Ferndale Library Staff Recommends: Kelly's Fall Picks

Another summer of reading, listening and watching has almost passed. A lot of hoopla is made about the "beach book" and the "summer album," but I think these choices transcend seasons and make great entertainment anytime!

Year Zero
by Robert Reid
SF REID
In the spirit of Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy comes this snarkily funny book about what would happen if aliens became obsessed with Earth's music, used their advanced technology to distribute it to billions of listeners, and then realized they had run afoul of our convoluted copyright law. It's sci-fi, yes, but not the kind that makes you have to know what dilithium is, or is supposed to be. 

The Shadow of the Wind
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
FIC ZAFÓN
I love books about books, and this one is simply sodden with authors, books, libraries and the reading life. Set in 1950s Barcelona, this twisty story follows Daniel Sempere's discovery of a mysterious book and his quest to find out what happened to its doomed author, Julián Carax. 

Gone Girl
by Gillian Flynn
FIC FLYNN
It's he said/she said at its finest. Just when you think you know what's happening with the Dunnes, there's a chapter, sentence or word that flips that impression upside down. I'm not even finished with this one yet, but the fact that I'm looking for excuses to listen to it, including sitting my car at lunch, should be a good indicator of the page turning quality of Gone Girl.

Pink Flag
by Wire
CD WIRE (Coming soon)
A favorite radio show/podcast of mine is WBEZ's Sound Opinions , and a few weeks ago they did a special on 1977, the year punk broke. I was exposed to a lot of music I'd never heard before, including Wire, a London punk band formed in 1976. The music is quintessential punk/post-punk and has been highly influential. Must listen track is "Ex Lion Tamer" which boils down the movement's aversion to TV-induced apathy to 2 minutes and 19 seconds of sneering bombast. 


The Walking Dead, Compendium 1

by Robert Kirkman

GRAPHIC KIRKMAN

I cannot stress enough the value of reading this amazing graphic novel series even if you are watching the also fantastic AMC series. There's enough walker-infested world to spread between the continuing book and TV series, and while there's obviously some crossover, there are enough differences to keep the suspense of the show alive. The comic series does exactly what all great post-apocalyptic and zombie works do: examines the human condition under duress. Kirkman seems to delight (read the Letter Hacks at the end of the issues to see what I mean) in offing even the most beloved characters, so get used to the feeling of losing a favorite. But the feeling of jeopardy makes the experience that much more real.

Ferndale Patch thanks Head of Circulation Kelly Bennett for contributing to Patch! Check back soon for more ideas from library staff. Are you looking for recommendations on something specific? Email jessica.schrader@patch.com, and we'll pass on your questions to the library.