Devil House John Darnielle

Adults (18+)

A wonderful reflection on true crime culture and the ways in which reporting on and observing a story intrinsically makes you a part of it.
 Devon M, Customer Service | DevonM_KCMO

Babel R.F. Kuang

Adults (18+)

It explores simultaneously the tension created by the gaps in meaning between cognates, and the tension created by internalized colonization weaving a tense personal, political, and magical drama in higher education during the Victorian era.
 Matthew S, Discovery Services | MatthewS_KCMO

Babel uses linguistics to tackle racism and colonialism in a way I've never seen before. The main cast of POC characters is small, but they each feel so real, with their own takes on being transients in an academic setting that exploits their heritages while vilifying them in the same breath. This isn't a happy story, but the main characters form a tight-nit bond that helps them keep their heads afloat as the indignities of their lives press in on them, and as they come to see one another as family, we do as well. I think about this book constantly and consider it essential reading.
 Sydney V, Circulation

The Golden Enclaves Noami Novik

Adults (18+)

A great conclusion to a trilogy that, quite honestly, showed me what reading could be once again. I enjoyed the vicious environment, wry humor, and no-compromise conclusion that inevitably had some anyway. The story is concluded, but there could still be an opportunity for more.
 Kenneth H, OneNorth Computer Lab

In this finale to the Scholomance trilogy Novik ties up all the loose ends in a very satisfying manner. All the hints and nuggets planted in the first two books come together cleverly and neatly like puzzle pieces. El's self-discovery and mettle-testing journey is far from over even though her life is no longer in danger every waking moment now that she's out of the Scholomance. The stakes are still as high as ever and El still needs her allies to navigate the web of secrets, deceit and power hungry enclavers. There are many twists and heart-wrenching dark discoveries El will have to come to terms with, and you will find yourself turning pages and holding your breath on a few occasions. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys clever plot twists, dark academia and strong female characters.
 Mila B, Waldo | MilaB_KCMO

The Messy Lives of Book People Phaedra Patrick

Adults (18+)

Books are a great common topic, when this house maid befriends a client who happens to be a mega bestselling author but also a recluse magic happens for both of them. When the author passes away, Liv, the maid, has been left with task of completing the final novel of her boss and friend which is life changing.
 Angie H, Trails West | AngelaH_KCMO

We Are the Light Matthew Quick

Adults (18+)

A timely and beautifully written novel that highlights the power of art and love and community to heal. The story is told through a series of letters written by a high school guidance counselor to his Jungian therapist after surviving a tragedy. I laughed and I cried as I witnessed the capacity to move from grief to hope in these poignant letters. It is a lovely journey well worth your time!
 Nan M, SUB

Sirens and Muses Antonia Angress

Adults (18+)

This is a wonderful book if you love art and want to dive into the world of artists at university! I liked this book because we get to know four different characters that all have their own views and visions for art. They all have their own journeys and we see how they are also intertwined. This is a great book if you love dark academia, but you want it to take place in the art world. Fans of The Goldfinch and Writers & Lovers will have fun reading this! This is the authors first book and I look forward to more in the future!
 Victoria S, Plaza Branch/Materials Handler & Library Assistant

The Con Artists Luke Healy

Adults (18+)

A quasi-autobiographical graphic novel about people learning to maybe not be so terrible. Reminded me of Adrian Tomine's Killing & Dying, but less absurd and more relatable (minus mustache mishaps, perhaps). Stand-up comedy is a central theme; I also enjoyed an online talk between Luke Healy and comedian Connor Ratliff about the book.
 Emily A, OneNorth Computer Lab | EmilyA_KCMO

Trust Hernan Diaz

Adults (18+)

Trust is basically the same story about a Wall Street tycoon in the 1920s and his patron-of-the-arts wife told three times from three very different perspectives. As I was reading, I kept thinking, “Why is the author doing this, and at what point does he plan to introduce a plot?” Then, bam, the plot kicks in on the third telling along with two strong and interesting female characters. I’ll be honest and say I almost bailed out, but I’m glad I didn’t. After seeing the method behind Hernan Diaz’s madness, I thought it was brilliant.
 Judy E, Readers Services | JudyE_KCMO

The Art of Prophecy (War Arts Saga #1) Wesley Chu

Adults (18+)

Everything you love about a good C-drama: dramatic matrial arts powers, cranky older mentors, and a chosen one who is going to be dragged kicking and screaming into being ready for their destiny.
 Matthew S, Discovery Services | MatthewS_KCMO

Act of Oblivion Robert Harris

Adults (18+)

A fictionalized account of the 1660s pursuit of two of King Charles I executioners from London across the Atlantic to New England.
 Joel J, Library Services | JJinWaldo

Curfew Jayne Cowie

Adults (18+)

This is a dystopian novel set in a world where women are the ones in charge and men are relegated to second-class citizens. The story is a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. Not bad for a debut novel!
 Chinesa R, YFE | ChinesaR_KCMO

The Liar’s Knot (Rook & Rose #2) M.A. Carrick

Adults (18+)

The continuation of a deliciously complex political fantasy where the lines continue to blur, the deceptions continue to compound, and nobody is quite what they seem. I am in awe that the Tarot system created for this series (the Pattern) was used to cast divination to solve moments when the authors were stuck on where to move the plot next. The concluding volume is due out in August 2023 - it's a great time to get prepared early.
 Matthew S, Discovery Services | MatthewS_KCMO

Legends & Lattes Travis Baldree

Adults (18+)

What a warm, fuzzy, good feelings book about finding your home and your found family! Seriously, this is one of those books you can curl up with on the weekend with cozy socks and something warm to drink and finish it with a smile on your face.
 Alisha H, One North Computer Lab | AlishaH_KCMO

The Fortunes of Jaded Women: A Novel Carolyn Huynh

Adults (18+)

The Fortunes of Jaded Women was as funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful. It takes a look into the estranged relationships three Vietnamese sisters have with each other, their mother, and their own daughters, and discusses what it means to forgive and forget (or maybe not forget, when it's convenient), accept your loved ones for who they are, and to not waste time on petty jealousies and grudges. I loved this book for its humor and cast of larger than life yet deeply sympathetic characters, as well as its take on mother/daughter relationships and how meaningful and fraught they can be.
 Sydney V, Circulation

Crushing Sophie Burrows

Adults (18+)

I liked it, because it is a graphic novel for adults that is simple, yet complex. You kind of make it what it is due to the lack of words. It has an emphasis on the color red which highlights key points in the book. Simply, it's about two characters who cross each others paths and are looking for love. They aren't quite ready for it and go through life. Eventually, they are ready and they find each other in a random setting. It also brings to mind the pressure of individuals to find someone to love. In reality, people need to find themselves first and be comfortable in their own skin, before seeking out a relationship. When they're truly ready, it'll happen.
 Tristan K, Customer Service/SUB

The Butcher and the Wren Alaina Urquhart

Adults (18+)

The ending was very surprising! It is rare that I am this surprised by a book and the writing was phenomenal.
 J.H., YFE

Lessons in Chemistry Bonnie Garmus

Adults (18+)

This book was not at all what I thought it was going to be, which reminds me to never judge a book by it's cover! The story of a female chemist set in the 1960s made me thankful for how far we've come, but also think about the work we still have to do. It was a lovely story that I was sad to finish.
 Kate T, YFE | KateT_KCMO

Sea of Tranquility Emily St. John Mandel

Adults (18+)

If I have to explain why I love this author, it means that you have not read this author. You should immediately read Station Eleven, then Glass Hotel, and then Sea of Tranquility. It was a surreal story about an author that wrote about a pandemic before a pandemic and then wrote about having written about a pandemic in an actual pandemic; also time travel? And moon habitation? So much YES.
 Ryan R, Customer Service | RyanR_KCMO

Easy Beauty Chloé Jones

Adults (18+)

Every exquisitely crafted sentence of this memoir taught me more about the world and myself. Jones grew up in KS which is only the first connection I shared with the author. Also, she is a working mom, with chronic pain and a chronic desire to understand her place in the world. I'm grateful for the very personal journey that Jones graciously invited me on in Easy Beauty. I had this book on hold for months. Libby notified me of its availability the exact day I tested positive for Covid. For me, it was the perfect quarantine companion.
 Lauren P, Philanthropy

In her stunning perfectly written first book, Jones writes about living with sacral agenesis, a physical condition that she was born with--a disability that is impossible to hide and leaves her in pain. Jones goes on a series of trips in pursuit of the meaning of beauty and explores the dichotomy of two types of beauties: one that is obvious and easy to see, and the other that one must work for to fully appreciate. Vivid, often funny, and filled with theories and mediations that will shift the way you look at the world. Not just the best memoir of the year, the best I've ever read.
 Mick C, Customer Service | MickC_KCMO

Last Call at the Nightingale: A Mystery Katharine Schellman

Adults (18+)

First, I love period mysteries. And living in Kansas City, the so-called Paris of the Plains, a good story about bootleggers hits close to home. This takes place in New York in the 1920 during Prohibition. The main character Vivan loves the world of speakeasies and jazz music. This world leads to danger and excitement. Such a fun listen.
 Teresa B, Central | TeresaB_KCMO

The Hourglass Throne K.D. Edwards

Adults (18+)

An amazing finale for the first trilogy of the Tarot Card sequence. You can always count on K.D Edwards to create a masterful blend of witty dialogue, action and tragedy.
 Abigail C, Westport

The Maid: A Novel Nita Prose

Adults (18+)

This book captured my attention because it is subtle mystery and mystique. I loved the main character, and it is a hard book to put down as you desperately hope that things work out!
 J.H, YFE

When We Lost Our Heads: A Novel Heather O’Neill

Adults (18+)

I would read literally anything Heather O'Neill writes. Her writing is what I'd describe as ethereal, and she uses the most lovely metaphors to tell her stories. This book is about two young girls who become friends in Montreal in the 19th century and what happens to them throughout their lives. O'Neill challenges her readers to think deeply about gender, power, and class, and about the things a person will do for love.
 Kate T, Youth and Family Engagement | KateT_KCMO

The Passenger Cormac McCarthy

Adults (18+)

I don't know if I like it. I am still reading it. I am entirely intoxicated to be in new McCarthy prose. It is something, for sure. I have been very much looking forward to it and cannot wait to jump into the coda, Stella Maris.
 Ryan R, Customer Service | RyanR_KCMO

A Merry Little Meet Cute: A Novel Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Adults (18+)

Two fantastic authors, Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone, pair up for this steamy holiday romcom, where a plus size porn star and a boy band washout with a bad reputation end up shooting a Christmas romance for the squeaky clean Hope Channel (Think Hallmark)- and of course, fall in love. With lots of laughs and plenty of heat (and a few nods to fans of KC BBQ), this is one for those who like their romance spicy.
 Diana P, Collection Development | DianaP_KCMO

When Women Were Dragons Kelly Barnhill

Adults (18+)

When Women Were Dragons blended fantasy and feminism in a way that read like a love letter to women (cis, trans, or otherwise). The characters felt so real and sympathetic, and I joined them in every triumph and heartbreak. The indignities the main character and her family faced still stick with me, but the happy ending they find is well-earned and cathartic.
 Sydney V, Circulation

The Stardust Thief Chelsea Abdullah

Adults (18+)

This beautifully written fantasy that draws on One Thousand and One Night stories was a very enjoyable read. In this intricately crafted world jinn are hunted by humans for their silver blood and relics imbued with jinn magic. The story follows two young women violently orphaned as children, a jinn posing as a human bodyguard and a sheltered naïve prince fond of storytelling find themselves on a quest to retrieve a powerful relic lost for centuries. They must overcome their deep distrust and dislike for each other to survive all kinds of magical perils, backstabbing and trickery. For fans of the Daevabad trilogy and folk tales-inspired fantasy.
 Mila B, Waldo | MilaB_KCMO

Seven Empty Houses Samantha Schweblin

Adults (18+)

This is a book of seven short stories that will all challenge your perspective on what it means to be home. Some of the stories are dark and creepy, and some are a little silly. All of them will make readers think about the ways in which we connect with the people in our lives.
 Kate T, Youth and Family Engagement | KateT_KCMO

The Secret History Donna Tartt 1992

Adults (18+)

Not published in 2022, but I had to see what all of the TikTok hype was about. I immediately added this book to my all time favorites. It's a long one but it is one of the rare few that keep you gripped the whole time. The characters are not good people- within the first chapter you know that they have done something horrible but they're so well written it's hard not to like/sympathize with them. This book is a masterpiece.
 Katie A, Central | KathrynA_KCMO

The Witch’s Heart Genevieve Gornichec 2021

Adults (18+)

I absolutely loved this book! It’s been on my radar since it was released but due to my ever growing pile of TBRs, it unfortunately got buried… until now! I’ve always loved Norse Mythology, and I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for Loki, so I knew I was going to love a book about one of Loki’s wives
 Alisha H, One North Computer Lab | AlishaH_KCMO

The Girl in His Shadow Audry Blake 2021

Adults (18+)

This was a really interesting book about a topic that I have kind of heard about but never really explored. I knew that women had no rights during the 1800's but I never really thought of that women doctors weren't allowed and that of all places England was strict about it. The sequel is just as good too!!
 Shelby P, Trails West/Materials Handler

Intimacies Katie Kitamura 2021

Adults (18+)

This book is such a thrilling ride of betrayal, self-reflection, drama, and reflection of truth in a complicated world.
 Elaine B, AmeriCorps VISTA Program

The Forest of Vanishing Stars Kristin Harmal 2021

Adults (18+)

I love this book because it cast a different light on ww2. It was different from any other ww2 book Ive read because other books are about the soldiers or Jewish people or lgbtq or gypsies. Ive never read a book about a nazi soldier's daughter. I really enjoyed watching her come into herself and dealing with the world because she only grew up with one woman.
 Shelby P, Trail West/Materials Handler

Winner Cake All Denis Swanson 2020

Adults (18+)

This installment of the Chef-on-the-Go is just as fun as those before it. Swanson does a great job on description of setting and characters.
 Angie H, Trails West | AngelaH_KCMO

The Murderbot Diaries Martha Wells 2017-Current

Adults (18+)

An anxiety-ridden cyborg who thinks people are sort of awful, except the ones who aren't, and doesn't care about gender. While the most recent installment came out in 2021, I didn't discover the series until this year. Overall, it feels very 2022 to me - corporations being jerks, figuring out what work feels meaningful, anxiety (again). But also: action, explosions, space travel, sabotage, cool robot friends, hitmen, and the humanizing power of soap operas. The audiobooks are especially good!
 Emily A, One North Computer Lab | EmilyA_KCMO

Feral Creatures Kira Jane Buxton 2021

Adults (18+)

OK, so maybe crows weren't the only common denominator in my reading this year. Apparently, it was also plagues. So, you can guess that the follow up book to Hollow Kingdom combines the two subjects nicely. Feral Creatures is a wonderfully different zombie story with a pet crow as the main character. All the animals have to work together to help raise & protect the last normal human on Earth. All other humans have greatly mutated after exposure to a "virus" passed along through electronic devices. The quirky humor mixed in makes this a fantastic read.
 Vicky P, Special Events

Rock Paper Scissors Alice Feeney 2021

Adults (18+)

As a lover of twisted thrillers, my interest was immediately caught by the telling of this story in the letters written by three different points of view; the troubled married couple, and another voice involved in the story line. Set in the remote Scottish highlands, the plot thickens as a snow storm leaves them isolated in an old remodeled chapel. The ending will leave you catching your breath.
 Deborah G, SUB | DeborahG_KCMO

My Heart Is a Chainsaw Stephen Graham Jones 2021

Adults (18+)

Horror movie lovers rejoice! This book, the first in a trilogy to continue next year, had so many references to the world of horror that I found myself smiling at nearly every one. Being called a love letter to the genre, this book is a must for horror fans.
 Jeremy W, Plaza

The Wonder Emma Donoghue 2016

Adults (18+)

Even though this book was published in 2016, it was just turned into a movie (available on Netflix) with Florence Pugh, so I am submitting it! This book was a really interesting work of historical fiction, capturing ideas about faith, love, and religion. It's loosely based on the idea of the 'fasting girls' in historical Ireland. Not sure if this is a *spoiler* but it is nice to have a book with a happy ending where someone tries to do the right thing.
 Eve A, MVSC

Velvet Was the Night Silvia Moreno-Carcia 2021

Adults (18+)

This story was a perfect noir twist set in Mexico during the 1970's! Maite,her very name defining her, is looking for love in all of her romance magazine trying to exist at her daily grind job. After agreeing to watch her neighbor's cat, she is drawn into the intrigue and danger of Mexico's Dirty War. The characters are believable and the story is a slow burn...
 Deborah G, SUB | DeborahG_KCMO

Love in the Big City 

Adults (18+)

The quote on the cover is correct- “I love this book!”

Love in the Big City follows the narrator, a gay man in Soeul, through four short stories exploring different types of love and relationships: friendship, family, and boyfriends with an air of “Korean cool” (reminiscent of K-dramas such as Work Later, Drink Now) that makes this a fun read for single 20 and 30-somethings. The narrator has a magnetic voice that is hilarious 80% of the time. He is dramatic about the mundane and irreverent towards the tragedies in his life. The remaining 20% is gut-punchingly sentimental. Park’s writing and Anton Hur’s translation is beautiful, with paragraphs that I would pause to re-read. The lighthearted tone acts like sugar to the medicine for the heavier themes of the novel. Unlike most K-dramas, the book focuses on queer life which is often still taboo in the Korean mainstream.

In looking at 2022 and writing this blurb, I can’t help but to mourn Itaewon. The narrator frequently went clubbing in Itaewon, a neighborhood known as a refuge for foreigners, “promiscuous women,” and lgbtq people. The preventable Itaewon tragedy this year was absolutely devastating and I hope the families and loved ones of the over 150 killed will see justice in 2023.
 Helen L, Central Youth Services | HelenL_KCMO