What We’re Reading This Week

STEVEN W.

Stray Decorum by George Singleton

“This collection of Southern Gothic short stories features ordinary people getting by, and ties characters together through their common strands of desperation in the moment, radical self-doubt, and the general feeling of being a stray. Down on their luck con artists, drunks, thieves, monkeys, and dogs – that is to say, all of us – populate the rural shacks, houseboats, and trucks that populate the spare landscape of Stray Decorum.” Stray Decorum is available for special order via bookpeople.com.

TA’NECIA

Woundabout by Lev Rosen, Illus. Ellis Rosen

“Two kids go live with their aunt after their parents pass away in the mysterious town of Woundabout, where nothing changes – not the weather, not your routines…not even your age. The kids find a crank which fits special holes in the ground and when turned, makes the city grow beautiful and change. The children go on a quest to find out why the mayor refuses to use the crank and allow the city to change. It’s a great read-aloud magical realist journey into the nature of change, and how change is, in itself, good and necessary.” Woundabout hits the shelves June 23. Pre-order now.

MOLLY

Stalin: Volume 1: Paradoxes of Power, 1878-1928 by Stephen Kotkin

“It focuses on telling Stalin’s story within the historical context. Previous biographies have highlighted Stalin’s traumatic childhood; whereas, this biography fully contextualizes life as one of moderate privilege and tells the story of Stalin’s increasing radicalization through Kotkin’s examination of Georgian national identity and the Russian Empire’s state repression of nationalities. It is the first volume of a trilogy, and I can’t wait to complete the set and gain a more nuanced understanding of Stalin’s life within his context.” Stalin: Volume 1: Paradoxes of Power, 1878-1928 is on our shelves now and available via bookpeople.com.

SARA C.

All The Rage by Courtney Summers

“A very honest and brave novel about rape culture and victim blaming. Romy Grey is a fictional character, but her story is not. Written in beautiful prose, I can’t stop reading about this young girl’s path that too many in society face, and too many others make excuses for. I’m excited to se what Summers has in store for the ending. Don’t miss this novel, out in April!” All The Rage comes out April 14. Pre-order now.

JOHN T.

Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl

“This is my first time reading Frankl’s work. I’m in the first half of the book so far, which deals with the author’s concentration camp experience. The book is compelling, heartbreaking, and inspiring, and a stunning example of wisdom emerging out of confrontation with evil.”  Man’s Search For Meaning is on our shelves now and available via bookpeople.com.