June 2024

Chris’ Audiobook Picks:This is how

This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel (2017) 

Rosie and Penn live in Madison, WI with their five sons until their youngest, Claude, at the age of four, declares that he wants to be a girl when he grows up. This novel explores a difficult and timely subject within the context of your “average American family” in a sensitive and relatable way. A Reese’s Book Club pick, this e-audiobook is available on Libby.

After Annie by Anna Quindlen (2024) After Annie

When Annie Brown dies suddenly at the age of 37, her four children, husband and her best friend Annemarie are left to grieve and create the new normal for their lives “after Annie.” A moving and difficult story, this book explores the impact of loss and the importance of family.  Available as an audiobook on CD and Libby.


Laura’s Picks:

Necrobane by Daniel Ford (2024) Necrobane

When we last left Lone Pine’s newly assigned Warden, Aelis de Lenti, she had inadvertently opened the crypts of Mahlgren and unleashed an army of the undead. (Oops.) Now it’s a race against time to halt them—and she’ll need all the help she can get. Reunite with old friends as they battle harrowing foes and ancient curses.  


John’s Picks:

One Deep River by Mark Knopfler (2024) One Deep River

The tenth studio album by Knopfler released on April 12; it sees him working with former Dire Straits band member, Guy Fletcher, a frequent collaborator.  Knopfler released a behind-the-scenes video on YouTube documenting his band working on the album prior to its debut.  Subsequently, he also released an extended EP entitled The Boy shortly after, featuring four more new songs recorded during the album sessions but ultimately left off the final track listing.  Some music critics have called One Deep River one of Knopfler’s finest solo albums.  

The Beekeeper (2024) Beekeeper

An action thriller film directed by David Ayer and starring Jason Statham.  In the film, Statham is a former elite operative who goes on a revenge mission after he loses a friend who had fallen for a phishing scam.  It’s another entry in the Jason Statham action filmography, but it’s a genre that he has come to excel at.



Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018) Mission Impossible Fallout

The sixth entry in the Mission Impossible film series.  Tom Cruise returns as agent Ethan Hunt alongside cast members Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, and Ving Rhames as well as newcomers, Henry Cavill and Vanessa Kirby.  In the film, Hunt and his team try and stop a mysterious terrorist from committing a deadly nuclear attack to dismantle world order.  Filled with incredible stunts (one of which caused Cruise to break his ankle), Fallout is one of the best entries of the series.


Lauren’s Pick:

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse (2020) Black Sun

This epic fantasy inspired by the Pre-Columbian Americas features plenty of tension and political intrigue. The cliffside city of Tova is gearing up for the winter solstice, which this year coincides with a solar eclipse, said to be an omen of the shifting balance of power across the Meridian. Meanwhile, a ship is bound for the city, carrying a mysterious young man named Serapio. Blind, scarred, and shrouded in destiny, Serapio catches the attention of Xiala, the ship’s captain. Though Serapio seems harmless, Xiala has been fooled before, and has learned the hard lesson that men like him often turn out to be villains.