Book Buzz

Episode 116 - Air date: Aug. 24, 2025

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 portray female characters struggling to find their voice in their art.

First, we’re going to hear from Collection Development Librarian Bridget. If you don’t like clowns, give this book a chance and it might just change your mind. Take it away, Bridget.

BRIDGET:

“Stop Me If You've Heard This One”: A clown walks into a gig in central Florida and finds there's nothing funny to say. Cherry, the clown in question, is a disappointment to many, but none so much as herself. Haunted by a brother who died early and a surplus of mommy issues, the gig economy wears on her as her greasepaint clings through sheer force of will in the Orlando heat. When a fortuitous match on a dating app with a well-known magician who just split from her assistant comes Cherry's way, it's not just an opportunity for romance, but a possibility for creative realization. That is, if Cherry doesn't get in her own way.

From the first chapter, Kristen Arnett's book is outrageously funny and gut-punchingly heartfelt. Cherry is the definition of mess, whether it's smearing her clown makeup on something or sleeping with someone's mom, she's a tornado made of balloon animals and bad decisions. Underneath this, however, is a profound story about grief, expectations, and what it means to be an entertainer in today's world. “Stop Me If You've Heard This One” instantly became one of my favorite books as, to me and Cherry, there's nothing better than making ‘em laugh.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Bridget! With clowns, magicians, and romance, what’s not to like?

Next, let’s hear about a story that blurs the line between fact and fiction, from Robyn, library associate at the Stanwood Library. Go ahead, Robyn.

Robyn:

What if Shakespeare wasn’t the only genius behind his signature plays?

Jodi Picoult’s “By Any Other Name” is a masterful blend of historical intrigue and contemporary struggle, weaving together the lives of two women separated by centuries but united by their passion for storytelling and their fight for recognition. In Elizabethan England, Emilia Bassano — a poet, a secret playwright, and possibly the true author behind some of Shakespeare’s greatest works — battles the constraints of gender, class, and religion. In modern-day New York, Melina Green, a young playwright, faces a different but equally stifling world where her voice is dismissed and her talent questioned.

Picoult’s novel is more than a dual narrative; a reclamation of lost voices and a powerful commentary on the invisibility of women’s work across time. With lyrical prose and emotional depth, she explores themes of authorship, identity, and the cost of authenticity in a world that often demands silence from its most brilliant creators.

Whether you're drawn to historical fiction, feminist narratives, or stories that challenge the status quo, “By Any Other Name” offers a thought-provoking journey compelling those interested in stories of hidden truths and a fight for justice. It’s a tribute to the women who dared to write — and those who still must fight to be heard.

This novel is my choice for feminist, fierce, and unforgettable fiction.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Robyn! This is another example of Picoult’s masterful blending of emotional depth and ethical complexity.

Our recommendations this week are: “Stop Me If You've Heard This One” by Kristen Arnett and “By Any Other Name” by Jodi Picoult.

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.