A Few More of Our Favorite Things

	Name and department: Rachel, Adult Programming Librarian Staff Pick: The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender What’s an alternative title you would give the book? The Metaphysics of Family Summarize the book in one sentence: Bizarre magical elements take a mundane little story about teenage girl angst into the realm of the inexplicable, the confusing and the sublime. I would not recommend this book to my mother because... It's just too weird. My mom is a straight-shooting cowgirl who grew up on an Idaho ranch, and she likes nonfiction and adventure stories. This book is a little too precious and twee for her tastes--although I'm sure she'd give it a fair shot!
	Name and department: Tricia, Tech Services Coordinator Staff Pick: State of Wonder by Ann Patchett What’s an alternative title you would give the book? Self Awareness in the Jungle Summarize the book in one sentence: A scientist goes outside her comfort zone to embrace adventure. I would recommend this book to my mother because... I liked the characters and the plot was completely engrossing. I had a hard time putting it down!
	Name and department: William, Adult Services Staff Pick: Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart What’s an alternative title you would give the book? Love in the Time of Dystopia Summarize the book in one sentence: A thought provoking, and kind of startling, look at how our focus on commercialism, capitalism, and youth can and may lead to the deterioration of the individual to clueless, superficial droids obsessed with pleasure and living forever. I would not recommend this book to my father because... Shteyngart’s imagining of the dystopian world might catch is interest, but he’s not much of a reader. He’d probably like a film adaptation, though.