A much anticipated read for me and many others! This book was published because of the discovery of the original fanfiction it is based on. With 12 million copies downloaded worldwide for free on a popular fanfiction website, it is no surprise this was published. This was originally a Draco and Hermione fanfiction with a Handmaid's Tale twist to it. It was already a dark and extremely intricate read on its own with the author having to develop from an already existing and detailed world such as the Harry Potter universe. I would highly suggest the fanfiction if it is still available as well. Upon having to change quite a few things so that it can be published, it feels like I get to read my favorite book for the first time again! With such a strong love for the fanfiction, this book does not disappoint as it was just as heart wrenching as the original. With this being said, this book is not a good feeling romance, it focuses on the devastation of war and the will to survive. Right from the beginning, this is a story about what can happen when the good guys lose and evil wins. And even after evil wins, what horrors can be created because of the paranoia to stay on top, especially when the only person a villain can trust is themselves.
A mix of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and Suzanne Collins’s Hunger Games for adults, Blood of Hercules is both a BookTok and romantasy favorite. While the plot takes from Greek mythology, it does not stay true to it, instead weaving a plot in which young initiates have the chance at becoming immortal through the Spartan War Academy. Tasked with two famous mentors, our heroine Alexis must pass all the tests in order to escape alive. The only problem is she just found out she is a descendent of a god, was taken away from her younger adopted brother (who is all alone now without her), and she is the only female to compete in the tests. Her goal is to make it out of the competition alive and get back to her brother before anything bad happens to him. With so many hurdles to overcome, Alexis runs into two more – namely her professors Kharon, the ferryman of death, and Augustus, son of war. The story was a quick read, even being over 500 pages long, with plenty of morally gray heroes, dark romance, villains aplenty, and of course, much fantasy. The audiobook has an excellent narrator, so you will have a fun time either reading or listening to the story. The sequel, Bonds of Hercules, is set to release on October 28th.
The King of Horror Manga, Junji Ito is one of only a handful of manga artists whose name and celebrity have managed to break out of his home country of Japan and onto the world stage. Back in July this year, Ito was inducted to the Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame, next to such comic book legends as Stan Lee and Alan Moore. Ito’s most famous manga is arguably Uzumaki, a highly-influential comic book about a town under attack by… spirals. As in, yes, the shape. Combining Cronenberg-esque body horror with psychological horror and surrealism, Uzumaki is just as bizarre as its premise suggests. The highlight of the show here is the amazing art work–insanely detailed and beautiful as it is terrifying. One other thing to note is that Uzumaki was recently adapted into a miniseries. If TV is more of your thing or if you’ve already read it before, consider checking out the blu-ray of the adaptation.
We’re all familiar with the reluctant hero trope–someone pushed into a leading role they don’t really want, but have no choice but to fulfill. So what happens when someone is all too eager to be a hero and ends up shoved to the sidelines? He gets hunted by assassins, of course! The Art of Prophecy features young Jian as the fated yet no longer necessary hero of prophecy. Hopping between the perspectives of three other powerful warriors, Jian is the lynchpin that brings their paths together. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy inspired by Chinese culture and martial arts, this novel is right up your alley!
Recommended by Jessica
Recommended by Dana
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson and Aliya Chen
If you’re searching for a fantasy that’s filled with twists and turns that’ll keep you guessing and keep you entertained, you’ve found the right book. Sanderson has done it again and has managed to bring to life novel ideas about nightmares and spirits which were both refreshing and impressive. Plus, it has a romance that you can loudly cheer for. Yumi is a commander of spirits in her world and Painter is essentially an exterminator for nightmares, getting rid of them before they become too solid and thus become life-threatening. These two find themselves immersed in the other person’s life, and they must work together to find out how to go back to their lives and save their worlds from disaster… and maybe, just maybe, they can find a way to stay together. The GraphicAudio version of this novel is phenomenal if you love the idea of having a “movie in your mind” since it really gets you more immersed in these two worlds. This book is great for fantasy readers who are open to a unique world. You don’t have to read any other Sanderson books to enjoy this one!
Looking for a quick read for Spooky Season? The book promises to leave you feeling uneasy without knowing why and it delivers! I mistakenly read this before bed and was genuinely freaked out. The story begins with an unnamed narrator and her boyfriend, Jake, on a snowy, isolated road trip to meet his parents for the first time. The journey is tense, filled with philosophical conversations and the narrator's internal monologue about ending her relationship with Jake. As they arrive at the secluded farmhouse, the situation becomes progressively weirder and more unsettling. The parents are strangely disconnected, time appears to slip, and the atmosphere becomes thick with an undefined terror. I’m Thinking of Ending Things pulls you into the story and tightens its grip the further you go. If you like psychological thrillers or haunting, thought-provoking books, this one is for you.
Polish television has hit its stride with the return of 1670 for its second season. With multi-lingual dubs and subtitles available–be it Polish or non-Polish–the hooting and hollering will all be the same for this mockumentary style show. Based in the baroque period of, you guessed it, the year 1670, its social commentary and themes it explores are more poignant than one would first assume, as modern-day issues are the show’s bread and butter: being lived through and explored through these historical people of centuries past. For me, as a history student, it’s a fantastic of how how this period in time was truly not so long ago in the grand scheme things, and is a fantastic example of how the idea of something being "medieval" or "backwards" is really not that accurate, as it was not that different from how people act now!
We follow the upper-class 'ruling' Adamczewski family in the fictional patch of Poland's soil known as Adamczycha: Jan Paweɫ, whose goal is to be the "most well-known John Paul in Polish history," his religiously obsessive wife Zofia, and their three children: the older but rebellious son who wants to go by the beat of his own drum, the middle son who acts more like a business man than a man of the cloth, and an only daughter who–unsurprisingly–goes unappreciated for her ambition and intellect. Alongside them is an incredible cast of other side characters which helps to explore the different social classes, their dynamics and the potentials between those like the Adamczewskis and the peasants of their town, as we follow their day-to-day antics that they either find themselves in or create for themselves.
It’ll be hard to pick a favorite, as it’s been for me since first watching in 2023! The show itself does not have a physical release on DVD, but both seasons are ready to watch on Netflix, which is available for free on the Library's Roku stick, available through our Library of Things.
Since the premier of his horror masterpiece, Hereditary, in 2018, each subsequent film from director Ari Aster has become more divisive. He’s still only directed 4 feature films so far, but I don’t think it's too early to say that Aster is becoming this generation’s David Lynch. Thematically sharp and often surreal, Aster’s work leaves the viewer with a sort of lingering anxiety that straddles the line between “monster-in-the-dark” fear and a deeper existential dread.
Set in Eddington, New Mexico, at the start of the COVID pandemic, Eddington has us follow Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) and Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) as they vie for political power and settle personal disputes in the public eye of their small town. Small oddities of setting and strange consequences of action make Eddington feel like it takes place squarely in Aster’s perception of the current social climate. Not every piece of commentary will resonate with everyone, but those that resonate with you will likely feel incisive and personal. In that way, Eddington sits firmly on the lingering dread end of the Ari Aster experience.
Outside of themes, the plot itself is an excellently paced modern western thriller with stellar performances from the entire cast. I highly recommend Eddington, especially if you have someone to watch it with and are eager to talk about movies after you’ve watched them.
This album has been on repeat for me since it was released last month! If you like Short n’ Sweet, this album feels like its wild older sister. You can feel the influence of the 80s in songs like Tears, which has that disco feel, especially in the dance break, and Goodbye, which sounds like it could be an ABBA song on its own. I think Man’s Best Friend is a great follow-up to Short n’ Sweet in the way that it feels like an extension of songs like Taste and Juno, but also in the way that it is not a copy and paste of her previous number one album. The album is very unique and fun, and I’m recommending it to everyone!
Finding new music to listen to is easy with the library streaming service Freegal. The difficult part is deciding what new music to try from the millions of available songs. I found inspiration from the radio interview, on NPRs Weekend Edition, to explore Meklit Hadero. Meklit’s music is informed by her Ethiopian heritage and can be described as soulful, jazzy, traditional and experimental. Her latest album, sung in various languages, is A Piece of Infinity and is available 24/7 with your library card.
While not part of the studio’s better-known Yakuza series (now called Like a Dragon), Judgement is a noir-inspired game with new faces in a familiar setting. As Yagami, a former lawyer who now works as a private investigator, you’re tasked with investigating a series of murders committed by a mysterious killer only known as The Mole – a case that reveals a web of deceit, bribery, and collusion entangling the various groups vying for power in the city. Despite being a fan of the studio, I was surprised to find how fond I’ve grown towards Judgement; the characters are memorable, the story is intriguing, and the gameplay keeps the player actively engaged in all aspects of Yagami’s work as a detective.
I’ve previously recommended Yakuza 0, which is a great place to jump into the world crafted by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio if you’re convinced you’ll enjoy the games and their quirks; however, for those unsure about beginning a series that’s 7-9 games (depending on who you ask), I’d highly recommend giving Judgement a try.
It’s hard to think about the months getting colder when it’s still in the high 70s, but trust me, it’s going to happen! Board games like Dead of Winter are perfect for a night in with snacks, your beverage of choice, and your favorite people. This story-centric survival game has you working with other players to keep your colony safe from challenges in the zombie wasteland, as well as closer to home. It’s a great game for beginner gamers who want some more story-driven elements to grip on to, as well as seasoned gamers who want a challenge. Will you survive the winter, or perish to the dead beyond the gates?
Is it too early to think about Thanksgiving? The magazine Cook’s Country doesn’t think so. There’s a non-traditional menu for the holiday that has a recipe for duck and everything bagel stuffing among many other things. This issue and back issues are available through the library using the Libby app. Magazines are always available and can be downloaded to a mobile device. Libby magazine checkouts do not count against your Libby eBook and audiobook allotment.
Join our virtual film discussion. Watch the movie beforehand on Kanopy or Hoopla and then join us on Zoom to talk about it. If you need help using Zoom, see our guide here
Join our virtual film discussion. Watch the movie beforehand on Kanopy or Hoopla and then join us on Zoom to talk about it. If you need help using Zoom, see our guide here
