Submitted by team at Brainerd Memorial Library.Â
Looking for something new to read? The staff at the Brainerd Library is here to help with book recommendations as varied as the staff itself!
In the Month of June, we have recommendations from Jenny, Kelly, Emily and Jesse. More thoughts on these books can be found at the Brainerd Library’s Goodreads. All recommendations can be accessed through the Brainerd Memorial Library. Give us a call at 860-345-2204 or email us at library@brainerdlibrary.org and we can make sure the book is waiting for you when you get to the library.
One Tin Bakes by Edd Kimber
A recipe book from the first ever winner of the Great British Bake Off. Edd Kimber has 70 great recipes that use minimal equipment and are perfect for the novice baker.
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
This memoir describes the childhood Jeanette Walls had, her experiences with neglectful and abusive parents.  Jeanette and her siblings have to learn to care for each other and are even able to prosper in the end.
A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy
Two sisters have to win the throne by killing the other and their magic is instrumental for this task.  Unfortunately for the younger sister, her magic of Marrow and Blood is so rare she can’t find a teacher.
Hoodoo by Ronald L. Smith
Hoodoo Hatcher is a boy born into a family that has a rich tradition in practicing folk magic, but he can’t even cast a spell. Now a stranger is in town looking for a boy and Hoodoo has to defeat the dark magic filling the town.
Like Home by Louisa Onome
Like Home is about Chinelo who loves her neighborhood and community.  But things change when her best friend Kate starts pushing her away and Kate’s family store is vandalized.
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
Binti is a young Himba woman and the first of her people to be offered a place at the Oomza University, the finest school in the galaxy. But going to university means leaving behind her family and traveling among people who don’t understand or respect her customs.
Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortaga
Lucely and her best friend Syd accidently unleash evil onto their town of St. Augusta a few days before Halloween. Now they have to help Syd’s grandma, who is also a witch, reverse the curse and save everyone.
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In honor of Pride Month, we have also provided a list of books that feature representation from all aspects of the LGBTQIA+ community. These are books we’ve enjoyed and felt that others would enjoy them too. With most of these books and series, the main plot isn’t about the characters being gay or transgender. It’s about people and how those aspects of their lives can have a big impact on their day to day or a smaller impact. We’re offering a wide variety of books from contemporary middle grade to adult high fantasy. All of these books can be borrowed through the Brainerd Memorial Library and we hope you enjoy them.
— Emily
Female/Female Relationship
- Long way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
- Heavy Vinyl by Carly Usdin
- Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling
- Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett
- Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant
- Isola by Brendon Fletcher
Male/Male
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
- In the Hall with the Knife by Diana Peterfreund
- Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
- The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried by Shaun David Hutchinson
Bisexual
- The Disasters by M. K. England
- An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
- Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
- Not Your Sidekick by C. B. Lee
- Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzalez
- Beetle and the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne
Trans/Nonbinary
- Dreadnaught by April Daniels
- Out by Miles McKenna
- I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
- Murderbot by Martha Wells
Ace
- Every Heart a Doorway by Shannan McGuire
- Rick by Alex Gino
Ally (These books feature side characters or later books in the series feature characters who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community)
- Cruel Prince by Holly Black
- Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill
- Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
- Diviners by Libba Bray
- Raven Boys by Meggie Steifvater
