For Readers: Blog

Chronically online

Ever feel like you’re chronically online or glued to your phone’s screen? Put down your phone and see if you can relate to these fictional characters embroiled in social media and modern-day mishaps.

The Goldens by Lauren Wilson
Chloe, an aspiring writer, finds her muse in Clara Holland, a prominent influencer and socialite. Their instant bond leads Chloe to move into Clara's family estate, where they collaborate on Clara's memoir and her social media content, all while throwing lavish parties. As Clara invites more young women to join their circle, the media brands them a cult. Chloe uncovers disturbing rumors about Clara, which turn sinister when a girl vanishes after a New Year's Eve party. Chloe realizes she must escape Clara's sway to protect herself and everything she cherishes. [e-book | print]

I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue 
When a workplace IT error grants Jolene access to her department's private communications, she must decide whether to report it or indulge her curiosity. Upon discovering impending layoffs, she uses the insider information to impress her boss, convince HR she's indispensable, and secure her job. However, as she delves into her colleagues' lives, her emotional barriers crumble, especially regarding Cliff from HR. Jolene must then choose whether to step out of her comfort zone, even if it means being honest with her coworkers. I Hope This Finds You Well is a heartfelt comedy about loneliness and connection in the digital age, exploring office culture and the human bonds within it. [e-book | print | audiobook]

Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang
Chloe and Julie were separated at birth and lived vastly different lives, rarely interacting except for one viral video Chloe initiated (Finding My Long-Lost Twin And Buying Her A House #EMOTIONAL). When Julie discovers Chloe's mysterious death, she seizes the opportunity to step into the luxurious influencer life she's always coveted. Julie effortlessly transforms into Chloe, adopting her designer wardrobe, meticulous skincare routine, and millions of devoted followers. However, Julie soon realizes that Chloe's seemingly perfect life was a facade. As events spiral out of control, Julie uncovers the sinister forces behind her sister's demise and fears she may be the next target. [e-book | print | audiobook]

The Influencers by Anna-Marie McLemore
May Iverson, who built a highly successful influencer empire over the past two decades with heartwarming videos of her five mixed-race daughters, now faces the public ramifications of their commodified childhoods as the girls mature. A central mystery unfolds: who killed May's newlywed husband and subsequently burned her mansion to conceal the crime? Were her daughters raised in the “perfect family” or were they exploited by their mother’s much sought-after vlogging fame? [e-book | print]

Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke 
This unique debut novel unfolds through chat messages and help-bot searches. Following an accidental glitch, a man's consciousness becomes trapped within a Slack work channel. This surreal and humorous narrative details his attempts to escape, while his coworkers simultaneously navigate real-world crises, including a dog food recall and furniture sabotage. The story offers a witty exploration of contemporary work culture, working from home, and the absurdity of being disembodied within a digital space, all presented in a format that perfectly mirrors the structure and language of Slack conversations. [e-book | print | audiobook]

Siri, Who Am I? by Sam Tschida
After an accident leaves Mia with short-term amnesia, she can't remember anything about herself, not even her name. Luckily, her phone is still with her. A quick question to Siri reveals her basic information and hints at a mysterious vendetta many people seem to have against her, leading Mia to question if her accident was truly accidental. Using her Instagram posts as clues, Mia begins to reconstruct her life, photo by photo, to uncover the truth of what happened. A quick escapist read, this novel pokes at how much of ourselves we really put out there for public consumption, and how much we edit who we are. [e-book | print | audiobook] 

⏤Mary