Library Blog

Processing Associate Marcos Duarte recommends Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. I really enjoyed Into the Wild because it made me think about life, society, happiness, and what really matters to us as human beings. The story follows Christopher McCandless, a young man who graduates from college and decides to leave his comfortable life behind. He gives away his savings, leaves his family, rejects material possessions, and begins a journey across the United States, eventually heading to … [Read more...] about Book Review: Into the Wild

Principio, medio, fin Librarian Janet Ross-Heiner recommends Beginning Middle End by Valeria Luiselli. The audiobook, Beginning Middle End, published in July 2026 and narrated by author and her daughter, takes on on a luminary philosophic, mythological, and geological journey. The title is deceptively simple. Beginning, middle, end are not necessarily chronological stages. Our lives rarely follow such a tidy composition. An ending can become a beginning; the past can encroach upon … [Read more...] about Book Review: Beginning Middle End

Processing Associate Samuel Masih recommends Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Howl’s Moving Castle was a very fun read. My older sisters both grew up loving the Studio Ghibli films, and so I had seen bits and pieces of the adaptation of this book before I read it. That being said, my first full consumption of this story was through the original novel, and the world that Jones builds is so interesting. Basically every fun idea and gimmick from the Ghibli film is based on … [Read more...] about Book Review: Howl’s Moving Castle

Classic, Clever Design to Help You Put Down Roots Thrift Housewares Supervisor Jessica Nava recommends The Forever Home by Mikel Welch. Interior design can be overwhelming. Mikel Welch has put together this wonderful, quick reference book about major design decisions in your space. Mikel is an acclaimed designer working with celebrities including Drew Barrymore on the set of her show. Whether designing your newly bought home or just the apartment you are short-term renting, … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Forever Home

Library Assistant Leona Anthony recommends Everything to the Sea by Alicia Upano. A sudden tsunami devastates the town of Hilo on Hawaii Island, leaving survivors Kenji and Jane to make sense of what remains and find a way forward. What happens when tragedy strikes the place you call home and lives lost far outnumber those spared? What if you were among the survivors? How do you sustain yourself in a small community deeply shaped by local customs, traditions, and … [Read more...] about Book Review: Everything to the Sea

Regional History Librarian Carolina Estrella recommends Bad Mexicans by Kelly Lytle Hernández. As the title implies, Bad Mexicans is about a group of Mexicans who wanted to free their country from an unjust government and were deemed traitors for it. The book is a historical non-fiction narrative of the Magonistas who were revolutionary political activists dedicated to taking down the Porfirio Díaz regime in Mexico. It’s part academic essay and part lively reenactment. Hernández does an … [Read more...] about Book Review: Bad Mexicans