It’s National Book Lovers Day. And to celebrate, the Germantown Info Hub put together a list of some of our favorite books that are available to check out at our local Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library.
Whether you’re into contemporary novels to supernatural tales, or historical classics, to powerful memoirs, there is something for everyone here.
So, this is your sign to stop by the Coleman Library before the end of the summer, get some more reading done, and meet some of our local librarians. But, check out our favorites for some book inspiration before you go.
Maleka’s Picks
Memoirs of a Beatnik (Diane Di Prima)
I am a big fan of the “beats” – the wandering writers that captured the zeitgeist of a time where restlessness in the USA meant finding meaning in spirituality from the East, hitchhiking and traveling with little material goods, and bucking the conventional norms of the day. But I always reach for the women writing in that time: Anne Waldman, Diane Di Prima, and even Jack Kerouac’s daughter, Jan Kerouac. I am interested in what the women had to say. And Diane Di Prima had a lot to say. She had five kids and lived a life by her own rules, writing poetry, producing newsletters, and living outside the system. This memoir, mostly true but also expounded upon in the most lawdy details, shows a sliver of her life as a young woman in New York City, and I love reading the details of her days.
The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes (Langston Hughes)
It’s hard for me to pick a favorite poetry collection because I am inspired by such a medley of voices and sounds in different poets and poems. But Langston Hughes was definitely one of my first favorite poets growing up and still is. This is a wonderful collection filled with some iconic poetic moments that still resonate today.
Land of Milk and Honey (C Pam Zhang)
A good dystopia is always on my list of favorites, and this recent novel by C Pam Zhang is exactly that. It centers around a near future where mysterious smog and weather conditions have made life and growing food practically untenable on Earth. It follows the story of a chef who is living in this world, trying to bring beauty into cuisine. I won’t spoil anything, but you will love following the way food and the way humans use food as a connection thread together in a world where food itself is scarce.
Pryce’s Picks
The Odyssey (Homer)
One of the oldest stories known to man, which is believed to have been composed sometime between the 7th and 8th century BC, The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic that has influenced literature for generations. The story follows the king of Ithaca, Odysseus, and his journey to return home after the ten-year Trojan War, where he faces many obstacles along the way. Comprised of 24 books by the notable Greek poet Homer, one can get an in-depth look at the path he must take to reunite with his people, as well as the impact that his absence has on his family and nation back home. The Greek classic may be able to satisfy readers who are in the mood for something both history-driven and adventurous.
Frankenstein (Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
The creation of Frankenstein began with Shelley’s 1818 story of science and tragedy, which is widely recognized as the first science fiction novel ever to be published. It follows a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who creates a monstrous creature from assembled body parts and has to deal with the consequences of his groundbreaking creation. Throughout the novel, one may find themes of scientific ethics and the downfall of humans playing God, making it an engaging read for people who want to see where the Frankenstein Mythos began.
The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
As this is a title we’ve all probably seen before, many people’s introduction to the story comes in the form of the notable film saga, but going back to the source material will bring younger readers into the groundbreaking world that Collins was able to create on paper. The story takes place in a dystopian society divided into struggling districts, which are controlled by a wealthy Capitol that forces the districts to send children to compete to the death in the Hunger Games. It follows teenager, Katniss Everdeen, and her determination to not only survive in a post-apocalyptic nation, but her urge to fight the oppressive, brutal nature of those in power.
Rasheed’s Picks
The Vanishing Half (Brit Bennett)
This novel follows the dissimilar lives of twin sisters, Desiree and Stella Vignes, who go missing on their 18th birthday. While they go their separate ways and choose vastly different paths, readers get to see that the choices we make can have a ripple effect on the lives of our children. This book explores themes of identity, race, colorism, generational traits, and more.
Warriors Don’t Cry (Melba Patillo Beals)
The year is 1957, and in the aftermath of the Brown v. Board of Education, Central High School in Arkansas has just integrated a group of Black students, a first for the school. Melba Patillo Beals is one of nine students whose lives were never the same after experiencing relentless acts of violence. She recounts her time in this powerful memoir, which draws on the themes of race, faith, and civil rights.
The Strange Accounts of Germantown and Other Peculiar Phenomena (Kay Synclaire and Dominique White)
Do you love an eerie or supernatural tale? And do you love Germantown? Well, you’re definitely in luck at our local library branch. Germantown siblings Kay SInclaire and Domonique White drew inspiration from the neighborhood and crafted a book of short stories set in and around our section of the city. A word of advice ahead of reading? Pay close attention to the details within each individual story.