 90s pop rock and grunge, and anyone looking for a delightfully zany story that’ll keep them guessing until the last page. 

The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater 

Stiefvater’s adult debut blends history with a touch of magic to bring you a glamorous hotel in the mountains of West Virginia that is forced to house dozens of Axis diplomats during World War II. Plus, there are dachshunds! 
-Alex H., Teen Instructor and Research Specialist, Glenwood Branch 

The book cover depicts a painting of a Victorian-era child with long curls and a floral wreath in her hair, wearing a white dress, gazing out at the viewer with streaks of yellow dripping from the above the title like rain streaks on a window.

Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito 

The deliciously dark tale of a deranged, psychopathic governess named Winifred. She’s just arrived at Ensor House to tutor Drusilla and Andrew, but how long will she be able to keep her violent impulses at bay? This snarky and dark gothic tale is a fabulous entry in the historical horror subgenre. 

The Guncle by Steven Rowley  

GUP aka Gay Uncle Patrick takes in his niece and nephew for a summer in Palm Springs after their mother, and his college best friend, Sara, passes away from cancer. Though it deals with heavy topics like grief, addiction, and the loss of a parent, Rowley balances the heaviness with humor. Packed with fun pop culture references, this one is sweet with substance! 
-Emily B., Adult Instructor and Research Specialist, Central Branch

The book cover depicts a building in silhouette with a baby carriage close by, with other silhouetted items - a pacifier, a rattle, a teddy bear, and a baby bottle - flying through the air above and adjacent to the building.

Wanted: Toddler’s Personal Assistant: How Nannying for the 1% Taught Me about the Myths of Equality, Motherhood, and Upward Mobility in America by Stephanie Kiser 

Ever wonder how the one-percenters live? Where toddlers have gluten-free meal plans, and certain celebs skip the school pickup line? Stephanie Kiser serves up a hilariously sharp—and deeply human memoir, about life behind the velvet stroller ropes. Think The Nanny Diaries meets The Devil Wears Pull-Ups! 

With wit, grit, and just the right dose of heartbreak, Kiser lifts the curtain on what it means to chase the American Dream. It’s a tale of diaper duty meets social disparity—of love for children in a world that treats its caregivers like invisible help. Take a peek into a world of privilege, parenting, and personal revelations. Bittersweet and brutally honest. 

This Motherless Land by Nikki May 

Imagine you’re juggling grief, secrets, and enough emotional baggage to fill Heathrow airport and still manage to look fabulous! That’s the vibe in this Nigerian-English, very loose retelling of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, but with teeth and a much bigger bite. It’s scandals, secrets, ambition, and betrayal—woven into a tapestry of identity and belonging. Jane Austen’s decorum meets generational trauma, and the result? An emotional and messy exploration of what happens when home isn’t where the heart is, but where the hurt was. 

If you like tons of family drama, fierce women, and a plot that hits you harder than your auntie’s side-eye at the dinner table, this one’s for you! 
-Wendy C., Adult Instructor and Research Specialist, Central Branch

The book cover depicts a distant lighthouse on a cliff against a cloudy sky, with waves crashing below and two people approaching the lighthouse.

The Wolf Tree by Laura McCluskey 

The Hebridean island setting of Eilean Eadar is atmospheric and gloomy, foreboding in its isolation. Mysterious disappearances from the local lighthouse took place a century ago and the current residents are a curious mix of standoffish yet welcoming. The islanders don’t want the presumed suicide of a young man to be investigated by Glasgow detectives Georgina “George” Lennox and Richie Stewart. The author carefully juggles characters and subplots to keep the reader guessing what happened to him (and also to the missing lighthouse keepers from 1919). Fans of folk-horror will be intrigued and unable to put it down! 

Nosy Neighbors by Freya Sampson 

When the decaying flats at Shelley House are scheduled for demolition, the secrets of the residents start to unravel, and one of them is the victim of a crime. Prickly, 25-year-old Kat, a loner and a bit of a stray waif, and 77-year-old Dorothy, a meddling, nosy woman who has lived there longer than anyone, become unlikely allies as they try to figure out what happened to kind, gentle Joseph, a dog owner who has sublet a room in his flat to Kat. A delightful mix of cozy mystery and found-family story, with just a hint of romance. You will root for the characters despite their quirks, and as their stories are revealed, they become closer to one another and form a true community. 
 -Julie F., Adult Instructor and Research Specialist, Miller Branch