Our Library

Explore our carefully curated collection of 12 books spanning fiction, classics, non-fiction, and contemporary bestsellers

The Vanishing Half

Brit Bennett

The Vanishing Half tells the story of the Vignes twin sisters, Desiree and Stella, who grow up in a small, southern black community that prides itself on its light-skinned population. In the 1950s, the inseparable sisters run away from home at age sixteen. A decade later, their lives are completely different. Desiree has returned to her hometown with her black daughter, while Stella is secretly passing as white, her own husband and daughter unaware of her past. The novel explores the complexities of identity, race, and family, as the sisters' lives and the lives of their daughters intersect in unexpected ways. It is a powerful and emotional story about the choices we make and the secrets we keep.

Contemporary Fiction2020

Klara and the Sun

Kazuo Ishiguro

Klara and the Sun is a novel narrated by Klara, an Artificial Friend (AF) with outstanding observational qualities. From her place in the store, Klara carefully watches the behavior of those who come in to browse, and of those who pass on the street outside. She remains hopeful that a customer will soon choose her. The story follows Klara as she is chosen by a family and becomes a companion to a sickly child named Josie. Through Klara's eyes, we see a world of technological advancement and social stratification, where children are 'lifted' to enhance their abilities. The novel raises profound questions about what it means to be human, the nature of love and consciousness, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.

Contemporary Fiction2021

Project Hail Mary

Andy Weir

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish. Except that right now, he doesn't know that. He can't even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it. All he knows is that he's been asleep for a very, very long time. And he's just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company. His memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on a tiny ship, it's up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species. And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he's got to do it all alone. Or does he?

Contemporary Fiction2021

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice is a classic novel of manners, following the turbulent relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich and aristocratic landowner. Set in the English countryside during the Regency era, the novel satirizes the social conventions and class distinctions of the time. Elizabeth's spirited and independent nature clashes with Darcy's proud and reserved demeanor, leading to a series of misunderstandings and witty exchanges. As they navigate the expectations of their society and their own personal biases, Elizabeth and Darcy must overcome their pride and prejudice to find true love and happiness. The novel is a timeless story about love, marriage, and social status, and it remains one of the most beloved works of English literature.

Classic Literature1813

To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird is a powerful and moving novel set in the American South during the 1930s. The story is told through the eyes of a young girl named Scout Finch, whose father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer who defends a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. Through Scout's innocent yet perceptive narration, the novel explores the themes of racial injustice, prejudice, and the loss of innocence. As the trial unfolds, Scout and her brother Jem are forced to confront the dark side of their community and the harsh realities of the adult world. The novel is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today, with its powerful message of courage, compassion, and the importance of standing up for what is right.

Classic Literature1960

1984

George Orwell

1984 is a dystopian novel set in a totalitarian society where the Party, led by the enigmatic Big Brother, has complete control over every aspect of life. The protagonist, Winston Smith, works for the Ministry of Truth, where he alters historical records to fit the Party's propaganda. Disillusioned with his life and the oppressive regime, Winston begins to rebel against the Party in small ways, including a forbidden love affair with a woman named Julia. As Winston's rebellion grows, he becomes a target of the Thought Police, who use surveillance and psychological manipulation to maintain the Party's power. The novel is a chilling and prescient warning against the dangers of totalitarianism, censorship, and the loss of individuality.

Classic Literature1949

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Yuval Noah Harari

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind is a groundbreaking book that tells the story of our species, from our earliest ancestors to the present day. Harari combines insights from biology, anthropology, and economics to provide a comprehensive and thought-provoking account of human history. He explores the major revolutions that have shaped our world, from the Cognitive Revolution to the Agricultural Revolution and the Scientific Revolution. Harari challenges many of our long-held beliefs about ourselves and our place in the world, and he raises important questions about the future of humanity. The book is a fascinating and accessible read that will change the way you think about our past, present, and future.

Non-Fiction2011

Educated

Tara Westover

Educated is a memoir by Tara Westover, who was born to survivalist parents in the mountains of Idaho. She was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara's older brothers became violent. When another brother got himself into college, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she'd traveled too far, if there was still a way home. Educated is an unforgettable memoir about a young woman's struggle for self-invention. It is a tale of fierce family loyalty, and of the grief that comes with severing the closest of ties.

Non-Fiction2018

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Rebecca Skloot

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells—taken without her knowledge in 1951—became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more. Henrietta's cells, known as HeLa, have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can't afford health insurance. This book is a riveting story of the collision between ethics, race, and medicine; of scientific discovery and faith healing; and of a daughter consumed with questions about the mother she never knew. It's a story inextricably connected to the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over whether we control the stuff we're made of.

Non-Fiction2010

The Silent Patient

Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband—and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive. Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word. Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.

Modern Bestseller2019

Where the Crawdads Sing

Delia Owens

For years, rumors of the 'Marsh Girl' have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life—until the unthinkable happens. 'Where the Crawdads Sing' is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder.

Modern Bestseller2018

Atomic Habits

James Clear

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving--every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you'll get a proven system that can take you to new heights. Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible.

Modern Bestseller2018