Library Staff Reads - Winter 2021

The world is ending next Saturday before dinner, at least according to prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, in 1655. With the coming Apocalypse and Final Judgement, the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley have to work together if they want to keep the lives they've become accustomed to here on Earth. These two are going to have to work together to get what they want as the encounter a range problems, including a misplaced anti-Christ child (a switch-at-birth hospital mistake); strange phenomena (Atlantis has been found & it's raining frogs); and the Four Horsemen are on the way! A great comedic read with memorable characters. –Amy ☠

Vader, vol. 1 picks up the Dark Lord's story right after the incidents that occur in A New Hope and follow Vader's plans for revenge against the Rebel Alliance. In this collection many secrets of the war against the rebels are revealed, including Imperial infighting, as plans within plans unfold that point to a dark force working against Vader himself. —Brian

The inquisitive conversations of Mira's son, Z, who is half-Indian and half-Jewish, serve as the focal point for this graphic memoir. It all starts when Z becomes obsessed with Michael Jackson, which leads to questions about race and colorism. Before you know it, the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, and the protests that pop up in their home of NYC spark further questions and conversations from Z. Mira then begins to reflect on her own memories and perceptions of race, colorism in both American and Indian culture from her adolescence growing up in Albuquerque (for the record, no, I didn't choose this book because I also grew up in Albuquerque and now live in NYC). The graphic novel / comic book medium makes a great fit once again for a memoir that is enlightening, funny, and heartbreaking all in one. —Justin

I recommend X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga. This graphic novel collects the issues of the original Dark Phoenix story arc in Uncanny X-Men. This is a classic comics tale. You may have seen a recent movie on this subject--the source material is better. Check it out and enjoy. —Rich

Stamped from the Beginning tells the story of racism from its origin - and involves so many untaught histories. As such, it is not ‘light reading’ but - don’t let its length dissuade you. Dr. Kendi writes in an engaging manner, and through his deeply researched and powerful writing, he explores the evolution of racism - and its deep impacts in the United States. As you explore historical figures, 5 biographies are woven together, one of his major arguments introduced in the beginning becomes clear. People are either segregationist, assimilationist or anti-racist in their beliefs and actions - and as you read this monumental work you can’t but help reflect on where your own beliefs lay on this spectrum. This should be required reading for everyone, and I find myself revisiting its pages again and again, rereading to help displace the myths I have learned since childhood. —Sarah R.