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General Recommendations

Ian's top 20 from 2019

By:

LPL_IanS

Lawrence Public Library

Staff-created list

These were my favorite reads in the order I read 'em in 2019. I was going to do a list of ten, but couldn't cut it down!

By:

LPL_IanS

Lawrence Public Library

20 items

20 items

Evening in Paradise

Evening in Paradise

More Stories

by Berlin, Lucia

Book - 2018

Heavily influenced by Berlin’s varied life, this posthumously released short story collection straddles the line between fiction and memoir, and its proxi...Show more Heavily influenced by Berlin’s varied life, this posthumously released short story collection straddles the line between fiction and memoir, and its proximity to her experiences, along with her lucid prose, sets the stage for protagonists who live and breath and work and fail and fight and temporarily thrive. Show less

Heavily influenced by Berlin’s varied life, this posthumously released short story collection straddles the line between fiction and memoir, and its proxi...Show more Heavily influenced by Berlin’s varied life, this posthumously released short story collection straddles the line between fiction and memoir, and its proximity to her experiences, along with her lucid prose, sets the stage for protagonists who live and breath and work and fail and fight and temporarily thrive. Show less

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Severance

Severance

by Ma, Ling

Book - 2018

The apocalypse arrives in fever form, decimating the world and leaving Candace, formerly an unenthusiastic but dedicated Bible manufacture overseer, as th...Show more The apocalypse arrives in fever form, decimating the world and leaving Candace, formerly an unenthusiastic but dedicated Bible manufacture overseer, as the odd woman out in a group of rapidly diminishing survivors. A smart, wry read about ennui, globalization, assimilation, and power. Show less

The apocalypse arrives in fever form, decimating the world and leaving Candace, formerly an unenthusiastic but dedicated Bible manufacture overseer, as th...Show more The apocalypse arrives in fever form, decimating the world and leaving Candace, formerly an unenthusiastic but dedicated Bible manufacture overseer, as the odd woman out in a group of rapidly diminishing survivors. A smart, wry read about ennui, globalization, assimilation, and power. Show less

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The Three-body Problem

The Three-body Problem

by Liu, Cixin

Book - 2014

One woman’s experiences in the Chinese Cultural Revolution come back to haunt humanity in this dense, critically acclaimed first contact novel. Things get...Show more One woman’s experiences in the Chinese Cultural Revolution come back to haunt humanity in this dense, critically acclaimed first contact novel. Things get pretty technical, and some characters speak purely in exposition, but there’s enough mystery and big ideas here to keep a reader fully engaged throughout its 400 pages. Show less

One woman’s experiences in the Chinese Cultural Revolution come back to haunt humanity in this dense, critically acclaimed first contact novel. Things get...Show more One woman’s experiences in the Chinese Cultural Revolution come back to haunt humanity in this dense, critically acclaimed first contact novel. Things get pretty technical, and some characters speak purely in exposition, but there’s enough mystery and big ideas here to keep a reader fully engaged throughout its 400 pages. Show less

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The Silmarillion

The Silmarillion

by Tolkien, J. R. R.

Book - 2001

The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien More history than novel, this beautiful and poetic history of Middle Earth was the literary jewel (Silmaril pun) of Tol...Show more The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien More history than novel, this beautiful and poetic history of Middle Earth was the literary jewel (Silmaril pun) of Tolkien’s eye. Driven by a vengeful oath, the Eldar leave paradise to wage tragic war on Morgoth, a fallen god. Think Old Testament populated by Elves, Dwarves, dragons, and orcs. Show less

The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien More history than novel, this beautiful and poetic history of Middle Earth was the literary jewel (Silmaril pun) of Tol...Show more The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien More history than novel, this beautiful and poetic history of Middle Earth was the literary jewel (Silmaril pun) of Tolkien’s eye. Driven by a vengeful oath, the Eldar leave paradise to wage tragic war on Morgoth, a fallen god. Think Old Testament populated by Elves, Dwarves, dragons, and orcs. Show less

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A Grace Paley Reader

A Grace Paley Reader

Stories, Essays, and Poetry

by Paley, Grace

Book - 2017

According to George Saunders, “Paley honors every person and thing she creates by presenting them at their best, or at least their liveliest.” True. Pale...Show more According to George Saunders, “Paley honors every person and thing she creates by presenting them at their best, or at least their liveliest.” True. Paley writes so funnily, so well, and so convincingly that you can’t help but be begrudgingly charmed by even her most deadbeat dads. She’s a treasure! Show less

According to George Saunders, “Paley honors every person and thing she creates by presenting them at their best, or at least their liveliest.” True. Pale...Show more According to George Saunders, “Paley honors every person and thing she creates by presenting them at their best, or at least their liveliest.” True. Paley writes so funnily, so well, and so convincingly that you can’t help but be begrudgingly charmed by even her most deadbeat dads. She’s a treasure! Show less

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Slaughterhouse-five, Or, The Children's Crusade

Slaughterhouse-five, Or, The Children's Crusade

A Duty-dance With Death

by Vonnegut, Kurt

Book - 1994

Billy Pilgrim is a mild mannered optometrist who’s unstuck in time. His consciousness jumps from past to present to future then back again. One minute he’...Show more Billy Pilgrim is a mild mannered optometrist who’s unstuck in time. His consciousness jumps from past to present to future then back again. One minute he’s celebrating a wedding anniversary, the next he’s freezing to death in WW2 years earlier. Slaughterhouse-Five is an absurd, immature, and pacifist masterpiece with aliens. Show less

Billy Pilgrim is a mild mannered optometrist who’s unstuck in time. His consciousness jumps from past to present to future then back again. One minute he’...Show more Billy Pilgrim is a mild mannered optometrist who’s unstuck in time. His consciousness jumps from past to present to future then back again. One minute he’s celebrating a wedding anniversary, the next he’s freezing to death in WW2 years earlier. Slaughterhouse-Five is an absurd, immature, and pacifist masterpiece with aliens. Show less

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Usagi Yojimbo

Usagi Yojimbo

by Sakai, Stan

Graphic Novel - 2015

Usagi (hare) Yojimbo (bodyguard) is one of the longest running creator owned serialized comics. He’s four years older than me! Set in Japan’s Edo period, ...Show more Usagi (hare) Yojimbo (bodyguard) is one of the longest running creator owned serialized comics. He’s four years older than me! Set in Japan’s Edo period, this rabbit ronin (inspired by famous samurai Musashi Miyamoto) wanders a countryside populated by anthropomorphized animals. There’s heart and charm to spare here. Show less

Usagi (hare) Yojimbo (bodyguard) is one of the longest running creator owned serialized comics. He’s four years older than me! Set in Japan’s Edo period, ...Show more Usagi (hare) Yojimbo (bodyguard) is one of the longest running creator owned serialized comics. He’s four years older than me! Set in Japan’s Edo period, this rabbit ronin (inspired by famous samurai Musashi Miyamoto) wanders a countryside populated by anthropomorphized animals. There’s heart and charm to spare here. Show less

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No Man Knows My History

No Man Knows My History

The Life of Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet

by Brodie, Fawn McKay

Book - 1995

Brodie synthesized countless first hand sources to create a compelling and nuanced view of America’s most (in)famous homegrown prophet, Joseph Smith. She ...Show more Brodie synthesized countless first hand sources to create a compelling and nuanced view of America’s most (in)famous homegrown prophet, Joseph Smith. She pulls no punches; this isn’t the history I grew up hearing, but it is a fascinating story of Mormonism’s founding and its deeply 19th century American roots. Show less

Brodie synthesized countless first hand sources to create a compelling and nuanced view of America’s most (in)famous homegrown prophet, Joseph Smith. She ...Show more Brodie synthesized countless first hand sources to create a compelling and nuanced view of America’s most (in)famous homegrown prophet, Joseph Smith. She pulls no punches; this isn’t the history I grew up hearing, but it is a fascinating story of Mormonism’s founding and its deeply 19th century American roots. Show less

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Bark

Bark

Stories

by Moore, Lorrie

Book - 2014

Combine unravelling relationships, painfully uncomfortable interpersonal interactions, and moments of hilarious and high absurdity. Add a dash of existen...Show more Combine unravelling relationships, painfully uncomfortable interpersonal interactions, and moments of hilarious and high absurdity. Add a dash of existential dread along with plenty of exasperation and you’ve got a typical story in “Bark.” That’s not to say any of these stories feel formulaic because they don’t. Show less

Combine unravelling relationships, painfully uncomfortable interpersonal interactions, and moments of hilarious and high absurdity. Add a dash of existen...Show more Combine unravelling relationships, painfully uncomfortable interpersonal interactions, and moments of hilarious and high absurdity. Add a dash of existential dread along with plenty of exasperation and you’ve got a typical story in “Bark.” That’s not to say any of these stories feel formulaic because they don’t. Show less

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The Largesse of the Sea Maiden

The Largesse of the Sea Maiden

by Johnson, Denis

Book - 2018

“It’s plain to you that at the time I wrote this, I’m not dead. But maybe by the time you read it.” In light of Johnson’s all too early death, this co...Show more “It’s plain to you that at the time I wrote this, I’m not dead. But maybe by the time you read it.” In light of Johnson’s all too early death, this collection—so fixated on mortality and time’s passage—haunts. It’s true to life, appropriately absurd, and pulls no punches. Show less

“It’s plain to you that at the time I wrote this, I’m not dead. But maybe by the time you read it.” In light of Johnson’s all too early death, this co...Show more “It’s plain to you that at the time I wrote this, I’m not dead. But maybe by the time you read it.” In light of Johnson’s all too early death, this collection—so fixated on mortality and time’s passage—haunts. It’s true to life, appropriately absurd, and pulls no punches. Show less

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Maggie Brown & Others

Maggie Brown & Others

by Orner, Peter

Book - 2019

Orner’s short stories are typically no more than four pages, but he makes the most of his limited real estate. “Maggie Brown” features dozens of tiny stor...Show more Orner’s short stories are typically no more than four pages, but he makes the most of his limited real estate. “Maggie Brown” features dozens of tiny stories, each one as fresh, and funny, and authentic as the next. Everything fits together perfectly in an equally hilarious and heart wrenching whole. Show less

Orner’s short stories are typically no more than four pages, but he makes the most of his limited real estate. “Maggie Brown” features dozens of tiny stor...Show more Orner’s short stories are typically no more than four pages, but he makes the most of his limited real estate. “Maggie Brown” features dozens of tiny stories, each one as fresh, and funny, and authentic as the next. Everything fits together perfectly in an equally hilarious and heart wrenching whole. Show less

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Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball

by Toriyama, Akira

Graphic Novel - 2008-

Bulma, a boy crazy genius, enlists a wild, simian tailed child named Goku on her adventure to collect seven mystical Dragon Balls. You’d never guess that ...Show more Bulma, a boy crazy genius, enlists a wild, simian tailed child named Goku on her adventure to collect seven mystical Dragon Balls. You’d never guess that this silly, endearing, and pervy comedy would eventually morph into the fighting super saiyan sensation known throughout the West as Dragon Ball Z. Show less

Bulma, a boy crazy genius, enlists a wild, simian tailed child named Goku on her adventure to collect seven mystical Dragon Balls. You’d never guess that ...Show more Bulma, a boy crazy genius, enlists a wild, simian tailed child named Goku on her adventure to collect seven mystical Dragon Balls. You’d never guess that this silly, endearing, and pervy comedy would eventually morph into the fighting super saiyan sensation known throughout the West as Dragon Ball Z. Show less

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Lent

Lent

by Walton, Jo

Book - 2019

Based on the true events of 15th century Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola’s life until everything goes off the rails midway through—seriously, it's the...Show more Based on the true events of 15th century Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola’s life until everything goes off the rails midway through—seriously, it's the craziest twist I've ever read—I found it an intriguing, if at times dry, dive into some deep theological questions. Show less

Based on the true events of 15th century Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola’s life until everything goes off the rails midway through—seriously, it's the...Show more Based on the true events of 15th century Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola’s life until everything goes off the rails midway through—seriously, it's the craziest twist I've ever read—I found it an intriguing, if at times dry, dive into some deep theological questions. Show less

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Akira

Akira

by Ōtomo, Katsuhiro

Graphic Novel - 2009-2011

Tetsuo and Kaneda, childhood friends and teenage delinquents, end up on opposing sides of an existential struggle after an accident awakens Tetsuo’s incre...Show more Tetsuo and Kaneda, childhood friends and teenage delinquents, end up on opposing sides of an existential struggle after an accident awakens Tetsuo’s incredible latent psionic abilities. Revenge, romance, politics, intrigue, science, slapstick, KILLER art, and the world’s coolest motorcycle—this iconic cyberpunk manga has it all and then some. Read it! Show less

Tetsuo and Kaneda, childhood friends and teenage delinquents, end up on opposing sides of an existential struggle after an accident awakens Tetsuo’s incre...Show more Tetsuo and Kaneda, childhood friends and teenage delinquents, end up on opposing sides of an existential struggle after an accident awakens Tetsuo’s incredible latent psionic abilities. Revenge, romance, politics, intrigue, science, slapstick, KILLER art, and the world’s coolest motorcycle—this iconic cyberpunk manga has it all and then some. Read it! Show less

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Good Talk

Good Talk

A Memoir in Conversations

by Jacob, Mira

Graphic Novel - 2018

From fielding her son’s Michael Jackson queries (including did MJ prefer being white or black) to wrapping her head around her loving in-laws’ unapologet...Show more From fielding her son’s Michael Jackson queries (including did MJ prefer being white or black) to wrapping her head around her loving in-laws’ unapologetic 2016 support of Donald Trump, Mira Jacob tackles being brown in the USA in this smart, big hearted, funny until it’s not, collage-like graphic memoir. Show less

From fielding her son’s Michael Jackson queries (including did MJ prefer being white or black) to wrapping her head around her loving in-laws’ unapologet...Show more From fielding her son’s Michael Jackson queries (including did MJ prefer being white or black) to wrapping her head around her loving in-laws’ unapologetic 2016 support of Donald Trump, Mira Jacob tackles being brown in the USA in this smart, big hearted, funny until it’s not, collage-like graphic memoir. Show less

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The Line Becomes A River

The Line Becomes A River

by Cantú, Francisco

Book - 2018

A haunting and lyrical exploration of the Mexico-US border that is both thoroughly researched and anecdotally informed by Cantú’s own experiences as a Mex...Show more A haunting and lyrical exploration of the Mexico-US border that is both thoroughly researched and anecdotally informed by Cantú’s own experiences as a Mexican-American US Border Patrol member. A small book rich in nuance and valuable perspective, The Line Becomes a River ought to be required reading. Show less

A haunting and lyrical exploration of the Mexico-US border that is both thoroughly researched and anecdotally informed by Cantú’s own experiences as a Mex...Show more A haunting and lyrical exploration of the Mexico-US border that is both thoroughly researched and anecdotally informed by Cantú’s own experiences as a Mexican-American US Border Patrol member. A small book rich in nuance and valuable perspective, The Line Becomes a River ought to be required reading. Show less

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One Hundred Years of Solitude

One Hundred Years of Solitude

by García Márquez, Gabriel

Book - 2003

The melancholy story of the Buendía family and the fictional town of Macondo. García Márquez uses the town and its inhabitants to philosophize about Colom...Show more The melancholy story of the Buendía family and the fictional town of Macondo. García Márquez uses the town and its inhabitants to philosophize about Colombian history and the cyclical nature of fate. A beautifully written and challenging book that brought Latin American magical realism to a worldwide audience. Show less

The melancholy story of the Buendía family and the fictional town of Macondo. García Márquez uses the town and its inhabitants to philosophize about Colom...Show more The melancholy story of the Buendía family and the fictional town of Macondo. García Márquez uses the town and its inhabitants to philosophize about Colombian history and the cyclical nature of fate. A beautifully written and challenging book that brought Latin American magical realism to a worldwide audience. Show less

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Nothing to See Here

Nothing to See Here

by Wilson, Kevin

Book - 2019

After a brief period of youthful excellence, Lillian’s life has plateaued. Her new job nannying two very unusual kids (they spontaneously combust when ups...Show more After a brief period of youthful excellence, Lillian’s life has plateaued. Her new job nannying two very unusual kids (they spontaneously combust when upset) for her only and oldest friend will change that. A story about a bunch of oddballs that’s witty, heartwarming, and occasionally laugh out loud funny. Show less

After a brief period of youthful excellence, Lillian’s life has plateaued. Her new job nannying two very unusual kids (they spontaneously combust when ups...Show more After a brief period of youthful excellence, Lillian’s life has plateaued. Her new job nannying two very unusual kids (they spontaneously combust when upset) for her only and oldest friend will change that. A story about a bunch of oddballs that’s witty, heartwarming, and occasionally laugh out loud funny. Show less

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Pachinko

Pachinko

by Lee, Min Jin

Book - 2017

Follows four generations of a Korean family throughout the late 19th and 20th century, but focuses largely on Sunja and her children and their experiences...Show more Follows four generations of a Korean family throughout the late 19th and 20th century, but focuses largely on Sunja and her children and their experiences in as immigrants in Japan. Themes of identity, family, and prejudice are explored in a light that will be new to most American readers. Show less

Follows four generations of a Korean family throughout the late 19th and 20th century, but focuses largely on Sunja and her children and their experiences...Show more Follows four generations of a Korean family throughout the late 19th and 20th century, but focuses largely on Sunja and her children and their experiences in as immigrants in Japan. Themes of identity, family, and prejudice are explored in a light that will be new to most American readers. Show less

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House of X / Powers of X

House of X / Powers of X

by Hickman, Jonathan

Graphic Novel - 2019

I’m pretty cynical when it comes to the near continual relaunches of decades old superhero franchises, but HoX/Pox delivers. Hickman recontextualizes and ...Show more I’m pretty cynical when it comes to the near continual relaunches of decades old superhero franchises, but HoX/Pox delivers. Hickman recontextualizes and reimagines iconic heroes and villains in an unsettling and gripping take on the X-Men that takes place over centuries and in multiple realities. Show less

I’m pretty cynical when it comes to the near continual relaunches of decades old superhero franchises, but HoX/Pox delivers. Hickman recontextualizes and ...Show more I’m pretty cynical when it comes to the near continual relaunches of decades old superhero franchises, but HoX/Pox delivers. Hickman recontextualizes and reimagines iconic heroes and villains in an unsettling and gripping take on the X-Men that takes place over centuries and in multiple realities. Show less

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