Transcript: 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 Emily, library associate at the Marysville Library, for a story of transformation. Go ahead, Emily. EMILY: "Tear" is a disorienting gothic horror novel that begs for discussion. Drawing inspiration from Mary Shelley, Shirley Jackson, and "The Yellow Wallpaper," author Erica McKeen tells the unsettling tale of a young woman on the verge of becoming a ghost. We first encounter Frances in the basement of a house she shares with three other college seniors. It's not yet clear how long she's been alone in this basement or why, but the isolation and claustrophobic darkness are undoubtedly taking a toll. As she drifts through the narrow halls of her own oubliette, figures appear to her in the shadows, scratching comes from the walls, and she loses both her sense of and place in time. Both Frances and her story unravel through scattered memories, each one centering on a relationship. From her flawed family, emotionally abusive childhood friends, and oddly absent housemates, the reader's understanding of Frances grows gradually but relentlessly, like mold. While a slow burn isn't always my thing, McKeen's use of precise sensory details —textures, smells, and even air pressure — kept me engrossed and grounded as the overall story became increasingly hallucinatory. And the building pressure pays off with an explosive and wildly different third act. I'm not going to give it away, but let's say Frances's ultimate transformation takes a far more visceral and dangerous form than a ghost. JESSICA: Thanks, Emily! This book sounds eerily wonderful. Next, let's hear about school friends who share secrets, hopes, and heartbreak, from Jennifer, librarian at the Mill Creek Library. Take it away, Jennifer. JENNIFER: Today my book review goes out to all the listeners who want a comfort read: a book that's cozy, with kindhearted characters, not too much drama, and a happy ending. "Yours From the Tower" by Sally Nicholls is set in 1896 in England. It's the tale of three young women who were best friends in boarding school. They've now graduated and gone their separate ways, but they still keep in touch in letters, and these letters form the narrative of the book. There's altruistic Polly, who's got a job at a Liverpool orphanage, where she's falling in love with all the children – and her boss. There's Sophia, who's trying to land a rich husband during a dazzling London Season, and pretending to have more fun than she actually is. And there's passionate, spontaneous Tirza, who's essentially being kept prisoner by her mean grandmother, and nobody knows why. These girls write to each other, and in their letters they share gossip and jokes and hopes and frustrations and dreams. Although romance plays a part, the very center of "Yours From the Tower" is the warm friendship between our three main characters. It's a lovely gentle read, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. JESSICA: Thanks, Jennifer! This book sounds like a heartfelt journey through friendship and self-discovery. Our recommendations this week are: "Tear" by Erica McKeen and "Yours From the Tower" by Sally Nicholls. 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.
