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May 31

[ARCHIVED] May Staff Picks

The original item was published from May 31, 2022 9:23 AM to May 31, 2022 10:06 AM

Find your next read today as Kansas Talking Books staff members share what they are reading or have read recently.

Michael Lang, Director

Four spaceships flying towards large metal container with blue white light radiating from behind.

DB 89812 Noumenon by Marina J. Lostetter

After an astrophysicist discovers an anomalous star that defies physics, humanity embarks on its first deep-space mission. To maintain the genetic talent of the crew, their clones will man the ship throughout the journey. Each generation changes just a little, however, as the centuries pass. Commercial audiobook. 2017.

Maggie Witte, Outreach Librarian / Lead Readers’ Advisor

Face half blue, half orange surrounded by flora and fauna in shades of blue and orange.

DB 105729 The last cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

Petra Pen~a's world is ending, and only the chosen few will journey to a new planet. Hundreds of years later, Petra wakes to discover that she alone remembers Earth. A sinister Collective has taken over the ship during its journey, bent on erasing the sins of humanity's past. Commercial audiobook. For grades 5-8. 2021.

Woman standing in tropical forest with sun shining through blocking her face.

DB 97880 A madness of sunshine by Nalini Singh

After her husband's death, Anahera Rawiri returns to her remote New Zealand hometown of Golden Cove. She learns a local woman has disappeared and cop Will Gallagher fears there might be a connection to another missing persons case from years before. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019.

Book title in blue script font with red shadows on top of white gear and stripes on light blue.

DB 95004 The hookup by Kristen Ashley

After a night with Johnny Gamble, Izzy Forrester knows she wants more. But Johnny and his ex are famous in town, with everyone sure he never got over her and never will. Even as Izzy tries to protect her heart, they grow closer--until Johnny s lost love returns. Contains violence, explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. Commercial audiobook. 2017.

Dylan Calhoon, Patron Services Manager

Two white mirrored T-rex skeletons on an orange background centered vertically facing edges of book.

DB 92711 The dinosaur artist: obsession, betrayal, and the quest for Earth’s ultimate trophy by Paige Williams

Journalist examines the world of fossil dealing. Focuses on the story of Eric Prokopi, who was accused of smuggling the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus bataar out of Mongolia in 2012. Discusses the fascination for fossils and the mechanics and ethics of the collector market. Commercial audiobook. 2018.

Amanda Diggs, Production Manager

Illustration of woman sitting on suitcase by open gate and man walking to gate from inside.

DB 103735 Nocturne Falls, books 1-4 by Kristen Painer

Four paranormal romances set in the town of Nocturne Falls, where the supernatural residents celebrate Halloween all year. Includes The Vampire's Mail Order Bride, The Werewolf Meets His Match, The Gargoyle Gets His Girl, and The Professor Woos the Witch. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2015.

Container with noodles and dumplings spilling out and sauce open with skull and bones on it.

DB 95088 Noodle shop, books 1-3 by Vivien Chen

Three mysteries, written in 2018-19, featuring Lana Lee, who returned to her family's Cleveland restaurant after her relationship and job imploded. Includes Death by Dumpling, Dim Sum of All Fears, and Murder Lo Mein, in which a food critic dies after getting a threatening fortune cookie. 2019.

Open book showing illustration of tan brick building with blue sign in front saying Library.

DB 80256 Library lover’s mystery, books 1-5 by Jenn McKinlay

Books one through five, written between 2011 and 2014, in the series featuring library director and amateur sleuth Lindsey Norris of Briar Creek, Connecticut. In Books Can Be Deceiving, Beth Stanley, Lindsey's friend and employee and an aspiring children's author, is suspected of murdering her famous-writer boyfriend. 2014.

Nataly Renfro, Circulation Clerk

A woman's face is multiplied three times, distorted and overlaid upon itself.

DB 101157 All of us by A. F. Carter

Though legally she is Carolyn Grand, in practice she is Martha, a homemaker who cooks and cleans for her five other personalities. But Carolyn's tenuous normal is shattered when Hank Grand--the man who abused her and leased her out to pedophiles--is released from prison and begins stalking her. Then Hank is murdered. Contains violence, strong language, and explicit descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2020.

Tiffany Fay, Machine Clerk

Cream polygon with title and round exploerer images on top of waterfall flowing through cliffs.

DB 107566 River of the gods: genius, courage, and betrayal in the search for the source of the Nile by Candace Millard

The author of River of Doubt (DB 60664) recounts the Royal Geographical Society's search for the headwaters of the Nile River. She examines the clashes between explorers Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke, and the contributions of their enslaved third party member. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2022.

Exotic bird feathers of red, green, turquoise, and blue with a typed label tag with book subtitle.

DB 90801 The feather thief: beauty, obsession, and the natural history heist of the century by Kirk W. Johnson

Chronicle of the 2009 theft of 299 rare bird skins from a natural history museum by a musician for the purpose of supporting his hobby: the Victorian art of salmon fly-tying. Discusses the underground world of feather enthusiasts, the history of the specimens, the investigation of the crime, and more. Commercial audiobook. 2018.