November Recommendations

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 provided by the publisher on the back of the book, on Goodreads, or through the library catalog.

November is National Native American Heritage Month! Celebrate with a book written by an indigenous author.

Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine
The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
There There by Tommy Orange
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine: Luz Lopez begins to have visions that transport her to her Indigenous homeland in the nearby Lost Territory. She recalls five generations of ancestors, including how they flourished and were threatened. It is up to Luz to make sure her family’s stories don’t disappear into oblivion. Available on Boundless (e-book

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava: After thirty-seven rejections, Ember decides that no one wants Native American Ember and answers the ethnicity question on her next application with “half-lie.” After getting the job, and beginning a secret relationship with Danuwoa the IT guy, her lies begin to snowball. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Libby (e-book)

There There by Tommy Orange: Follow along with a chorus of twelve voices from Native communities, all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, and connected in ways they don’t yet realize. Along the way they will grapple with the complex and painful history and an inheritance of beauty and spirituality. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Libby (e-book)

Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice: When the small Anishinaabe community is cut off from civilization on the brink of wintertime, panic begins to build. Community leadership works to keep order, as more and more visitors start to flood the community and manipulate the reserve. A small group of friends must work together to restore order while making life-altering decisions. Available on Boundless (e-book), Libby (audio/e-book), and Hoopla (audio/e-book)

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse: The first book in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy, inspired by the civilizations of the Pre-Columbian Americas and woven into a tale of celestial prophecies, political intrigue, and forbidden magic. An outstanding cast of characters and an exploration of what it means to be a hero vs a villain. Available on Boundless (e-book) and Libby (e-book)

Get ready for Thanksgiving with these books centered around food! And mark your calendars for a watch (and tasting) party at the library of Holiday Tips & Tricks with Chef Art Smith.

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler
Best Served Hot by Amanda Elliot
The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai
The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell
Recipe for Second Chances by Ali Rosen

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler: New to New York City, Tess lands a job at a celebrated restaurant in Manhattan. As she learns to navigate the chaotic and enchanting life she has chosen for herself, her appetites begin awakening–for food and wine but also for knowledge, experience, and belonging. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Libby (e-book)

Best Served Hot by Amanda Elliot: Turn up the heat with two rival restaurant critics who are forced to work together to further the buzz from a viral social media post. Julie and Bennett begin to connect over their shared love for food, but the competition between them might be too much heat to handle. Available on Libby (audio/e-book)

The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai: Koishi and her father Nagare are “food detectives.” Through ingenious investigations, they are able to recreate dishes from a person’s treasured memories. The Kamogawa Diner provides a link to vanished moments, creating a present full of possibility.

The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell: Six bakers are competing in the annual “Bake Week” baking competition show that takes place at the celebrated Betsy Martin’s estate. Things go awry as the baking competition begins. At first, it’s merely sabotage—sugar replaced with salt, a burner turned too high—but when a body is discovered, everyone is a suspect. Available on Libby (audio/e-book)

Recipe for Second Chances by Ali Rosen: Stella can’t wait to celebrate her best friend’s wedding in the Italian countryside, taking a much needed break from her job writing recipes. Her revelry is cut short when she runs into Samuel, her ex she hasn’t seen in ten years. As they keep getting pushed together during the wedding weekend, she decides maybe Samuel is worth the risk.

In honor of Veterans Day, check out a WWII fiction or nonfiction title. We will be hosting Ron Eckberg, son of WWII combat veteran, on November 7 as he talks about the history, stories, and music of WWII.

Everyone Brave is Forgotten by Chris Cleave
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson
A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell
Eternal by Lisa Scottoline

Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave: Mary, a young socialite, Tom, an education administrator, and Alastair, an art restorer, are thrown together by war, love, and their search for belonging in WWII era London. 

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah: Paris, 1939, Vianne’s husband heads for the Front and she doesn’t believe the Nazis will invade France. Her rebellious sister joins the Resistance after a betrayal from someone she trusted. Both sisters have to make impossible decisions to keep those around them safe. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book), Libby (audio/e-book), and Hoopla (audio)

The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson: Drawing on diaries, original archival documents, and once-secret intelligence reports, Larson provides a new lens on London’s darkest year through the day-to-day experience of Churchill and his associates. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Libby (audio/e-book)

A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell: In 1942, the Gestapo sent out an urgent transmission: “She is the most dangerous of all Allied spies. We must find and destroy her.” Virginia Hall was one of the greatest spies in American history, yet her story remains untold.

Eternal by Lisa Scottoline: Elizabetta, Marco, and Sandro have grown up in Italy as best friends, despite their many differences. As Mussolini begins asserting his power and anti-semitism takes legal root, the intertwined fates of the three friends and their families will be decided. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Libby (audio)