Top 5 Borrowed Books of 2023: Sonoma County Library’s Picks

Top 5

Discover a selection of the top five borrowed books from the Sonoma County Library in 2023, each accompanied by concise descriptions and summaries sourced from both publishers and authors. If these titles pique your interest, explore them at the Sonoma County Library.

Happy reading!

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver : Is a piece of literary fiction by celebrated author Barbara Kingsolver. Demon Copperhead is a New York Times Best Seller and a selection for Oprah’s Book Club.

In rugged Southern Appalachia, unfolds the tale of a boy, born to a teenage single mother in a modest trailer, inheriting nothing but his late father’s striking looks, reddish-gold hair, biting humor, and an unyielding knack for survival. Narrated in his raw and unapologetic voice, the relentless storyline unravels his journey through the relentless challenges of foster care, toiling as a child, dilapidated schooling, triumphs in sports, battles with addiction, tumultuous romances, and shattering losses. Throughout, he grapples with his own insignificance in a societal landscape that overlooks rural communities, where even superheroes favor urban realms, leaving his world unseen.

Kingsolver, B. (2022). Demon Copperhead. Harper Collins.

Genres: Fiction, Historical fiction, Adult fiction

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult & , Jennifer Finney Boylan : Has all of the things: alternating narratives, suspense, courtroom drama, and a love story at its core. It’s about authenticity, identity, and it explores the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become our true selves.” —Jodi Picoult

Olivia McAfee’s life took a sharp turn when her seemingly perfect existence in Boston, married to a skilled surgeon, collapsed due to her husband’s hidden darkness. Returning to her quiet New Hampshire hometown, she finds herself in familiar territory, inheriting her father’s beekeeping business.
Meanwhile, Lily Campanello, also no stranger to fresh starts, relocates with her mother to Adams, New Hampshire, to start a new beginning during her final year of high school.
As both Olivia and Lily navigate their new beginnings, their paths intertwine when Lily and Olivia’s son, Asher, form a connection. Lily finds solace and happiness with Asher but battles doubts about fully trusting him.
The narrative takes a chilling turn when Olivia receives devastating news: Lily has died, and Asher becomes a suspect. Olivia fiercely defends her son, yet glimpses of his father’s temperament emerge, and she realizes Asher harbors hidden truths.
“Mad Honey” is an enthralling suspense novel intertwined with a poignant love story, delving into the secrets we conceal and the risks we take to forge our identities.

Picoult, J. & Boylan, JF. (2023). Mad Honey. Ballantine Books.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Romance

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng : From the acclaimed author of ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ comes a gripping and emotionally charged novel exploring the unwavering bond between a mother and child within a society overshadowed by apprehension and uncertainty. Filled with suspense and poignant moments, it navigates the complexities of love amidst a backdrop of pervasive fear.

Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives in a subdued existence with his father, who, once a linguist, now works in a university library. In a society governed by stringent laws aimed at preserving ‘American culture’ post-economic turmoil and unrest, Bird’s life is shaped by caution and conformity. The authorities can relocate dissidents’ children, particularly those of Asian heritage, and erase books deemed unpatriotic—like those by Bird’s Chinese-American mother, Margaret, a poet who vanished from their lives.
Bird has distanced himself from his mother’s memory and her poetry, but a cryptic letter ignites a quest to find her. Guided by her folklore and aided by an underground network of librarians, Bird embarks on a journey that unravels the truth behind vanished children and leads him to New York City—a hub for defiance.

Ng, C. (2023). Our Missing Hearts. Penguin Books

Genres: Fiction, Adult fiction, Family

The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham : The #1 New York Times bestselling author, brings readers back to Mississippi with his latest enthralling legal thriller. This gripping narrative follows the lives of two sons from immigrant families who start as childhood friends but eventually become adversaries in the legal realm. With Grisham’s signature surprises and intricate plot, you’ll be eagerly flipping through the pages until the breathtaking finale.

In the past century, Biloxi enjoyed a reputation for its beaches and seafood but harbored a darker underbelly of corruption and illicit activities—ranging from gambling and prostitution to drugs and organized crime, overseen by a select group linked to the Dixie Mafia.

Keith Rudy and Hugh Malco, once childhood friends and baseball stars, took divergent paths in Biloxi. Keith pursued law, following his father’s footsteps as a prosecutor dedicated to cleansing the city. In contrast, Hugh embraced the nightlife, working in his father’s criminal enterprises. Their destinies collided as their families headed toward a monumental clash, poised to unfold within the confines of a courtroom.

“The Boys from Biloxi” is an epic narrative steeped in history, featuring a vibrant ensemble of characters, where the struggle between law and organized crime hangs precariously, placing the very essence of life in the balance.

Grisham, J. (2002). The Boys from Biloxi. Random House.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Fiction History, Crime

A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny : Chief Inspector Armand Gamache returns in the eighteenth book in #1 New York Times bestseller Louise Penny’s beloved series.

As spring blooms in Three Pines after a harsh winter, dark secrets resurface, sparking concern for Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir. Two siblings, scarred by their mother’s unsolved murder, return to the village, triggering haunting memories for the investigators. When an ancient letter speaks of dread and a sealed room is opened, revealing enigmatic messages and ominous warnings, Gamache realizes an old adversary is unleashed, threatening their safety and infiltrating their sanctuary.