As September ushers in the new academic year, the Schertz Library has curated a list of staff picks to provide a literary escape from the back-to-school season. According to a report by the City of Schertz, the selection ranges from juvenile fiction and graphic novels to young adult thrillers and non-fiction exposés, catering to a broad spectrum of readers—whether students seeking a break from homework or adults looking for conversation starters among fellow bibliophiles.
The library's recommendations kick off with the Mindy Kim series for middle graders, featuring a young protagonist navigating the challenges of a new school and starting a snack business. Picture book enthusiasts can delve into a tale of a Wolf teaching Rabbit the power of imagination—a story within a story that also subtly explores the theme of survival. Charlie's narrative in juvenile fiction wrestles with family neglect and magical fish wishes, while the "Schnozzer and Tatertoes" graphic novel takes young readers on an enchanted forest adventure with a duo of animal friends.
Young adults have the chance to engage with thrilling mysteries like the one set on the Blackfeet Reservation—a tale of suspense and community after a murder at a traditional giveaway event. For those inclined towards supernatural romance, the Wolves of Mercy Falls series presents a human-wolf connection that intensifies as the colder months encroach. Additionally, paranormal romance readers can explore the unexpected happenings on a haunted goat farm in an e-book available through Libby.
For a more grounded reading experience, Naomi Klein's "The Shock Doctrine" unfolds the concept of disaster capitalism, tracing the impact of economic shock tactics across global events, a theory proposed by Klein that has garnered attention in multiple languages worldwide. On the fiction front, classics like Anthony Burgess's vision of a dystopian future are offered alongside sci-fi horrors about extraterrestrial encounters on Earth, both testing the limits of human resilience in the face of otherworldly threats.
Whether drawn to the magic of youthful adventures, the chill of otherworldly presences, or the stark reality of economic critiques, Schertz Library's Staff Picks for September seem to offer a welcome respite or a thought-provoking challenge for any reader looking to turn a new page this fall.
