In the graphic novel “Shubeik Lubeik,” wishes are commodified — wrapped up in the bureaucracy and power dynamics of our world. Author Deena Mohamed’s three stories weave together the fantastical and the ordinary. Her characters are captivating, and her commentary on colonialism and class is compelling.
I don’t want to spoil the book, but one of the character’s wishes stuck with me even two years after reading this book. I still use it to comfort and affirm myself in tough times. This book is fun for the world building, yet it is also deeply personal.
Three words that describe this book: Creative, insightful, hopeful
You might want to pick this book up if: You love thoughtful world building, beautiful art, and the human spirit.
-Anonymous
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.
“I keep putting off beginning this journal because the things I must write, must admit by writing them, are hard, even threatening to me,” Alice Walker wrote on July 8, 1977. “But, to begin.”
This confession came from a courageous young woman, already an established writer and activist. Yet putting pen to paper still stirred fear in Walker, a diarist familiar with that strange truth — that the hardest conversations to start are often the ones within ourselves.
As you begin the journey through this new year, I hope the conversation between your heart and the page feels lively, honest and hopeful. Here are seven titles exploring the tender art and practice of journaling.
Continue reading “Literary Links: Journals”
Here is a new DVD list highlighting various titles recently added to the library’s collection.
“The Long Walk” – Website / Reviews
This adaptation of Stephen King’s first novel is an emotional thriller where a group of teenage boys compete in a contest where they must maintain a certain walking speed or get shot.
“Dead of Winter” – Website / Reviews
In this mystery/thriller, a grief-stricken widow finds herself in a desperate fight for survival as she encounters a murderous couple holding a young woman hostage in a remote cabin in the woods.
“Splitsville” – Website / Reviews
Dark comedy featuring a man who runs to his friends for support when his wife asks for a divorce. Chaos ensues when he crosses the line after learning about their open marriage.
“Good Fortune” – Website / Reviews
A comedic fantasy where a well-meaning but rather inept angel named Gabriel meddles in the lives of a struggling gig worker and a wealthy venture capitalist.
“The Great Escaper” – Website / Reviews
In this drama, a veteran causes alarm at the care home when, with the support of his wife, he secretly sets off for Normandy to attend the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
Continue reading “New DVD List: January 2026”
I last wrote about the first three wives of Daniel Dulany while illustrating my research process within the Columbia Public Library. Now I’m going to talk about Missouri foodway resources, and not only because of Jacintha, Mary and Ann. My own great-great-great grandmother, Barbara, was born in 1823 in Yancey County, North Carolina, in the same half-decade as these women. Before her birth, Jacintha’s father traveled from Albemarle County, Virginia, which is also part of the Appalachian area. Barbara moved with her family to Taney County, Missouri in the 1850’s. It is possible that these families would have shared similar foods and food-related experiences.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines foodways as “the eating habits and culinary practices of a people, region, or historical period.” Let’s examine some foodways that have developed in Missouri. Continue reading “Eating Like the Dulany Wives: Historic Missouri Food Traditions”
New Year, new books! Below I’m highlighting some nonfiction books coming out in January. All of the mentioned titles are available to put on hold in our catalog and will also be made available via the library’s Overdrive website on the day of publication in eBook and downloadable audiobook format (as available). For a more extensive list of new nonfiction books coming out this month, check our online catalog.
Top Picks
“Miracle Children: Race, Education, and a True Story of False Promises” by Katie Benner & Erica L. Green (Jan 13)
T.M. Landry College Prep, a small private school in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, boasted a 100% college acceptance rate, placing students at nearly every Ivy League university in the country. The spectacle of Landry students opening their acceptance letters to Harvard and Yale was broadcast on television and even celebrated by Michelle Obama. It became a national ritual to watch the miraculous success of these youngsters — miraculous because Breaux Bridge is one of the poorest counties in the country, ranked close to the bottom for test scores and high school graduation rates. T.M. Landry was said to be “minting prodigies,” and the prodigies were often black. How did the school do it? It didn’t: It was a scam, pulled off with fake transcripts and personal essays telling fake stories of triumph over adversity. Worse, Landry’s success concealed a nightmare of alleged abuse and coercion. In a years-long investigation, Katie Benner and Erica L. Green explored the lives of the students, the school, the town, and Ivy League admissions to understand why black teens were pressured to trade in racial stereotypes of hardship for opportunity. Gripping and illuminating, “Miracle Children” argues that the lesson of T.M. Landry is not that the school gamed the system but that it played by the rules — that its deceptions and abuses were the outcome of segregated schools, inequitable education, and the belief that elite colleges are the nation’s last path to life-changing economic opportunity. Continue reading “Nonfiction Roundup: January 2026”
I thoroughly enjoyed “Sun & Ssukgat: The Korean Art of Self-Care, Wellness & Longevity.” This book was just what I was looking for… a book about Korean culture with enriching insight to the Korean approach to well-being.
I’ve enjoyed similar topics for other cultures (Japanese ikigai, Costa Rican pura vida, Swedish lagom, Danish hygge) and this lived up to my interest and expectations. I also found an interview with the author on YouTube and appreciated hearing a behind the scenes perspective, and thus, I’m enjoying the book all the more upon reflection…
Three words that describe this book: Enlightening, insightful, impactful
You might want to pick this book up if: you’re interested in Korean culture or wellness and self-care.
-Tonya
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.
“Embassytown” is a really magnificent science fiction book. It is essentially about language and how it shapes culture and understanding.
The book is set in the far future in Embassytown, a human colony on a far-away planet. This planet is home to aliens who use language itself in ways that are utterly foreign to humans, which leads to all manner of complications and, ultimately, a potentially world-destroying conflict. It is challenging to capture the magic of this book in a short review without selling it short — it simply must be read!
Three words that describe this book: Thought-provoking, captivating, surreal
You might want to pick this book up if: You want a wild sci-fi adventure, plus political thriller, that also deeply explores the concept of language and how it creates meaning.
-Adrienne
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.
T
he book “True Biz” is a fictional book about growing up Deaf from the perspective of Deaf children and teenagers. It explores Deaf history, disability rights activism, and the cochlear implant controversy with an engaging story line and lovable characters.
The book includes educational snippets, almost like school worksheets, corresponding with the lessons one of the teachers gives in the Deaf school that the book is focused on. If you’re hearing and uneducated on the topic, you can learn alongside the students with these snippets.
Three words that describe this book: Coming-of-age, stirring, educational
You might want to pick this book up if: You want a fun story about teenagers, or you’re curious about learning about Deaf experiences from a disability justice perspective.
-Sofia
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.
“Wonder Cat Kyuu-chan” is a four panel manga (reminiscent of daily comic strips, as opposed to a volume length story, although the strips do build on each other) about a young professional who adopts a cat. It is a middle grade to young adult manga, but which adult amongst us does not need a few quiet moments to look at cute cat comics?
Every few pages as the cat’s personality is shown to the human I would think, “this is the cutest thing I have ever read,” and then it would get significantly CUTER. Just a really pleasant slice of life manga to wind down with.
Three words that describe this book: Cozy, cute, funny
You might want to pick this book up if: You find ridiculous cuteness relaxing.
-Anonymous
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.
The book “A Captain’s Duty” is about the hijacking of the cargo ship Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates in 2009. Captain Phillips tells the story from his point of view, explaining how he handled the crisis and made tough decisions to protect his crew, even offering himself as a hostage to keep them safe. The book follows the intense five days he spent in a lifeboat with the pirates and how he survived.
I liked this book because of the action and the level of detail. It felt like I was right there in the middle of the situation. The way Captain Phillips described everything helped me understand what he was going through, both physically and mentally. I also liked the insights into how he thought as a leader, how he stayed calm, and how much he cared about his crew. It made the story feel real and inspiring.
Three words that describe this book: Intense, courageous, inspiring.
You might want to pick this book up if: You might pick up this book if you’re interested in true stories, survival under extreme pressure, or learning how real-life leadership works during a crisis. It’s a good read if you like action, suspense, and personal insight all in one.
-Robbie
This reader review was submitted as part of Adult Summer Reading. We will continue to share them throughout the year.
