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Air date: Aug. 18, 2024
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JESSICA:
Hi, this is Jessica Russell. I’m the assistant director of collection services at Sno-Isle Libraries. And welcome to Book Buzz.
Today's two reading recommendations are stories of heroes, villains, and the blurred lines between them.
First, we’re going to hear from Jayanne, librarian at the Freeland Library, for a humorous tale of an unexpected supervillain. Go ahead, Jayanne.
JAYANNE:
“Starter Villain” by John Scalzi is a fast and funny dive into a bond-like world complete with cat-stroking super villains and a remote island lair. Charlie is adrift. He has lost his marriage, his job, his dad, and is about to lose his house. So, he is willing to hold a funeral service for his estranged wealthy uncle in return for some promised assistance.
Beginning with the hit men (yes there were several) who show up at the service, Charlie is thrown into a completely new world as he discovers that he has inherited the entirety of his Uncle Jake’s massive criminal enterprise, especially his enemies. Before he has even processed this revelation, he is whisked off to a convocation where all the other syndicate leaders try to influence and intimidate him in turn.
Charlie is struggling with the concept of being evil, but he doesn’t really have the time. He is now responsible for super-weapons, high-tech labs, minions, and a lot of corporate headaches (including labor disputes). At turns absurd and snarky, this action-packed story has you cheering on Charlie as he navigates his perilous orientation as a super villain. I laughed a lot reading this story but honestly Scalzi won me over with the cats … the genetically modified hyper-intelligent talking spy cats.
JESSICA:
Thanks, Jayanne! I’m definitely on board for talking spy cats!
Next, let’s hear about an adventurous tale of an unexpected avenger, from Emma, a library associate at the Lakewood/Smokey Point Library. Over to you, Emma.
EMMA:
If you love morally gray protagonists and have a weary knowledge of millennial office politics, the book “Hench” by Natalie Walschots is perfect for you.
In a modern world where superheroes and villains regularly make headlines, 9-5 office jobs are still a thing. Meet Anna, who works with a temp agency for villains because even criminals need office help. She’s elated to land a promising assignment, but things go wrong when a superhero sends her to the hospital with a permanent injury.
Unemployed and angry, Anna uses the internet to tally up the human cost of heroic stunts and discovers that the fatality rates between heroes and villains aren’t so different. As she realizes that the line between good and evil is simply good marketing, she sets out to change the narrative and shed light on the dubious activities of the superhero community.
While this book did not fit with my usual preference for fantasy, I was fascinated with Natalie Walschots’ ability to reconceptualize the classic theme of good and evil and serve it up in shades of gray. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to debate morals, loves spreadsheets, and is not bothered by inaccurate depictions of quantum mechanics.
JESSICA:
Thanks, Emma! I love that her superpowers involve weaponizing spreadsheets.
Our recommendations this week are: “Starter Villain” by John Scalzi and “Hench” by Natalie Walschots.
Join us next time, when we’ll explore more great reading recommendations — interesting books you can find at your favorite local bookstore or at your local library.
Until then, I’m Jessica Russell from Sno-Isle Libraries.
Thanks for joining us for Book Buzz on KSER.
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Join us each Sunday as Sno-Isle Libraries staff discuss the latest buzz-worthy titles on our weekly radio program, Book Buzz.
