A well-dressed local investigator attempts to discover what the colonizing English has caused to go wrong this week in a magic-infused Steampunk Cairo. Filled with myth, sarcasm, and honest-to-goodness sartorial goal-states, I'm hoping Mr. Clark's next novel comes very, very soon. 

Matthew Scrivner, Discovery Services
MatthewS_KCMO
 

An engaging murder mystery set in 1912 Cairo, a world where djinns live and work alongside humans infusing their magic into everyday life. Cool magic, fascinating world-building, rich characters and an interesting plot reminiscent of CSI guarantee a fun read. Recommended for readers who enjoy steampunk mysteries, Arabic mythology, diverse characters, and clever female detectives. 
 

Mila B., Waldo Branch 
MilaB_KCMO 
 

I absolutely loved the two main characters in Amber and Clay, and their connection to the title as well. The section where you read about Melisto in Brauron as a bear was one of my favorite parts of the book - oh to be a child, allowed to do whatever you please in a wilderness sanctuary and you become friends with a bear cub! 

Alisha H., OneNorth Technology Center
AlishaH_KCMO

Author Randi Pink decided to tell the story of Greenwood through the eyes of two fictional teenagers in her novel Angel of Greenwood. Angel is sixteen years old and beloved by all in her community. Seventeen-year-old Isaiah is, on the surface, could not be more different. They are unexpectedly paired together for a summer project working on a mobile library for the youth of Greenwood, and these two come to learn a lot about each other and themselves.  

Chinesa Rusch, Central Youth Services 
ChinesaR_KCMO

This is a simple book about family and adoption. What I love about Patricia MacLachlan is that her characters are so loving and so honest and they teach us how we should behave. Her characters always give me something to aspire to. Recommended for kids who are beginning to read chapter books.
 

Ron Freeman, Plaza Branch Youth and Family Engagement 

Sarah MacLean doesn't need my endorsement, she has a legion of dedicated fans, but if you like romance and haven't given her a try yet, this is definitely a must-read! She based her story - about a network of women doing crime to help other women in Victorian London- on true stories of the 40 Elephants gang who operated in London from the mid-1800's all the way up until the 1950s. Her books are a perfect way to fill the time until the next season of Bridgerton gets released. 

Diana Platt, Collection Development 
DianaP_KCMO 

Depending on your coping strategies, this book might be the perfect pandemic book. It follows a mother and teenaged son duo in the aftermath of the husband/father's death. Both begin to have magical encounters with books: the mother finds a book that is a hilariously obvious parody of Marie Kondo, while the son starts to hear books talking to him. Through the course of the book, we see how the mother and son deal with grief, mental health spirals, and also the way the world keeps moving even if you can’t. Can you see how it perfectly ties into where we’re at in 2021? This is either THE book to read, or something that might get too real. That being said, beyond the extreme timely relevance, this The Book of Form and Emptiness is also a love letter to books and to libraries. 
 

Helen L., Central Youth Services/ Family Youth Engagement 
HelenL_KCMO 

Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls is such an underrated gem! Don’t let the cover fool you- this book has everything. It’s Pokemon meets Coco with its epic underworld magical tournament arc. It’s like the Golden Compass with the daemon-like relationship that the main character develops with her criatura. The “power of friendship” theme reminds me of all my favorite anime series, while the references to Mexican, Aztec, and Latin American folklore will evoke the best of the Percy Jackson series and other Rick Riordan presents books. This book is the perfect pick for middle schoolers! 

Helen L., Central Youth Services/ Family Youth Engagement 
HelenL_KCMO
 

Sarwat Chadda introduces ancient Mesopotamian mythology to modern readers in an exciting adventure that ended up being more timely than he ever imagined when he began writing about a young boy taking on an ancient god of disease and destruction. Despite the heavy subject matter, this #OwnVoices novel about Muslim American heroes you'll fall in love with is both hystercial and heartwarming. I enjoyed City of the Plague God as an audiobook and highly recommend the format- the narrator did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life. 

Josie Schneider, Central Youth Services 
JosieS_KCMO 

I just love, love, love Anthony Doerr as a storyteller. His prose is magical and I was so submerged in this story that I was getting lost for hours at a time. Doerr has a strong understanding of why we read books (one of the plots of the story) and he uses that knowledge to craft wonderful worlds.  

Alisha H., OneNorth Technology Center 
AlishaH_KCMO 

What I love about this story is that it accurately portrays Maverick's circumstances without being judgmental. It shows the reality that so many people face- they don't join a gang and commit crimes because they are inherently bad people, but because it really doesn't feel like there are other options. Maverick doesn't deal drugs because he is greedy and mean, he does it because it's the only way to keep the lights on and food on the table. We get the see his transformation from a boy to a man as he adapts to fatherhood, while he is supported by some and ostracized by others. His change is gradual as Seven forces him to evaluate his future and he has to decide what kind of man he wants to be for his son. It's raw, powerful, and emotional. 
 

Chinesa Rusch, Central Youth Services 
ChinesaR_KCMO 

Torrey Peters writes about queer relationships in a way that is beautiful and relatable-- her characters are funny, loveable and flawed, and her dialogue is sharp. She weaves together a complex plot where three people come together through an unplanned pregnancy. I loved every sentence in this book!
 

Miranda P., Community Reference 

Gilda is a frustrating narrator, but that's why you love them. There were definitely moments where I related to their anxiousness and willingness to go along with the flow. It was hilarious, mysterious, and overall heartwarming.

Kaylee Armstrong, Library Substitute 
KayleeA_KCMO 

Surprisingly funny and hard to put down. 

Ronda C., Central Circulation 
 

 

This is the second book by Sajni Patel that I have read. First Love, Take Two can be read as a standalone, but there are some characters that were first seen in The Trouble with Hating You. I enjoy Sajni’s writing. Her characters are relatable, a little snarky, and grow a lot through the book. In First Love, Take Two, the main characters are exes who agree to live together for a short period of time while each is in the process of moving. It could be considered a rom-com, but the book tackles serious issues that people face today including interracial relationships, family expectations, and mental health. I laughed out loud many times and cried with the characters anguish. I highly recommend this book. 

Cassandra M., Westport Branch 

Bug (Beatrice) is a ten-year-old girl living in Venice, CA in 1987. Frankie is a boy from Ohio who is visiting her upstairs neighbor for the summer. On one level, this is the story of two kids who learn to trust each other and be honest with each other on the way to forming a wonderful friendship. I loved this book for a couple of reasons. One is the character of Bug. During the course of the book, she learns about the way homosexual and trans people are treated, and she experiences racism. These are things that have been around her all of her life, but now she's ready to learn about them. Adults should try to protect kids, but they should also realize that kids will learn uncomfortable facts when they are ready. The second thing I loved about the book was the portrait of Venice. It was a neighborhood full of gay and trans people, roller skaters, weightlifters, immigrants, and refugees. For the most part, they figured out a way to support and accept each other.
 

Ron Freeman, Plaza Branch Youth and Family Engagement 

The latest installment in the Murderbot Diaries, another absolutely delightful chapter in the space adventures of a rogue security AI robot who enjoys watching space operas and saving squishy humans from self-created troubles. In this one, Murderbot must investigate a murder mystery relying on their expert knowledge of security systems. As always, their snarky narrative and insights into human nature are the best part of the story. Anyone who enjoys fast-paced, action-packed sci fi adventures with robot fights and snarky broody androids will love this series. 

Mila B., Waldo Branch 
MilaB_KCMO

This DeForge graphic novel is like an unfiltered Adventure Time (which he also did concept art for.) The illustrations are surreal, the colors are bold, and the writing is hilarious - it's existential dread paired with critiques of the state paired with killer kids and blobby monsters. 
 

Miranda P., Community Reference 

A graphic novel that reads like a movie. King Aja Oba is cursed with immortality after a reckless act in service to his beloved. His journey takes him across nations and centuries as he experiences pivotal moments in Black history: Trans-Atlantic slave trade, World War I, and the American Civil Rights Movement, among others.     

Kaite Stover, Readers' Services 
KaiteS_KCMO 

I like this book because is about a cooking competition, not like the ones on television. Four women during World War II enter a cooking contest about how to create nutritious food using only the rations they could get during the war in England. Fierce competition but a look at how cooks fared with limited options during the war.
 

Judy Klamm, Reference/Information Services 

A heartfelt and beautifully written not-so-distant dystopian future! For sure not escapism, but celebrates diversity (race, cultural, disability rights) and the need for storytelling without hitting you over the head with a "THIS IS A BOOK ABOUT DIVERSITY". Very fun, sci-fi world building! 

Ellen Pajor, Plaza Youth and Family Engagement 
EllenP_KCMO 

While the sequel to Deadly Education focuses more on main characters’ personal growth, their relationships and explaining the wizarding world outside of the school, this book is no less compelling. As the final year at the deadly school rushes to a close, you’ll hold your breath in anticipation of what other horrors and trials Scholomance will throw at El, Orion and their friends. And now that you’ve gotten thoroughly attached to them, you will desperately hope they are going to make it out of there alive despite knowing how impossible that is. Another fast-paced, imaginative and satisfying novel full of twists and surprises from a fantastic storyteller. This series is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys dark fantasy, magic schools, sarcastic protagonists, unique world building and constant action. So much fun!
 

Mila B., Waldo Branch 
MilaB_KCMO 

This series for kids is consistently funny and entertaining. 

Ronda C., Circulation 

Con artists, sword fights, seduction, and magic come together with the story of a legendary Robin Hood-esque figure to make the pages fly by in this stunning collaboration between Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms under a joint pen name. 

 

Matthew Scrivner, Discovery Services
MatthewS_KCMO

 

It's kind of like a rom-com, but more than anything it depicts what it's like to be a twenty-something finding your way after graduating college. The character development is what made me enjoy this book so much; you get the perspectives of Soraya in modern London and her mother Neda when she was her age. 

 

Kathryn A., Customer Services 
KathrynA_KCMO 

 

It is just enough spooky, just enough heart (without feeling cheesy), with an interesting group of characters! I am a sucker for some good world building, and this was a good "a world not so different from our own" book. Very fun illustrations, as well! I also really enjoyed the way that this book handled the topic of grief and prejudice. 

Ellen Pajor, Plaza Youth and Family Engagement 
EllenP_KCMO  

This series is by a Lenexa-based author and is more for middle-grade readers than for teens or younger children, though I really enjoyed all of them. Myrtle is a Victorian-era girl detective who's extremely interested in cutting edge crime-fighting technology (fingerprinting had just been invented at the time the books take place). Bunce has made the books historically accurate, the plot is engaging and entertaining, and the characters are captivating.

Anne Kniggendorf, Public Affairs 

The fact that this book is narrated by a dead girl got my attention immediately. The twists and turns were totally unexpected (don't read any reviews or the inside cover). You'll want the full effect of the shocking revelations. I nearly fell out of my chair a couple of times! *Warning: Cat violence around Chapter 6. Skip that part! 

Diana Ash, North-East Branch 

People We Meet on Vacation was sitting on hold shelves for most of the year, so I decided to check it out. Hilarious, lovely, heartbreaking, and hopeful. I loved watching Poppy and Alex's relationship grow through the flashbacks and how they navigated their complicated feelings throughout the present day.

Kaylee Armstrong, Library Substitute 
KayleeA_KCMO

Another underrated gem of a book, although I have to say that I am a bit biased because the book takes place in my “hometown” of Northern Virginia and it captures the place so perfectly. This is a typical teen story- girl meets boy in the summer, boy pretends girl doesn’t exist when school starts, girl watches a bunch of romcoms and decides that what she needs to do is to be quieter so that boys will like her… wait what? We all know how this story ends but it’s still fun to watch unfold. The modernizing “twist” that sets this book apart is that it is so effortlessly diverse in a way that mirrors what kids have been going through in the US. This is how I grew up too, but the book world is slow to catch up. The book incorporates characters with different immigrant backgrounds (the main character is Iranian and Muslim) and different sexualities without being preachy or sad. The characters aren’t here to teach us something as if we were in a Very Special Episode, they’re just vibing like all kids are! This shouldn’t be so rare in books, but that’s what sets Perfectly Parvin apart.

 

Helen L., Central Youth Services/ Family Youth Engagement 
HelenL_KCMO 

After his father is kidnapped by a gang of counterfeiters, 12-year-old Silas sets out on a new-found pony with whom Silas has developed an empathetic understanding. They are accompanied by Mittenwool -- a ghost Silas has known all of his life. Part historical fiction, part Western, part mystery, and part ghost story, this book does a wonderful job of combining realistic elements of Americana in 1860 with an appreciation for the unknowable.
 

Ron Freeman, Plaza Branch Youth and Family Engagement 

Wonderful emotionally intelligent and engaging storytelling. Summers approaches the lofty subject matter of grief, religious devotion, and struggling to find a sense of personal identity in the wake of life-altering tragedy in an approachable and grounded way.

Devon M., AV Customer Service 
DevonM_KCMO 

I try to get my hands on whatever Christina Lauren writes as soon as it's out and this one did not disappoint! You've got a nerdy, super smart woman matched up with an introverted, grumpy guy because SCIENCE! and hijinks ensue. There's also wonderful supporting characters which really flesh out the story and makes it feel like you could slip right in to that world. 

Nicole Brewer, Central Customer Services 
NicoleB_KCMO 

This is the "beach read" that won me over with relatable characters and a fun whirlwind plot.

Andrea G, Library Collections 

Mythic quest, dark fantasy, coming of age. The Grey Sisters put spirits to rest so they don't possess the living, but when the spirits rage war on the living a 17 year old Grey Sister becomes a vessel through a relic to find out who is using dark magic to keep the dead restless. 

 

Angie H., Trails West Branch
AngelaH_KCMO

Queer and trans representation in a magical fantasy setting? I’m in! Royal lineage, dragons, and magic war. I also recommend the audiobook read by Dani Martineck. A fantastic performance of this story. 

 

Hunter Hawkins, Plaza Branch
 

My honest truth: Jayne Baek made my heart hurt. She's chaotic, anxious, superficial, and painfully comparative to everyone around her. She's a hot mess, on top of a hot mess, with a side of hot mess. But even with all those things, she's one of the most honest, realistically written characters I've read in a long time. Even at times she made me want to scream, I could never truly hate her. Reading Jayne's story was like talking with a close friend - with both the good and the bad.  

 * Please be aware! This book provides a deep insight into bulimia and body dysmorphia. If this might be a potential triggering subject, you need to be aware it's in this novel. Please be gentle with yourself.

Alisha H., OneNorth Technology Center
AlishaH_KCMO

I loved how gritty this book was, and I totally relate to the main character: grouchy and tired of everyone's nonsense, but ultimately a softie. When you've got a bunch of teenagers locked in a magical school with no teachers, hungry monsters, and limited resources, for four years until they graduate and and face a deadly escape, it's not going to be fun or light hearted. Novik has created an incredibly rich world, even though we are limited to a school and single perspective. If you want something similar to Lord of the Flies, but better (imho) then this is the book for you. 

Sunny Branick, Bluford Branch 

It had been years since I read this book, and this time through it was even better than I remembered it (though different). What makes a book great is exactly that: no matter how many times a reader returns to it, the story has something new and relevant to offer. Don't let its size deter you! Also, take some care in which translation you choose I cannot remember which one I read most recently, but do a search first for best translations. 

Anne Kniggendorf, Public Affairs  

It taught me a lot of things about Haiti and the struggles black slaves went through there. It was incredibly moving but also had tasteful humor to help break up the intensity.

Danielle Raymond, Ruiz Branch 

Amazing storytelling! A fictional account slave woman turned Buffalo Soldier, Cathy Williams. Even as a slave on a tobacco farm, Cathy was taught to never think of herself as a slave. According to her mother, she was a captive, bound by her noble warrior blood to escape the enemy. This is a 2018 book but worth reading, reminding us that you can make it out of the darkest days. 

Angie H., Trails West Branch
AngelaH_KCMO

I love Walter Mosley's books in general and I was delighted to offer my book club this thrilling and intriguing mystery by a great mystery and crime drama writer. It is the kind of book you cannot put down and this new book is also a stand alone gift by the amazing writer of the Easy Rollins mysteries. For mystery lovers, this well crafted book is an absolute must with really exciting characters. 

Fran Farah, Southeast Branch 

Finnegans Wake has been on my literary bucket list since I went to college. Reading it/audio and text/was not easy, and the book had me scratching my head a lot. Still, though I wouldn't characterize my interaction with the book to be enjoyable (unlike Joyce' Ulysses), it was worth it.
 

Bernard Norcott-Mahany, Bluford Branch

This is a wonderfully detailed book about Sarah Bernhardt and the world she grew up in and the struggles of an emotionally abusive mother and finding your own path and being yourself. Which was not what you did in the 1800s.

Shelby Petty, Trails West Branch 

The book's cover has the following quote on it, and frankly it say absolutely everything you need to know, "Lesbian necromancers explore a haunted gothic palace in space!" 

Sunny Branick, Bluford Branch 

This was such a warm, cozy read. When so many books make the effects of homophobia, either internal or external, a plot point, it was incredibly refreshing to read a book where nothing of the sort afflicted the relationship between our main characters. There were certainly trials, but none of them involved homophobia. That kind of prejudice and cruelty is still front and center in the book, but the focus of those lenses falls on our wonderful, magical orphans. It also does a great job on highlighting the biases that even the kindest or well-meaning of us can harbor, and that they can be unlearned if we are willing. 

Sunny Branick, Bluford Branch 

I had never read Moby Dick, it's got such a bad reputation for being boring! But I have been trying to use the Pandemic to read more classics, so I picked up the audiobook, and I. Was. Riveted. The story was compelling, and Melville truly has a heck of a way with words. If you think of the digressions from the narrative as "creative non-fiction" it truly adds to the story in fantastic ways and spoke to my former-English-major soul. I encourage you to find it on audio with a good narrator and just get swept away with the language! 

Bernard Norcott-Mahany, Bluford Branch 

A new twist on a love story. Opposite of Always was unlike any other book I've read before, as the reader doesn't know who Jack is going to end up with, if anyone. It's a continuous loop and you feel Jack's luck at getting a do-over, but also his frustration with the lack of figuring out how to get out of it.

Kaylee Armstrong, Library Substitute 
KayleeA_KCMO 

I really enjoyed this book because it is so different from other historical fiction books I've read about WW2. It is a different perspective than most books of this genre. I really liked that it was in 2 different woman's point of view but they both knew each other throughout the book. The transitions between the two women was seamless.

Shelby Petty, Trails West Branch

This year I wanted to take a stroll down memory lane and decided to reread some old favorites. Revisiting Pride and Prejudice was such a delight. For an older, "classic" novel, the language is still so accessible. I loved the social satire, the humor, the dialogue, the romance... pretty much all of it. It's no wonder why this book is so beloved. 

Suzanne Schulte, Customer Service at Central Library 
SuzanneS_KCMO  

This book is amazing, touching, exciting and so well written that by book club group could not put it down. I recommend it anyone who loves well drawn characters and a plot that keeps us spell bound by the story and wonderful empathetic characters. The book takes place in Dublin after World War 1 and deals with a small maternity ward with women who have the horrible flu that killed so many people across the world. The women come from all classes of society as do the Ward staff members. The story is similar in many ways to the devastation that surrounds us from COVID 19. The book is full of pathos and joy. There is love, sadness and human joy. You cannot put this book down. Read it. The book is beautifully based on true history with a wonderful blend of fiction. 

Fran Farah, Southeast Branch  

The Testaments came out in 2019 and I tried to read it then, but I just wasn't quite ready for it. And then - blam, 2020 happened and I couldn't bear to think of reading something I thought would be depressing. I'm so glad I finally picked it up. As a fan of the original novel AND the Hulu adaptation, it was such a relief to find out more about that world, and get some closure on certain storylines. Yes, at times it was painful to revisit Atwood's brutal world of Gilead, but think of it like pulling out a splinter - it will hurt, but you'll feel so much better after you've read it. 

Diana Platt, Collection Development 
DianaP_KCMO 

While waiting for his third fiction book Devil House to be published in 2022, I decided to read John Darnielle's 2017 novel Universal Harvester. Darnielle's poetic lyrical style blends the familiar mundane beauty and grotesque hidden inner worlds of the citizens of rural towns across the Midwest in this VHS-era lynchian thriller. Thoughtful and elegant, fierce and frightening, a can't-put-it-down kind of read. 

Devon M., AV Customer Service 
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