Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara

“Clark and Division immerses the reader in Japanese-American culture in addition to providing a great sense of place for 1940’s Chicago.” – Lora, ATS

When Aki Ito discovers that her older sister, Rose, has committed suicide, she does not believe that Rose would kill herself and vows to discover what happened to her.

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

“Tokyo Ever After is filled with lovable characters, a sweet romance, and an even more endearing exploration of family relationships and identity. I devoured this and then quickly grabbed the sequel, Tokyo Dreaming! ” – Amanda, ATS

After learning that her father is the Crown Prince of Japan, Izumi travels to Tokyo, where she discovers that Japanese imperial life–complete with designer clothes, court intrigue, paparazzi scandals, and a forbidden romance with her handsome but stoic bodyguard–is a tough fit for the outspoken and irreverent eighteen-year-old from northern California.

The Emergency: A Year of Healing and Heartbreak in a Chicago ER by Thomas Fisher

“It’s a highly personal memoir showing me a side of medicine I hadn’t been privy to before now.” – Amy B., Kids Room/ATS

Thomas Fisher is an emergency room physician who works on the South Side of Chicago very near to where he has lived his entire life. He became a doctor to help the poor in his neighborhood get access to quality medical care. The book highlights the inequity in healthcare that many people of color know about all too well. He also takes the reader through many of his shifts in the emergency room showing, in detail, the kinds of cases he sees. The reader gets a real sense of what it is like to actually work in the emergency room. A fascinating read.

First Impressions of Earth by The Strokes

“When this album was released in 2005, it was maligned by critics who felt the band was turning their back on their original sound. 17 years later, the experimentation has been proven to be a success. In 2022, this is the perfect summer album!” – Ed, IT

The Strokes’ ambitious third album.

The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

“An unputdownable chilling dystopian tale that gives the reader a lot to ponder.” – Lora, ATS

Frida Liu is struggling. She doesn’t have a career worthy of her Chinese immigrant parents’ sacrifices. She can’t persuade her husband, Gust, to give up his wellness-obsessed younger mistress. Only with Harriet, their cherubic daughter, does Frida finally attain the perfection expected of her. Harriet may be all she has, but she is just enough. Until Frida has a very bad day. The state has its eyes on mothers like Frida. The ones who check their phones, letting their children get injured on the playground; who let their children walk home alone. Because of one moment of poor judgment, a host of government officials will now determine if Frida is a candidate for a Big Brother-like institution that measures the success or failure of a mother’s devotion. Faced with the possibility of losing Harriet, Frida must prove that a bad mother can be redeemed. That she can learn to be good.

True Biz by Sara Novic

“I was caught up in the emotions of the characters’ lives as they navigated life-changing events, the unique struggles of teens advocating for themselves, and the eye-opening portrayal of deaf history and deaf culture.” – DG Library Staff

A coming of age story set in a boarding school for the deaf. Charlie, a rebellious new student who has never met another deaf person before, and February, the headmistress who was raised by deaf parents, are the heart of this story.

The Tobacco Wives by Adele Myers

“Myers is a debut author who understands the world of women. I was immediately drawn into her characters and motivations, Maddie is a spunky and believable heroine. It almost wrapped up too neatly into a bow at the end, but it was a very satisfying read. Great for both teens and adults to devour.” – Joy, Adult & Teen Services

Maddie is growing up in post World War II North Carolina, with a sparkling gift for sewing just like her famous aunt who sews gorgeous clothes for the so called wealthy “Tobacco Wives”, essentially the former plantation owner’s wives who run the local tobacco plants that employ entire towns. Seen through the eyes of an adolescent, Maddie is swept away into her aunt’s business after her mother foists her off to work for her. When Maddie is starting to realize that tobacco is causing alarming health issues among these same wives, she wants to sound the alarm, but the powers that be have other plans to silence any possible concerns.

Beginner’s Mind by Yo-Yo Ma

“This audiobook was such a unique blend of beautiful musical selections along with self-discovery and meditative introspection. I have listened to this musical memoir several times, and each time, it still provides inspiration and relaxation.” – Van, ATS

Classical musician and cultural icon Yo-Yo Ma invites listeners to ponder humanity and hope with a beginner’s mind. He recounts various details of his life with minimal dialogue in between beautiful musical performances, which showcase his stunning mastery of the cello.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

“This novella is a gently funny story of the first meeting of a very odd couple set in a world built on kindness and community. The rich world and character building will make readers feel deeply invested in the success or failure of Dex and Mosscap’s very low stakes road trip. A warm, optimistic tale of finding purpose.” – DG Library Staff 

On the moon of Panga, a monk named Dex sets off from the city in search of a new purpose. When a robot named Mosscap approaches their camp one night, they become the first person in living memory to meet a robot. Together the unlikely pair head off the beaten path and try to find the answer to the question “what do people need?”

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

“This is a classic and trailblazing book for a reason and I’m so glad I finally picked it up. What I found most powerful is that it feels both timeless and contemporary, despite being written in the 1970s.” – DG Library Staff

The first science fiction written by a black woman, Kindred has become a cornerstone of black American literature. This combination of slave memoir, fantasy, and historical fiction is a novel of rich literary complexity. Having just celebrated her 26th birthday in 1976 California, Dana, an African-American woman, is suddenly and inexplicably wrenched through time into antebellum Maryland. After saving a drowning white boy there, she finds herself staring into the barrel of a shotgun and is transported back to the present just in time to save her life. During numerous such time-defying episodes with the same young man, she realizes the challenge she’s been given…

Dragon Age: Inquisition by Bio-Ware

“Magic, sword fights, politics, hard choices, hilarious/thoughtful/moving banter, and romance. This is a 2014 game and remains my favorite.” – Kelly K., Circulation

Mages, once confined to towers with their magic constantly supervised and often brutally punished by the Chantry’s Templar Order, have rebelled. A civil war is brewing. Peace minded mages and clergy meet to discuss terms… but are massacred by an explosion so powerful that it tears a hole in the sky. As the blast’s sole survivor, only you and your team can bring the world back from the brink of destruction. Gorgeous openworld game, choice-based action and consequences, lots of humor, and 8 different romance-able characters to woo. (PS4, XBOX 360, XBOX ONE)

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

“This is a refreshingly unique space adventure that will keep readers on their toes until the end. I just want to put this into as many hands as possible” – DG Library Staff

Two boys, alone in space. After the first settler on Titan trips her distress signal, neither remaining country on Earth can afford to scramble a rescue of its own, and so two sworn enemies are installed in the same spaceship. Ambrose wakes up on the Coordinated Endeavor, with no memory of a launch. There’s more that doesn’t add up: Evidence indicates strangers have been on board, the ship’s operating system is voiced by his mother, and his handsome, brooding shipmate has barricaded himself away. But nothing will stop Ambrose from making his mission succeed—not when he’s rescuing his own sister. In order to survive the ship’s secrets, Ambrose and Kodiak will need to work together and learn to trust one another… especially once they discover what they are truly up against. Love might be the only way to survive.

Emotional Inheritance: A Therapist, Her Patients, and the Legacy of Trauma by Galit Atlas, PhD

“Almost everyone has experienced trauma or deep painful suffering. This book can illuminate some generational understandings as to why we suffer with the unique lens from our family of origin, and gives some hopeful stories to uplift the reader. Highly recommended.” – Joy, ATS

Galit Atlas is no distant participant in her patients’ stories of the unexplained trauma they carry; she carries her own from Israel and examines the lives of her own family and their relationship to Israel and the Holocaust. This is an in-depth look at the generational trauma told through individual stories of healing through immense difficulties.

I Am Golden by Eva Chen & Sophie Diao

“The words and illustrations in this book are incredibly uplifting and gave me such positive affirmations. I wish that I had books and messages like this when I was growing up. Reading this book felt like my inner child was receiving a big, warm hug!” – Van, ATS

This gorgeous picture book exudes joy and celebration of identity. Through a young, first-generation Chinese American girl named Mei, readers are empowered and uplifted through messages from her parents of why she is amazing.

Dumpling Dreams: How Joyce Chen Brought the Dumpling from Beijing to Cambridge by Carrie Clickard and Katy Wu

“Katy Wu’s beautiful illustrations really brought this story to life! It is a very sweet story about one little girl following her passion.” – Gina, Circulation 

This is the story of Chinese-American Chef, Joyce Chen, and how she popularized Chinese food in the United States.

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