Whether you’re cracking textbooks, doing the school run, or looking to learn something new, there’s no time of the year, quite like “back-to-school” season.
In celebration, let’s explore some titles that remind us of locker-lined halls, over-filled backpacks, and new reading lists.
If you dream of returning to class to master the culinary arts, The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister will transport you to a cooking class held by talented chef, Lillian, who brings together a group of characters, each with their own struggles and aspirations. As the characters learn to prepare richly described dishes, they also discover more about themselves and their classmates. The book beautifully weaves together their individual stories, showcasing how food can act as a catalyst for healing and self-discovery.
Next, we journey to a New Hampshire boarding school, where Pulitzer Prize finalist Rebecca Makkai’s I Have Some Questions for You follows renowned podcaster Bodie Kane as she returns to teach at her former high school.
During her brief tenure, Bodie begins to wonder whether, Thalia, a classmate who was murdered at the school in the 90s, was preyed upon, not by the convicted athletic trainer, but rather by a beloved teacher. She’s not alone in her suspicion, as a community of internet sleuths, including some of her current students, is dedicated to uncovering “the truth” of Thalia’s murder. The tension builds as Makkai weaves a tale that is part coming-of-age nostalgia and part true-crime thriller.
Another ripped-from-the-headlines story is The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger.
This witty and cunningly crafted tale delves into the cutthroat competition among privileged parents vying to secure their children’s spots in a new exclusive magnet school. Behind the perfectly polished façades lie secrets, betrayals, and unexpected plot twists. With razor-sharp prose, Holsinger exposes the complexity of these human relationships and the lengths that we’ll go to protect what we cherish.
We leave the privileged few in this next title, as we follow the lives of the everyday teens in the background of every YA novel, those who are not the “chosen ones” tasked with saving the world, but just the regular kids going to school, exploring their identities, and growing toward adulthood. In The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness find a heartfelt ode to seemingly unremarkable lives filled with the magic of growing up.
The Reading List by Sarah Nisha Adams celebrates the transformative power of literature and human connections. Set against the backdrop of a library reading group, Adams beautifully weaves together the stories of previously unrelated individuals, who begin to find solace, understanding, and hope through the books they read and the bonds they form at the library. The Reading List showcases the healing nature of stories and the power of empathy.
To enjoy more learning at the library, join us for a special series of space-themed events in September, exploring rocket launches, life beyond Earth, and more. Attendees will receive free solar viewing glasses, in anticipation of the Oct. 14 Solar Eclipse.
For more information, call the branch at (619) 469-2151 or visit sdcl.org/lamesa.
