Book Buzz

Episode 101 - Air date: May 11, 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 Abby, librarian at the Arlington Library, for a story that delves into the world of a school for the deaf. Over to you, Abby.

ABBY:

Thanks, Jessica. “True Biz” by Sara Nović takes readers to the halls of River Valley School for the Deaf where they meet Charlie, a deaf teenager who has spent her whole life so far being defined by her parents’ desire for doctors to “fix” her so she could join their hearing world — as the book begins, readers join Charlie as she learns just how much communication she missed out on by being deprived of learning sign language at a young age.

From learning about deaf history, cultural norms, and mythology, Charlie quickly realizes just how different her world can look when she has her education led by fellow deaf or hard of hearing people. Readers see Charlie’s experiences from other narrators, too, including February, the headmistress of River Valley School for the Deaf who is desperately seeking funding to keep their school open, and Austin, a fellow deaf teen who grew up with a deaf mother and never knew a world without ASL and deaf norms.

Charlie, Austin, and February’s stories are inextricably woven together in this school year in a way that brings the readers along to experience discrimination, community, joy, humor, isolation, and the callous nature of medical providers promoting surgery and implanted devices over ASL acquisition.

Written by a deaf author, the story’s depth and authenticity will leave you thinking about its lessons for many weeks after the story’s exciting conclusion.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Abby! This is a beautiful insight into the deaf and hard of hearing community.

Next, let’s hear from Jennifer, librarian at the Mill Creek Library, for a story of small-town secrets. Go ahead, Jennifer.

JENNIFER:

Thanks, Jessica. “Miracle Creek” by Angie Kim is a riveting mystery and courtroom drama. It follows the trial of a woman accused of murdering her eight-year-old son. The boy, Henry, died while undergoing a controversial and unproven treatment for autism.

One by one, witnesses come to the stand to tell what they remember about the events that led to Henry's death. At first it seems like a slam-dunk case, but as the stories of the witnesses slowly begin to come together into a coherent narrative, their secrets, lies, agendas and betrayals are revealed. Everyone in this town seems to have something to hide, and this trial is going to blow those secrets wide open.

As well as being a mystery novel, “Miracle Creek” is an unsentimental meditation on the joys, responsibilities, and exhausting trials of motherhood. The book's most important characters are mothers. They are loving, compassionate, jealous, tired, mean, angry, self-righteous, guilty - sometimes all at once. Angie Kim's gift as an author is to complicate what could be a very one-sided picture. She doesn't condemn bad moms and praise good ones; she shows how they're all struggling.

“Miracle Creek” is a taut, dark, thought-provoking drama that I couldn't put down.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Jennifer! Whether you’re a mother or not, this book will get you thinking about parenthood.

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.