GPL Book Break

What New 2023 Books Are We Looking Forward To?

Librarians Claire and Stephanie talk about some of the 2023 releases that they are excited to add to their “To Be Read” piles! 
Evil Eye by Etaf Rum:  Etaf Rum’s follow-up to her 2019 debut, A Woman Is No Man, is a complicated mother-daughter drama that looks at the lasting effects of intergenerational trauma and what it takes to break the cycle of abuse.  (Claire)
2022 Greece Reads author, Etaf Rum
One of Time Magazine’s “Most anticipated books of 2023”
March 2023 release
Mothered by Zoje Stage:  From the USA Today bestselling author of the international sensation Baby Teeth comes a claustrophobic psychological thriller about one woman’s nightmarish spiral while quarantined with her mother. (Stephanie)
Our first Greece Reads author, Zoje Stage
We love a book with psychological mother issues!
Feb 14. 2023 release
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See:  The latest historical novel from New York Times bestselling author Lisa See, inspired by the true story of a woman physician from 15th-century China—perfect for fans of See’s classic Snowflower and the Secret Fan and The Island of Sea Women. (Claire)
historical fiction based on a “real” person!
this one will be a solid choice for book clubs.
June, 2023 release
City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita: debut from an Academy Award–nominated screenwriter. Takes place in a tiny town in Alaska. All 200 residents live in one high rise building. Town is only accessible via a tunnel and is isolated. Detective goes in to investigate a murder and then gets stranded when a blizzard closes off the tunnel.  (Stephanie)
Debut novel
Alaska!
Female detective
January release
Happy Place by Emily Henry:  A couple who broke up months ago make a pact to pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends in this fun  new novel. (Claire)
Rom-Com fake romance trope
June 2023 release – great vacation read!
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix: Parents die, two adult siblings must sell their house, but the house has a creepy feeling to it. Filled with dolls and puppets. Saw it described as Annabelle and Child’s Play. It’s “hilarious and terrifying” as the blurb says. That’s a hard combination to get right, but it seems it has. (Stephanie)
12 rating on Goodreads
January release
All That is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay: A mother vanished. A father presumed guilty. There is no proof. There are no witnesses. For the children, there is only doubt. From the New York Times bestselling author of Defending Jacob. (Claire)
True Crime vibes
Family secrets? Vengeance?  What’s not to like?
March 2023 relase
A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher: described as “Southern gothic.” We both enjoy Southern. A woman goes home to visit her mother, and everything seems “off.” Her mother seems terrified, she’s painted all the walls white, and then she discovers a jar of teeth in the yard. (Stephanie)
Creepy / horror movie vibes
March release
All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Crosby:  Southern noir specialist S.A. Cosby (Razorblade Tears) is back with his unique brand of high-octane crime fiction. Titus Crowne is a former FBI agent recently elected sheriff of a small town. When a school shooting shatters the community, Titus must endure the trials of being a Black man in a police uniform in the American South. (Claire)
Love books about the South in a contemporary setting
Southern Noir!
June release
All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham: baby stolen out of his crib and the mother hasn’t slept in a year. Case is cold but she is desperate to find him.  (Stephanie)
Love missing persons stories
Interviewed by a true crime podcaster in the story
34 Goodreads rating already
January
Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai:  From the internationally bestselling author of The Mountains Sing, a suspenseful and moving saga about family secrets, hidden trauma, and the overriding power of forgiveness, set during the war and in present-day Việt Nam. (Claire)
Historical fiction in a different time period
Loved her first book (available on Hoopla)
March release
Who We are Now by Lauryn Chamberlain: Four friends. Fifteen years. Graduated college in 2006, they think they will always be close, but entering adulthood changes things. Each of the next years is told from one of their points of view. Drift apart but a tragedy brings them back together. (Stephanie)
Friendship, including a male… interesting perspective
Covering such a large span of time in a novel. Very interesting.
“explorations of the second coming of age moment that arrives in our thirties.” Being in this age range, I understand that.
August
Enchantment:  Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age by Katherine May:  From the New York Times-bestselling author of Wintering, an invitation to rediscover the feelings of awe and wonder available to us all. (Claire)
Non-fiction pick – enjoyed “Wintering”
Description of helping people “trapped in a sea of constant change” appeals to me
February release
The Hundred Loves of Juliet by Evelyn Skye: a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet. When Helene was young, she dreamed of the perfect man and wrote about him in journals. Grew up, moved on, went through a messy divorce. She decides to move to Alaska where she meets a man… who is the exact person she dreamed up. How? (Stephanie)
Alaska again
Retellings can be overdone, but this sounds intriguing and not sure how it relates to Romeo and Juliet yet
Interested because I think it may take a magical turn?
August
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai:  A stirring investigation into collective memory and a deeply felt examination of one woman’s reckoning with her past, with a transfixing mystery at its heart.  A successful producer and pod caster returns to teach a class at the boarding school where her roommate was murdered during their senior year. (Claire)
On many “most anticipated” lists – NPR, Time, Good Housekeeping, Today, etc.
Love the pod casting connection
February release
 
 
Have you read any of our choices?  Have thoughts about our picks?  Connect with us at greecepl.podcasts@gmail.com.  We love hearing from our listeners, and also getting your suggestions for our “To Be Read” pile!

January 4, 2023 Reading Roundup

Links for Book Break 01/04/2023
 
Join GPL librarian Claire and special guest, Ashley, as they discuss a round-up of what they have been reading recently.
Here are the books we’re discussing, with links to find them in the library catalog or at Bookshop.Org:
 
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Slow Horses by Mick Herron
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Hoopla here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
Reserve a copy from the library here.  Purchase a copy here.
 
Jacqueline in Paris by Ann Mah
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Regretting You by Colleen Hoover
Reserve a copy from the library here.  Purchase a copy here.
 
 
Have you read any of our choices?  Have thoughts about our picks?  Connect with us at greecepl.podcasts@gmail.com.  We love hearing from our listeners, and also getting your suggestions for our “To Be Read” pile!

Best Books of 2022

Join GPL librarians Claire and Kirstra as they discuss their favorite books published in 2022! 
Here are the books we’re discussing, with links to find them in the library catalog or at Bookshop.Org:
 
Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro
Reserve a copy from the library here. Read a copy on Libby here.  Purchase a copy here.
 
Where I Can’t Follow by Ashley Blooms
Reserve a copy from the library here.  Listen to the audio on Hoopla here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here.  Purchase a copy here.
 
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Blood Sugar  by Sascha Rothchild
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Reserve a copy from the library here.  Listen to the audio on Libby here.  Purchase a copy here.
 
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
Have you read any of our choices?  Have thoughts about our picks?  Connect with us at greecepl.podcasts@gmail.com.  We love hearing from our listeners, and also getting your suggestions for our “To Be Read” pile!

November 2022 Round Up

Join GPL librarians Claire and Kirstra and special guest, Mindy, as they discuss a round-up of what they have been reading in November. Here are the books we’re discussing, with links to find them in the library catalog or at Bookshop.Org.
 
The Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree
Reserve a copy from the library here. Purchase a copy here.
 
All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriott
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Hoopla here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese
Reserve a copy from the library here. Read the ebook on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Have you read any of our choices? Have thoughts about our picks? Connect with us at greecepl.podcasts@gmail.com. We love hearing from our listeners, and also getting your suggestions for our “To Be Read” pile!

Nonfiction November

Join GPL librarians Claire and Kirstra as they discuss some great nonfiction reads! There are so many different kinds of nonfiction out there, from memoirs to history to travel, and we're going to tackle them all. 
 
Here are the books we’re discussing, with links to find them in the library catalog or at Bookshop.Org:
 
Grandma Gatewood’s Walk: the Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery 
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audiobook on Hoopla here. Purchase a copy here. 
 
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe 
Reserve a copy from the library here.  Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.  
 
Inheritance:  A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love by Dani Shapiro 
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.  
 
How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith 
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here.  Purchase a copy here. 
 
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy 
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.  
 
We Came, We Saw, We Left: A Family Gap Year by Charles Wheelan 
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Hoopla here. Purchase a copy here.  
 
Have you read any of our choices?  Have thoughts about our picks?  Connect with us at greecepl.podcasts@gmail.com.  We love hearing from our listeners, and also getting your suggestions for our “To Be Read” pile!  

October 2022 Round-Up

Join GPL librarians Claire and Kirstra - with special guest, Lydia! - as they discuss a round up of recent reads.
Here are the books we’re discussing, with links to find them in the library catalog or at Bookshop.Org:
 
The Memory Police, by Yoko Ogawa
Reserve a copy from the library here. Read an ebook on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Our Missing Hearts: A Novel, by Celeste Ng
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Just Like Home, by Sarah Gailey
Reserve a copy from the library here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Bitter Brew: The Rise and Fall of Anheuser-Busch and America's Kings of Beer, by William Knoedelseder
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Hoopla here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Other Birds: A Novel, by Sarah Addison Allen
Reserve a copy from the library here. Read the ebook on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Stiff : the Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Hoopla here. Purchase a copy here.

Myths & Retellings

Join GPL librarians Claire and Kirstra as they discuss some recent myths and retellings that have struck their fancy! We’ll talk about some fresh editions of cultural myths and folklore, and deep dive on two different “Great Gatsby” retellings.
Here are the books we’re discussing, with links to find them in the library catalog or at Bookshop.Org:
 
“Kaikey” by Vaishnavi Patel
Reserve a copy from the library here.  Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.  
 
“The Witch’s Heart” by Genevieve Gornichec
Reserve a copy from the library here.  Read an ebook on Libby here.  Purchase a copy here.
 
“The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea” by Axie Oh
Reserve a copy from the library here.  Listen on Hoopla here.  Purchase a copy here.
 
“Hunted” by Meagan Spooner
Reserve a copy from the library here.  Listen on Hoopla here. Purchase a copy here.
 
“Beautiful Little Fools” by Jillian Cantor
Reserve it from the library here.  Read the ebook on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
“The Chosen and the Beautiful” by Nghi Vo
Reserve a copy from the library here.  Listen on Hoopla here. Purchase a copy here.

September 2022 Round-Up

Join GPL librarians Claire and Kirstra - with special guest, Betsy! - as they discuss a round up of recent reads.
Find more information about the Good Start Book Club on the library website here!
 
Here are the books we're discussing, with links to find them in the library catalog or at Bookshop.org:
 
Blacktop Wasteland, by SA Crosby
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Hoopla here. Purchase a copy here.
 
The Unfamiliar Garden, by Benjamin Percy
Reserve a copy from the library here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child, by Bob Spitz
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Killers of a Certain Age, by Deanna Raybourn
Reserve a copy from the library here. Read the ebook on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Finlay Donovan is Killing It, by Elle Cosimano
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Hoopla here. Purchase a copy here.
 
The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri
Reserve a copy from the library here. Read the ebook on Hoopla here. Purchase a copy here.
 

SciFi September

Join GPL librarians Claire and Kirstra as they dive deep into the world of Science Fiction! Whether you're a Certified Aficionado (Kirstra) or just dipping your toes in the SciFi waters (Claire), there's a book for everyone in SciFi September!
 
Here are the books we're discussing, with links to find them in the library catalog or at Bookshop.org:
 
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
Reserve a copy from the library here. Read the ebook on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Upgrade by Blake Crouch
Reserve a copy from the library here. Read the ebook on Libby here. Purchase a copy here.
 
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Hoopla here. Purchase a copy here. 
 
The Parable of the Sower by Octavia L. Butler
Reserve a copy from the library here. Listen to the audio on Hoopla here. Purchase a copy here.
 
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
Reserve a copy from the library here. Purchase a copy here. 
 
Bonus Books:
We Are Satellites by Sarah Pinsker
In the Quick by Kate Hope Day
Lakewood by Megan Giddings
 

GPL Book Break: The Trailer

Claire and Kirstra from Greece Public Library have an important announcement about Book Break!