This could be us. Ryan, Kennedy. New York: Forever, 2024.

In true Kennedy Ryan fashion, This Could Be Us is a beautiful romance novel about self-love and self-discovery for fans of Ryan’s other book Before I Let Go.

This Could Be Us follows the life of Soledad Barnes, a scrupulous planner, do it all yourselfer, stay at home mom, and wife. Her picture-perfect life starts to unravel when a knock at her door leaves the world she came to know with her husband Edward crashing down around her. Yet, there is no time to grieve, forced to quickly pivot to create a new reality for her and her three daughters. Amidst the struggle, she rediscovers her identity while grappling with the possibility of a new love.

Judah, the perplexing other main character, provides a captivating look into parenting two young children that are on the autism spectrum. It sheds some light on challenges that most people may not have thought about. The story mainly follows Soledad’s journey of healing through self-love while the romance between her and Judah is an incredibly slow burn. Without any spoilers, I can tell you the fire never runs out.  The big question is can she trust herself to make the right decision when it comes to loving someone again? She’s lost it all before and refuses to make the same mistake twice.

The author skillfully merges the first book to the sequel by expounding on the friendship between Soledad, Yasmen, and Hendrix. Highlighting the importance of maintaining adult friendships even as people grow busy, have romantic relationships, and deal with family issues. At times the story was intense, spicy, funny, and heartwarming. There were so many great life lessons to learn in this novel. Ryan definitely knows how to keep the readers on their toes. This is a great novel for readers who enjoy multilayered romantic fiction with elements of drama and inspiration.

Chantell Huell is a Circulation Assistant at North Park Library. She can be reached at Chuell@alamancelibraries.org.

Someday, Maybe. Nwabineli, Onyi. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Graydon House, [2022].

Content Warning: Suicide, depression, grief

“Someday, maybe” is a quote that sums up hopes and fears of our main character. It’s a response that stagnates her into this unknown space between “yes” and “no.” Onyi Nwabineli’s Someday, Maybe follows Eve Ezenwa-Morrow, the novel’s protagonist as she tries to navigate life after the death of her husband, Quentin Morrow, to suicide.

After his death on New Year’s Eve, she is so weighed down by the grief that follows that a new personality emerges: the “Eve of now” which is vastly different from the “Eve of before.” Most of the plot takes place at her home in London, where Eve is plagued by reminders of the life she once shared with Quentin. Grief seems to be the other main character, as Eve is all but “content to wallow in [grief’s] cesspit for all eternity because it is like poking at a mouth ulcer with the tip of your tongue—inadvisable, painful, but addictive.”

Onyi Nwabineli is truly a master wordsmith with how she is able to convey grief with such raw poignancy. The story staggers forward, mended together with memories from Eve’s childhood and her relationship with Quentin, a photographer from one of London’s elite families. Nwabineli skillfully intertwines Eve’s Igbo heritage into the story by including phrases, food, and traditions. Nwabineli succeeds in making you see how grief can strain what was once very close family ties. It isolates Eve in a pool of melancholy at the smallest reminder of Quentin; and reduces the importance of everything else in her life, including her career. Her ice-cold mother-in-law Aspen, also remains ever present in the background of Eve’s grief, further spiraling her into a world of depression.

Readers should be warned that the novel does deal with suicide, and it does describe aspects of Quentin’s death, but it doesn’t go on to clarify the method until late in the book. Someday, Maybe could be considered as a study on grief that forces the reader to examine it without turning away. As each page goes on, the readers are experiencing that grief with her – along with the well-meaning attempts from her friends and family at “fixing” it.

Chantell Huell is a Circulation Assistant at North Park Library. She can be reached at Chuell@alamancelibraries.org.

Currie, Lindsay. The Mystery of Locked Rooms. Naperville, Illinois : Sourcebooks Young Readers, [2024].

The Mystery of Locked Rooms is a cute middle grade (3rd-8th) novel with a fantastical 1950s fun house that is a giant escape room.

Sarah and her friends West and Hannah love escape rooms. They are just one of six groups that have completed the second-hardest escape room in their town. They call themselves the Deltas, because they all love math and puzzles, there are three of them, and there are three sides to a triangle, which is how you write delta in math (and in Greek). Hannah is a dancer and is a thrill-seeking gum chewer. West has a photographic memory, which makes him an excellent student (but also a target for bullies). Sarah is great at calculating the odds and being the planner and leader of the group.

Sarah’s life is pretty hard right now. Her dad has been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and is bedridden. Her mom is working two jobs just to try to keep them in their house, and her older brother is reconsidering his college choices to save money. One day, there is a foreclosure notice on their home. Sarah should be focusing on seventh grade, but instead she’s worrying about her family having to move in with relatives in another state. When she tells her friends, they decide to pursue a secret treasure they have read about, The Triplets Treasure.

The triplets built a fun house in the 1950s that involved secret passages, cryptic puzzles, and far more fun (and danger) than a regular fun house. Unfortunately, one of the triplets died before they could open. The other brothers were too heartbroken to continue. They had advertised that there was a treasure to discover by the person or persons who completed their fun house first, and people have broken in before to try to find it. No one has succeeded. But Sarah, West, and Hannah are motivated. If they can find the treasure, it just might be enough so Sarah and her family can stay.

The dangers of a 1950s fun house are, well, terrifying! I know I wouldn’t be brave enough to swing through the air, or survive being trapped in a small space. But kids will love reading about their adventures and the puzzles they have to solve. Be prepared to take your kids to an escape room after reading this book, because they’re going to want to challenge themselves like Sarah, Hannah and West do! The Mystery of Locked Rooms has a (very) happy ending that might seem over-optimistic to adults, but is great for kids.

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

George, Jessica. Maame. New York : St. Martin’s Press, 2023.

For our protagonist, Maddie Wright, life is full of questions and Google searches. Just to name a few of those Google searches highlighted throughout the story are “Is Parkinson’s disease genetic?”; “Jobs with the happiest employees”; “How long do guys wait before asking a girl out on a date?” The answers are more than complex for 25-year-old Maddie, born of Ghanaian parents that immigrated to London. While other young adults are striving for financial security, their own apartments, and long-lasting romantic relationships she seems hopelessly stuck between the beginning stages of adulthood and family obligation. Becoming the primary caregiver to her ailing father while his diagnosis worsens, her mother becomes obsessed with taking care of the family business back in Ghana and her older brother busies himself to keep from having to help all while Maddie is trying to figure out her own life.

This poignant, relatable coming of age story about discovering your true self is strikingly honest, vulnerable, and most of all unforgettable. This is a story of a late bloomer finding her stride in life in her own time, reminds us that life is not a race, it’s a journey. An enjoyable read for a wide range of audiences from young adults navigating life, seasoned travelers reminiscing through historical moments, to African foreigners who will grasp the novel’s cultural nuisances. George candidly creates a world that so perfectly describes the false starts, heartbreak and awkwardness of coming into adulthood. She does so with such empathy and a necessary sense of humor that it’s hard to place the book down once you get started reading it.

Chantell Huell is a Circulation Assistant at North Park Library. She can be reached at Chuell@alamancelibraries.org.

Tatsu, Yukinobu. Dandadan Vol. 1. San Francisco, CA : VIZ Media, LLC, [2021].

Content Warning: Mature themes. Not intended for younger readers.

Two words: Turbo Granny.

Supernatural phenomena or aliens? Why not both? Yukinobu Tatsu combines both of the occult tropes in to a fun teen story of two opposing worlds. Momo Ayase, a stylish girl who just broke up with her loser boyfriend and is just looking for her Ken Takakura (the actor) and only believes in spirits. And Okarun (Occult-kun) who knows that aliens are real and wants to make contact so they’ll be his friends because no human will. Momo doesn’t believe in aliens and Okarun doesn’t believe in spirits. After Momo stops Okarun from being bullied the two challenge each other to witness a sighting each don’t believe in. And that night their lives to a take turn for the weird.

Yukinobu-san’s artwork and storytelling are super bright and dynamic as they are dark and familiar to long time manga readers. Extreme angles and terrifying frames keep you guessing with each page turn. This is Yukinobu-san’s 4^th work as well as working under Fujimoto Tatsuki for Fire Ball and Chainsawman and the experience shows. His attention to detail from explosive fight scenes to comedic pacing and framing to emotional story beats that really fill out the characters is awe-inspiring and makes you wanting more by the end.

Also, Turbo Granny. Need I say more?

Ian Alcantar is a Circulation Assistant at North Park Library. He can be reached at ialcantar@alamancelibraries.org.

It’s almost summer, and maybe you’re planning some week-long or long weekend trips. You don’t have to go far to find some great vacation spots! This week, we’re recommending some books that can help you with your planning, along with a fantastic resource you can access through our website.

Martin, D. G. North Carolina’s roadside eateries : a traveler’s guide to local restaurants, diners, and barbecue joints. Chapel Hill : The University of North Carolina Press, 2024.

Let’s start with the most important part of traveling – finding a good place to eat! This updated guide has information about and reviews of more than 120 restaurants across the state. Martin shares the places where locals eat that you might not find otherwise, and shares the stories behind these restaurants. This personal touch makes this book more valuable than standard online reviews.

Johnson, Jessie. North Carolina adventure weekends. Birmingham, Alabama : Menasha Ridge Press, An Imprint of AdventureKEEN, [2018].

If you’re feeling adventurous, use this guide to plan a weekend of hiking, cycling, climbing, canoeing or camping (or all of the above!). Johnson gives you an entire itinerary for your trip, including places to stay, restaurants, coffee houses and other attractions in each location. Because this guide is several years old, we would recommend checking to make sure the information is still accurate. While restaurants and hours of operation for parks might change, the beauty of North Carolina’s wildlife and natural resources doesn’t change!

Hardy, Michael C. A history lover’s guide to North Carolina. Mount Pleasant : The History Press, 2022.

A History Lover’s Guide to North Carolina gives you ample information to plan a trip visiting historical landmarks, sites and museums in the state. Find the most beautiful gardens, the graveyards that drip with history, the places where pirates tread, and the cities where history was made. Use this guide, plus a traditional travel guide, to plan a history-rich vacation!

Frye, Jason. North Carolina. Berkeley, CA : Avalon Travel, Hachette Book Group, 2023.

North Carolina is your traditional travel guide, with several itineraries, and specialized guides for foodies, outdoor enthusiasts, beach combers, mountain lovers, and those traveling with small children. This is a Moon Travel Guide, a company that prioritizes local businesses and sustainable travel, and hires writers who live in the area to compile their guides. You might find something you didn’t know existed right in your backyard by reading this guide!

Hoffman, Jim. Daytrips the Carolinas : getaway ideas for the local traveler. Essex, Connecticut : Globe Pequot, [2022].

If you’re looking for short trips a few hours away from Alamance County, this guide is for you! It lists hundreds of trip ideas that are a couple hours away from major cities/areas in North and South Carolina. Whether you choose to focus on trips close to home, or search out hidden gems several hours away, you’ll find some great ideas in this guide. This also can help you plan a road trip, giving you ideas of places to stop as your travel across the state.

Barker, Jerry W. Discovering North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail : a companion for hikers and armchair explorers. Chapel Hill : The University of North Carolina Press, 2024.

The new Mountains-to-Sea Trail invites hikers to explore their area or another area of the state on foot! This book is by one of the champions of the MTS Trail, Jerry Barker. He gives you an armchair voyage to all of the sites along the trail, including cultural sites, the history of the area and the natural wonders you’ll see on that segment of the trail. Whether you decide to hike the trail, or just visit some of the places along it, this book will be a valuable resource for travelers.

Our State Magazine Our State magazine is a wealth of information about North Carolina destinations, and includes brief itineraries of places it features. We have access to all of their back issues through 2020 online. We also carry the printed magazine at our branches, for more recent years’ issues! The Our State staff do a great job of highlighting what makes North Carolina unique and a great place for a vacation.

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