Staff Picks

Born a Crime is a hilarious and heartbreaking autobiography about Trevor Noah. It tells about Trevor’s childhood, mischief, and curiosity, woven with the challenges of apartheid. He struggles with fitting in with his classmates, as well as in his family, when his stepdad comes into the picture. His resilience keeps his relationship with his mom steady and respectful throughout his life. This book was very impactful and not just about surviving in a difficult world, but about finding humor, hope, and the strength to survive the worst-case scenario.

 

Publisher's Description:

One of the comedy world's fastest-rising stars tells his wild coming of age story during the twilight of apartheid in South Africa and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed.

 

Th1rteen R3asons Why is an emotional and tragic book. It portrays Clay, a sophomore in high school, who receives a box of tapes with a shocking story. When Hanna Baker’s voice pierces his heart through the tapes, he realizes that there are many reasons behind her passing, and he may be one of them. The novel doesn’t offer easy answers, which is what makes it so impactful. It is a difficult story because it brings awareness to how you should treat people. You never know what they’re going through, which is easy to forget. This book was heartbreaking, but very engaging as you follow Clay while he listens to the thirteen tapes of a girl who used to go to his school.

 

Publisher's Description:

When high school student Clay Jenkins receives a box in the mail containing thirteen cassette tapes recorded by his classmate Hannah, who committed suicide, he spends a bewildering and heartbreaking night crisscrossing their town, listening to Hannah's voice recounting the events leading up to her death.

 

The Martian, a survival story unlike any other, surprised me because of how entertaining the story could be, intertwined with so much technical and scientific detail. Mark Watney, a 42-year-old man, gets stranded on Mars in a novel set in the near future. His experience with botany and mechanical engineering was all he had to survive on a planet, completely alone. With his humor being his closest friend, he calculates what he needs to survive, which includes many, many days of only eating potatoes. Mark’s creativity and optimism make it possible for him to fight any challenges that Mars throws at him. But will this let him live long enough to be rescued? This sci-fi novel weaves together a story of resilience and humor that keeps you on the edge of your seat, both terrified and amused, rooting for Mark through his journey on Mars.

 

Publisher's Description:

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he's alive -- and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old 'human error' are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills -- and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit -- he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?