Big Trouble on Sullivan’s Island. Boyer, Susan M. Holland : Stella Maris Books, LLC, 2023.

This is a big, juicy Southern mystery/romance where the setting (Charleston, S.C.) is almost a character of its own! The library has purchased this in electronic formats only; I recommend the audiobook (through Libby), because the Southern accents really add something to the story.

Hadley Cooper is a P.I. in the Charleston area. When she rescues a dog on the beach of Sullivan’s Island, she makes a new friend and gets a new client, Eugenia Ladson. Eugenia thinks her husband Everett is cheating on her, and hires Hadley to find out for sure. Eugenia invites her to join her group of friends, who meet on the beach for drinks once a week (never mind you aren’t supposed to drink on the beach). The group is varied in age and interests, but all have been adopted by Eugenia, who is the kindest soul. Hadley has had her dream house fall in her lap – a gentleman hires her to housesit a beautiful mansion on Sullivan’s Island, something she couldn’t afford in her wildest dreams, and now she has some friends to get together with on the island.

Hadley is a local girl, but one with an interesting history. Her mother raised her on her own, and didn’t tell her anything about her father until she was dying of cancer. Hadley wants nothing to do with Swinton, her father, but she has become good friends with her half-brother, J.T. Of course, Everett and Swinton run in the same (very expensive) circles, so in investigating him, she runs into her father. She tries to avoid him as much as possible, but Eugenia has something up her sleeve about her father that might change her mind.

When there’s a murder, Hadley is the main suspect’s alibi, but she is convinced he is guilty. She investigates the murder, even though her ex-boyfriend, Cash, has already arrested someone, a bartender called Katarina. Hadley is convinced someone has framed Katarina, and uses her PI skills to help her mount a defense.

The mystery is good, but what makes this book great are the characters. Eugenia is larger than life, as are her friends. There’s a scene outside of a funeral that will have you laughing so hard you cry. Hadley is a quirky vegan who is fairly straight-laced, especially for a private investigator. J.T. and some of the other men described in the book come out of Central Casting for Rich Southern Boys, but that’s a stereotype for a reason! I know some of those Rich Southern Boys myself! Boyer’s writing captures so much Southern charm that I’m planning on reading other books by her.

This is definitely summer reading, but it works for the fall and winter, too. I tend to picture myself in warmer climes when it is cold, and this book will fit that bill!

Mary Beth Adams is the Community Engagement Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries. She can be reached at 336-570-6981 or madams@alamancelibraries.org.

Little Thieves. Owen, Margaret. New York, NY : Henry Holt and Company, 2021.

Painted Devils. Owen, Margaret. New York : Henry Holt and Company, 2023.

Content warnings: physical and emotional child abuse and abandonment, rape (off page), manipulation, bloody violence, the death of a horse (off-page).

Sometimes a random choice of reading/listening material can catch you by surprise!

A couple of weeks ago, I went to a conference several hours away, so I decided to download some audiobooks through Libby and Hoopla (did you know you could do that, and play them through your car stereo, if you have Android Auto or Apple Car Play?). I chose quickly, hoping my choice would entertain me. Little Thieves by Margaret Owen did that, and more, and I immediately requested the sequel, Painted Devils, when I got back home!

Vanja is a thief. She is a thief of the birthright of her former mistress, Gisele, as well as many priceless trinkets from the estates and palaces she visits, pretending to be Gisele. Gisele’s mother had purchased an enchanted pearl necklace that transformed her daughter into a blazing beauty, and when Vanja stole it, she was able to steal Gisele’s entire life. But Vanja steals for a reason. She is trying to raise enough money to move away and escape her adopted mothers, the gods of Death and Fortune. The gods have told her she has to pick one of them to serve for the rest of her life, and she doesn’t want to serve either of them. She wants them to love her as a daughter. Poor Vanja has been abandoned a few times in her short life – first, her mother left her with Death and Fortune because she was the thirteenth daughter of a thirteenth daughter. Then the gods left her with the von Falbirgs (the parents of Gisele), who abused her. For once, Vanja wants to control her own life.

But of course, things go wrong in her last robbery, and a god curses her. If she doesn’t learn her lesson, she’ll turn into what she covets – a mass of gemstones. The god’s adopted daughter, Ragne, who can change into any animal, decides to accompany Vanja on her quest as well, adding some well-needed comic relief at times! As gemstones erupt on her body, she has to figure out how to atone for her sins, all while fending off Gisele’s murderous fiancé, Gisele herself, and an officious junior prefect of the Godly Courts named Emeric who gets under Vanja’s skin.

This book is a very loose retelling of the not-well-known fairy tale, The Goose Girl, but you don’t have to know the fairy tale to enjoy the book. I recommend listening to the audiobook if you enjoy audiobooks, because the story is just begging to be read aloud beside a warm crackling fire during a cold German night. (Alamance County isn’t Germany, but this book is immersive enough to make you believe it is!)

I’m reading the sequel now, and will share nothing of the plot as to not spoil anything in your reading of the first book (knowing how the second book begins would ruin parts of the first!). However, I will say that so far, the sequel is just as well-written, fantastical, and immersive as the first book.

If you like to escape in fantasy worlds with gods and greed and curses, you’re going to love these books! They are in our Young Adult section, because of some of the content might be upsetting for younger readers. The content warnings at the top are included in many of our reviews so no one is caught by surprise.

These are absolutely wonderful novels that don’t shy away from dark side of life, much like the Grimm fairy tale they’re based upon.

Mary Beth Adams is the Community Engagement Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries. She can be reached at 336-570-6981 or madams@alamancelibraries.org.

With spooky season upon us, we’re going to highlight five young adult graphic novels for Halloween to get you in the mood. These are good for teenagers and adults alike!

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell:

Everything in this book is in-your-face fall! It follows two characters who work at a fall festival and includes every corny fall activity imaginable. One of them is on a mission to ask out his mystery crush and there are a few mishaps along the way. Perfect if you’re looking for something fun and cozy for spooky season!

Sheets by Brenna Thummler

This one has such a beautiful art style and color scheme. The main character is grieving the loss of her mom while simultaneously dealing with a distant father. She’s also trying to keep the family laundromat open despite lots of sabotages (which may or may not be supernatural). There’s a lot of depth to this one and its atmosphere is perfect for fall. It’s also the first in a series, and the second book, “Delicates”, is just as good.

Hooky by Míriam Bonastre Tur

This graphic novel is technically Juvenile level, but could be enjoyed by any age. It follows two witch siblings who play hooky from school to go on this magnificent magical adventure that actually ends up being more high stakes than you might think. All the characters are so lovable and unique and funny. There are two more volumes after this, so plenty more magic to be a part of if you end up liking the first book!

Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol

Anya is an immigrant from Russia and is struggling to fit in at school when she meets a new friend. A ghost friend, to be exact. She enlists her new friend to help her become more popular at school, in exchange for helping the ghost solve her murder from 90 years ago. If you like immigrant stories or coming-of-age stories with a haunted twist, this could be for you.

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

If you’re looking for something a little less cozy, this graphic novel is a collection of dark and disconcerting folk tales. The stories and illustrations are really creepy and well-done and may leave you wishing you hadn’t read it right before bed!

Abby Van  Wingerden is a Circulation Assistant at Mebane Public Library. She can be reached at avanwingerden@alamancelibraries.org or 919-563-6431.

I love a good cookbook. Even if I only get one recipe out of a cookbook, it is worth it to me to look through it! That’s why using the library’s collection is so wonderful – you don’t have to purchase the cookbooks to find those great recipes. Here are six of our latest cookbooks!

Children’s Quick and Easy Cookbook. Wilkes, Angela. New York, NY : Dk Publishing, 2023.

If you have young children or grandchildren (or neighbors’ kids who love to invade your kitchen), these easy recipes for little hands are a lot of fun! Kids can make simple meals, with the help of their adults, and learn to enjoy preparing food.

Dinnertime SOS. Palanjian, Amy. New York : Rodale, [2023].

This is a collection of super-fast, family-friendly meals that take 20 minutes or less to make (or can be prepared ahead of time, using your slow cooker or Instant Pot). With our busy lives these days, we need easy meals that taste good and are healthy as well, and Palanjian has compiled a list of 100 meals for those crazy days.

Love and lemons: simple feel-good food : 125 plant-focused meals to enjoy now or make ahead. Donofrio, Jeanine. New York : Avery, an imprint of Penguin Random House, [2023].

This cookbook includes recipes for the two different types of home cooks – those who want something that can be thrown together in minutes, and those who like meal prepping and freezing dishes. With both options, you can create a meal quickly after work, or do a little work ahead of time and just reheat and go. All of the recipes are vegetarian, and Donofrio has several recipes for each vegetable, making your trips to the grocery store more efficient!

Meal prep magic : time-saving tricks for stress-free cooking. McCord, Catherine. New York : Abrams, 2023.

This book not only helps you get fresh, healthy meals on the table fast, but she also helps you organize your kitchen so you can always find the spice you know you bought or the right container for your leftovers! Meal prepping involves preparing dishes or parts of dishes ahead of time, and storing them properly so preparing dinner when you get home is easy. There are tips and tricks, as well as recipes, to introduce you to meal prepping, or take your skills to the next level!

Piecemeal : a meal-planning repertoire with 120 recipes to make in 5+, 15+. or 30+ minutes. Pauline, Kathryn. San Francisco : Chronicle Books, [2023].

The innovative strategy in this cookbook is taking a simple ingredient and using it three different ways, to create three totally different meals. For instance, she takes turkey spinach meatballs and uses them to make a cheesy meatball bake, Italian wedding soup, and meatballs with mashed potatoes and gravy. Depending on your mood, and the amount of time you have to cook, you have three great options for each foundational ingredient.

The Pioneer Woman cooks: dinner’s ready : 112 fast and fabulous recipes for slightly impatient home cooks. Drummond, Ree. New York : William Morrow, [2023].

If you’re wanting something special that doesn’t take a lot of time, the Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond has great recipes that taste like they took much longer than they do. This collection has everything from “company” meals to fun dishes that teens will love, and zippy extras, like refrigerator pickles, to make dinner a breeze each night!

Check out these cookbooks, and SO many others, in our libraries!

Mary Beth Adams is the Community Engagement Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries. She can be reached at madams@alamancelibraries.org or 336-570-6981.

Fury of the Dragon Goddess. Chadda, Sarwat. Los Angeles : Disney Hyperion, 2023.

The Spirit Glass. Chokshi, Roshani. Los Angeles : Disney/Hyperion, 2023.

Most likely, your kids know all about Rick Riordan’s books (Percy Jackson series, The 39 Clues, Kane Chronicles, Magnus Chase and many more). He champions writers who use stories to share their cultural heritage. This fall, two books came out in his Rick Riordan Presents imprint, and both are fabulous fantasies that also teach readers about a cultural history different than their own.

Fury of the Dragon Goddess

This is the second in the Sik Aziz series by Sarwat Chadda. Chadda draws on Mesopotamian mythology, and her protagonist Sik is a Muslim who is immortal and is friends with the children of gods.

Sik and his friends find the tablet of destinies, and he uses it to bring his brother Mo back to life. But unintended consequences occur, and he’s changed the destinies of all people. It leads to the resurrection of Tiamat, the chaos dragon, by the god of insanity, Lugal.

Sik, Belet and Rabisu must find a way to send Tiamat back to where she came from, and fix everything before the world ends.

If you enjoy great adventure stories, Fury of the Dragon Goddess will more than fit the bill.

The Spirit Glass

This standalone novel from Roshani Chokshi is a wonderful middle grade fantasy with Filipino mythology.

Corazon lives with her aunt Tina because her parents died several years ago. However, they visit her every Saturday for dinner because her mother fashioned a soul key years ago. Tina is a powerful babaylan, and tells Corazon she will train her when her magic awakes. Corazon plans on bringing her parents back as soon as she is as powerful as Tina.

One night, at the Midnight Bridge market, a vengeful spirit tricks Corazon, and she loses her spirit key. She must go on a quest to form a new key, with one of the ghost’s possessions, and she only has three days to do it before she loses the key forever. She doesn’t go alone, however. Her gecko/alligator (if only in his own mind) companion Saso is with her, and they meet a ghost along the way who wants to be a reporter in the afterlife and wants to come along to see the action. They have to visit several locations, using mirrors to access different worlds (and the mirrors? They talk behind your back).

This is a wonderful way to learn a little more about Filipino folklore. Saso steals the show time and again, leading me to laugh a lot at his antics and dialogue. Chokshi shares the story of the vengeful ghost as Corazon visits different gods to receive their blessings, creating some sympathy for her plight.

These two books are perfect for any kid (or adult). They have a good measure of adventure, emphasize the importance of friends and family, and are just scary enough to make for good reading this October!

Mary Beth Adams is the Community Engagement Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries. She can be reached at madams@alamancelibraries.org or 336-570-6981.

The Twyford Code. Hallett, Janice. New York : Atria Books, 2023.

Content Warnings: Death, Violence, Gun Violence, Murder, Death of Parent, Abandonment, Domestic Abuse, Kidnapping

Steven “Smithy” Smith has recently been released from prison and can’t remember the last time anything truly good happened in his life – except Miss Iles.  The problem is, he also can’t remember what happened to her.

Miss Iles, Smithy’s middle school remedial English teacher, was the one who recognized that his reading difficulties were undiagnosed dyslexia and the one who actually treated him and the other students in the class with respect.  While in her class some 40 years ago, Smithy found a copy of a children’s book by famous but disgraced author Edith Twyford with strange notes and markings in it.  When he brought it to Miss Iles, she not only read the story to the class but became convinced that the markings revealed a code hidden in the book that would reveal the location of a hidden treasure.  The last time Smithy remembers seeing Miss Iles was on a field trip to Twyford’s hometown – he and the other students came back, but Miss Iles did not.

Now a grown man, Smithy is determined to solve this mystery from his childhood.  He tracks down the other students from the remedial class, some of whom want nothing to do with his mission and some who have even more shocking theories: the Twyford Code is real, Miss Iles disappeared because of it, and dangerous people are still trying to crack it today.

Smithy makes a compelling narrator as he tries to trace both the circumstances of his teacher’s disappearance and those of his own life’s descent into crime.  He tells his story through a series of voice recordings, as Smithy still finds it easier to explain things verbally than to write them down.  This makes for interesting reading at times, with some words being occasionally “mistranscribed,” as a section at the beginning of the book explains (for instance, “Miss Iles” frequently becomes “missiles”).  I found this enhances the reading experience, with the reader’s occasional deciphering of transcriptions paralleling the characters’ work of solving the meanings of various codes and ciphers in the all-important children’s book text.

Smithy’s voice recordings alternate between his present task and reminiscing on his past choices in life that led to his imprisonment.  Hallett weaves these together in ways that form surprising connections, provide plenty of twists and turns, and offer touching insights into the hardships faced by formerly incarcerated individuals. This title offers everything from World War II gold to commentary on the importance of libraries, all in a mystery that truly keeps you guessing all the way to the end!

Joan Hedrick is a Circulation Assistant at Graham Public Library. She can be reached at jhedrick@alamancelibraries.org and (336)570-6730.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated Sept. 15-Oct. 15 each year.  One way to celebrate is to read Hispanic fiction, and we have a great list for you!

Adult Fiction

Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo

Flor has a unique gift – she knows the day when someone is going to die. When she brings her family together for a living wake, no one knows whose death she has foretold. The book tells the stories of Flor, her sisters Matilde, Pastora, and Camila, and her nieces Ona and Yadi, and the love the sisters, aunts, cousins and nieces share.

The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro

Alejandra is fighting a darkness that no one else can see. She is haunted by La Llorona, who is a Mexican folk legend. La Llorona wanders near sources of water in a torn white dress, trying to save her children, whom she murdered after finding out her husband was cheating on her.

Alejandra learns that generations of women in her family have been haunted by La Llorona, and she won’t give up until she’s dragged Alejandra into the depths, like her ancestors. But Alejandra is strong, and she will call on that strength to banish La Llorona forever.

Juvenile Fiction

Felice and the Wailing Woman by Diana Lopez

A lighter read about La Llorona is the middle grade book, Felice and the Wailing Woman.

When Felice learns she is the daughter of La Llorona, she goes to the magical town of Tres Leches, on the US/Mexico border, to help her mother move on to the afterworld. She meets the children of over folktale legends as well, and they band together to free the town from the curses that plague it.

Pack Your Bags, Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno

Maggie is killing 7^th grade. But when her close-knit group of three starts to fall apart, what should she do? Julian has a crush on a girl, and asks her to the dance. Zoey is so stressed, she is in danger of losing her straight-A streak. And Maggie can’t stop thinking about Eerie Eddie. The school trip is coming up, and she isn’t sure where she fits or with whom.

Young Adult Fiction

Julieta and the Romeos by Maria E. Andreu

Julieta’s summer creative writing teacher encourages them to publish their works online. She is surprised when her rom-com has a new contributor, Happily Ever Drafter. She wasn’t looking for love, but now there are three boys in her life that are tempting – her best friend’s brother, the boy next door and her oldest friend. Are one of them her mysterious contributor? Will her story and her life end happily ever after?

The Making of Yolanda la Bruja by Lorraine Avila

Yolanda is a senior in high school, flirting with Jose and hanging out with her best friend Victory. She is waiting to be initiated into the family bruja tradition. But when she is, she starts to have troubling visions of the new white boy at her school. Can she figure out what these visions mean, and save her community? Maybe, with the help of her ancestors and guides, the Brujas Diosas, and the support of her friends and family.

The Weight of Everything by Marcia Argueta Mickleson

Sarah’s mom died just six months ago, and she is trying to keep her family together, while adjusting to life at the local public school, instead of the fine arts boarding school she had been attending. Her father is falling apart – drinking, spending money, and neglecting her younger brother, who needs him. The only art she’s doing are things she can sell online to help support her family. She is assigned a project at school that has her exploring her mother’s Mexican and Guatemalan roots, which leads to her finding out things about her mother’s history she never knew. She realizes she must voice the pain she is feeling, and she can’t do it alone.

All of these books, plus many more, are available for checkout through Alamance County Public Libraries! Come ask any of our staff for their recommendations!

Mary Beth Adams is the Community Engagement Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries. You can reach her at madams@alamancelibraries.org or 336-570-6981.

Since Alamance-Burlington schools are finally back in session, we’re going to celebrate this week with five great picture and easy reader books about school!

Fiona Goes to School by Richard Cowdrey, illustrated by Donald Wu. Fiona the hippo, from the Cincinnati Zoo, is probably the best-known hippo in the country! Now she and her friends are going to zoo school to learn about all of the animals at the zoo. This Level 1 easy reader is perfect for kids just learning to read. There are other Fiona books available in our collection as well.

Llama Llama Back to School by Anna Dewdney and Reed Duncan, illustrated by JT Morrow. Llama Llama doesn’t want summer to end – he has had so much fun with his family and friends. He is anxious about going back to school, but with help from Momma Llama and his friends, he sees that school can be fun, too! This beloved series continues on after Dewdney’s death, with the Netflix series and writers willing to continue the magic of Llama Llama. We have this book as a Vox book as well (which is a read-along version, with the audio player attached to the book).

I Like School! (Cocomelon) by Maggie Testa. Fans of Cocomelon who are just starting to read will enjoy this Level 1 easy reader. JJ is getting ready for school, and readers get to follow along with him as he rides the bus, meets his new classmates and has fun! This easy reader series also has This is the Way We Play, featuring JJ and Nina on the playground. Familiar characters can help young students feel confident about reading, as well as excited about starting school!

The Crayons Go Back to School by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. Each crayon is looking forward to a different subject, seeing their friends again, and having a blast in art class! Kids love reading the Crayon books by Daywalt and Jeffers, and this new entry is sure to be a hit!

The Boy Who Tried to Shrink his Name by Sandhya Parappukkaran, illustrated by Michelle Pereira. Zimdalamashkermishkada is beginning at a new school, and he is worried no one will be able to pronounce his name. He uses his nickname, Zim, but it doesn’t feel right. Will he have the courage to share his real name? This book encourages kids to be authentic and celebrate their cultural heritage, as well as their classmates’ cultures.

All of these books, plus many more, are available for checkout through Alamance County Public Libraries. Search for school in our catalog, and remember you can narrow your search by choosing “Easy Fiction” or “Easy to Read Shelf” under Collections on the left-hand side of the browser.

Mary Beth Adams is the Community Engagement Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries. You can reach her at madams@alamancelibraries.org or 336-570-6981.

“I never thought of it that way : how to have fearlessly curious conversations in dangerously divided times.” Guzmán, Mónica. Dallas, TX : BenBella Books, Inc., [2022]

This is the book selection for the Alamance-Elon 2023 Community Book Club. We will be offering two sessions for people to engage with this book. The first is Thursday, September 21, from 4-5:30 p.m. at Elon Community Church. The author will be there for the first part of the discussion! Register by emailing elonbydesign@elon.edu. The second session will be Wednesday, October 4, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. at Mebane Public Library. To register, call 919-563-6431. The first 12 people to register will receive a free book. Attend one or both sessions, and tell us what you think!

“I never thought of it that way.” What a great phrase to utter when having a charged conversation with someone who believes differently than you!

In this book, Monica Guzmán shares her strategies on how to have difficult conversations that are productive, build bridges, and lead not necessarily to change, but to understanding each other. Her main premise is to be curious, and lead from that curiosity, not from a need to be right.

Too often, when we’re talking to someone who believes differently than we do, we shut down the conversation by using charged language, asking leading or gotcha questions, coming in with preconceived judgements about that person’s beliefs, and not listening. Instead, Guzmán encourages us to be curious about one another.

“I can tell you feel really strongly about that. What led you to that belief?”

“What is the most important challenge that you think our world is facing?”

“Tell me your story – I can tell you have a personal connection to this issue.”

“I’m curious – can you tell me a little bit more about that?”

What I loved about this book is Guzmán’s openness about her own story. She shares her journey towards being curious rather than confrontational, and from being a reporter who mapped out each and every question in an interview to someone who allows the conversation to lead the interview after one curious question. She also shares her difficult conversations with her parents, who are on the other side of the political spectrum from her. If even an “expert” occasionally gets in a shouting match with her parents, we all can feel better about ourselves! But we also can follow Guzmán’s example, and find ways to bridge the gaps in our understanding of each other. She says that while her views on issues and who should be president haven’t changed, she understands why her parents vote the way they do. It gives me hope that I, too, could have difficult conversations that lead to understanding, rather than an entrenchment on both sides about what we believe.

Mary Beth Adams is the Community Engagement Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries. You can reach her at madams@alamancelibraries.org or 336-570-6981.

Delicate condition. Valentine, Danielle. Naperville, Illinois : Sourcebooks Landmark, [2023]

Trigger warnings: miscarriage, infertility, harm to animals

Every person who has been pregnant or wants/wanted to be pregnant will see themselves in this book.

Anna Alcott is an actress who has just found real commercial success in a movie called The Auteur. She also is a married woman who wants to have a baby more than anything. She is doing IVF, and hoping this time there is a viable embryo. But weird things are happening. Her calendar has the wrong time for appointments, she is leaving medicines out of the fridge, and is almost late for her shot more than once. She attributes all of this to IVF-brain and all of the hormones in her body, but it gets frustrating when her husband looks at her like she’s losing her mind.

The procedure is finally successful. Anna is pregnant, but she is also in contention for an Oscar. She feels pulled in two directions. She puts off campaigning trips to take care of herself. Her husband would prefer she not go at all, but is she really supposed to give up her career for motherhood? She wakes up one evening to find someone in her bed with her, calling her baby. It scares her so much that she and her husband move to a friend’s house, where no one can find her.

When she has a miscarriage, she is devastated and tells her friend Siobhan she was desperate and would do anything for a baby. Then she feels the baby move. How could that be? The doctor decides it was vanishing twin syndrome and that there must have been two embryos to begin with. Anna feels that isn’t right, but she doesn’t have an answer to what happened. All she knows is that this pregnancy is strange. She hears strange sounds, hallucinates, and keeps finding strange dolls of her around her friend’s house. These dolls feel threatening, with Xes over the belly and strange symbols carved in them.  

Short side stories are interspersed with the main story, all about women who were desperate for a baby, and all who feel their pregnancy isn’t a natural one. It seems Anna isn’t the only woman to go through an experience like this, but what is really happening to her?

This book isn’t scary, per se, but it is creepy and very suspenseful. It also really hits a chord as a person who has been pregnant. Even if you aren’t seeing things and being stalked as a celebrity, pregnancy can be stressful, painful, and give you the feeling that an alien is inside you! I wouldn’t recommend this book for anyone who is pregnant right now, trying to get pregnant, or dealing with infertility, just because of the subject matter.

If you’re looking for a book to keep you up at night, turning pages, Delicate Condition is a great choice!

Mary Beth Adams is the Community Engagement Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries. You can reach her at madams@alamancelibraries.org or 336-570-6981.