Harlem rhapsody. Murray, Victoria Christopher. New York : Berkley, [2025]

Victoria Christopher Murray’s Harlem Rhapsody is a stunning literary tribute to Jessie Redmon Fauset, a name many readers may not know, but one they won’t soon forget. With elegance, precision, and emotional resonance, Murray breathes life into the woman who stood at the cultural epicenter of the Harlem Renaissance, yet whose story has largely remained in the shadows.

Set in the early 20th century, the novel captures a vibrant and turbulent period in American history, blending art, politics, and race with the electricity of cultural change. At its heart is Jessie Fauset: brilliant, ambitious, and deeply human. Through Murray’s skilled storytelling, Jessie emerges not only as a literary force by editing The Crisis, nurturing Black voices, shaping narratives, but also as a woman balancing intellect and heart, mission and vulnerability.

What makes Harlem Rhapsody extraordinary isn’t just its historical richness, but its intimacy. Murray doesn’t just write about history; she immerses us in it. From smoky jazz clubs to editorial boardrooms, from Paris salons to Harlem’s brownstones, every setting hums with authenticity. Yet the novel never feels weighed down by its historical detail. Instead, it reads like a love letter to a time, a movement, and above all, a woman who dared to dream beyond the limitations placed upon her.

The prose is lyrical yet grounded, and accessible without sacrificing sophistication. Murray’s language sings in moments of triumph and aches in moments of quiet reflection. The relationships in the book, platonic, professional, and romantic are drawn with emotional complexity, adding layers to Jessie’s journey without overshadowing her own agency and evolution.

At a time when readers are craving stories of underrepresented trailblazers, Harlem Rhapsody arrives with both purpose and grace. It challenges, it uplifts, and it educates but never at the expense of entertainment. This is a novel that celebrates Black excellence, feminine strength, and the transformative power of the written word.

Chantell H. is a Circulation Assistant at North Park Library.

As September begins, so does the cozy season. I know all I want is a low-stakes book paired with a warm beverage and an overcast day. Here are some titles to cozy up to if you want to branch out from your normal genre of choice.

Pacton, Jamie and Podos, Rebecca. Homegrown Magic. New York: Del Rey, 2025.

“Cozy Fantasy” is a subgenre of fantasy that prioritizes comforting, low-stakes stories. Homegrown Magic is a cozy fantasy about Yael Clauneck, the only descendant of their wealthy family who runs away to find something other than banking, and Margot Greenwillow, a talented plant witch. When Yael comes back into Margot’s life, Margot realizes that her friend from the past can help her keep her family’s greenhouse in business and Yael realizes that they have a place to lay low for awhile and reconnect with Margot after years apart. This is a friends-to-lovers fantasy with found family and a cozy garden.

Wallace, Auralee. In The Company of Witches. New York : Berkley, 2021.

“Cozy Mysteries” is a subgenre of crime fiction known for their lighthearted, comforting tone and focus on an amateur sleuth. In the Company of Witches is a cozy mystery with Brynn Warren, the owner of a local B&B in Evenfall, and the ghosts that can help her solve the death of Constance Graves before Brynn’s aunt is taken away for murder! Brynn hasn’t used her powers to speak to ghosts since her husband died but she pushes through to get Constance the proper justice that she deserves while resolving some of her own scars along the way.

Gilmore, Laurie. The Pumpkin Spice Café. London : One More Chapter, 2023.

“Cozy Romance” is a subgenre of romance known for its gentle, comforting, and feel-good atmosphere. The Pumpkin Spice Café is a small-town romance reminiscent of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls. Jeanie comes back to Dream Harbor after inheriting the Pumpkin Spice Café from her aunt and in need of a fresh start. Jeanie just didn’t know that her fresh start included Logan, a local farmer of Dream Harbor. This grumpy-sunshine novel is the perfect start to a new series of seasonal, cozy romances.

Kayleigh D. is a Library Technical Processing Assistant at May Memorial Library.

Bryant, Elise. The Game is Afoot. New York, NY : Berkley, 2025.

This is Elise Bryant’s second Mavis Miller mystery (the first is It’s Elementary), and this one is even better than the first!

Mavis is infamous for solving the disappearance of the school’s principal a few months ago. But she still has to deal with a boss who doesn’t value her, a teacher who guilts her in into being class mom, passive aggressive comments from other moms in Clover Scouts (and soccer and school), and an ex husband who is around – for now – but she feels she can’t count on staying in town. She’s dating the school counselor Jack, but she isn’t sure how she really feels about him (or her ex Corey).

When Coach Cole, local soccer celebrity and her daughter’s soccer coach, dies suspiciously on the field after a game, everyone is a suspect. Of course, Mavis has to investigate. After all, she just quit her job after she realized she was never going to get the raise and promotion she deserved. Everyone from her dad and Jack to women she just met are telling her she needs to practice self care. But that is something she’s not good at, especially when she could be solving a murder.

This is a fun mystery with a lot of very good suspects. People who loathe the multi-level marketing, always hustling, girl boss, mom culture will laugh and groan along with Mavis as she tries to navigate the endless sales pitches. Some clues/twists were easy to figure out, but there were still some surprises. Bryant does a great job of highlighting race relations in suburban daily life, which makes these books even more interesting and hard to put down.

I recommend this to book to anyone who loves cozy mysteries with a smart-talking protagonist!

Mary Beth A. is the Community Engagement Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries.

Preston, Douglas. Extinction. New York : Forge, Tor Publishing Group, 2024.

Extinction, by Douglas Preston, is a thrilling blend of sci‑fi wonder and mystery that sweeps readers into a remote resort in the Colorado Rockies, where extinct Pleistocene mammals—like woolly mammoths and giant sloths—are brought back to life through genetic engineering. When a violent incident occurs in this vivid, high‑stakes setting, a tough and determined CBI agent teams up with a grounded local sheriff, sparking a page‑turning investigation filled with tension, dynamic team chemistry, and thought‑provoking ethical questions about science and ambition. Preston’s tight pacing, atmospheric writing, and believable characters make the story feel both cinematic and intellectually engaging, even as it nods playfully to Jurassic Park. Whether you love sci‑fi with a prehistoric edge or a smart, suspenseful thriller, Extinction offers a uniquely compelling ride.

Note: We offer large‑print and regular‑print editions in our libraries, as well as eBooks, audiobooks for this book!

Tyler J. is a Library Assistant at Mebane Public Library.

Tahir, Sabaa. All My Rage. New York : Razorbill, 2022.

**Disclaimer:** This book addresses issues such as drug and alcohol addiction, repressed sexual assault, physical abuse, Islamophobia, racism, death, law enforcement, and grief.

All My Rage is a contemporary young adult novel written by Pakistani-American author Sabaa Tahir, which won the 2023 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. 

The story explores struggle, loss, love, failure, success, rage, and the possibility of forgiveness. It is a raw and aching narrative that resonates deeply. The novel explores the realities of the “American Dream” through the lives of two teenagers confronting their challenges as they transition into adulthood.

Tahir’s writing is outstanding, blending poetic imagery with profound emotion. She skillfully captures the nuances of cultural identity, belonging, and the Pakistani immigrant experience. The relationships between each character in the book are beautifully complex—both tender and painful—creating a journey that lingers in the reader’s mind long after the final page is turned.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in:

– Dark and heavy themes

– Young adult novels

– Coming-of-age stories

– Muslim representation

– Dual perspectives

– Love and loss

– Grief

– Friendship and family

– Forgiveness

Sharada F.M. is a Library Assistant at Graham Public Library Children’s Department.

Are you interested in learning how to code but not sure where to start? Whether you’re a complete beginner, a student exploring future careers, or an adult looking to pick up a new skill, Fiero Code is your gateway to the world of computer programming—and it’s free with your library card!

Fiero Code isn’t a book, but it feels like reading a choose-your-own-adventure novel where you get to control the outcome. This self-paced website makes learning programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and SQL approachable, fun, and rewarding.

Fiero Code has a gamified interface that lets you earn badges and track your progress as you tackle new and creative challenges. It also includes real-world coding projects, like building websites, apps, and games. One of the best things about it is that Fiero hosts contests throughout the year where you can win prizes that could include gift cards, Apple AirPods, or a Mechanical Keyboard.

Fiero Code is recommended for adults and teens!

Christina R is the Emerging Technologies Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries.

Caldwell, Lucy. These Days. New York : SJP Lit, a Zando imprint, 2025.

Originally published in United Kingdom in 2022, These Days has been re-released in the United States. Set in Belfast in 1941, it chronicles the destruction of Belfast by the Germans, and two sisters, Emma and Audrey, trying to live their lives amongst the rubble and societal expectations. This is literary fiction/historical fiction, so if you love your books to be well-written and erudite, These Days will fit the bill.

Falvey, Patricia. The Famine Orphans. La Vergne : Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2025.

In 1848, 4,000 young women from Ireland were sent to Australia to build a new society. They were told they would be servants for families settled in Australia, but the secret reason that they were sent was to civilize the convicts sent there through marriage. Most of the women were orphans whose existence in workhouses was miserable. But will the unforgiving Australian outback be any better? This is a part of our world history that isn’t as well known and is fascinating!

Weir, Alison. The Cardinal: a novel of love and power. New York : Ballantine Books, 2025.

Weir is known for her Tudor-era historical novels, and this time, she’s turned her attention to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. Wolsey is stuck between his close friendship with King Henry VIII and his church’s teachings that divorce is wrong, as Henry falls in love with Anne Boleyn and wants to end his marriage to Katherine of Aragon. Weir also shares Wolsey’s personal life, including his mistress and their children. If you can’t get enough of Tudor England and church scandal, try The Cardinal.

Berest, Anne. Gabriële. New York, NY : Europa Editions, 2025.

In 1908, Gabriële graduated from the most elite music school in Europe and became a part of the new art scene in Paris, marrying painter Francis Picabia. This novel highlights the sea change between classical art and the new Cubist movement, and the old mores and the new bohemian lifestyle of the early 1900s. Buffet, Picabia, and Marcel Duchamp’s love affair spurred great art and a new way of looking at the world. This book was written by Gabriële Buffet-Picabia’s great-grandaughters, Anne and Claire Berest.

Fancher, Charles B. Red Clay. Ashland, Oregon : Blackstone Publishing, 2025.

Felix H. Parker’s funeral was yesterday, and his family is shocked when an old white woman, Adelaide Parker, shows up on his front porch, telling them that her family once owned their family. Adelaide is looking for answers in their shared history, from the years before the war, through Reconstruction, and finally, during the unjust period of Jim Crow laws. Fancher used his own family’s history when writing this novel and explores one family’s journey during years and years of unrest, war, and societal change.

Mary Beth A. is the Community Engagement Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries.

P’ŭllut’osŭ. Who made me a princess [manga] / story by Plutus ; illustrations by Spoon ; translation: Lauren Na ; lettering: Carolina Hernández Mendoza. [Los Angeles, California] : Seven Seas Entertainment, 2023-.

Who Made Me a Princess by Plutus and Spoon is one of my favorite webtoons. It’s based on a web novel of the same name. The illustrations are beautiful, and many of the characters are very lovable. It’s a great introduction to the isekai (another world) and reincarnation genres.

The main character is Princess Athanasia, a baby who remembers her past life in the modern world. As she listens to the adults around her, she realizes that not only is she in the world of a novel she read before she died, but she is also the villain who was murdered by her father, the emperor. To avoid this ending, she begins planning her escape. Her plan is ruined, however, when she gains the attention of the emperor, who had never paid much attention to her before. Her new plan is to act cute and lovable to gain favor with her dad!

This series is perfect for anyone who loves a good second-chance story with a focus on a father-daughter relationship. The author does a great job portraying a man mourning his partner while learning how to be a parent, as well as a daughter trying to find her place in her father’s life. While the good moments don’t happen right away, you’ll love their cute interactions at the beginning. But if you are like me, you might get frustrated when the father pulls back emotionally. If you stick it out, you will be rooting for them and the other characters that come along!

Kayla H. is a Library Assistant at May Memorial Library.