Julie's Journal : New Books on Libby, plus What I've Been Reading

Libby has changed the way I read.  It is the library app that lets me download books to read on my phone, or tablet, or computer.  I LOVE it.  I find books that would otherwise be inaccessible to me and am able to put myself on hold for books that aren't available right now, but will be.  In the course of my job, I also get to purchase books for Libby.  This week, I added several that I'm excited about.   

Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter, by Heather Fawcett.  This is by the same author who wrote the Emily Wilde series which I loved.  I've also recently read some of her work for kids, and enjoyed it as well.  I'm looking forward to reading this one!

A Box Full of Darkness, by Simone St. James.  I've read everything that Simone St. James has written so far.  She writes ghost stories where the ghosts are real, and usually not on the benevolent side.  I enjoy her writing when I'm in the mood to be creeped out.

Brigand's and Breadknives, by Travis Baldree.  Third in the Legends and Lattes series, Brigands and Breadknives continues the story of Viv, the retired Orc turned barista, and her friends.  This one follows Fern, a Rattkin who runs a bookshop and has just relocated to the storefront next to Vic's.

The First Time I Saw Him, by Laura Dave.  I read The Last Thing He Told Me back in 2024 and really enjoyed it.  In it, Hannah's husband Owen has disappeared, leaving her with a mystery and a stepdaughter on her hands.  This second book picks up five years later.  When Owen suddenly reappears, Hannah knows that she and her stepdaughter are in danger, and they must go on the run.  I had thought that the first book was a stand-alone and the story had been wrapped up, so I'll be interested to see where the author takes this one.

Lady Tremaine, by Rachel Hochhauser.  I'm intrigued by the idea behind this title.  It is promoted as a retelling of the Cinderella story, from the point of view of the stepmother!  I'm curious as to whether or not she will be a more sympathetic character.  

As to my current reads...

Right now I'm reading More or Less Maddy, by Lisa Genova.  I've read all of Genova's other works, but I hadn't yet picked this one up.  Both my mom and Lisa (FCL's director) recommended it.  Lisa Genova is a neuroscientist and each of her books depicts characters with a neurological disease.  She has tackled Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Huntington's Disease and more.  More or Less Maddy depicts a young woman living with Bipolar Disease.  It's not an easy read.  I'm getting frustrated with Maddy and the poor decisions she sometimes makes.  But I also want her to overcome her challenges.  I'm rooting for her to succeed even when she really frustrates me.

The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans.  Sybil writes letters.  She writes to everyone important in her life, both friends and family.  She writes to author's whose work she enjoys.  She writes to anyone who she wishes to express a thought too.  She also is writing a letter to an unknown person but she never sends it.  We learn through her letters that 40 years ago, she lost a son in a tragic accident.  The loss destroyed her marriage and she is still dealing with the grief.  I'm not doing a very good job of describing this book, but I really enjoyed it.  I usually like epistolary novels.


I hope you find something good to read.  If you need help setting up Libby, just contact the library.  We'll be glad to help you!