Spring Staff Picks
FICTION:
Josee, the Tiger and the Fish [Graphic Novel] by Seiko Tanabe—Tsuneo is a college student with dreams of going abroad to study ocean life. Josee has used a wheelchair since childhood and very rarely gets outside. The two crash into each other (literally) during one of Josee’s few trips outside and while they don’t get along at first, they are able to connect over shared interests. A very pretty graphic novel about building the self-confidence needed to pursue your dreams. -Carrie’s pick
In the Distance by Hernan Diaz—Having lived in Utah and Alaska, I enjoy novels about the west and the frontier and specifically, well told ones that subvert traditional western novel tropes. This book didn’t just check these boxes, it smashed them. Following in the bildungsroman tradition, In the Distance follows the lonely odyssey of Hakan Soderstrom, a young boy that leaves Sweden in the 1850s on the wrong boat and ends up in San Francisco instead of New York City. Hakan sets off to walk to New York, a journey he will never complete despite a lifetime of trying. Along the way, Hakan will grow to be a human giant, encounter death and adventure, but predominantly, live a life of solitary wonder in the great western United States. Diaz, himself having fled Argentina for Sweden and then the US, managed to not only write a story I won’t soon forget but did so with an artistry and beauty that will stick with me for a long time. -Ryan’s pick
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim—An intriguing novel about the mysterious disappearance of a family’s husband and father. From the perspective of Mia, the twenty-year-old daughter of this biracial Korean American family, we observe the personalities of her family members, including her brother Eugene, who has the rare genetic condition, Angelman syndrome, and cannot speak. Eugene is also the sole witness to their father’s disappearance. –Davonne’s pick
A Cold, Hard Prayer by John Smolens—A suspenseful and exciting story from Michigan author John Smolens. A pair of young teenage orphans are on the run from forces both good and evil. Their escape and pursuit are played out in the wintry landscape of northern Michigan, including barren villages on the Mackinaw Straits. Mercy and Rope develop a bond of mutual trust that helps them navigate a stark American environment shaped by prejudice, hypocrisy, and fear. An American morality tale, rewarding on many levels. -Pam’s pick
North Woods by Daniel Mason—An epic story of the happenings, both physical and spiritual, that occur in and around a yellow house in western Massachusetts over large expanses of time. -Davonne’s other pick
NONFICTION:
Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond—In a previous staff pick I said that I felt that the book “Braiding Sweetgrass” changed my consciousness about the Native American world view. This book has done the same in regard to the question of poverty in America. While the United States ranks among the richest countries in the world, it has the largest percentage of poverty. Pulitzer Prize-winning sociologist Desmond (Evicted) argues that poverty exists in the United States because others benefit from it. He also posits that the number of people living below the poverty line can be drastically reduced. This is an engaging and important read. -Beth’s pick
The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly by Margareta Magnussen—This quasi-memoir provides one Swedish octogenarian’s advice on living life to the fullest as you age. Some of her advice includes “eat chocolate,” “don’t fall down,” and “have a gin and tonic with a friend.” Her writing is personal, heartwarming, and hip with the times, yet contains a universal message: Always be open to new experiences—it’s never too late to try something new. –Reine’s pick
Michigan Rocks! A Guide to Geologic Sites in the Great Lakes State by Paul Brandes—If you like exploring interesting places with unique rock and fossil formations while enjoying a road trip in Michigan, then this book is for you. The author takes you to fifty-six historically significant geologic sites throughout the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. Visit rocks 3.6 billion years old, petroglyphs carved in sandstone by ancient Native American tribes, to a variety of glacial features formed during the last ice age. A detailed map will guide explorers to and around each site. The pictures and diagrams provided help explain the geologic processes that acted on the rocks to form the present-day structures. This book is a wonderful field guide for the amateur to the professional geologist as well as the everyday rock hound in Michigan. –Tom’s pick
The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green—In this pandemic-era collection of essays, John Green reviews different aspects of the current geological age (and by extension, humanity), rating them on a scale of 1-5. It’s full of entertaining yet beautifully written, profound remarks on topics ranging from inventions and hot dogs to mental health and human connection. -Charlotte’s pick
The Forever Dog: Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer by Rodney Habib and Karen Shaw Becker—I read this library book and then bought a copy to own! Friends have purchased copies as well. Though the book doesn’t cover everything about dog health, there is so much helpful information in these pages. I found it inspiring to learn more about some alternative methods for caring for the health of my dog. The Forever Dog touches on evolution with our canine counterparts, de-aging with diet, fitness, supplements and exercise, plus much more. Disclaimer: do always check with your veterinarian regularly. –Rebecca’s pick