Book Buzz

Episode 107 - Air date: June 22, 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 will introduce you to handpicked favorites that have captured the hearts and minds of our staff. We’ll give you the inside scoop on titles you may not have heard about.

First, we’re going to hear from Michael, library associate at the Mariner Library, for a bewitching tale of a struggling teen. Take it away, Michael.

MICHAEL:

“Coven”, opens a new window is a graphic novel that has magic to it, both in the art by Kit Seaton, that is superb and elegantly drawn, and in the story by Jennifer Dugan. "Coven” is about a high school girl that can create fire from her hands. Her family members are magic users too, and when tragedy comes to the family’s doorstep Esmy and her parents have to trace their roots back to New York to help.

Some of my favorite books deal with many diverse subjects. They are not always easy to read, but the struggles help define and teach the reader to subjectively look at the world around us. This book does just that, it uses metaphor to explore the idea that life can feel like one thing in a moment but take on another aspect entirely as Esmy moves through what is happening around her and learns how to grow up safely and resiliently. The ending has a twist that is obvious as you read it, however it is still satisfying.

The author, Jennifer Dugan, is an activist and founder of the You Are Loved college project which moves to support students going through tough times. Ultimately, her activism and storytelling is about empowering each one of us to get through tough times and struggles.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Michael! Beware of teens with supernatural powers!

Next, let’s hear about a richly diverse part of the world from Hattie, library associate for Library on Wheels. Take it away, Hattie.

HATTIE:

How many countries in Africa can you name? And how much of their history do you know? If you’re like me, the answers might be: only a few and embarrassingly little. If so, you need to read “Africa is Not a Country” by Dipo Faloyin, opens a new window.

Starting in Lagos, the largest city on the continent, Faloyin traces the history of modern Africa, revealing how arbitrary boundaries drawn by colonizers led to tribal and cultural clashes that continue to the present. He dives into the rivalries at the heart of the African Cup of Nations tournament, and joins the heated debate over which West African country makes the best jollof rice. Finishing with a sense of hope and optimism, he speaks with local activists, artists, and writers who are reimagining the future of the continent.

For my fellow audiobook commuters, the author’s outstanding reading brings his work to life and repeatedly had me sitting in my car for just *one more minute* before I had to turn it off and go inside.

Exuberant, opinionated, and stereotype-busting, “Africa is Not a Country” made me laugh and broke my heart, and most importantly vastly broadened my world. Faloyin gives a brilliant introduction to the world’s most diverse continent, and I cannot wait to learn more.

JESSICA

Thanks, Hattie! I was not expecting to hear that this book made you laugh. That makes it even more intriguing.

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.