Beth's Book List
Beth Hemke Shapiro hails from Chicago but is close to considering herself a native of Columbia after having lived here for more than two decades. With degrees in philosophy, law, and library science, Beth has enjoyed careers ranging from arts administrator to tax consultant to high school librarian. In her spare time Beth likes to travel, attend arts events, hang with her family, and read. Her favorite genres include literary fiction, speculative fiction, and current events.
Coates's superb compilation of essays remains one of the most thought-provoking and impactful books addressing race in America that I have ever read. Read. This. Book.
The plot of magic, mystery, and murder unfolds with displays of classism and elitism, as Galaxy "Alex" Stern--former high school dropout, addict, and newest "Dante" of Lethe House--monitors and confronts the magical activity at Yale's eight powerful secret societies.
Such a fabulously twisted mashup of sci fi, fantasy, horror, and mystery! The first installment of The Locked Tomb Trilogy, this book--with its irreverent protagonist and its political necromancers--is unlike anything I've ever read.
The author of H is for Hawk returns with a glorious collection of essays about the natural world. A book that easily can be read straight-through, or, if desired, by chosen topic, be it goats, hares, or mushrooms.
Author Conell addresses class, gender, families, and art through brilliant storytelling that is both sobering and funny. An outstanding debut novel.
Clarke imagines a bizarre, other-wordly labyrinth, with unique classical statues contained in endless rooms that frequently flood with ocean tides. I found the book weirdly immersive, and it creeps along with its own peculiar suspense.
While this is a perfect choice for fans of Angie's Thomas's The Hate U Give, this story adds to the YA realistic fiction genre featuring young black protagonists instead of simply copying it. Author Reed lovingly shows us Los Angeles in the 90s, both the ugly and the beautiful.
I am grateful for this particular book at this particular time for reminding me of my interconnectedness with humanity in spite of my COVID isolation.
A remarkably thorough history of the conservation movement. A valuable and necessary addition to US history, especially as climate change brings the probability of further extinctions.
Perfect for reading on a dark and creepy afternoon, Lanchester's stories crescendo to epitomize the horror of the digital age.