In Review

The Stationery Shop

by Marjan Kamali

Fiction/KAM

Available formats: book, book on CD, e-audiobook (Libby)

It's 1953 in Tehran, and political upheaval is imminent. Despite the turmoil, two teenagers named Roya and Bahman fall in love at the local stationery shop. They make plans to meet at the town square to head to the courthouse to get married, eager to formalize their union. Violence erupts in the city and they miss each other. It will be 60 years before they reunite in Boston in an attempt to understand why their fate took such a drastic turn that day.

By then, they each have married and raised children but are still haunted by the love of their youth. "The Stationery Shop" spans decades — an intimate portrayal of the immigrant experience and the tragedy of war. Author Marjan Kamali drew heavily from her own experience as an Iranian immigrant to craft Roya and Bahman's story. She beautifully weaves historical context and cultural vignettes to immerse the reader into the streets of Tehran. Pick up this book for an escapist read that will tug at your heartstrings!

reviewed by: Katherine Hickey is a librarian at Belle Isle Library. She enjoys French culture, spending time outside and testing new recipes she sees on the “The Great British Bake Off.”

Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre

by Max Brooks

Available formats: book, e-book (Libby), e-audiobook (Libby), Playaway Fiction/BRO

This book answers the question of what would happen if Mount Rainier erupted and displaced a group of Sasquatches. What would you do if a tribe of Sasquatches were forced by volcanic eruption out of hiding? What if you were trapped in a very small and isolated village of people who don't want to believe they are being systematically and intelligently hunted by the Sasquatches?

This tale is told through the eyes of the investigators who come upon the deserted community of Greenloop and the discovered journals of a woman named Kate. As they explore the decimated tiny town and read through the journals, a horrifying story emerges. The evidence suggests this community was wiped out in extremely bloody fashion by a previously unknown apex predator.

Kate's narrative is one of savagery and death, but also of resilience in the face of unexpected and terrifying circumstances.

reviewed by: Gwen Lake is a collection processor at Metro Library's service center. She’s cultivated a life surrounded by books and even has a blog called “Books and Baloney.”

Malibu Rising

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Fiction/REI

Available formats: book, book on CD, e-book, e-audiobook, large print, Playaway

Reading a Taylor Jenkins Reid novel is like diving into the pages of the latest People magazine issue. Full of juicy behind-the-scenes details of celebrity lives and fabulous scenery, it’s hard to believe these characters aren’t real people. Her latest novel, “Malibu Rising,” tells the story of the four children of mega star Mick Riva and their epic 1983 party that burned down the coast of Malibu. Counting down the hours leading up to the party, while intermingling the history of the Riva family through the eyes of each sibling, Reid draws the reader into the sunbaked drama of the Malibu coast with its salty waves and ambitious Hollywood starlets.

If you're looking for a fun, frothy read that will leave you pleasurably exhausted like a good day at the beach, check this one out!

reviewed by: Anna Todd is a librarian at Bethany Library. You can usually find her in the travel guide section at the library as she's always looking for her next destination!

She Who Became the Sun

by Shelley Parker-Chan

Fiction/PAR

Available formats: book, e-book (Libby), e-audiobook (Libby)

In 14th century China, a young girl is told that her fate is “nothingness.” Her brother, Zhu Chongba, was fated for untold greatness. After his unanticipated death, she sees her chance out of her own grim fate and assumes his identity. Living as a boy, she becomes a monk. Her monastery is attacked, and after a series of unexpected (possibly fated?) events, she becomes a general for the rebel army. Zhu is a compelling main character with grit and determination, but her allies and even her enemies are so well written and complex that you’ll get invested in their stories as well — a loyal best friend who sees Zhu for who she really is, an enemy general who patiently and smartly maneuvers his revenge plot and a virtuous partner who carefully guides Zhu through the political intrigue around her. Fans of epic fantasy and alternate history will get lost in this queer retelling of the founding of the Ming Dynasty and eagerly await the next installment.

reviewed by: Kristine Magers is a collection development librarian who purchases adult fiction for Metro Library. When she’s not reading, she’s crossstitching or watching too much reality TV.