What We Are Reading: Our 2022 Favorites

Recommended by Emerging Technologies Librarian, Sarah Kurpiel: "Fast-paced, suspenseful, fun characters, wonderful worldbuilding. If you like generation ship stories or if you're curious about the genre, I highly recommend this one."

Recommended by Librarian, Joan Hopkins, "Devoured this book which is a collection of emails between Sister Wendy (who you may remember from her PBS art history series) and Catholic writer and publisher Robert Ellsberg (son of Daniel and close friend of Dorothy Day)."

Recommended by Library Director, Joy Matteson: " A retelling of David Copperfield set in 1990s Appalachia? By the queen of literary fiction? Settle in, y'all. It's long, it's brilliant, and it sucked me in deep. I could not get over this writing, these characters. Demon is a character that still stays with me, and I'm so glad she told this story."

Recommended by Library Director, Joy Matteson: "The fictionalized tale of the true story of Lady Death -- the Russian female sniper who shot a whole lot of Nazis--with Quinn's snappy dialogue and addictive writing style. One not to be missed!"

Recommended by Library Director, Joy Matteson: "This author is also known for writing the Grantchester mystery book series that's a hit on PBS--but this book he wrote about J.S. Bach and the young man who lives with the Bach family shook me. It's not just a story about Bach's fascinating family and his idiosyncrasies, it's about mother grief and loss, told so beautifully. If you're a classical musician, this should be on your MUST list."

Recommended by Library Director, Joy Matteson: " Emma Donoghue knows how to turn a sentence into a work of art. I love her writing, and even more so when she tackles something as distant as a 6th century Irish island filled with exactly 3 monks. Ethereal and gorgeous--I snap up pretty much everything she writes these days."

Recommended by Library Director, Joy Matteson: " If you know me, my love of historical fiction runs deep. I flew through this one. I'm so glad both Marys got their time in the sun. This one won't be out until March 2023--so put your library hold on now!"

Recommended by Library Director, Joy Matteson: " The story of the much maligned Lucrezia de Medici, in the hands of a master storyteller. I loved this deep dive into Renaissance Italy, and (no spoilers) the twists were truly fascinating."

Recommended by Librarian, Joan Hopkins: "Wonderful stories and photos shared by former Secret Service agent assigned to protect Mrs. Kennedy both during and after her White House years."

Recommended by Emerging Technologies Librarian, Sarah Kurpiel: "Charming, thought-provoking, optimistic. These novellas [see also A Psalm for the Wild-Built] center on the friendship between a tea monk named Sibling Dex and an utterly endearing robot named Mosscap."

Recommended by Emerging Technologies Librarian, Sarah Kurpiel: "Charming, thought-provoking, optimistic. These novellas [see also A Prayer for the Crown-Shy] center on the friendship between a tea monk named Sibling Dex and an utterly endearing robot named Mosscap."

Recommended by Library Director, Joy Matteson: " If you haven't heard of the Nap Ministry, Tricia created this space to counteract white supremacist and capitalistic grind culture that requires us to give of our bodies at the expense of our souls. She's helped me reclaim rest this year. It was exactly the book I needed to read in 2022."

Recommended by Library Director, Joy Matteson: "Dr. Cone died pretty recently and I've been meaning to read this for a while, and it did not disappoint. It was probably the shortest theologian biography I've ever read (less than 200 pages), so if biography lengths intimidate you, this is the one for you."

Recommended by Benedictine Librarian, Swati Wagh:
"This 2016 novel is about how in a small town a black nurse is presumed GUILTY. Beautiful narration of events. Loved this book."

Recommended by Emerging Technologies Librarian, Sarah Kurpiel: "Easily my favorite book I read this year. Highly recommend."

Recommended by Library Director, Joy Matteson: "Besides Mary Oliver, Joy Harjo is my favorite poet, hands down. Her poetry breathes so much life and vulnerability. The words in here were truly balm to my soul."

Recommended by Library Director, Joy Matteson: "Another beautiful soul we lost recently, This book is a beautiful tribute to the Earth, but also extremely practical and filled with hard won wisdom."