All the books listed here are available at the library. Stop in, give us a call, or use the online catalog to place a hold and check one out. All book descriptions are summarized from the publisher’s description on the back of the book, Goodreads, or the library catalog.
Celebrate Women’s History Month with historical fiction titles written by women!
The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen: As polio begins to wreak havoc on American lives, the greatest minds are put to the test to find a vaccine. Dorothy, being one of these great minds, doesn’t care to be the first or the fastest to find this cure–all she wants is to help the lives that are being affected by this disease. As a woman, and the daughter of an immigrant, she is often overlooked, but she knows exactly where to look for this cure. When her closest colleague gets a lead in the race, she is asked to sink or validate his vaccine–as well as how much is able to be sacrificed.
Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: In 1950s Hollywood two actresses—naive newcomer Vera Larios and bitter veteran Nancy Hartley— are both vying for the career-defining role of Salome in a big-budget movie. But this is the tale of three women, including the story of princess Salome; a woman torn between duty and the yearning of her heart. Available on Libby (audio, e-book), and Palace Project (audio, e-book).
Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell: It is 1550, and Lucrezia is arranged to marry Duke Alfonso. As Lucrezia is thrust into an unfamiliar court where her one goal is to provide an heir, she is unsure about herself, her husband, and the future that hangs just in front of her.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid: For as long as Joan Goodwin can remember, she has loved the stars. But staring up at them is different than being beside them–which becomes her goal after coming across an advertisement that is seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s space shuttle program. Fast-paced and emotional, we follow Joan’s experience through the training program, making friends, and preparing for a lift-off that is going to change everything. Available on Libby (audio, e-book), and Palace Project (audio, e-book).
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson: Ebby’s life, along with a family heirloom, had shattered when Ebby’s brother was shot. The mystery of who shot Ebby’s brother was never uncovered, despite the local intrigue. To keep the family’s name from being painted all over the paper again, Ebby and everyone else stay quiet. That is until Ebby’s relationship falls apart, which results in the publicity they were trying to avoid. So, Ebby runs to France, only for her past memories to follow her–especially that shattered heirloom–which might be the answer to everything. Available on Libby (audio), and Palace Project (audio, e-book).
Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams: It is 1995, and Tati is trying to uncover the identity of her father. As she begins unraveling the secrets that her mother is keeping about their family, Tati learns there is much more to the Dupree women than she thought. The Dupree women carry the weight of their pain and generational trauma, and Tati must confront it all. Available on Libby (e-book), and Palace Project (audio).
Explore trailblazing female authors for Women’s History Month with these classics written by women.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Written with incisive wit and superb characters, follow Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, as she navigates social expectations, family pressures, and her shifting relationship with the wealthy, reserved Darcy. Available on Hoopla (audio, e-book), Libby (audio, e-book), and Palace Project (audio, e-book).
Jane Eyre by Emily Bronte: The story of orphaned Jane Eyre, who grows up in the home of her heartless aunt, enduring loneliness and cruelty. This troubled childhood strengthens Jane’s independence and spirit, which are necessary when she finds employment as a governess to the brooding Mr Rochester. As her feelings for Rochester develop, Jane uncovers a terrible secret, forcing her to make a choice. Should she stay with Rochester and live with the consequences, or follow her convictions. Available on Hoopla (audio, e-book), Libby (audio, e-book), and Palace Project (audio, e-book).
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Told through Scout’s eyes, and following, her brother Jem, and their father Atticus as they deal with the arrest and trial of Tom Robinson, a Black man accused of raping a white woman. Atticus takes on the case despite the community’s threats and his low chances of winning, and Scout observes the trial unfold with childlike curiosity. Reasons for challenges: depiction of violence, offensive language, and racism. Available on Hoopla (audio, e-book), Libby (audio, e-book), and Palace Project (audio, e-book).
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison: In Morrison’s acclaimed first novel, Pecola Breedlove—an eleven-year-old Black girl in an America whose love for its blond, blue-eyed children can devastate all others—prays for her eyes to turn blue: so that she will be beautiful, so that people will look at her, so that her world will be different. This is the story of the nightmare at the heart of her yearning, and the tragedy of its fulfillment. Available on Libby (e-book) and Palace Project (audio).
The Color Purple by Alice Walker: Separated as girls, sisters Celie and Nettie sustain their loyalty to each other across time, distance, and silence. Through a series of letters spanning twenty years, first from Celie to God, then the sisters to each other, the novel draws readers into its rich and memorable portrayals of its characters. The Color Purple broke the silence around domestic and sexual abuse, narrating the lives of women through their pain and struggle, companionship and growth, resilience and bravery. Available on Hoopla (e-book), Libby (audio), and Palace Project (e-book).
Participate in our Spring Reading Challenge! Explore award-winning books by reading three books from three different award lists. Here are some award winner’s to get you started!
James by Percival Everett: A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn told from Jim’s point of view. While many narrative set pieces of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remain in place, Jim’s agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light. James won the 2024 National Book Award for Fiction. Available on Libby (audio, e-book), and Palace Project (audio, e-book).
Flesh by David Szalay: A collection of intimate moments over the course of decades, Flesh chronicles a man at odds with himself—estranged from the circumstances of a life not entirely under his control and the roles that he is asked to play. Flesh won the Booker Prize in 2024. Available on Libby (e-book), and Palace Project (audio, e-book).
Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips: In the wake of the Civil War, where erasure, trauma, and namelessness haunt civilians and veterans, twelve-year-old ConaLee and her mother find themselves on a journey to Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. They begin trying to reclaim their lives and soon get swept up in the life of the facility. Night Watch won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2024. Available on Palace Project (audio, e-book).
Nettle and Bone by T Kingfisher: Marra has watched her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince for years, and decides she is the only one who can rescue them. She seeks help from a gravewitch who gives her three impossible tasks to complete before she will help her. Marra works with four others on her quest to free her family and the kingdom from its tyrannous ruler. Nettle and Bone won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2023. Available on Hoopla (audio), Libby (e-book), and Palace Project (e-book).
Babel by RF Kuang: Robin Swift has been training for years in preparation of his enrollment in Oxford’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation, Babel, the world’s center for translation and magic. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the Hermes Society, an organization working to stop imperial expansion. Babel won the Nebula award in 2022. Available on Hoopla (audio, e-book) and Palace Project (audio, e-book).
An Immense World by Ed Wong: Experience the world through the senses of animals. Each animal has its own unique sensory bubble that they perceive the world through. Ed Yong introduces us to a world that we wouldn’t be able to imagine otherwise. An Immense World won the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction 2023. Available on Libby (audio).
Flags on the Bayou by James Lee Burke: Set in Civil War-era Louisiana, the Confederate Army is in disarray and enslaved men and women are beginning to glimpse freedom. When Hannah, a formerly enslaved woman, is accused of murder, she goes on the run with Florence, an abolitionist schoolteacher. What follows is an engaging, action-packed narrative that illuminates our past and reflects our present. Flags on the Bayou won the Edgar Award for Best Novel 2024. Available on Hoopla (e-book).