In this edition of "What We're Reading," we dive into a mix of mystery, mythology, friendship, nature, and magic. From the latest installment in the Thursday Murder Club series to the humanization of the Greek gods and goddesses, the stories offer a journey filled with excitement, humor, and emotion. Whether it's the dangers and schemes of the aging sleuths, the struggles and endurance of lifelong friends, the fight to preserve the American wilderness, or the healing journey of a young girl and her eccentric relatives, there's something for everyone in this edition of "What We're Reading." So, grab your favorite book, a cozy blanket, and prepare to get lost in these captivating tales.
by Richard Osman
The third novel in the delightful Thursday Murder Club finds our aging sleuths in troubles of their own making! The risks are high, and the schemes are zany. Forgoing any pretense of not directly meddling in the affairs of police and criminals, the club dives into the decade-old mysterious death of a local news reporter, money laundering, death-faking, and revenge schemes. The narration falls mainly to former spy Elizabeth, who continues to keep her secrets and her troubles close, and the ever-friendly and deceptive Joyce. They keep the cadence of the book fast and hard to put down!
by Rachel Smythe
Greek gods and goddesses—they’re just like us! With their office stress (albeit the office is the underworld) and their marriage challenges (because Zeus could try any woman’s patience), Smythe humanizes the pantheon in her popular webtoon turned bound volume. The art is beautiful with saturated colors to evoke emotions as it is not all fun and jokes. Smythe travels into very real and dark themes of sexual assault, consent, and the dark side of social media.
by Lisa Lutz
The three women that Lutz creates are loving and dangerous, bulldozing each other to bad decisions and saving each other from the brink of their own destruction. We meet the friends in college where the foundation of their deep, life-long friendship is built on pure happenstance and a shared love of the great outdoors. And like the fuzzy memories of an alcoholic, nothing about the narrative is reliable or linear. Filled with humor and emotion, Lutz travels in and out of their lives at pivotal moments showing their friendship as it struggles and endures.
by Nick Offerman
Gloriously mustached Nick Offerman loves nature. He loves craftsmanship, music, and agrarian life. He does not love commercialism and greed that jeopardize the fate of public lands. He does not pull his punches when critiquing American politics nor does he glaze over his own privileges. His dulcet voice and slow, at times rambling, delivery can hide his fear that something truly majestic, the great American wilderness, may not survive our modern living. If you like walking in the woods listening to your tour guide tell stories, you’ll like this book.
by Sophie Escabasse
This adorable juvenile graphic novel is fun for all ages. A young girl is taken to live with kooky, elderly relatives she’s never met after her mom dies. In their gorgeous brownstone they learn to live and heal together while embracing a world of the different and the unknown. The illustrations are well executed with a softness that is comforting. With floor plans of the unbelievable house and dialogue-heavy speech bubbles, readers are encouraged to take their time with each page.
by Danielle Tarullo
Danielle is the assistant branch manager at LaPrade Library. She enjoys coffee at inappropriate times.