The Hate U Give

STAFF REVIEWS – Books, Movies, Music and More

August 6, 2020

The Hate U Give

Author: Angie Thomas

Review By: Katie

Location: Hoopla Audiobook

I recently revisited this bestseller, a realistic portrayal of what it is like to grow up Black in the United States. The story focuses on sixteen-year-old Starr Carter and her experiences moving between two worlds: her predominantly Black lower-class neighborhood, and the expensive, mostly white prep school that she attends. After a tragic loss in her community, the police killing of an unarmed Black teenage boy, Starr grapples with her role in both worlds as she grieves and grows. Gripping and raw, this story is an essential read for both teens and adults. It is also a great anti-racism read, a window into what it is like to be a Black teen in the United States. The audiobook format is read by Bahni Turpin who brings the story to life. I found myself startled by the expressive tone and often moved to tears. Turpin’s voice shifts depending on whether Starr is talking to her family and neighbors or students and teachers at school, a behavior called code-switching, which is representative of the way Starr feels like she is expected to be a different person depending on her situation. This element of the audiobook brings an authenticity to Turpin’s interpretation, in addition to the way she taps into Starr’s emotions and portrays the other characters in the novel. Even if you’ve already seen the movie, I highly recommend reading the book as well! The Hate U Give is an inspiring story with a powerful message of hope entwined with sorrow.

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The Artful Baker


August 5, 2020

The Artful Baker

Author: Sönmezsoy, Cenk

Review By: Betsy

Location: Hoopla e-book

I recently borrowed The Artful Baker from Hoopla, an extraordinary cookbook ten years in the making by acclaimed amatuer baker and obsessive perfectionist Cenk Sonmezoy.  Cenk began the book as a young grad student in San Francisco, with an emphasis on flavors remembered from his childhood in Turkey: pistachios, sour cherries, and chocolate.  You’ll find simple recipes such as vanilla bean cake, chocolate chip cookies, and decadent brownies, as well as elaborate cakes and confections such as White Chocolate Raspberry Tart, Pistachio Cake, and Passion Fruit Caramels.  The instructions are both thorough and easy to follow, and the encouragement he offers novice bakers to experiment in the kitchen is an inspiration.  As a bonus, the cookbook is beautifully illustrated with his own photography.  A print version of the Artful Baker now lives on my bookshelf, with my own notes and many happy exclamation points rapidly filling the margins, as I bake my way through this wonderful book.

Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

May 21, 2020

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry 

Author: Gabrielle Zevin

Reviewed by: Stephany

Location: Overdrive e-book, Physical copy, Audiobook on CD, Physical Large Print

This 2013 novel about “book people” was a New York Times bestseller, and is being adapted into a film starring Naveen Andrews, probably best known for playing the character Sayid in the late lamented TV show, Lost.

The story centers around the widowed proprietor of Island Books, a shop located in a touristy town off the Massachusetts coast. Sporting a slightly sly sense of humor from the outset, the novel contains elements of love story, family saga and mystery. Publishing sales rep Amelia Loman is as sunny and charming as her 39-year-old nemesis-turned-love interest, A.J. Fikry, is sour and pig-headed. An abandoned child also plays a central role in the story.

This easy-to-read novel briefly threatens to stall in shopworn rom-com territory about halfway through, but diverges into a richer web of story lines from then on. Characters including a local cop and Fikry’s long-suffering sister-in-law come more into focus, unlikely relationships form, and questions about the child’s origins and a missing rare book are addressed.

Book lovers will enjoy the abundant references to authors, novels, and literary genres that are cleverly woven into the narrative. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry speaks volumes about the enduring power of bookshops, despite the challenges they face, to inspire and foster community.

Perfect Union

April 29, 2020

Perfect Union: Dolley Madison and the Creation of the American Nation

By: Catherine Allgor

Format: Hoopla Audiobook, Physical copy

Review by: Tricia


Catwoman: Soulstealer


May, 2019

Catwoman: Soulstealer

By Sarah J. Maas

Review By: Sam

Format: Book

I’ve never been a big superhero fan, and when I do dip my toes in the water, it tends to be the Marvel universe. But Sarah J. Maas is one of my favorite authors, and seeing that she was writing one of the DC Icons volumes made me take the leap. Catwoman: Soulstealer takes a different approach to the femme fatale villain of Batman’s universe – Selina Kyle (Catwoman) is barely past 20 and she’s mysteriously arrived in Gotham under the guise of jewel thievery. Batman’s gone for an important mission, leaving behind his friend and colleague “Batwing” to keep watch.

Catwoman: Soulstealer is an interesting take on the superhero genre – focusing more on the humanity and interpersonal relationships between heroes and villains, rather than a one-dimensional gaze at cartoon-y action sequences. Catwoman teams up with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn for some girl-power heist shenanigans, while learning more about each other’s troubled pasts and what drives them towards villainy. Selina starts to fall in love with Gotham’s steady and respectable Luke Fox, both unaware that their alter-egos have a much different relationship. It’s a quick read, and it balances comedy, drama, romance and adventure quite well. If you’re looking for a light read, I highly recommend Catwoman: Soulstealer.

Merci Suarez Changes Gears


May, 2019

Merci Suarez Changes Gears

by Meg Medina

Review By: Betsy

Format: Book, Audiobook, Overdrive Ebook

I recently read Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina, which is this years’ Newbery Award Winner. Merci is a fun, forthright, delight of a main character, with a love of soccer, longing for a new bicycle, and frustration with the social minefield that is being a sixth grade girl. When she’s chosen as new student Michael’s Sunshine Buddy, her former friend Edna goes ballistic, alternately scathing that Merci is spending time with a BOY and green with envy. Meanwhile, her new Sunshine Buddy is instantly more popular than Merci has ever been, and doesn’t seem to need any school-sponsored fake friends. Even worse, when Merci’s beloved grandpa is diagnosed with Alzheimers, she is forced to give up soccer to take over his role as babysitter to her not so well-behaved little cousins. The characters in this book seemed so real. Merci is sometimes kind and mature, other times resentful and selfish; and Micheal is interesting, fun, and popular while at the same time completely obnoxious. Even Edna, horrible as she is, shows glimmers of the better person she’ll eventually become.

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