KDL Recommends

Not only is he very very funny, but he admits to things most of us don’t (i.e. the baby is a jerk). Very relatable and hilarious!
–Shannon at KDL’s Comstock Park branch

Undaunted courage and ultimate sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team Six operator Adam Brown.

Recommended by Kelly at KDL’s Krause Memorial branch

One of the best books I’ve read lately is: Golden: How Rod Blagojevich talked himself out of the governor’s office and into prison by Jeff Coen and John Chase. It is a fascinating account of political corruption thoroughly researched and expertly written.
–Rich at KDL’s Wyoming branch

These 14 stories use historical vignettes from Britain and the US as a starting point to explore what it feels like to be set adrift in a different culture, either voluntarily or involuntarily.
–Helen Kay at KDL’s Spencer Township branch

This was a fun take on dragons and magic for teens.
–Beth at KDL’s Gaines Township branch

Story about a young woman named Ruth, who comes home from college for the summer. Ruth and her brother, David, are lifeguards at a nearby pool, and after a near-drowning of a young black girl, secrets begin to emerge. You won’t forget this story!
–Robin at KDL’s Spencer Township branch

In a small South Carolina town, where it seems little has changed since the Civil War, sixteen-year-old Ethan is powerfully drawn to Lena, a new classmate with whom he shares a psychic connection and whose family hides a dark secret that may be revealed on her sixteenth birthday.

Recommended by Melissa DeWild at KDL’s Service Center

Sweet, easy read. The author did a great job depicting royalty (who are still living) in a believable way.
–Michelle at KDL’s Service Center

Every Day by David Levithan is a great read, reminiscent of The Time Traveler’s Wife. The main character, A, wakes up in a different body every day, albeit always one that is A’s same age. A is a good caretaker of the temporary homes, but becomes unhappy and restless after falling in love with Rhiannon.
–Susan at KDL’s Plainfield Township branch

So if you’re thinking to yourself, “Self, I really wish I had a gigantic coffee-table book of sepia photos of people with cannon-ball-related war wounds and hideous eyeball cysts,” then DO I HAVE THE BOOK FOR YOU! Mütter Museum: Historic Medical Photographs is a fantastically interesting book of medical pictures taken just as photography was becoming a Thing. Plastic surgery was just becoming a Thing at the same time, along with a lot of other surgical techniques that the book documents. And as an added bonus, it shows how early photographers tried to model their images—no matter how horrible—on famous painting poses. Which I thought was fascinating. It’s a holiday treat for almost everyone!!!
–Monica at KDL’s Wyoming branch

As a self proclaimed crazy cat-lady this book of poems by cats is quirky and hilarious! My favorite poems included the title Poem “I Could Pee on This” and “Who is that in your lap? Perfectly captures the cat psyche.
–Emily at KDL’s Tyrone Township branch

The story of the two year old son of a Southern belle who is adopted by an Austrian archduke and made heir to the Mexican Empire during the French “intervention” in Mexico. C.M. Mayo does an outstanding job of making sense of this complicated episode in history. The reader quickly becomes familiar with the many sympathetic and unsympathetic people caught up in these events; and the sights, sounds, and intoxicating smells of Mexico City float right off the page.
–Mark at KDL’s Krause Memorial branch

I enjoyed the story and Cora’s character—she felt very believable to me. And Louise Brooks was a real person!
–Michelle at KDL’s Service Center

Presents a candid and personal account that explores what matters to middle-aged women and how they regard life stages.

Recommended by Jan at KDL’s Englehardt branch

Hilarious! I could simply not stop laughing!
–Robin at KDL’s Spencer Township branch

When twelve-year-old Peter and his family arrive in Greenland for his father’s research, he stumbles upon a secret his mother has been hiding from him all his life, and begins an adventure he never imagines possible.

Recommended by Shaunna at KDL’s Grandville branch

I’ve got a classic for you-Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude. I was skeptical of Russian literature in college but picking this one up on my own and at leisure proved worth the read. While most people know it for its length and the tragic love of its heroine, it is a much more nuanced story of the strictures of society, the meaning of personal happiness, and questions of how to live a fulfilled life. Tolstoy contrasts the story of the beautiful and elegant Anna, her rigid, bureaucratic husband Karenin, and her new love, Vronsky with the story of Levin, an aristocratic landowner and famer, and Kitty, the young woman he loves. Through this, Tolstoy weaves a masterful interconnected tale with well-developed characters that ultimately explores some of the greatest questions about life.
–Dawn at KDL’s Gaines Township branch

Another amazing novel from Nobel Peace Elie Wiesel. Shaltiel’s memories will touch your soul.
–Rubin at KDL’s East Grand Rapids branch

Part memoir, part evangelism piece, this book follows Williams’ journey through the grueling Naval Ops training and onto the streets of Iraq, where he witnessed the horrors of war up close. He also shares his own story to help others understand the depths of Christ’s sacrifice and love.

Recommended by Kelly at KDL’s Krause Memorial branch