Book Buzz

Episode 143 - Air date: March 1, 2026

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 Jennifer, librarian at the Mill Creek Library, who will take us on a historical journey. Over to you, Jennifer.

JENNIFER:

If you’re a fan of history and true crime, you’ll enjoy “Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland” by Patrick Radden Keefe.

“Say Nothing” opens with the abduction of Jean McConville, a Belfast widow who was taken in front of her children and never seen again. In telling the story of her disappearance, the author also tells the story of the Troubles: a period of brutal sectarian violence that seized Northern Ireland from the late 1960s to 1998.

We learn about McConville and her family, but also about the various people and organizations who were part of the struggle. I learned so much about how this undeclared civil war in Ireland started, how it escalated, and the terrible things that were done in its name.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the book is what happened to all of those people and groups after the Good Friday Agreement ended the bloodshed. The issues that led to the Troubles are all still there, as are many of the people who took part, balanced in an uneasy truce.

I found this story as deeply touching as it was informative. “Say Nothing” is fascinating, as suspenseful as a thriller, but frighteningly true.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Jennifer! We get a mystery AND a history lesson with that one.

Next, let’s hear about dungeons, dragons, and high school friendships, from Michael, library associate at the Lynnwood Library. Take it away, Michael.

MICHAEL:

“Roll Call” is an exciting graphic novel that mixes expressive artwork with interesting dialogue. On its surface, it is a story about a group of teens that participate in a fast-paced game of D&D. In the long run, the story is about hope, redemption, and learning by doing. The D&D game space becomes an arena of expression and practice as the teens progress through the story.

Molly Knox Ostertag is a veteran of teen stories and has an introspective voice depicting teens experiencing hardship and grief. This mixes real world with the D&D fantasy world but speaks to how games can teach us how to be better people in a safe environment. It is easy to tell the characteristics of each player apart from the others, and you can tell what the motivation is for each of them.

The artwork is exceptional and vibrant, and the characters seem real and unique to read about. The changes from in game to real life make sense and are relevant to a wide variety of readers that may be interested in this type of story. The genre falls into fantasy, but mixes in drama and romance. This is a must-read book for anyone that likes graphic novels or anyone that likes stories about being heroic.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Michael! You don’t have to be a D&D player to enjoy this graphic novel, but after reading it, you just might be tempted to try a roleplaying game.

Our recommendations this week are: “Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland” by Patrick Radden Keefe and "Roll Call" by Molly Knox Ostertag.

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.