About books – Derby Public Library's Blog

What’s Ashley Reading?: ‘Salem’s Lot

‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

First line: Almost everyone thought the man and the boy were father and son.

Summary: Ben Mears decides to move back to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot in order to work on a book he has been writing. Upon returning to the Lot he sees that not much has changed in the small town. He sees that the Marsten House is still standing but when he tries to rent the old house he finds that it has recently been sold to a couple of antique dealers.

‘Salem’s Lot is a small town that notices when new residents move to town. And then when suspicious events start to affect the town’s people they are the first ones people look at. What is going on in this small Maine town? And who is behind it all?

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book but it was not my favorite King novel. I liked the premise and the ending was really fast paced and fun but the beginning was a little slow as we got to know the town and the characters. And maybe part of it was that I had an idea of what may be coming from watching Castle Rock on Hulu.

I really liked the character, Mark. He is a young boy with lots of knowledge about what is happening in the town. He seems to be able to handle anything that is thrown at him. A tough boy for sure! I was definitely rooting for him the whole time.

I liked the ending. It was much better than the 2004 movie adaptation. I watched it but didn’t have high hopes because King’s novels never seem to be translated on to the screen well with the exception of Carrie and Doctor Sleep.

This would be a good novel to read around Halloween. It has lots of spooks and scares. And maybe leave the lights on!

FYI: I would highly recommend Pet Semetary for another Halloween read!

What’s Ashley Reading?: House of Earth and Blood

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

First Line: There was a wolf at the gallery door.

Summary: Bryce Quinlan appears to be the epitome of party girl. She dates frequently, dances, drinks and takes drugs. But then one night her best friend and her pack of wolves are slaughtered in their apartment. Bryce is determined to avenge their deaths. During her investigations she is thrown together with a fallen angel, Hunt Athalar. As they look deeper into the darker side of Crescent City they find that there is a threat that may bring down everything.

My Thoughts: Sarah J. Maas is an excellent creator of fantasy worlds. She builds these elaborate worlds with creatures of all kinds. This book took three tries to get past chapter three but it wasn’t because it was bad. There is just so much! This is a modern day fantasy with all the creatures like angels, werewolves, pixies, fae and more. It took me time to get it all straight and finally get going in the plot.

But once I did I was in for anything Maas threw at me. I liked the characters, the plot was fast paced, and there were lots of twists. She writes minor characters so well. They are always fun and give the story some heart and laughs. And her heroines are always kicking butt while being snarky. If you liked her other stories then you will definitely enjoy this one too!

The paragraphs above were from my first time reading The House of Earth and Blood. I have now reread it as I complete the trilogy and prepare for the new books in The Court of Thorns and Roses series. Looking back at this review I have a few additional thoughts. First of all is that I did not like it as much the second time through. I just was not a fan of the modern fantasy part. Cellphones, guns and parts of our modern world just did not seem to fit with the normal Maas worlds.

While her writing is still excellent and has some great characters I just do not care about them as much as her others. But I knew I needed to complete this series because there is a tie in with characters in the Court series. House of Flame and Shadow (book 3) crosses the universes and is the most recent book in her fae world building. I am hoping that by finishing this series along with the reread of the Court series will bring me right up to the events of A Court of Splintered Harmony (releasing on October 27, 2026).

These new books have been one of my most anticipated reads for several years! I am so excited to get my hands on them in just a few weeks!

What’s Ashley Reading?: Vagabond

Vagabond by Tim Curry

First line: “Honey, you’re the third Tim Curry to call today,” she said, and hung up the phone.

Summary: Tim Curry has had a career that has spanned decades with some of the most memorable characters on stage and screen. In his memoir he explores his childhood as the son of a military chaplain, the start of his love for performing, the iconic roles throughout his career and overcoming the challenges following his stroke.

My Thoughts: I absolutely love Tim Curry. I always look forward to watching Rocky Horror Picture Show at Halloween (at times going to the midnight shows at the Orpheum). He stars alongside the Muppets in Muppet Treasure Island which is one of my favorite movies. Then I see him every Christmas as the creepy hotel worker in Home Alone 2. He can do so much and has been a part of my viewing life since I was a kid. When I saw that he was releasing an autobiography this year, which also coincides with the 50th anniversary of Rocky Horror and 40th anniversary of Clue, I immediately added it to my TBR.

Rather than reading it I decided to listen to the audiobook, especially since he reads it himself. It was a fascinating stroll through the ups and downs of his life and career. He makes a point at the start that he will not discuss personal relationships but focus on his work. For an actor who has spent so long in the public eye he has stayed very private about his personal life and he kept it that way here too. But as a reader I never even noticed the exclusion. He had so many stories about his work that he didn’t even need it.

After finishing the book I was just blown away by how much he has done, seen and lived. Listening to him reminisce was fascinating and to hear the behind the scenes stories made me love him and his work even more. If you love Rocky Horror or Clue or any of his other movies then this should be a must read. It will give you a new appreciation for the man who made these characters what they are.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Tourist Season

Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver

First line: I’m sure nobody goes on vacation expecting to be dismembered and put through a woodchipper, but some tourists are just assholes and deserve their fate.

Summary: Cape Carnage looks like the perfect vacation town. It leans into its unique name with unusual local shops and seasonal events. Harper Starling has spent the last several years endearing herself to the locals while taking care of her elderly landlord and mentor. However, to keep this town in order she sometimes has to deal with an annoying tourist or two. Then Nolan Rhodes rolls into town and Harper’s life turns upside down. Nolan is not the only threat to Harper and Cape Carnage this tourist season, an amateur filmmaker is hoping to discover the secrets of this quaint town and its dark past.

My Thoughts: I was not sure how I would feel about Brynne Weaver’s work. I know that she can be rather spicy and these books are very dark too. Over the last few years, I have started reading more romance so I was more used to the spicy bits by this point. I can see this book being a love it or hate it read. There are very serious trigger warnings listed at the beginning. There is romance, humor and murder but to the extreme. It will most likely be too much for some readers.

With that all being said, I found this to be so much fun! I loved the enemies to lovers vibe. The banter and manipulation between the two main characters gave some lightness to the serial killer stuff. I absolutely want to visit Cape Carnage but I would be a good tourist so I do not end up visiting Cookie Monster (IYKYK).

With all these other strong points, my favorite part had to be Arthur. The curmudgeonly old man that Harper takes care of. Whenever he makes an appearance, I smile. He may have some memory and murder issues but he truly cares about his town and Harper.

If you want something different and can handle the trigger warnings, then you should add this to your TBR for your fall reading.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Getting Away With Murder

Getting Away With Murder by Shari Lapena

First line: He said it would be the perfect day for it.

Summary: Ted and Jill love their home. They have worked for years to make it the perfect sanctuary. They have everything they could want, that is until Ted’s inheritance runs out and a line of bad investments leaves them nervous for their future. To them the solution is obvious! They need to kill Ted’s brother and then his millions will be theirs. How hard can it be to commit a murder as long as they stick together?

My Thoughts: This book was so disappointing! I liked the start. It seemed like a good premise but then everything just seemed so flat. The characters were horrible and unlikeable. The story just felt like it was going in circles and repeating things. The “twists” did not feel that shocking. This could have been a short story. It did not need a whole novel to get through the plot. I dragged my way through it with the hope of redemption but it was not there. Looking back on her past works, my ratings have dropped with each new book. I may just need to give up on her and give my time to a new author instead.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Wild Goose Chase

Wild Goose Chase by Sarah Adler

First line: I arrive at my ex-girlfriend’s house at ten o’clock at night with the prelude to a tension headache and mere dregs remaining of my self-respect.

Summary: Callahan Leitner has spent years working for and then owning an antique store. He takes pride in his career and his shop. However, this all is in jeopardy by an illegal taxidermy goose in his apartment. With the help of his temporary assistant and burgeoning small business owner, Annie, he tries to find a way to return the goose without being arrested. Unfortunately, for them, the goose disappears, sending them on a wild goose chase to find the bird that could ruin both of their careers.

My Thoughts: Like Adler’s other books, this was just a lot of fun! The witty banter between the two main characters, the chemistry and the weirdness were just a perfect mix. I loved the characters. Annie sitting on the counter singing to her sub sandwich. Cal’s nerdiness and vulnerability. It was just so wonderful from the very start.

I had no idea about the laws surrounding taxidermy geese. I really appreciated how the author started the book with information on this law to give context for the story.

I loved the dual timelines as well. This structure is one of my favorites in novels. I like to see the history and the present day mixed in to give deeper meaning to the story. It added such a fun layer to the plot and made even the goose a more fleshed out character.

Sarah Adler does such a great job of writing a funny romantic story. She is definitely a writer I will continue to automatically request on Netgalley or from the library.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Whack Job

Whack Job by Rachel McCarthy James

First line: Early on in the process of writing my first book about axe murder, I took a job working in an after-school program.

Summary: Over the millennia the axe has changed. It is an important tool used in hunting, building and creating other tools. Along with it being a tool of survival, it became a tool of murder too. As time progressed the types and style of axe has evolved with human’s needs. Told by moving through history from prehistoric to the modern era, we are shown different types of axes and how these axes played a part in history and true crime. Ranging from the executions of Henry VIII to the trial of Lizzie Borden, the author brings the role of axes to the reader in a completely new way.

My Thoughts: I remember seeing this book a year ago when we first purchased it and find it very intriguing. I knew I wanted to read it someday but until I picked it up again recently, I had completely forgotten about it. In May 2026, Whack Job was recognized as a Kansas Notable Book. This award brought the book back to my attention and I decided it was a great time to give it a go.

I found the layout and structure of the book to be a creative way to explore this microhistory. Each chapter begins with a different historical type of axe and explaining its uses at the time in question. These sections are then followed by a historical event in which this type of axe may have been used.

In the first chapter, we find a stone axe and what appears to be a murder of a prehistoric human. Using cranial reconstruction the scientists were able to see that a sharp blow to the head was the cause of death and could have come from one of these stone axes. Science is so remarkable in what it can tell us. As we progress through time, events become more documented and well known but no less interesting.

I found this book to be completely fascinating and I wanted to read “just one more chapter” each night. For fans of true crime and microhistories, this is the perfect addition to your TBR list.

What’s Ashley Reading?: Cocked and Boozy

Cocked and Boozy by Brooke Barbier

First line: Without thinking about it too much, conjure up an image of Benjamin Franklin–whatever comes to mind.

Summary: In Brooke Barbier’s new book she takes a look at how alcohol shaped the early years of our country. Using primary sources, she delves into the importance of alcohol in policy making, networking and financing the new nation. Spanning the years after the French and Indian War to the presidential election of Thomas Jefferson in 1800, we learn how “drink helped transform British subjects into Americans.” At the end of each chapter, Barbier provides a recipe for an eighteenth century cocktail that is adapted for modern audiences.

My Thoughts: When most people think of the American Revolution and drinks, you would assume their first thought would be tea. I know I do. After reading Cocked and Boozy I have a completely new view of what helped drive the founding fathers.

One of the most controversial taxes on the American colonies was on sugar and molasses. Since it affected the production of rum and small beer, it caused riots and increased smuggling. These drinks had become part of the everyday lives of the population. Adding the extra expense became too much for the colonists.

However, the production costs were not the only way alcohol played an important part in our nation’s founding. Many gatherings of the founding fathers happened in taverns. Celebrations for the ratification of the Constitution featured copious amounts of beer, cider and brandy. The amount of wine Thomas Jefferson purchased from France each year is astounding. George Washington started to produce thousands of gallons of whiskey at his plantation after leaving office. There is no denying that alcohol played an important part in our nation’s birth.

If you were looking for an unconventional book about the American Revolution then I would steer you to this one! It was a fascinating read about the little discussed part of our history. It also will might give you some inspiration for your Fourth of July party plans!

What’s Ashley Reading?: Marilyn and Her Books

Marilyn and Her Books by Gail Crowther

First line: In Western culture there are few people more sought after than Marilyn Monroe.

Summary: Marilyn Monroe has fascinated the world since her film debut and over sixty years since her death. This year marks what would have been her hundredth birthday. In this new book by Gail Crowther, we get a look at one of the most important parts of Marilyn’s life, her books. Having been mocked as the dumb blonde who could not possibly read books like Ulysses, we actually get to see what books she owned and discussed with those around her. Marilyn had a love of reading and thirst for knowledge that reached into all genres, from literature to popular fiction to gardening and sociology. Told through an analysis of her interactions with famous writers, interviews with those who knew her and her personal library we see the reader behind the movie star.

My Thoughts: My interest in Marilyn Monroe started in high school when I read a book by her half-sister, Berniece, called My Sister Marilyn. It is a fascinating look into the personal life and real person behind the movie star persona. I found this book to be similar in that sense. Throughout we are shown a Marilyn who reads, discusses and loved acquiring books. At her death, she had a personal library of over 400 books. Like many readers, we have books we have not read or have started and not finished. Likely Marilyn did the same but the number of tomes is astounding. In the end notes, we are given a list of the books that were packed away and later sold at auction after Marilyn’s death.

While some chapters feel like speculation, the author also supports many of her claims with quotes from interviews. Many of the people that actually met Marilyn thought her to be an intelligent and kind individual. Unfortunately, today people still assume that the characters she played on screen reflect the real life woman. From everything I have read about her she seemed far from dumb. She was a trailblazer in many aspects of Hollywood. She spent years looking for security and acceptance.

It has been over twenty years since I read my first biography of Marilyn and I still admire her. With all the challenges in her life, she still persevered. After closing this book, I think it is time to start a Marilyn Monroe movie marathon!

What’s Ashley Reading?: The Land and Its People

The Land and Its People by David Sedaris

First line: The year my sister Amy was invited to play Mrs. Claus in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was the same year Hugh had his hip replaced.

Summary: In David Sedaris’ newest collection of essays he explores things from caretaking of his partner Hugh, traveling to new countries and the struggles of keeping up your Duolingo streak.

My Thoughts: I was so excited for a new David Sedaris book! I could have received an early digital copy from Netgalley but decided to wait because I would much rather listen to the audiobook. It was worth the wait. I was laughing aloud constantly. Coworkers probably thought I was crazy laughing to myself. Cars passing me on the roads might have wondered why I was smiling so big. It was all because of David.

A few of the stories I know I had heard before when he was work shopping them at his book signing. Hearing them again did not make them any less enjoyable. He has a way with bringing ordinary life to his readers in a humorous way. It is just outstanding. Who knew that a story about a dog bite could be so funny? David did.

If you want something to make you laugh during a road trip or on your daily walk, I would recommend all of his books but this one was lots of fun and real quick. Perfect for your summer TBR!