For Readers: Blog

One word says it all

Do you ever see an intriguing book and find that the name has slipped your mind when you’re ready to read it? We have the perfect solution: books with one-word titles. The shorter the title, the easier to remember! These briefly-titled books are packed with great stories, waiting for their next reader.

Nicked by M.T. Anderson is an irreverent romp through the 11th century, recounting the escapades of a relic hunter and a monk as they journey to steal the bones of Saint Nicholas. The clever treasure hunter can’t be trusted, the Venetians are after the same holy corpse, and the kind-hearted monk just isn’t sure this is a good idea. What could go wrong? This cinematic and richly-detailed heist story is written in a one-of-a-kind voice. [e-book | print]

Fans of S. A. Cosby’s style of gritty but character-driven southern noir won’t want to miss Eli Cranor’s Broiler. This intense thriller revolves around two families tied to the chicken plant; the well-off manager’s family, and an undocumented couple struggling under the bleak factory conditions. When a desperate act of revenge reverberates through all of their lives, the characters must face heartrending truths about loyalty and justice. [e-book | print]

Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio is a short stream-of-consciousness novel that immerses the reader in the emotional life of Catalina, a senior at Harvard, for one year as she juggles the stressors that come with adulthood and her undocumented status. Catalina is a wry but vulnerable narrator, juxtaposing the privilege of her peers with the uncertain fate of her family, and yearning for a romance and future to call her own.  [e-book | print | audiobook]

R.F. Kuang’s Babel is a creative historical fantasy that doubles as an incisive critique of colonialism. Set at the Royal Institute of Translation in Oxford, this atmospheric tale follows Robin, an orphan from China, as he is trained in the language and magic that helps fuel the British Empire, until one day he is forced to decide where his allegiance lies. This award-winner is a must-read for readers who have been enjoying the recent dark academia trend. [e-book | print | audiobook]

Online dating has deadly consequences in L.M. Chilton’s Swiped. After a fresh heartbreak, Gwen starts hitting the online dating apps hard, and when her recent dates start turning up dead, Gwen becomes the prime suspect. To clear her name and stop a serial killer, Gwen starts tracking down her old dates, resulting in a fast-paced and suspenseful mystery with plenty of dark humor. [e-book | print]

Astor by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe gives readers an inside look at the renowned Astor dynasty, starting from the family’s arrival in America in the 18th century. Serious history buffs might want to take a pass, but anyone in the mood for a gossipy and dramatic dive into the rise and fall of an iconic family will find themselves transported into a world of excess and glamour. [e-book | print | audiobook | large type]

⏤Laura