Book Buzz

Episode 92 - Air date: March 9, 2025

JESSICA:

Hi, this is Jessica Russell. I’m the assistant director of collection services at Sno-Isle Libraries. And welcome to Book Buzz.

Today’s two reading recommendations will introduce you to handpicked favorites that have captured the hearts and minds of our staff. We’ll give you the inside scoop on titles you may not have heard about.

First, we’re going to hear from Lindsey, a librarian at the Mukilteo Library, who will take us into a land of fairies. Go ahead, Lindsey.

LINDSEY:

This is the tale of a toad-shaped fairy, a bookish knight, and a princess trapped in a tower. If you like fairy tales, you’re in for a treat with “Thornhedge” by T. Kingfisher.

Toadling was stolen by fairies as an infant. One of her gifts is that she can turn into a toad when she’s frightened or wants to move around unseen. Toadling is really the heart of this story, and you will fall in love with her as I did.

The fairies ask Toadling to offer a blessing of protection to a newborn princess. The blessing goes horribly wrong, and the princess, Fayette, proves to be a sadistic and destructive child. To save the kingdom from Fayette, Toadling puts her to sleep, and stands sentinel at the thorny hedge surrounding the castle.

As you may have guessed, this is a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. As a fan of fairy tales, I’ve been looking forward to this book a lot and it did not disappoint.

“Thornhedge” is reminiscent of Neil Gaiman’s stories. It’s dark and moody, but also wickedly funny. “Thornhedge” is a novella that is such a small treasure of a book. I didn’t want it to end, and I want to dive back into the world Kingfisher created.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Lindsey. I’ve read 2 of T.Kingfisher’s other stories and I loved them. I’m also a fan of fairytale retellings, so this sounds like a must-read for me!

Next, let’s switch gears to hear from Jude, library manager of the Snohomish Library, for heartfelt personal stories. Go ahead, Jude.

JUDE:

Recently, I enjoyed Ann Patchett’s “These Precious Days.” Patchett shares this collection of essays about relationships in her life. While there is loss and grief, these are stories of people and the varied ways they celebrate growth and hope.

“The First Thanksgiving” resonated as she described checking out “The Joy of Cooking” from the library and planning a Thanksgiving dinner to share with some college friends. She wrote “What I had that day was self-reliance and a book, which, as I would later learn, was all I really needed.”

Patchett used the essays to introduce the reader to her life and loves. I met her “Three Fathers” and watched her chance encounters develop into a deep friendship forged in the surreal experience of sharing her house with a near stranger because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

If you’re a fan of audiobooks, the author narrates it herself. The warmth and honesty in her storytelling will make you feel like she’s your dear friend confiding in you.

Patchett’s essays convey truth. Yes, truth from her life. More so, truth of experiences that moved me to reflect on how I live. To be grateful for the gifts that shape my life. Her essays are at once windows into her life and mirrors that help me see myself and my relationships in a truer light.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Jude! Stories that make the reader reflect on their own life can be so powerful.

Join us next time, when we’ll explore more great reading recommendations — interesting books you can find at your favorite local bookstore or at your local library.

Until then, I’m Jessica Russell from Sno-Isle Libraries.

Thanks for joining us for Book Buzz on KSER.