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Air date: April 27, 2025
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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 a graphic novel and a sci-fi murder mystery.
First, we’re going to hear from Jen, library associate at the Arlington Library, for a haunting collection of illustrated poetry. Over to you, Jen.
JEN:
Thanks, Jessica! This work of non-fiction by Laura Haldeman is singularly unique. “Team Photograph” is part graphic novel, part book of poetry, part memoir, part ghost story, and part American historical record and rumination. It is at once about the author’s time playing soccer as a child, near the site of a bloody Civil War battle, and growing up in a part of Virginia where slavery was once common, providing context of a place through time. It is also about the author’s personal experience with grief and mourning, some intimately known and some more nebulous, separated by over a hundred years and normalized, minimized, or ignored, but not yet lost or forgotten.
For such a relatively short read, “Team Photograph” is profound and truly moving. Novel, insightful connections are made by the author and the artistry with which complex issues and emotions are navigated and communicated is impressive.
Haldeman weaves sometimes disparate narrative elements together to create a cohesive story; the interludes of poetry, ghosts, and colorful, wolf-head illustration style boldly mix abstraction and visual dynamism with static facts and harsh truths. Raw and authentic, thought-provoking and heart-rending, fascinating and tragic. It is large, it contains multitudes. I highly recommend “Team Photograph” for a visual, textual, emotional, and educational experience.
JESSICA:
Thanks, Jen! Sounds like a powerful and beautifully crafted graphic novel.
Next, let’s hear about a thriller with a touch of reality TV, from Celeste, library associate for Library on Wheels. Go ahead, Celeste.
CELESTE:
After being drawn to “Made For You” by Jenna Satterthwaite by the red headed, red lipped, blue lens sun glassed face, the summary sold it. Here’s the pitch: “The Bachelor” meets “Ex Machina.” This dual timeline sci-fi thriller flips between: Then, when Julia competes on the show, and Now, in the present day.
Meet Julia, a Synth, a synthetic human created to appear and behave lifelike. She joins a reality TV show to win the heart of the most eligible bachelor. Fast forward and now husband Josh has gone missing in small-town Indiana shortly after the birth of their child.
Julia is soon suspected of murder, though she's certain she had nothing to do with his disappearance ... at least, not that she can remember? Having no one to turn to for help, she must investigate on her own, unearthing her splintered world.
As we move towards a new age with rapidly advancing technology, this book provides social commentary that will lead to provoking conversations. Perfect for shared reading.
TRUST me if you love thrillers that involve some AI, you’ll find yourself wanting to devour “Made For You” by Jenna Satterthwaite in one sitting!
JESSICA:
Thanks, Celeste! What a wild ride and a creative blend of genres.
Our recommendations this week are: “Team Photograph” by Lauren Haldeman and “Made for You” by Jenna Satterthwaite.
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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