May 2024
Chris’ Audiobook Picks:
What you are looking for is in the library: a novel by Michiko Aoyama (2023)
An allegorical tale set in modern day Tokyo that links together a disparate group of residents whose lives are changed by a perfect book recommendation from the enigmatic community librarian, Sayuri Komachi. Narrated by a cast of readers, some better than others. This magical realism “feel-good” audiobook is available on the Palace app.
The Women by Kristin Hannah (2024)
Follows the life of army nurse Frankie McGrath who enlists to serve in Vietnam in 1965 to make her father proud. Frankie’s life is forever changed by the fellow nurses and medical staff and the many wounded soldiers she encounters during her two tours of service. The experience continues when she returns to an ungrateful country where there is no recognition of “the women” who served. Expertly narrated by Julia Whelan. Available as an audiobook on CD, Playaway and Libby.
Laura’s Picks:
Ghost station by S.A. Barnes (2024)
When a small crew is assigned to explore an abandoned planet, they bring a psychologist with them. Dr. Ophelia Bray is specifically trained to watch the crew for symptoms of ERS (Eckhart-Reiser syndrome), a socially contagious disease which manifests as paranoia and mental deterioration before culminating in shocking violence—the last incident resulted in the murder of twenty-nine people. So when the team’s pilot is found murdered, is it the beginning of ERS? Or is it connected to the reason the planet was so hastily abandoned? Or is it something else?
John’s Picks:
Rocketman: Music from the Motion Picture by Elton John (2019)
The soundtrack to the biopic of the same name about the life of Sir Elton John, who is portrayed in the film by Taron Egerton. Egerton performs most of the songs on the album with the supporting cast rounding out the vocals. The songs themselves are modern renditions of John’s catalogue restructured to fit the film’s narrative. John himself does not appear on the album with the exception of an Oscar-winning duet with Egerton called “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” a song written by John and Bernie Taupin specifically for the film.
Heat (1995)
A crime drama film directed by Michael Mann and featuring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, who had not starred in a film together since The Godfather Part II (although they never shared any scenes together). Pacino portrays an LAPD detective trying to bring down a career criminal, played by De Niro, and the effect it has on both their professional and personal lives. With a supporting cast including Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, and Danny Trejo, the film is considered a defining work in the crime genre.
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
A sequel to the wildly successful movie, Spider-Man, it is again directed by Sam Raimi and sees the return of Tobey Maguire in the title role as well as Kirsten Dunst and James Franco. In the film, Peter Parker comes into conflict with Dr. Otto Octavius, portrayed by Alfred Molina, and also has to deal with the toll being Spider-Man has taken on his personal life. Subjectively superior to its predecessor in almost every way, Spider-Man 2 is one of the greatest superhero movies ever made.
Lauren’s Picks:
These Burning Stars by Bethany Jacobs (2023)
In this thrilling sci-fi debut, thief and expert hacker Jun Ironway has come into possession of an artifact that could implicate the powerful Nightfoot family in a genocide, one they have benefitted from for decades. Cleric Esek Nightfoot and her former apprentice Chono have been tasked with tracking down this artifact, and are on Jun’s trail. But lurking in the shadows is a figure from their past known as Six, and what Six wants is anyone’s guess. A dangerous game plays out across the stars, one that could shake the very foundations of their society.