The Story of My Anger by Jasminne Mendez

The aptly titled THE STORY OF MY ANGER by Jasminne Mendez has been published just in time for Banned Book Week (Oct. 5 to 11, 2025). Mendez writes about Yuli, a Texas high school junior and young woman of color, who is struggling to be seen, to find her voice, and to use her anger in a constructive manner. She and her friends (Aleeyah, Ty, and Madison) have bonded over their love of theater and music despite not being cast for leading roles in the local school plays, like Our Town. (At one point, Yuli muses: … but if Black girls like me/are never given the chance/ to play the part of Emily/how are we ever expected to feel/like we're a part of this great/American story?) In addition to using poetry and verse, including haiku (It's not my skin that's/a problem, it's their lack of/imagination.), Mendez also employs stage directions and play structure to help set the scenes. In this way, readers learn that the friends value Mr. G and the way his Ethnic Studies class introduces them to a variety of authors (like Maya Angelou, Octavia Butler, or Yuli’s favorite, Ntozake Shange) and viewpoints. The classmates are understandably upset and frustrated when the classroom library is removed by the administration, and they stage a protest and petition to get the books re-instated. Tensions escalate and emotions flare for Yuli, her activist brother, and supportive Mami. Based in part on events from 2012, THE STORY OF MY ANGER received starred reviews from Booklist and Kirkus (“A compelling drama with a firecracker protagonist that stuns with its strikingly beautiful writing”). Jasminne Mendez is Pura Belpré Honor Award recipient and a Dominican-American poet, playwright and author of several books for children and adults. The Spanish language edition of THE STORY OF MY ANGER will be available in mid-November. I read this very engaging story in a day. Highly recommended.

10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World

10 RULES FOR RAISING KIDS IN A HIGH-TECH WORLD is the latest by professor of psychology at San Diego State University, Jean M. Twenge (iGen). Here, she writes about “How Parents Can Stop Smartphones, Social Media, and Gaming from Taking Over Their Children's Lives.” Building on her own research and that conducted with Jonathan Haidt (Anxious Generation). Twenge offers statistics and graphs to support her arguments, and she also pulls in real life examples from her own family’s experiences. While some of her rules seem reasonable and doable (e.g., no electronic devices in the bedroom overnight), others seem rather harsh and unrealistic (no social media until sixteen – or later). Still, she has a very important message to convey (covered recently in both The New York Times and The Washington Post) and does so in an accessible way. As more parents listen to this and encourage more schools to limit cellphone use, we will hopefully see some changes in behavior, with increased face-to-face interaction and improved mental health for adolescents. The Post’s book reviewer, Ron Charles, says his favorite part of 10 RULES FOR RAISING KIDS IN A HIGH-TECH WORLD is that “each chapter includes your kids’ best arguments — e.g. ‘If I don’t have social media, I won’t know what my friends are talking about’ — and how you should respond.” He also recommends “the cool, understanding friend of Twenge’s book…. designed specifically for kids and teens:” Do Not Disturb: How to Say No to Your Phone by Brad Marshall and Lindsay Hassock. School Library Journal recommends that short (96 page) text for grades five and up and Kirkus says, “Put down your phone and pick up this valuable and accessible read for everyone navigating the digital age.” Have a look at these and spark some conversations in your family and school community.

A Dark and Deadly Journey by Julia Kelly

A DARK & DEADLY JOURNEY by Julia Kelly is number three (after A Traitor in Whitehall and Betrayal at Blackthorn Park) in the Evelyne Redfern mystery series. These historical fiction (WWII era) titles are best read in order. In the latest, young British espionage agent Evelyne is again paired with agent David Poole and the two are sent to Lisbon to find an informant who has gone missing. They have barely landed when a dead body is discovered and Evelyne falls under suspicion. Their mission, in support of the local intelligence office, involves interaction with desperate ex-pats at glamourous parties. It is further complicated by a personal connection and additional deaths, testing the partner’s trust of each other. As author Kelly explores the choices between reputation and money over doing the right thing, she arrives at a rather abrupt ending, tying up the missing pieces in Lisbon only to open questions that will lead to further adventures for Evelyne and David.

The Lifeguards by Amanda Eyre Ward

THE LIFEGUARDS by Amanda Eyre Ward is by a local Texas author and has an Austin (Barton Springs and Zilker Park) setting. The story revolves around the title characters - three fifteen-year-old boys - and their parents. Sadly, none of the adult characters are especially likeable and everyone makes poor choices again and again. A body is found, bringing suspicion onto the trio and soon both police and lawyers are involved. The sense of entitlement and false friendship is almost nauseating; unfortunately, it is not unique to Austin and this could have taken place in any affluent, privileged community. What are we modeling for our children when they seem wiser than the parents? The adult insecurities and immaturity are captured perfectly and Ward adds an extra twist before quickly resolving the plot. This is the second novel I read by her and they seem to have a dark, menacing aspect, although I found The Same Sky to be more issue-oriented.

The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton

THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES by Chanel Cleeton is one of my favorite reads of the year so far. The story takes place in three distinct time periods: 1900 when Eva, a Cuban school teacher, travels on an exchange program to the United States; 1966, when librarian Pilar and her husband, Enrique, struggle with the changes and oppression of the Cuban revolution; and 2024 when Margo and her ex-husband Luke combine efforts to locate a missing book originally written by Eva. Cleeton does a good job of evoking the characters and their respective time periods, but I would have liked to have learned even more. The mystery involving the lost story and a violent murder were well done with a twist at the end. But the aspect which I truly enjoyed was the way in which Cleeton repeatedly spoke to her readers about lost love, emotions like grief, and about the value of books and stories. She writes, “If the roles had been reversed, if something had happened to her, Enrique would have taken solace in the company of others. She took hers in the cocoon she placed around herself that kept the world at bay” … “Fear and anger wound their way through her like twin snakes, and in her grief, she did the only thing she knew to do. She read.” Another example: “The reader was promised the possibility of sinking into another world, of escaping their problems, the weight of life subsiding for minutes, hours, days at a time. They were promised a story, a fiction, a sleight of hand, a shuffling of letters that altered reality. And yet, in that make believe world the reader looked for truth - for the words on the page to resonate, for the characters in the scene to make them feel seen, for a thread that they could hold on to, for the book to sink its hooks into them and carry them on an unforgettable adventure.” 

What Next? by Jane Moffett

WHAT NEXT? by Jane Moffett is subtitled “The savvy woman’s guide to redefining retirement.” I had expected to see more about financial preparation for retirement, particularly when that is often such a trial for women. Moffett barely touches on that aspect; instead she has chosen to focus more narrowly on advising her readers on the importance of assessing who and what are important in their lives. As the publisher’s summary points out, she asks: “How will you fill your time in a way that has purpose and meaning, and how will you keep the sense of being relevant and valued?” The first four chapters deal with making the decision to retire, the contrast with earlier generations, women’s careers, and the impact of ageism. Then there are six chapters which correspond to “post-retirement” topics like a change in time and structure or re-assessing relationships. Moffett structures each chapter so as to first discuss the topic, then provide insight and perspective from at least two women, and then to include activities and exercises for the readers. Even though her perspective is primarily about retirement in the UK (who knew that men (65) and women (60) had different pension ages until adjustments to equalize them began in 2010?), she shares some universal observations (e.g., the blending of work and home boundaries and the negative impact on mental health) that would be helpful to everyone in this phase of life. Notes and an index are included.

Little Alleluias by Mary Oliver

LITTLE ALLELUIAS by Pulitzer Prize winner Mary Oliver is published posthumously and contains Collected Poetry and Prose from three distinct books now in one volume: 2000’s lengthy poem The Leaf and the Cloud; a 2002 collection of poetry titled What Do We Know; and Long Life, a 2004 essay collection. I so often hear recommendations and praise for Mary Oliver that it was a real pleasure to spend some quiet time with her writing. As Oliver writes, “And I am thinking: maybe/just looking and listening/is the real work.” Her writing is so evocative of nature, of movement, and of emotion: “Oh Sweetness pure and simple, may I join you?” This is a wonderful tribute to what would have been her 90th birthday.

Those interested in poetry may also be curious to watch The Washington Post’s Ron Charles’ gathering with three recent Poet Laureates, Joy Harjo, Ada Limón and Tracy K. Smith, as they share new poems:

 

We the People by Jill Lepore

WE THE PEOPLE by Jill Lepore (the David Woods Kemper ’41 Professor of American History at Harvard University and professor of law at Harvard Law School) offers a history of the U.S. Constitution. Stressing the ability to endure through adaptation, she divides the lengthy text chronologically, looking first at the “Invention” of the Constitution during the end of the eighteenth century. Next, covering almost the entire nineteenth century, including the Civil War and its aftermath, is a section titled “The Contest over Interpretation.” Subsequently, Lepore describes the “Pattern of Amendment” from 1905 to 1959. The final part (through 2016) is called “The End of Amendment.” Each section is full of anecdotes and careful analysis. In her introduction, Lepore notes, “This book aims to chronicle the origins of amendment, to identify the conditions under which amendment is possible, to examine why the practice of amendment has been abandoned, and to reckon with the question of whether the constitution can endure without it.” It seems particularly critical for Americans to become familiar with texts such as this, especially as we encounter ongoing debate over rights enshrined in the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Lepore’s WE THE PEOPLE is the notable nonfiction Library Reads selection for September and it received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly (“galvanizing and paradigm-shifting”), Kirkus (interview here), and Booklist (“phenomenally researched, eminently accessible, and acutely relevant history”). She was also featured recently on PBS NewsHour; here is a video of that interview:

Also highly recommended: The Words We Live by from Linda R. Monk; even at twenty years old, this text is a wonderful summary of a core American document. And look for The Bill of Obligations by Richard Haass wherein he describes “The Ten Habits of Good Citizens” and offers multiple related resources, including teaching notes.  Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17 and offers a reminder to honor American values and rule of law. 

Having It All by Corinne Low

HAVING IT ALL by Corinne Low, an associate professor of business economics and public policy at the Wharton School, is subtitled “What Data Tells Us About Women's Lives and Getting the Most Out of Yours.” In her Introduction, Low says, “I reject the premise that the barrier preventing women from living optimally - or even just happily - is our failure to try hard enough to have it all or do it all.” She further states, “Women today face unsustainable demands on our time and efforts largely because economic forces have created an environment where gender roles have converged in the workplace and yet have not converged at home.” Low’s research seems to back up the idea that although men think they are carrying their weight, they really aren’t. So, how does one shift that paradigm without creating resentment or greater chaos in a relationship? Low seems to argue to take time for yourself and put yourself first which, of course, is difficult (perhaps totally unrealistic) to do as a parent. She encourages readers to delve into identifying their personal utility function and to explore ways (e.g., car-pooling) to free up more time. Low is a strident voice for women and her writing is research-based (approximately fifteen percent of the text is devoted to Notes); it’s just unclear how viable her action steps (e.g., levelling up vs. leaning in) really are. Family Action Network (FAN) recently hosted Dr. Low to speak about HAVING IT ALL. Learn more here:

Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley

SISTERS IN THE WIND by Angeline Boulley (Firekeeper's Daughter and Warrior Girl Unearthed) received an impressive six starred reviews. It is a rather tragic tale of Lucy, a young girl whose father dies when she is just 13 and who spends the next five years mostly in foster care. Some of her placements are heart-warming but most are heart-wrenching, and she develops resilience and self-reliance while also forming bonds with fellow foster care teens. Like many of Boulley’s characters, Lucy has Native American heritage. She encounters racism, human trafficking, drug use, even murder. The writing is excellent (even with the frequent flashbacks), but this is a difficult story to read at times: Publishers Weekly describes it as “a devastating yet gripping tale of finding family, recontextualizing faith, and reclaiming ancestry that serves as a searing critique of the ways that systems can fail vulnerable youth.” School Library Journal calls SISTERS IN THE WIND “a gritty story of trust and betrayal” and Booklist says, “this unforgettable novel is impossible to put down.” While this story works as a standalone, Boulley chronicles events between her two previous novels and has incorporated many of those characters. All three mysteries are excellent. 

I Killed the King by Rebecca Mix & Andrea Hannah

I KILLED THE KING by Rebecca Mix and Andrea Hannah is a very creative take on a locked room mystery. The cast of characters is complex: Oak, personal guard to Costis, King of Avendell; Prince Kellam, heir to the throne; Melarie, a princess from Istellia and Kellam’s betrothed; Clove, an empathetic beast handler; Vesryn, an assassin planning to murder King Costis; and Ellion, a failed healer turned necromancer; plus various court attendants, other royals, and the Gods themselves. The six young people build a bond as more and more bodies are discovered, magical powers are tested, and romantic feelings are expressed. Tension builds as they frantically race against the clock to ensure that a treaty is signed. Perhaps it was intentional, but I found the multiple points of view and travelling across the barrier between life and death added a great deal of confusion. I KILLED THE KING has so many twists and unexpected pivots that it could make a good movie or streaming series. One of Us is Lying by McManus is frequently recommended as a read-alike. The audiobook is narrated by Dan Bittner who does an excellent job.

Coded Justice by Stacey Abrams

CODED JUSTICE by Stacey Abrams is the third book in the mystery series featuring lawyer Avery Keene. Currently working as an internal investigator, Avery accepts a client whose innovative product (a computerized neural network with talking robots) utilizes artificial intelligence algorithms to provide patient care to veterans. Run by a dedicated ex-military scientist, Rafe Diaz, the company is about to execute an IPO, but another scientist/coding engineer has died recently. Was it some kind of malfunction in the air conditioning system (as the local police believe) or malicious intent? Avery and her team (Jared, the cyber security expert; Noah, a lawyer and financial analyst; and Ling, a doctor) have a limited time to discover the truth, especially as more deaths occur, increasingly pointing to danger for all. This thriller is complex with plenty of suspects. If the pace seems slow at times, that is balanced by being informative and thought-provoking about the ethical dilemmas associated with artificial intelligence. CODED JUSTICE received a starred review from Booklist (“The very real concerns with veteran health, privacy, and the chilling prospect of AI run amok will engage readers’ brains and souls.”)

Dark Horse by Felix Francis

DARK HORSE by Felix Francis (Hands Down) continues in the spirit of horse racing mysteries of which Dick Francis was such a champion. His son introduces Imogen Duffy, a young conditional jockey, and reprises the beloved character of Sid Halley. The book feels disjointed, though, with the first half focused on Imogen’s racing career and its disruption by her abusive ex-boyfriend and fellow jockey, Liam Carson. He is stalking her but is clever enough to persuade others that she is irrationally threatening him. A sudden death leads to a murder trial, and it is in the second half where Sid Halley becomes involved – checking alibis and witness statements in an attempt to provide a viable defense and discover the truth. Although the story does not flow as smoothly as some of the best from Dick Francis himself (the reference to his life size statue at Aintree Racecourse is a nice salute), readers will enjoy the suspense (once again, Sid’s life is threatened) and the vivid descriptions of racing and horse jumping action.

Hunter's Heart Ridge by Sarah Stewart Taylor

HUNTER'S HEART RIDGE by Sarah Stewart Taylor (Agony Hill) is the second in a mystery series featuring state police detective Frank Warren and his neighbor Alice Bellows set in 1965 Vermont. It is the start of deer season when Warren and his assistant, Pinky Goodrich, are called to the Ridge Club, an exclusive hunting club, due to what is first presumed to be an accidental shooting death. Soon an early blizzard arrives, and the two police officers are marooned at the club, with plenty of likely suspects (diplomats, soldiers, and businessmen who have known each other for over twenty years) and even more weapons. Although Warren seems out of his depth at times and his questioning of suspects is rather repetitive, Taylor adds suspense due to the dangerous storm, discovery of another body, and an unexpected childbirth. She clearly cares for these characters, flaws included, and their tense, edgy adventures are likely to appeal to readers who enjoy works by Elly Griffiths, Ann Cleeves, and Jane Harper.

Lauryn Harper Falls Apart by Shauna Robinson

LAURYN HARPER FALLS APART by Shauna Robinson is a LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection for September 2025. It is a cute story about a confused young woman who finds her way after being demoted due to a misunderstanding at her workplace. I read portions of the ebook and listened to the majority of the Spotify audiobook which is excellent. The narrator, Deanna Anthony, perfectly captures the bewilderment and self-delusion that Lauren Harper exhibits as she repeatedly is her own best enemy, reluctant to rely on the collegiality of other disgraced and misfit corporate employees. They have all been sent to a rural outpost which hosts the charity arm, Ryser Cares, of a big and often controversial conglomerate. Together the group bonds as they attempt to resurrect the former Fall Festival in order to raise funds to support Greenstead’s Community Center. I think Robinson’s fans will enjoy this feel-good tale, even if it seems very predictable. My own issues are similar to those I expressed about her earlier work, The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks: the financials just don’t add up. If Lauren is set to retire in the next few years, what is keeping her from donating (or loaning) $10K to cover the festival costs? Surely, she has that amount readily available and doesn’t need to subject readers to repeated musings about where she can find sources of funds. And, to me, Ryser’s funding proposals and grants seem so inconsistent as shown by the wide disparity versus funds they eventually allocate. A heartfelt story evoking memories of local festivities.

The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar

THE MAGICIAN OF TIGER CASTLE by Louis Sachar was a Library Reads Selection for August 2025 and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly (“melancholy, heartfelt, and utterly immersive Renaissance-esque fantasy”). Yes, there is a sense of sadness and foreboding as a magician, Anatole, attempts to prevent unhappiness for two star-crossed lovers, a young apprentice scribe named Pito and a charming princess, Tullia. But the experimentation with various potions takes a long time and story dragged for me so it did not feel all that magical. Anatole was attempting to have the lovers lose the memory of each other and therefore their personalities seemed somewhat fragile, too, making it difficult to develop concern about their fate. This is Sachar’s first attempt at a novel intended for adults; some read-alikes that came up on the library catalog which I would heartily recommend include The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater and The Emily Wilde series by Heather Fawcett. Plus, of course, there are numerous fabulous books by similar authors (like Carl Hiaasen, Jack Gantos, and Richard Peck) that adults will enjoy even if they are primarily intended for younger readers.

Dream School by Jeffrey Selingo

DREAM SCHOOL by Jeffrey Selingo (Who Gets In and Why) is the latest round in his writings about “Finding the College That's Right for You.” Here, Selingo leverages his decades long experience plus surveys with thousands of parents collected during two years of research; he once again stresses the benefit of looking beyond super selective schools. The book is divided into three main sections which outline often faulty assumptions, the “new admissions landscape,” and what to look for in a dream school. An appendix lists specific colleges (Hidden Values, Breakout Regionals, and Large Leaders), with a brief description and anecdotal standout factor for each. Learning about and choosing between schools is a difficult task, filled with emotion and incomplete information. Called a “refreshingly practical approach to choosing where to apply” by Lisa Damour, resources like Selingo’s offer a helpful perspective to both students and parents. DREAM SCHOOL received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was the subject of a recent Family Action Network session with Frank Bruni (scroll to bottom of that page for video).