The Bark Book Recs: September
Student browses book options at UMD’s Kathryn A. Martin Library
As the leaves begin to turn and cooler days settle over Duluth, it’s the perfect time to curl up with a good book. Whether you’re looking for an escape into another world, a mystery to unravel or a story closer to home, these five recommendations offer something for every kind of reader.
The first recommendation in our list is for those who enjoy queer stories, the supernatural, and academic settings. Spoiled Milk by Avery Curran is the perfect book for the back-to-school season. In 1928, Emily Locke is spending her last year at the Briarley School for Girls when her best friend Violet falls to her death. We follow Emily and her nemesis, Evelyn, as they work together to solve Violet’s murder. Desperate for answers, the girls turn to spiritualism and contact Violet's spirit, who comes with a warning: something deadly is infecting Briarley.
Our next book explores unique magic, political fantasy, and complex characters. Imagine a world where women are forbidden to read. Shen Tao's The Poet Empress is a dark, twisty political fantasy that will have you questioning the line between love and hate. Wei Yin is desperate. With her village on the brink of starvation, she will do anything to save her family. Even offer herself as a concubine to the heir of the brutal Azalea House. To survive, Wei must compose the most powerful spell of all: a ballad of death and love.
Just like the seasonal change, our next recommendation is for those who enjoy coming-of-age stories, Ojibwe culture, and supporting Minnesota authors. Where Wolves Don’t Die by Anton Treuer is perfect for those beginning their reading journey. Ezra Cloud hates living in the cities. He would much rather be spending time on the rez at Nigigoonsiminikaanmng First Nation. When his bully’s house burns down after a fight, Ezra becomes the prime suspect in the investigation. Scared that Ezra won’t get a fair deal, his family sends him away to run traplines with his grandfather in Canada, but bullies don’t give up that easily.
Although we are not in October yet, for those who cannot get enough gore, a weird cast of characters, and stories with religious themes. Desperation by Stephen King, arguably one of his best-written novels. Tackling the classic “Good vs. Evil” trope, we track a mismatched group of characters trying to survive an impossible situation that starts with a 6-foot-7-inch police officer from hell. This novel is very graphic and not for the faint of heart.
Lastly, for those who enjoy Hollywood, learning while reading, and multi-generational novels. Tananarive Due, one of BookTok’s most beloved authors, has a new novel, Mazywood, releasing Sept. 22nd. In this thriller, we will be following the grandson of a famous black actress who returns to his grandmother’s cabin in the Californian mountains, only to discover the legacy of her rage.