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Oct 16

Spooky Season Reading Recommendations by Andrea Lorenz

Posted to Campbell Unclassified on October 16, 2020 at 3:10 PM by Genesis Gaule

Even though I am a huge wimp, I still love to dip my toe into horror stories this time of year. There’s something about the fall -- the skeletal trees, the gusts of wind rustling leaves on the ground, the chill in the air -- that draws me to the spooky. Lucky for me, and for you, we’ve got a wide range of horror – titles for those who want the mildest of scares all the way up to hardcore scary gore-core. If you’re looking to dip your toe in too here are a few titles that are my Goldilocks level of horror (not too tame, not too scary, just right).

Wanderers by Chuck Wendig

(Science Fiction WENDIG) Chuck Wendig weaves a tale that is oh-so-prescient in Wanderers. A young girl gets out of bed one morning and starts walking. She doesn’t talk or respond, just walks. And soon others join her. A flock of sleepwalkers begins a cross-country journey, no stops for food or rest, just a relentless push forward. They’re protected by “shepherds” – family and friends who follow the flock, determined to find out what’s wrong, determined to protect them. For on their journey, they will discover an America convulsed with terror and violence, where this apocalyptic epidemic proves less dangerous than the fear of it.

The Outsider by Stephen King

(Mystery KING | eAudiobook) When Flint City’s beloved Little League Coach, Terry Maitland is implicated in a gruesome crime, the whole city reels. Terry Maitland, the English teacher, a murderer? No one can believe it. Though Maitland has an alibi, Detective Ralph Anderson orders a quick arrest – he has Terry’s DNA all over the scene. As the investigation expands and evidence proving Maitland’s alibi surfaces, more questions than answers emerge. How can one person be in the same place at the same time? I was drawn to The Outsider by its description of a confounding murder investigation, but I stuck with it as it twisted into a search for a supernatural predator. (And Holly Gibney – you’ll want to meet Holly Gibney!)

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

(eBook) If you like a little humor with your horror, check out the Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix. When a mysterious and handsome stranger moves into Patricia Campbell’s quiet neighborhood in Charleston, she’s intrigued. The only other exciting thing in Patricia’s life is her book club, a group of Charleston mothers united only by their love for true crime and suspenseful fiction. But when some local children go missing, Patricia begins to suspect that the newcomer might be involved. She begins her own investigation and uncovers something much more horrifying than she had anticipated.

Honorable mentions:

Aug 14

Books for Science and SciFi Fans by Acacia James

Posted to Campbell Unclassified on August 14, 2020 at 1:41 PM by Genesis Gaule

You can check these items out through our Front Door Pick Up Service or by scheduling an appointment to browse in the library.


How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems by Randall Munroe

Format: Book (502 MUNROE)
Genre: Non-Fiction / Humor
Themes: How-to, Humor, Informative, Educational, Science, Math

This book is no ordinary how-to book. Unlike other how-to books that might tell you how to bake the perfect cake or knit the coziest sweater, this book will make you think differently about the traditional way we do things. Instead, this book might suggest that you launch the cake into the sun to bake or train mice to knit the sweater for you. All of this while telling you what velocity you would have to launch said cake into the sky to reach the sun, and how many weeks it would take to train said mice along with some helpful tips on how to do so. Humor is so nicely tied into this book full of science and instruction. I couldn’t read it without laughing!

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Format: Book (510.92 SHETTERLY), young readers' edition e-book, DVD
Genre: Nonfiction / Biography; Historical Fiction (DVD)
Themes: Drama, Comedy, Sexism, Racism, Educational

The book Hidden Figures, set in 1961, is centered around three black women: Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughn. All three women work at NASA Langley Research Center during segregation in the United States. Katherine works as a human computer along with others at the research center. Segregation laws make it so Katherine has to walk half a mile to use the nearest colored bathroom. Mary Jackson is an aspiring engineer who is trying to take the mandatory classes necessary to become an engineer for NASA. The problem is, the classes are taught at an all-white school. Mary has to overcome prejudice and belief as she tries to pursue her career. Dorothy learns about an upcoming super computer that is going to be installed at NASA, making the working human computers obsolete. In response, she teaches herself and later other women how to code in the hopes that they could keep their jobs. These women are all segregated by their race and gender, but they don’t let that stop them in the pursuit of their careers and equality. This book is empowering for everyone, and it gives a small glimpse at what life was like for people of color during these times.

The Martian by Andy Weir

Format: Book (Science Fiction WEIR), e-book
Genre: Science Fiction
Themes:Space, Man Versus the Natural World, Adventure, Drama, Science, Isolation, Perseverance, Fear

A fierce storm forces a team of astronauts to evacuate from Mars. The team of astronauts leave behind fellow crew member Mark Watney after he is presumed dead. Mark Watney is left to fend for himself with deep wounds from the storm and only a small amount of provisions to survive off of. With no way to communicate and everyone on Earth thinking he’s dead, there is no help coming. With all of the odds against him, Mark doesn’t give up. He will do anything he needs to do to survive. But surviving is no easy feat, things can go wrong at every turn. Mark has to overcome: bleeding out, starvation, dehydration, low oxygen levels, freakish storms and much more. This book is full of action, anticipation, and leaves you wondering and wanting more. This book has also been turned into a movie featuring Matt Damon!

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Format: Book (Junior WESTERFELD)
Genre: Dystopian Fiction / Science Fiction / Young Adult Fiction
Themes: Appearance, Futuristic, Betrayal, Dystopian, Adventure, Friendship, Society and Class, Conformity

Tally Youngblood is an ugly. She is desperately waiting for her sixteenth birthday to come so she can have the life changing operation to make her a pretty. In Tally’s world, everyone is born an ugly. They are kept in a small town called Uglyville that is secluded from the rest of the population. When an ugly has had the surgery they move to New Pretty Town. Uglies aren’t allowed in New Pretty Town and get punished if they are caught sneaking in. Once an ugly turns sixteen, they can get an extensive surgery to make them pretty. A perfect jawbone, slim waist, fit muscles, big eyes, flawless hair and more. What every person would want, right? Tally has waited her entire life to become pretty so she can see her already changed friends, and start a life of partying and nonstop fun.

Everything changes for Tally on the day of her sixteenth birthday. Her newfound friend, Shay, runs away after declaring she doesn’t want to get the mandatory surgery. Instead of getting the operation on her birthday, Tally got an ultimatum. Find Shay and bring her back, or never become pretty. Tally is forced to make a decision. Betray her friend or give up the life she has always wanted.


If you need help accessing any of these titles or using front door pickup, email or call us and we will be happy to assist you!

Jul 17

New Junior Books by Miranda Millette

Posted to Campbell Unclassified on July 17, 2020 at 1:34 PM by Genesis Gaule

Are your kids stuck at home with nothing to do? Or perhaps they have already read through their supply of books and don’t know where to go next? Check out some of these new additions to our junior collection and your kids will find their next great read! All of these books are accessible through our Front Door Pick Up.


City Spies by James Ponti

Fans of stories like Stuart Gibbs’s Spy School series will love the story of Sara Martinez, a hacker. She recently exposed her foster parents as cheats and lawbreakers, but then found herself in juvenile detention and banned from computers instead of being hailed as a hero. Until a British spy frees Sara and offers her a home in a secret M16 agency.

All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban

Fans of mysteries like One of Us is Lying will also love this thriller. Six students with nothing in common go to a scholarship dinner, only to find themselves locked inside with a bomb and a syringe of poison with the note to pick someone to kill…or else everyone dies.

Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco

Want some magic mixed with reality? Long ago the magical Kingdom of Avalon was left encased in ice by the Snow Queen, leaving its former citizens and crown prince stuck in another world devoid of magic…Arizona.

Xander and the Rainbow Barfing Unicorns: Who Turned Off the Colors? by Matthew Manning

This is an epic story your kids are sure to love! The Rainbow-Barfing Unicorn virus hasn’t affected humans...until now. The virus gives unicorns their rainbow barfing abilities, but it has the opposite effect on humans and is draining them of any color!

The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski

In the mood for a lush new fantasy? Enter the life of Nirrim who lives in a world where the society’s pleasures are reserved for the High Kith. But then a stranger comes and tempts her with magic, requiring Nirrim to place all her trust, and her life, in the stranger’s hands.

Bug Boys by Laura Knetzger

Love a good graphic novel? Follow the adventure of Stag-B and Rhino-B, two young beetles who explore the world of Bug Village and their own—sometimes confusing and complicated—thoughts and feelings.