Book Buzz

Episode 140 - Air date: Feb. 8, 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 are a queer romantic comedy and a new history of the Irish famine.

First, we’re going to hear from Bridget, collection development librarian, for a wry look at longing and identity. Over to you, Bridget.

BRIDGET:

In Rose Dommu's debut novel “Best Woman,” we meet our narrator, Julia, in a steamy club scene that sounds like a music video. The next morning, however, is less cinematic as she makes the sojourn to the mall for the time-honored and dreaded tradition of buying a dress for her beloved brother's wedding. When Julia discovers that her future sister-in-law's Maid of Honor has been replaced with her teenage crush, Julia quickly finds herself lying about just how accepting her family is to garner sympathy from the girl of her dreams. But how will these lies play out once they make it to Boca Raton? And can Julia make it through a Florida wedding beset by her family AND memories of her past?

While this book is a delightful romantic comedy, it's frothiness belies a poignant story about being transgender. While Julia's journey is unique to her, as evidenced by her close friends whose own stories we get glimpses of, her relationship with her family and her ongoing internal struggles are situations that can both resonate with and educate readers. “Best Woman” is great for fans of wedding-based romantic comedies and imperfect but wonderful protagonists. I laughed, I cried, and I related deeply to just how good a mall pretzel can be.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Bridget! Such a refreshing debut novel. I’m looking forward to more quality work from Rose Dommu in the future.

For a change of pace, let’s hear about the searing history of Ireland’s devastating famine, from Jennifer, librarian at the Mill Creek Library. Take it away, Jennifer.

JENNIFER:

My favorite nonfiction book of 2025 was “Rot: An Imperial History of the Irish Famine.” I'm Irish American, and my family has passed down a lot of famine lore, not all of it reliable. So I found this new history by Padraic Scanlan really interesting. The author calls it an "Imperial History," because, he argues, the British Empire essentially caused the famine. After all, potato crops failed all over Europe, not just in Ireland. People from Portugal to Russia went hungry in those years — but only in Ireland, a British colony, did crop failure lead to death on a catastrophic scale.

Ireland's famine, Scanlan writes, was the result of centuries of British colonial policies that transformed the Irish people into a vulnerable underclass. The suffering of the Irish could have been alleviated by decisive action by the British, but deep-seated prejudice got in the way. The book goes into all the details and decisions that turned an agricultural dilemma into a true catastrophe. If you're interested in Ireland, immigration, or politics, you might be fascinated by “Rot,” too.

JESSICA:

Thanks, Jennifer! It sounds like a tragic example of a government that valued economics over human life.

Our recommendations this week are: “Best Woman” by Rose Dommu, opens a new window and “Rot: An Imperial History of the Irish Famine” by Padraic Scanlan, opens a new window.

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.