For Readers: Blog

Hot new books you might have missed

Book publishing wasn't immune to the ups and downs of 2020. Release dates had to be adjusted, surprise bestsellers popped up, and personal reading tastes shifted in response to world events. If you think you might have missed some great reading, have no fear. We’ve picked several reliable books from the year and, even better: you can get any of them easily, safely, and at no cost from your library. All titles are available for curbside pickup and as digital downloads (e-books and, in some cases, audiobooks).

The Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey is an uplifting but thoughtful look at how a woman’s life unexpectedly expands beyond the confines of her empty house. At 79, Missy is alone, her family scattered and gone, when two spirited strangers and a dog compel her to make choices about friendship, family, and independence. [e-book | print | audiobook]

His & Hers by Alice Feeney is a twisty thriller told through dueling perspectives, and no one can be trusted. Thrown together after a bitter divorce, a detective and journalist become entwined in a murder investigation. As secrets from the past come to light, both characters end up at the top of the list of suspects. Bonus: English actor Richard Armitage is a narrator on the audio version. [e-book | print | audiobook]

Fans of emotional family sagas won’t want to miss Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland. Vividly set in 1930s Atlantic City, this moving story of a family grappling with tragedy, grief, and secrets is told through the eyes of multiple characters. [e-book | print | audiobook]

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel is a complex character study about morality and fate, following interconnected lives that are linked by a disastrous Ponzi scheme. Uniquely told through flashbacks, alternate realities, and a shifting timeline, literary fiction fans who enjoy thought-provoking and challenging reads will appreciate Mandel's skillful writing. [e-book | print | large type | audiobook]

The Last Flight by Julie Clark is a page-turner about a chance meeting at the airport that forever changes the lives of two women. Trying to escape her husband, Claire switches plane tickets with a stranger and ends up walking away with a new identity. It’s only a matter of time before Claire realizes that her new life has placed her in danger, and it’s a race against the clock to survive. The e-book is also available on Hoopla; no wait! [e-book | print]

The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley is a charming story about a notebook that brings together a quirky cast of characters. In the hopes of finding real human connections, an artist decides to leave a notebook with his innermost thoughts in his local cafe. As people find the notebook and add their own hopes and struggles before passing it along, unlikely friendships and a sense of community start to form off the pages. [e-book | print | large type | audiobook]

Gabriel Bump’s Everywhere You Don’t Belong is a darkly comic and sharp debut about a young man searching for a sense of belonging. Raised in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood by his activist grandmother, Claude is trying to forge an identity and future for himself, despite the expectations and pressures of a community transformed by violence. This makes for a timely book club read, and your members can grab no-wait e-book copies on Hoopla. [e-book | print]

--Laura