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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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
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!
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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 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!
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
The Noontime Book Club is the longest running book club in the HCLS system. They gather at HCLS Central Branch.
by Wendy C.
As Howard County Library System (HCLS) celebrates its 85th birthday this year, I’ve found myself flipping through a mental scrapbook—page after page of memories and moments since I first started in 2010. It’s been a rich and satisfying journey, filled with more book recommendations than I could count and some of the most passionate readers and coworkers one could hope to know. When I became an Instructor and Research Specialist at the Central Branch, I landed in a dream team of literary champions affectionately known as the Fictionistas. These were (and still are!) some of the most brilliant book minds around. They mentored me, encouraged me, and perhaps most importantly, welcomed me into their bookish fold.
One of the most meaningful invitations came early on when I was asked to help facilitate Noontime Book Club, lovingly known as Noontime Books. This wasn’t just any club. It was founded in 1993 as Noontime With Books by Marge Trautman, a true trailblazer and the OG Fictionista. Community members were encouraged to come on their lunch breaks, eat, and talk about books. Marge had retired by the time I came on the scene, but her influence lingered in every discussion circle and on every dog-eared reading list.
Marge recently passed away at the age of 81. While we are saddened by her loss, we are comforted knowing that her spirit is alive and well in the very club she started. Month after month, rain or shine, in-person or virtual, some members have been showing up for over a decade, testament to the powerful sense of community and curiosity Marge helped spark. There’s something incredibly special about gathering midday to unpack a story together, be it mystery, memoir, or modern classic. Noontime Books isn’t just about reading. It’s about connecting, questioning, and sharing a slice of life over lunch and literature.
So as we celebrate HCLS’s incredible 85-year journey, I tip my hat to the Fictionistas, to Marge, and to every reader who ever leaned in a little closer during book club to say, “Wait, did anyone else notice that part?
Click for a listing of all the HCLS book clubs that have meetings soon, and many more return in September.
Wendy Camassar is an Instructor and Research Specialist at the HCLS Central Branch and facilitates Noontime Books discussion group. In her spare time, she enjoys reading fiction, thrifting, and volunteering for Success In Style at Savage Mill.
The more I read the more I realize how little I know. I was confused about the title of this exquisitely written novel, Clear, that talks about human connections. Why “clear?” I learned the significance in the Author’s Note, where I read about how 474 ministers broke away from the Scottish Church in the year 1843 to rebel against the system of patronage and form the new Free Church. I also learned about the controversial Clearances.
In the novel, John Ferguson is an impoverished priest of the New Church forced to participate in a significant social upheaval in Scotland at the time: the Clearances that began in the Lowlands, spanning from the mid-eighteenth century to the mid-nineteenth century. Farmers were forcibly removed from their lands by the landowners to use those fields for crops, cattle, and sheep. The farmers and their families were dispossessed of their livelihood and forced to move to concentrated lands where they could not produce enough food for sustenance, which resulted in mass exodus to industrialized cities. Many sold all their belongings to find passage on ships to the United States, Canada, or Australia to start anew.
John Ferguson takes up the job of evicting the lone tenant, named Ivar, of a remote island. Ivar has been living by himself for over a decade with his old horse, a blind cow, and a few hens and sheep. John’s wife, Mary, is opposed to this dangerous journey, but John is adamant about earning enough money to build his own church facility to practice the teachings of the New Church. Upon arrival, John falls off an island cliff, sustaining life threatening injuries. Ivar, the man whom John has come to evict, finds the unconscious John and nurses him back to health. Despite their language barrier, the two men find a connection, while John faces a dilemma about having to disclose to Ivar, his savior and friend, his real reason for the journey. Mary, in the meantime, has had no communication from John; she sells everything to buy passage to travel to the island herself to find out what has happened to him. The story takes an interesting turn when the three main characters come together.
Clear is not only a story of immense beauty; it is also a big-hearted story of hope, ambition, and most of all, the interconnectedness of human hearts. The paucity of words in the book somehow intensifies the beauty and the depth of the characters, the plot, and the setting. Through the magic of Carys Davies’ beautiful writing, the readers can hear the waves crashing against the rugged rocks of the island, feel the heat of the fire that Ivar builds to stay warm, and taste the slightly burnt milk mixed with cornmeal that Ivar feeds John to sustain his broken body. The book touches all our senses as we read the story. The words transport us onto the island, and we live John and Ivar’s life and feel their connection along with them. We understand Mary’s concern as she frets at the lack of communication from her husband and marvel at the ending, when all three characters converge on the island. What will happen to them next?
Clear by Carys Davies is available in print and e-book formats.
Piyali is an instructor and research specialist at HCLS Miller Branch, where she facilitates two book discussion groups: Light But Not Fluffy and Global Reads. She keeps the hope alive that someday she will reach the bottom of her to-read list.
“Tsundoku” is a whimsical Japanese term for collecting books in piles… to be read… eventually. You may have been practicing this without knowing there was a term for it! So, how did you do with your “To Be Read” pile this past year? Are you ready for more recommendations? Here you go!
Listen to our recent Hijinx podcast, Best Books of 2023, featuring voices from HCLS staff and community members. Past episodes can be found here.
Favorite Books Read in 2023 from HCLS Staff & Customers
Readers responded enthusiastically all year long to the wonderful reviews our writers have shared. Since we know you enjoy reading about their book, movie, television, music, and video game recommendations, here are the top three favorites from our exceptionally knowledgeable and talented blog writers from the HCLS staff. Or, in some cases, perhaps a top four… it’s so hard to choose for these year-end retrospectives!
Cherise T., Central Branch
Barbie – Pitch-perfect, entertaining take on life as a woman, how it is, and how we wish it would be.
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese – Multigenerational novel set in Karala, India, spanning over 70 years of a family cursed with deaths by water.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett – Sharing endless hours together due to pandemic restrictions, two daughters learn more of their mother’s origin story in which Our Town plays a major role.
Wellness by Nathan Hill – What is the arc of a marriage when viewed through the lens of a photographer and a specialist in placebo psychology?
So Much (for) Stardust by Fall Out Boy – The boys are back with a triumphant return to guitar-based music, masterfully incorporating a range of influences while sounding utterly, uniquely Fall Out Boy. Standout tracks include the hard-hitting opener “Love From The Other Side,” the sweepingly cinematic title track, and the disco-inspired “What a Time To Be Alive.”
Unreal Unearth by Hozier – The newest album from the beloved Irish singer-songwriter delivers much of what fans expect – poetic lyrics delivered in soulful baritone – wrapped up in crisp, new production. Standout tracks include the irresistibly funky “De Selby (Part 2)” and the lead single “Eat Your Young” with its scathing social commentary and catchy hook.
Rush! by Måneskin – In their first record featuring mainly English-language songs, these Italian rockers showcase a keen pop sensibility along with plenty of guitar shredding and raw vocals. Standout tracks include the mournful power ballad “THE LONELIEST” and the cheeky, energetic “MAMMAMIA.”
Sahana C., Savage Branch
Joan by Katherine J. Chen – Chen paints a really compelling picture of what Joan of Arc may have been: a strong girl, working within the confines of her environment to become the face of something so much greater than herself.
Haven by Emma Donoghue – A great contemplative read of ancient Irish history; a perspective that was new to me, and yet so familiar, with ties to the present.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesby Suzanne Collins – This was a re-read for me, and I liked it better this time around, as I accompanied it with a re-read and rewatch of the whole Hunger Games books/movies, thanks to the recent release of the Ballad movie!
Wolfsong by TJ Klune – There was so much emotion, lycanthropy lore, and action at times that you’d almost think TJ Klune was a werewolf himself and had written this as an autobiography. I went on to the next book right after I finished Wolfsong!
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – The Spider-Verse movies have been so much fun! They’re funny, campy, and also dramatic in their own way. I cannot wait for part 2!
Star Trek Picard Season 3 – This was the send-off that the crew of the USS Enterprise deserved all along, an utter chef’s kiss and a true love letter to the fans. Action packed, emotional, and fun, this season is a fan favorite and worth every single re-watch.
Ian L., East Columbia Branch
One Piece (Anime, manga, and live action adaptation) – Pirates, Adventure, Freedom; if the endless dream guides your restless spirit, do yourself a favor and fall in love with One Piece.
Asteroid City – A star-studded cast, eccentrically written characters, and beautiful sets; a Wes Anderson medley on isolation in times of uncertainty.
Book of Hours (video game) – Restore a crumbling occult library as a Librarian whose work can literally define history.
Anne of Green Gables – I can’t keep count of how many times I’ve read about the escapades of literature’s favorite redhead. But every time I do, I’m delighted to reconnect with a “kindred spirit”.
The Empress (Netflix) – Based on the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, this binge-worthy historical drama is full of juicy plots and costume eye candy that will leave you anxiously awaiting the arrival of season two.
Barbie – Seeing my favorite childhood toy on the big screen tugged at my heartstrings and made me proud to discover that there is something deeper underneath her pretty perfection.
Julia M., Glenwood Branch
Yellowface by R. F. Kuang – Yellowface is the book I couldn’t stop thinking about this year, no matter how many months pass by after I finished reading it.
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson – Tress is a fantasy that hearkens after The Princess Bride and left me wanting to become a better, kinder person.
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose – Out of all the great dragon books that came out this year, this is the one whose sequel I’m most looking forward to!
Eric L., Elkridge Branch
Blue Rev by Alvvays – It came out in late 2022 and HCLS will have copies soon. This is the band’s third record, and they seem to have “broke” this year. You can borrow their previous two albums from HCLS. This record is more mature, lyrically and musically better.
Orwell’s Roses by Rebecca Solnit – The book deftly captures how his experiences and writings worked up to his magnum opus which he finished right before his death at 46 years of age. Solnit addresses his optimism and his love of nature, as well as his foibles.
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (see my entire post here) is a great book, about America, greed, the impact of technology on humans, and the need for a social safety net. It is long, sad, and beautifully written; not a political book that aims to point fingers, but really a moral one.
Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How it Changes Us by Brian Klaas is probably related to both aforementioned books. Written in an entertaining journalistic style, it’s packed with interesting anecdotes and interviews, with examples of power wielded for the good of all as well as power that is abused. Klaas also suggests what we can do to improve the use of power in society.
Angie E., Central Branch
Holly by Stephen King – His best book in ages, but I will never see liver the same way again.
The Lunar Housewife by Caroline Woods – This pleased both my sci-fi and feminist sides.
The Survivalists by Kashana Cauley – This brilliant and funny novel stayed with me for a long time after I finished it.
Julie F., Miller Branch
Strange Flowers by Donal Ryan – Beautiful, haunting, brilliant. A look at two generations of a mixed-race Irish family and the loves and losses that bind them together and keep them moving forward.
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes – Haynes gives voice to the voiceless women of the classic Greek plays and epics. She demonstrates how war never changes across the centuries, but it profoundly changes those it impacts, and never for the better.
Sweet Little Lies by Caz Frear – Great start to a crime fiction trilogy; for fans of Tana French and Susie Steiner. You’ll love Detective Constable Cat Kinsella, with her messy, complicated family life, sense of verve, and sarcastic, wisecracking humor.
Kristen B., Administrative Branch
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (e-book and e-audiobook) – Feel-good found family and a ton of fun!
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (as an audiobook on CD or an e-audiobook) – Changes your perspective on the world and our place in it. The author reads it, which makes it even better.
Witch King by Martha Wells – High fantasy, told upside down and backwards so you’re never quite sure what’s going on but wonderfully entertaining. She is the author of the highly popular Murderbot books, but this one is completely its own thing.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading these writers as much as we’ve loved editing and sharing their terrific blog posts throughout 2023. Check out their favorites and let us know which you enjoy; visit any branch to get more suggestions and recommendations from our stellar team. Happy holidays and here’s to a 2024 full of great books and multimedia from the HCLS collection!
Have you ever wanted to bend the ear of a fellow book lover about your latest author or series discovery? If you have a recent read that you can’t wait to share, please join us on Zoom for What’s On Your Shelf? In this virtual class, we not only talk about a few of our favorite books and hear from you about your favorites, we also discuss fun questions about books in general:
Who is your favorite protagonist of all time?
What do you love most about the genre of your choice?
Which book changed your perspective?
The possibilities are endless and enticing!
Share fiction and/or nonfiction titles that are on your bookshelf and we will share a few titles from our shelves. If you don’t have a book to share, find inspiration in what others recommend and start building your holiday gift-giving or winter reading list.
In our recent in-person branch sessions, readers have also had the opportunity to ask for recommendations or to ask our instructors questions about books, reading, and the library. Previous discussion topics have included book donations, Little Free Libraries, and Goodreads (the world’s largest website for readers and book recommendations).
Please join us on Thursday, December 8 at 2 pm to talk about all things books! Register here to receive a Zoom link.
Piyali is an instructor and research specialist at HCLS Miller Branch, where she co-facilitates both Global Reads and Strictly Historical Fiction and keeps the hope alive that someday she will reach the bottom of her to-read list. Look for Piyali’s newest Miller book discussion group, Light But Not Fluffy, in spring 2023.
Julie is an instructor and research specialist at HCLS Miller Branch who finds her work as co-editor of Chapter Chats very rewarding. She loves gardening, birds, crime fiction, all kinds of music, and the great outdoors. Julie facilitates the Bas Bleu and Spies, Lies, and Alibis book discussion groups at Miller.
If you’re at all aware of contemporary LGBTQ romance fiction, then you’ve no doubt heard about Red, White & Royal Blueby Casey McQuiston. I’ve honestly yet to read it, but I can confirm there is no sophomore slump for McQuiston with their second novel One Last Stop.
One Last Stop follows August, a cynical 23-year-old college student, as she adjusts to life in New York – trying out yet another college in another city – complete with quirky roommates, a job at a pancake diner that she may or may not be qualified for, and a subway route that she happens to share with the most attractive girl she’s ever seen. The aforementioned “Subway Girl” goes by the name Jane, she is equal parts kind and fierce, and… well, her existence may defy reality as we know it.
I leave this intentionally vague for a reason: I likely would have found the book even more enjoyable if I had no idea of the plot before I started reading, given that McQuiston spends quite some time building up the mystery of who – or what – Jane actually is. Therefore, I will refrain from going into detail about the book’s premise. Honestly, if this review piques your interest in the title, then I recommend that you simply dive into the book for yourself without reading the summary!
However, I will divulge that, in my opinion, One Last Stop is an example of speculative fiction at its most accessible, and I absolutely loved it. In a recent interview, Casey McQuiston explains how they “have always loved that genre that’s sort of one step away from sci-fi, one step away from magic or fantasy. It’s a type of romcom that I think was really popular in the late ‘90s and early 2000s,” referencing films such as 13 Going On 30 and Freaky Friday. These are not stories typically considered sci-fi or fantasy – at least, not in the same way as Star Wars or Lord of the Rings – but they absolutely exist within the realm of speculative fiction, incorporating fantastical elements while allowing the author to set the story in an otherwise ‘normal’ contemporary world. The reader can take comfort in the familiarity of the overall setting but can be surprised, or at very least entertained, by the circumstances that arise from the speculative elements employed.
Whereas these elements are often used for comedic potential in Hollywood movies, McQuiston is able to use them in a way that enriches One Last Stop with queer history and profound examinations about social differences between the past and present. And, of course, the situations created by the speculative elements are also well-suited for romantic tension and drama, which makes for a very engaging story.
I’ve found that a book is a particularly good read for me personally if it reminds me of other books I’ve loved, automatically encouraging my brain to go into “let’s compare these parallels!” mode while simultaneously being an enjoyable narrative on its own. One Last Stop is a perfect example of this! At the beginning, I found myself thinking of An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green, as both of these novels feature mystery-loving bisexual female protagonists in their early twenties, living in present-day NYC, that end up being caught in the middle of seemingly unreal circumstances. McQuiston’s lovable cast of characters, development of a queer found-family trope, and flirtation with the “star-crossed lovers” trope (but with a happy ending!) reminded me of Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas. And by the end, as hidden family histories and unexpected connections between characters are revealed, I excitedly reminisced about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Other than being some of my favorite reads in the past few years, I would not think to compare any of those three titles with each other… yet they fit perfectly in comparison to One Last Stop.
In its best moments, One Last Stop is so tenderly written that it makes me yearn for a life in New York City – and that’s saying something, considering I’m a lifelong suburbanite who’s always been more drawn to the countryside than the city. McQuiston crafts likable characters who speak realistically about life in their city, honoring both the beauty and the struggles of the world which they inhabit. Not only that, but the city itself – and certain destinations within it, such as August’s apartment and the pancake diner where she works – feel like characters too. McQuiston writes them all with such care, I couldn’t help but feel connected to them, want to visit these places, want to be friends with these people and experience life alongside them. This makes for a wonderful book to escape into, and I strongly recommend it to anyone looking for a feel-good read about falling in love, finding one’s community, and growing into the best version of one’s self.
One Last Stop is available to request from HCLS in print as well as an eBook and eAudiobook from Libby/OverDrive.
Ash is an Instructor & Research Specialist at Central Branch and is a co-facilitator for Reads of Acceptance, HCLS’ first LGBTQ-focused book club. Ash is an eternal lover of coming-of-age stories, especially those that center queer and trans joy.
For this ragtag band of space gays, liberation means beating the patriarchy at its own game.
By Peter N.
Did you know that jousting is the state sport of Maryland? Chalk this up as a fact I was surprised to learn as an adult. The sport that involves horses, lances, and two knights? What you see at the Renaissance Festival? Cool! But I digress. Jousting usually is a competition between the aforementioned two knights for the hand of a fair princess or maiden – but this book, this clever and action-packed book, takes it one step further.
Cosmoknights was a sleeper hit for me. I’m always beefing up my reader’s advisory arsenal; in the course of my usual day of helping customers find new reads and old favorites, I decided to dive into an article recommending 20 MUST-READ LGBTQ COMICS FOR TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS, where I ran into a recommendation for this.
GAYS IN SPACE
That made me laugh. But it also got me. Hook, line, and sinker. Without giving away too much, we meet Pan, who seems to be your ordinary teenage girl helping her cooped-up friend sneak out for a night of fun. We soon find out that her friend is their planet’s princess, who is to be offered up as a prize to the knight that wins the planet’s joust competition and wants out. She needs to get away but needs help. Pan helps her escape, but at the cost of becoming the planet’s pariah. Flash forward to five years later, when she’s living a mundane life working in her father’s mechanic shop. One night, two tough types show up at their door, and one is in need of medical attention. For what exactly? And why do they seem so familiar to Pan? Pan finds her way off-planet with these two strangers and is sucked into a battle to take down the archaic competition of jousting for the “prize” of the princess. There’s more to these warriors that showed up on her doorstep than she thought!
I positively loved this book. There’s action, drama, mystery, and a slight Star Trek-y/steampunk-y/sci-fi vibe to it. It’s set in the future with space travel and such, but with none of the future utopia. The characters are likable, witty, and unbelievably brave with a little bit of selflessness thrown in. The art flows well and is seamless, easy to follow, and easy on the eyes. As with so many others I’ve read lately, it’s a series that IS STILL GOING – so here comes the waiting game until there are updates or another volume is published. If you’re like me and can’t wait, then the author, Hannah Templer, makes updates Tuesdays and Fridays on their website. But I’d highly recommend checking out Cosmoknights from your local Howard County Library branch and you won’t be disappointed.
Cosmoknights is also available from HCLS as an ebook via Libby/OverDrive.
Peter (he/him/his) is an Instructor and Research Specialist at the Miller Branch and needs to read the books he has checked out before grabbing new ones.
CHAPTER CHATS 