April 2024 Book Reports

These are the books folks loved and shared with us in April! Remember, on the last Tuesday of the month, we are sharing Book Reports from you all! Here is a link to the May Book Report fillable form.

Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White

5 stars
shared by Emme

Who would like it?
Queers

How did it make you feel (in a sentence or two)?
Like trans kids will save the world

New vocabulary/the most beautiful words in the novel...
Lots of gender and sexuality terms that I think will be new to a lot of people

Bullet points listing the selling points of a book:
Kids are gay and heroes.

Anything else you'd like to share about this book?
Heavy religious themes and kind of gorey.
Best book I read last year, got me back into a good reading practice

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

5 stars
shared by Marta

Who would/wouldn't like it?
I would say anybody and everybody would like it; a curmudgeon, most likely, would not.

How did it make you feel (in a sentence or two)?
The book left me with a sense of delight and a great escape from the ills that trouble this world. Also, the feminist view of the 1960's and the need for change of the status quo made for an interesting and enjoyable read.

The most beautiful words in the novel:
"Elizabeth Zott was a woman with flawless skin and an unmistakable demeanor of someone who was not average and never would be."

Fave line(s):
There are many great lines, but the one that stuck with me is the main character's signature line: "Children, set the table.Your mother needs a moment to herself."

Bullet points listing the selling points of a book:
*good story line
*seeing women in a different light than the typical female role of mother, housewife, or
career-busting young woman
*funny and quirky sense of humor
*believable; not far-fetched
*could relate to the characters, especially to Elizabeth

Anything else to share?
I've recommended it to many people...family members, friends, strangers at the library...

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose 

5 stars
shared by Radicalactsofplastic

Who would like it?
Modern mystery lovers

How did it make you feel?
Seen

Fave line:
“You can fight monsters you can see, or you can run away from them. But the invisible ones are inescapable.”

Read-alikes (or other media):
Only Murders in the Building, The Adventures of Isabel: An Epitome Apartments Mystery.

Bullet points:Masterful storytelling, brilliant characters, Neurodivergent POV.

Anything else to share?
It’s the second book in a series, start with The Maid!

Crooked Curse by Jennifer Willis

5 stars
shared by Mystery Reader

Who would like it?
Fans of books set in Oregon, supernatural cozy lovers, girlies who dream of owning a tea/book shop.

How did it make you feel?
It was like a hot cup of spicy tea on a drizzly day

Anything else you'd like to share?
Reading this series is like taking a trip to small town Oregon without leaving the house and I love a main character with a chronic illness/ invisible disability!

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

5 stars
shared by Seymour Books

Who would/wouldn't like it?
Queer Fantasy lovers / who wouldn’t like it? TERFs

How did it make you feel?
Fierce

Anything else to share?
Wonderful exploration of womanhood and femininity through a magical lens

Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting

5 stars
shared by Ivana B Librarian

Who would like it?
If you love an unlikely group of friends coming together, supporting and caring for each other against all odds while having ridiculous adventures this book is for you. Also Trains!!