The Mulberry Street Library Staff's Fall Picks
While our staff has divided into two teams in order to adhere to Covid-19 safety protocols, our colleagues at the Mulberry Street Library came together on the page to suggest some of our favorite staff picks. We are very thankful to be able to bring you these books through the services of the New York Public Library, and hope that you discover some exciting, new reads as we head into the final act of 2020.
The Roommate by Rosie Danan
Overachieving and well-mannered Connecticut socialite Clara Wheaton spontaneously moves across the country to move in with her long time crush—who promptly goes on tour with his band and rents his room out to a stranger. Josh is a carefree, charming and undeniably hot adult film star who has just broken up with his girlfriend and the summer sublet is exactly the fresh start he needs. The lives of Clara and Josh collide in ways that will change both their lives and inspire others. A fun, sexy, hilarious, feminist, fully consensual rom com.
—Anne Rouyer, Supervising Young Adult Librarian
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
Three million people live in an underground network of tubes beneath the Moon. They call themselves Loonies and once they arrive, they can never come back. While many were born free, many more remember when those who called Luna home were solely exiles and prisoners. All, however, still live under the auspices of the Warden and the Lunar Authority—who care more for their shipments of wheat flung from above than any of the Loonies or their problems. When computer technician Mannie O’Kelly-Davis befriends the newly sentient supercomputer tasked with overseeing the penal colony’s systems, a plan for a coup unfolds involving old and new friends in a struggle for sovereignty.
—Brandon Korosh, Adult Librarian
R E D by Chase Berggrun
This collection of "erasure" poems uses Bram Stoker's Dracula as the original text, and in so doing remakes the story. The monster that stalks these poems lives in the shadows of the language that has been erased, and the voice that remains is acutely aware of their desire and fear. This is a text of transition: from prose to poem, from masculine to feminine, from life to death, from repression to desire.
—Denise Jarrott, Information Assistant
Too Much and Not in the Mood by Durga Chew-Bose
For those who love hybrid, lyrical personal essays, this collection delivers something unique. In the on-going, ever-moving essay "The Heart Museum," the reader can acutely feel the landscape of longing and loss. In another, the author's inquiry into her own name unlocks a complex history. Insightful and personal in its interiority and time in the world.
—Denise Jarrott, Information Assistant
Red: A Crayon's Storyby Michael Hall
Red was not very good at being Red. Teachers, friends and family tried everything they could think of, from dressing him warmer to sharpening him. They encouraged him to try harder, practice more and to mix with the other colors. He just could not get the hang of being Red. Finally, a new friend asked him to draw a blue ocean; and he did. A beautiful blue ocean and a beautiful blue sky and he didn't stop there. He was a perfect blue crayon in a red wrapper.
—Nanette Rivera, Children's Librarian
Life with Picasso by Françoise Gilot
I make a habit of reading memoirs written by the exes of society’s “great men,” for who better to tell us what they were like when they weren’t being great? Here, Francoise Gilot foregrounds what Pablo Picasso, himself, felt was chronically overlooked: his own humanity. It is perhaps unsurprising that Picasso frequently felt “used” by those closest to him —and even by his talent, too. What is shocking is that Gilot can write of their stormy, decades-long relationship with such charity and wisdom. Come for Picasso, stay for Gilot’s extraordinary grit.
—Maggie Yamartino, Information Assistant
The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
This is the type of book that everyone could use right about now—poet Ross Gay manages to find delight in both monumental and often-overlooked wonders. Each lyrical essay reflects on topics ranging widely from a single flower growing in a curb to a "deliciously corny song" to the miracle of the author's conception. The Book of Delights has inspired me to seek out, observe, and celebrate the beauty in even the most quotidian things.
—Rebecca Alberto, Library Manager
Women's War by Jenna Glass
A fantasy world starts its Women's Movement when a new spell finally allows women to control their fertility.The after effects will trickle down through all classes and sexes and begin to change the world.
—Brian Baer, Adult Librarian
Everything is F*cked: A Book About Hope by Mark Manson
Why are we becoming more unhappy when we are becoming safer, smarter, wealthier, and healthier. This book shows the reader how all this may lead to more hopelessness and what we can do to fight it.
—Brian Baer, Adult Librarian
Black Vol.1 by Kwanza Osajyefo
What if only people of African descent gained superpowers and the United States knew about this from its inception. One man discovers this and must decide whether to keep the secret or finally tell the truth to the world.
—Brian Baer, Adult Librarian
Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
“BETTER DROWNED THAN DUFFERS IF NOT DUFFERS WON'T DROWN” reads the famous but cryptic telegram that will soon send six English children sailing through their summer holidays in small sailboats in the English Lake District. Written in 1930, Swallows and Amazons is the first of what became a well-loved 12-book children’s series.
—Greg Holch, Adult Librarian
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
You know you’ve always meant to read this—well, now is the time. Young orphan Jane Eyre is sent to a harsh boarding school where she manages to get a good education which enables her to become the governess at Thornfield Hall, owned by the mysterious Mr. Rochester. Romance is sure to follow… or is it? Be sure to have a dictionary nearby. Young Jane is quite outspoken and has a much better vocabulary than you or I.
—Greg Holch, Adult Librarian
The Mall by Megan McCafferty
With her plans for the future crushed at the start of the summer of 1991, seventeen-year-old Cassie Worthy finds friendship, love, and ultimately herself while working at the Parkway Center Mall. (Publisher's summary)
—Annie Lin, Children's Librarian
Cobble Hill by Cecily von Ziegesar
Navigating private spats and embarrassing secrets in their upscale Brooklyn neighborhood, four families seek purpose and meaningful relationships until a raucous party combusts in a maelstrom of ego clashes, taboo desires, and hidden cameras. (Publisher summary)
—Annie Lin, Children's Librarian
Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes and Growing Up by Naya Rivera
Naya Rivera was a child actor who rose to fame and was best known for playing a cheerleader named Santana in the hit TV show Glee. Her untimely death piqued my interest in what her personal life was really like. In her book , Naya opens up and shares a lot about her own personal experiences.Throughout her memoir she sometimes, and comically so, touches on her regrets, reflections and triumphs experienced in her short life. Everything from what growing up a child actor was like, to struggling with an eating disorder in her teen years, to then going through a very painful public breakup with another celebrity is shared in her book. Glee fans may be surprised, or even be a little disappointed to find out that she dished very little about her co-stars, instead only feeding us tidbits, a few of them at best. The latter part of the book touches on her tough decision to have an abortion during the height of the show, then years later becoming both a wife and mom shortly after both her role on Glee and the show itself ended.This book had me feeling "not sorry" that I read this, but only sorry that her life ended too soon.
—Djenale Millien, Office Aide III
Free Cyntoia: My Search for Redemption in the American Prison System by Cyntoia Brown
Before reading this book, I had heard a little about Cyntoia Brown's story in short news blurbs, months and even a year or two ago. The little that I had known about her story was nothing in comparison to learning about her full story—her real story. Her story was both shocking and sad. Be prepared to have your heart wrenched a little bit as Cyntoia shares in heartbreaking detail the trials she faced in life, both literally and figuratively. Cyntoia's story begins with her adoption, then describes her descent into a criminal world. Her experiences in juvenile detention, being psychologically misdiagnosed, and forced into prostitution and sex trafficking all by the time she reached 16 years old are shocking. This book was worth the tears I shed for both her struggles and ultimately her triumphs in the end. This book also reminded me of how holding onto hope and how connecting to what some people may refer to as a Higher Power or God really does lift the human spirit.
—Djenale Millien, Office Aide III
Mooncakeswritten by Suzanne Walker and illustrated by Wendy Xu
A charmingly sweet love story between a hard-of-hearing young witch and her long lost nonbinary werewolf childhood friend! When Nova finds a white wolf in the forest behind her grandmothers' house, she instantly recognizes Tam, her childhood best friend who moved away years ago. The witchy vibes and the demon hunt make this book perfect for the season.
—Alex Kohn, Information Assistant
Maldoror (Les chants de Maldoror) by Comte de Lautréamont
Remember the great counter-cultural scene of ‘68-’69? 1868-69 that is... The place was France, the author was Comte de Lautréamont, and the work was a poetic novel of exquisite horror. Part 1 ,Chapter 1 begins "It is not right that everyone should read the pages which follow; only a few will be able to savour this bitter fruit with impunity.." A bold claim, Maldoror delivers a murky ooze of the author's subconscious thoughts. Lautréamont's work was influential on creators of avant garde literature and perhaps even the ideas of Sigmund Freud, inspiring movements such as symbolism, dadaism and surrealism in art, as well as being a favorite author of David Bowie, who carried a copy of Maldoror in his wheeled, traveling library while on tour.
—Sherri Machlin, Adult Librarian
Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby
Awkward. Hysterical. These two adjectives stand out among many that come to mind to describe this latest collection of essays by humorist Samantha Irby. From the publisher "A new collection of humorous and edgy essays from the author of Meaty and We Are Never Meeting in Real Life that highlight the ups and down of aging, marriage and living with step-children in small-town Michigan. "
—Meghan Klaus, Children's Librarian
For more suggestions on what to read next, take a look at NYPL’s Shelf Help service. While browsing is limited, we offer a friendly, adventurous alternative. Tell us your reading interests and we’ll pick five books for you!
Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.
Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!
Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.