This month’s reading list is for bibliophiles—lovers of books. Whether you’re devoted to legends, memoirs or mysteries, we know your heart is in the pages. Leap year gives you an extra day to tackle your reading list, so find your perfect match in one of these new titles at the Arlington Public Library.
The following information is provided courtesy of the Arlington Public Library.
Fiction
The Fox Wife
By Yangsze Choo
In the early 1900s, a fox spirit named Snow blames photographer Baktu Nikan for her daughter’s death and tracks him through Manchuria to Japan to seek revenge. Meanwhile, Bao, an aging detective, is trying to discover the identity of a young woman’s frozen body. The locals say she was lured to her death by a fox spirit. The two stories collide in a complex and atmospheric tale of revenge and love, second chances, and Asian folklore from the author of The Night Tiger. // Available Feb. 13. Library catalog link here.
Neighbors and Other Stories
By Diane Oliver
Oliver, the author of this collection, was only 22 when she was killed in a motorcycle crash in 1966. Four of her short stories were published before her death, another two posthumously. We now finally get a full collection, showcasing an extraordinary talent. Exploring the experiences of Black Americans in the 1950s and 60s, stories include tales of integration, interracial relationships, protest, and how the characters navigate through daily crises. // Available Feb. 13. Library catalog link here.
Wandering Stars
By Tommy Orange
In 1864, Jude Star barely survives the Sand Creek Massacre and is sent to prison in Florida where officials try to strip him of his Native identity. His son faces similar experiences at the Carlisle Industrial School which sought to assimilate Native Americans. The narrative follows several generations until Jude’s great-great-great grandson, Orvil Red Feather, where the story meets up with the plotline in Orange’s previous book, There, There. This searing family history acts as both prequel and sequel, but also stands completely on its own. // Available Feb. 27. Library catalog link here.
The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai, translated from the Japanese
By Jesse Kirkwood
Master Chef Nagare Kawogawa and his daughter, Koishi, run a restaurant in the back streets of Kyoto, where they specialize in recreating significant dishes from the hazy memories of their customers, such as a widower longing to taste the noodles his late wife used to make. The father daughter team use scant clues, their investigative skills and cooking prowess to help. A best-selling series in Japan, it’s both funny and sad, and, like any good meal, entirely satisfying. // Available Feb. 13. Library catalog link here.
Nonfiction
Nothing Ever Just Disappears: Even Hidden Queer Historie
By Diarmuid Hester
In a span of ten years, 60% of London’s queer venues have closed, mostly due to gentrification and redevelopment. From EM Forster’s time at Cambridge to the Paris of Josephine Baker and James Baldwin, Hester looks at seven queer lives with an emphasis on the places they lived and worked. A fascinating look at how art, creativity, and location influence and support each other. // Available Feb. 6. Library catalog link here.
How to Win Friends and Influence Fungi: Collected Quirks of Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math from Nerd Nite
By Chris Balakrishnan and Matt Wasowski, illustrated by Kristen Orr
Appearing monthly in over 100 cities, Nerd Nite is a place for self-proclaimed nerds to give talks at a bar or similar venue (DC’s Nerd Nite is usually the 3rd Saturday of the month at DC9 Nightclub). This new collection gathers together seventy-one favorite presentations from the event, including “Lessons from the Oregon Trail,” “Asteroid Mining for Science, Profit, and Fun!,” “The Science of a Hangover,” and “Zombies are Real and You Might Be One.” It’s funny, informative and covers a broad range of topics. // Available Feb. 20. Library catalog link here.
Slow Noodles: A Cambodian Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Recipes
By Chantha Nguon
When Pol Pot rose to power, Nguon’s half-Vietnamese family was targeted by the genocidal regime. She fled to Saigon right before it fell to the North Vietnamese. After the death of her mother and most of her siblings, she bounced around various refugee camps in Thailand before returning to Cambodia. Throughout her heart-breaking and harrowing journey, she remembers her mother’s food, the dishes she learned to cook at her side, and the memories attached to them. Recipes included. // Available Feb. 20. Library catalog link here.
The Secret History of Bigfoot: Field Notes on a North American Monster
By John O’Connor
What is it about Bigfoot that has captured our imaginations? O’Connor traces the legends and lore, talks to those who believe and those who are skeptics and explores how it all intersects with American history and pop culture. A hilarious and informative journey into the woods and back out again in search of the elusive creature. // Available Feb. 6. Library catalog link here.
Middle Grade
Averil Offline
By Amy Noelle Parks
Parents often struggle with how much oversight their children need as they grow older. Averil’s parents use the Ruby Slippers app to keep tabs on her, from her location to what she’s eating for lunch. When she and her friends learn that the app will soon allow parents to turn on their cameras and microphones, they decide to try and find the creator and plead their case. An absorbing tale of friendship, STEM, and growing up. // Available Feb. 13. Library catalog link here.
Teen
Bunt!: Striking Out on Financial Aid
By Ngozi Ukazu and Mad Rupert
Molly’s excited to start art college, but on the first day, she learns her full-ride scholarship has disappeared and she owes $39,000 for tuition. Her only hope is an odd loophole – if she and nine other art students can win a varsity softball game, they’ll all get a full-ride athletic scholarship. A hilarious twist of a college story, from the author of Check, Please. // Available Feb. 13. Library catalog link here.
Jennie Rothschild is a collection engagement librarian for Arlington Public Library.