ACPL Best Books of 2018
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, “Fantastic debut novel by Tomi Adeyemi set in a world where magic is gone. Beautiful fantasy world blending myth with YA.” –Amy S., Children’s, Mebane Public Library
The Power by Naomi Alderman, “An empowering take on womankind’s roles in society.” –Kaity M., Circulation, May Memorial Library
Everything Happens for a Reason: and other lies I’ve loved, by Kate Bowler, “The title alone is enough to convey the heartbreaking truths and the recognition of how frail humans’ life and faith can be. This memoir is beautiful and moving.” –Jenna B., Circulation, Graham Public Library
Ninety-Nine Glimpses of Princess Margaret by Craig Brown, “Princess Margaret is a fascinating character in the Netflix series The Crown and this book promises to really dish the dirt.” –Katherine A., Branch Manager, Mebane Public Library
The Wife by Alafair Burke, “This story is timely in both the “Me too Movement” and the difficulty in keeping our personal life private. Difficult to put down once you start.” –Tracy W., Reference, Mebane Public Library
Three Things about Elsie by Joanna Cannon, “Well-written, character driven story on aging and memory, enduring friendship, and an old secret that comes back to haunt.” – -Katie D., Reference, May Memorial Library
Bad Blood: secrets and lies in a Silicon Valley startup by John Carreyrou, “Bad Blood chronicles the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and her company Theranos. A gripping work of journalism, Bad Blood proves the saying ‘truth is stranger than fiction.’” –Elizabeth W., Youth Services Coordinator
A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole, “A romance novel that made it onto the New York Times Book Review “100 Notable Books of 2018” list!! That is noteworthy.” –Katherine A., Branch Manager, Mebane Public Library
The Disappearance of Sloane Sullivan by Gia Cribbs, “The main character is in witness protection and on her 19th alias. A mash-up of YA contemporary and a thriller!” –Shari V., Children’s, Mebane Public Library
My Lady’s Choosing by Kitty Curran, “A fun twist on the classic romance novel. Now the story can end the way you want it!” –Kaity M., Circulation, May Memorial Library
Sabrina by Nick Drnaso, “Sabrina is an often grim reflection on our digital age, told masterfully through comics. It traces the impact tragedies have on those closely related to the victim, how false news and rumors spread rapidly in our digital landscape, and how quickly we move on from one tragedy as a new one grips our attention.” –Elizabeth W., Youth Services Coordinator
The Vineyard by Maria Duenas, “An engrossing read of historical fiction that spans the diverse worlds in 1860’s Mexico, Cuba and Spain.” –Luba S., Branch Manager, Graham Public Library
Crunch, the Shy Dinosaur by Cirocco Dunlap, “This book is just so cute and humorous. Kids will love the interactive text and simple, colorful pictures.” –Jenna B., Circulation, Graham Public Library
Natural Causes: an epidemic of wellness, the certainty of dying, and killing ourselves to live longer by Barbara Ehrenreich, “An interesting look at an uncommon argument about health, wellness, and progress.” –Kelly J., Mobile Cafe Driver
Moonstruck, Vol. 1 by Grace Ellis, “An adorable comic about trying to find your place in the world, which is difficult for anyone, even werewolves.” –Kaity M., Circulation, May Memorial Library
An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris, “In a fractured United States where territories have been claimed by other nations and magic is real but mistrusted, Lizbeth Rose is surviving as a hired gun when her family and past embroil her in a bid for power that threatens her life as she must move across territory lines to complete her mission.” –Susana G., Interim Director and Associate Director of Operations
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, “The suspense and twists don’t stop in this gripping psychological thriller!” –Jenna B., Circulation, Graham Public Library
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, “Easily the best romance I have ever read! I stayed up all night to finish it, and it will have a movie coming out soon!” –Kaity M., Circulation, May Memorial Library
The Liar’s Girl by Catherine Ryan Howard, “This story is told from several character viewpoints and keeps the reader guessing until the end.” –Tracy W., Reference, Mebane Public Library
Crooked Staircase by Dean Koontz, “The third novel of the Jane Hawk series. A former FBI agent is now on the most wanted fugitives list as she uncovers a conspiracy to use Nano-technology to brainwash and control the world.” –Susana G., Interim Director and Associate Director of Operations
Sunburn by Laura Lippman, “Nothing is as it seems, so don’t be too quick to judge the characters.” –Tracy W., Reference, Mebane Public Library
The Witch Doesn’t Burn in this One by Amanda Lovelace, “Lovelace brings a fresh take on poetry. This book is an encouraging read for anyone, but especially women, who have ever felt unheard, lonely, or just generally lost.” –Kaity M., Circulation, May Memorial Library
Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu, “My favorite YA Dystopian author! Wildcard picks up the story where Warcross left off. All the things i loved about Warcross came through in the sequel, while also maintaining suspense and mystery. Lots of fast paced excitement.” –Shari V., Children’s, Mebane Public Library
I Can Only Imagine: a memoir by Bart Millard, “This is a powerful story of redemption, forgiveness, and hope.” –Jenna B., Circulation, Graham Public Library
Circe by Madeline Miller, “Circe is now my all-time favorite heroine. This story is beautiful, powerful, and so real.” –Amanda G., Adult Programming Coordinator
Not Here by Hieu Minh Nguyen, An interesting look at an uncommon argument about health, wellness, and progress. –Kelly J., Mobile Cafe Driver
The Library Book by Susan Orlean, “How could a librarian not be excited about this book?” –Katherine A., Branch Manager, Mebane Public Library
Women and Money by Suze Orman, updated 2018, “You’re never too young or too old to have a financial plan.” –Karin C. Reference, Mebane Public Library
Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts, “On an average day at the mall, readers follow along during a multi-shooter attack.” –Susana G., Interim Director and Associate Director of Operations
Knock, Knock by Tammi Sauer, “Bear in mind, it’s not always funny.” –Karin C., Reference, Mebane Public Library
Calypso by David Sedaris, “Anything David Sedaris writes is always fun, and I especially enjoy listening on audiobook.” –Katherine A., Branch Manager, Mebane Public Library
The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas, “My favorite Sherlock Holmes adaptation that features a smart and savvy Lady Sherlock.” –Amanda G., Adult Programming Coordinator
The House of Broken Angels, by Luis Alberto Urrea, “A multi-generational family saga that reminds us of our history and the remarkable stories and immigrant journeys to the United States.” –Luba S., Branch Manager, Graham Public Library
Educated by Tara Westover, “If you liked The Glass Castle then this memoir of family dysfunction is for you.” –Katherine A., Branch Manager, Mebane Public Library
Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon, “This beautiful book is full of lovely photos, scrumptious-looking recipes, and interesting tidbits from actress Reese Witherspoon’s life.” –Jenna B., Circulation, Graham Public Library
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer, “It is about discovering what it means to be an adult and a woman, and more often than not both.” –Kaity M., Circulation, May Memorial Library (this one got 2 votes!)
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, “A dark fairy story with plot twists worthy of the Fey! Holly Black proves once again that she is a premier writer of young adult paranormal fiction.” –Deana C., Branch Manager, May Memorial Library.
The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn, “Debut suspense thriller with a twist that reads similarly to the well-known genre staples Gone Girl and the Girl on the Train.” –Ray K., Graham Public Library
Walking the Americas by Levison Wood, “Do you have a taste for adventure or a touch of wanderlust? Wood is a real-life adventurer who has also walked the length of the Nile River and trekked the Himalayas!” –Ray K., Graham Public Library