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.
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
Far too often it is when an unthinkable tragedy shapes our future and becomes our history. Time is separated by the before and after life of such an event. That is the premise of Charmaine Wilkerson’s latest novel, Good Dirt. This powerful story starts as a young boy is gunned down in his own home – a home that is in an affluent neighborhood, a place where home invasions and shootings are not supposed to happen. Wilkerson’s main character, Ebby, traverses her family’s history as she forages forward to make a life and identity for herself that is beyond what happened on that tragic afternoon when her fifteen-year-old brother was killed in their home.
Wilkerson weaves an abundance of history into the narrative that at times feels like a historical fiction novel spanning from the pottery trade during slavery to modern-day art collecting. Yet at its heart, it is a cold case murder mystery, one that can only be solved when those closest to the victim confront their grief and ask the difficult questions needed to finally lay their loved one’s memory to rest. As conversations unfold and the pieces of the puzzle come together, the truth behind the murder is ultimately revealed.
Various themes such as grief, trauma, the significance of history, respect for ancestral struggles, racism, and the true meaning of bravery are seamlessly woven across past and present through shifting character perspectives. Each of the characters is crafted with warmth and tenderness, drawing the reader in to celebrate their triumphs and mourn their hardships. If you enjoy a story from many perspectives, family drama, and a few unexpected turns, then Good Dirt is your next read.
You Didn’t Hear This From Me by Kelsey McKinney
Is it really gossip if it’s true? Isn’t it just sharing information or stories? You Didn’t Hear This From Me by Kelsey McKinney is a colorful endeavor to explain the human obsession with gossip. Inspired by her wildly popular podcast Normal Gossip, McKinney’s book takes a journalistic approach to exploring how gossip, whether as a means of connection or division, shapes our relationships and the world around us. In this part-memoir, part-cultural observation, she examines why we, as a society, feel entitled to the intimate details of a celebrity’s life or the reason behind four police cars parked outside a neighbor’s house. Is it simply human curiosity, or is there something deeper at play?
You Didn’t Hear This From Me delves into the nature of gossip, with McKinney not only attempting to define it but to also explore its potential benefits. She examines how sharing information can foster connections among friends and family, revealing the value hidden within what is often seen as idle chatter. Sharing gossip can be a way of finding out who is safe and who we can trust. Thoughtfully researched and filled with thought-provoking questions, this book is as entertaining as it is insightful. McKinney gives this book as an ode to the art of storytelling and reminds us of the value of coming together and sharing our experiences. If you have ever been scared that artificial intelligence will be replacing writers and story tellers, McKinney shares valuable research to calm that fear as well. Even though this book is highly entertaining and quite curious at times, it is in the fact full of useful and interesting information. You Didn’t Hear This From Me is perfect for your summer vacation reading list.
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