BookClub

Not sure what book to pick up next? K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library’s Assistant Director Cara Perrion has got you covered. Whether you’re an avid reader or picking up a book for the first time in years, these picks will help readers of all ages find the next adventure to get lost in.

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Science fiction. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro is so well written, non-science fiction readers will love this book. Ishiguro is known for his exploration of the frailties of human life. In this dystopian novel he also tries to answer the age old question: What does it mean to love? The story is told through the eyes and brain of Klara, an AF (Artificial Friend). As this dystopian story is set in the near future, AFs are available for purchase just like any other appliance for a household. They are hybrid version of a nanny and a friend for your child. However, this story is much more than finding someone to be a companion for your child. Klara and the Sun explores human insecurity and loneliness, faith versus rationality, the societal oppression of a cast system, and several definitions of love. This story has many layers with plot twists and turns that will keep you thinking about the characters and the meaningful life questions long after you turn the last page. Klara and the Sun is beautifully narrated as an audio book as well.

The Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon

Thriller Mystery. You will be keeping the lights on at night after reading this thriller from Jennifer McMahon. Inspired by Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, The Children on the Hill explores all our darkest childhood fears and proves that yes, monsters really do exist. Set in the tranquil landscape of Vermont, this novel has two story lines that flip between a renowned treatment center and an acclaimed psychiatrist in 1978 and the revered monster-hunter-podcast host of Monsters Among Us in 2019. The two storylines intertwine through childhood memories, investigations into missing children cases, and local folklore. There are several narrative voices in this novel, keeping the reader questioning which one they can trust. McMahon creates an imaginative story with numerous plot twists and chilling moments that keep the reader turning the pages until it’s satisfying end.

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

Teen. The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart was a winner of a book before the teens of South Dakota voted to make it their favorite book in 2021. A twist on the classic road-trip style of storytelling, this realistic fiction tale takes the reader on an adventure as Coyote and her father travel through the United States in a converted school bus they have called home for the past five years. Their journey is filled with self-discovery, hope, and a long list of misfit characters they meet along the way. Each interaction brings up a new social issue such as poverty, domestic violence, and teen issues enabling the main characters – and the readers – to learn about kindness, creative problem solving and to see things from someone else’s perspective. It’s a Young Adult book, but it’s a story everyone should read. //