Wasteland: The Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away, Where It Goes, and Why It Matters

Franklin-Wallis, Oliver. Wasteland: The Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away, Where It Goes, and Why It Matters. 2023. 392p. ISBN 9781398505452.

What happens when we discard our belongings? Where does all of the waste go? Wasteland delves into the often-unseen reality of our disposal of all of the waste we produce. The reader is taken to the frontlines of the waste industry, from overflowing landfills in New Delhi and sewers in Britain to the environmental devastation of mining towns in the USA and the chaotic second-hand markets of Ghana. Through these vivid locales and encounter the individuals most affected by our consumption habits, the reader encounters both those exploited by the waste system and those striving for change.

Wasteland uncovers the surprising origins of the recycling movement, revealing instances of corporate greenwashing, and exposes the darker side of our charitable donations of used goods. It also confronts the long-term implications of our waste, including the staggering 100,000-year legacy of nuclear byproducts. Ultimately,, this book serves as an eye-opening exploration of the environmental and human costs associated with our throwaway culture, urging readers to reconsider the true meaning of "away."

In Limbo

Lee, Deb JJ. In Limbo. 2023. 348p. ISBN 9781250252654. Available as a graphic novel on the library shelves.

Deborah, or Jung-Jin as she was originally named, has always felt like an outsider since her family's move from South Korea to the United States when she was a toddler. From struggling with English and having her name mispronounced to feeling different because of her appearance, Deb experiences a constant sense of Otherness and micro-aggressions from her peers and strangers. As the challenges of high school intensify, her friendships shift and dissolve, and even her home becomes a source of conflict due to escalating arguments with her mother. Caught in a difficult in-between space, Deb's mental well-being declines.

Despite these hardships, Deb demonstrates resilience by finding solace and a path to recovery through art and self-care practices. Returning to visit family in South Korea, Deborah gains a new understanding of her family, her cultural heritage, and ultimately, herself. This journey of self-discovery allows her to reframe her experiences and begin to reconcile her dual identity, finding a stronger sense of self and belonging.

The Tower at the End of Time

Sparkes, Amy. The Tower at the End of Time. Book 2 of The House at the Edge of Magic. 2022. 273p. ISBN 9781406395327.

Nine and her friends have successfully lifted the curse on their extraordinary, magical House, granting them the freedom to traverse different worlds once again. This time, their initial destination is the highly anticipated Wizarding Hopscotch Championships, where Flabberghast had once competed. However, a significant obstacle quickly arises: the House is experiencing travel anxiety, manifesting as disruptive hiccups that randomly transport them from one world to another every time they occur.

Despite this chaotic journey, they eventually land at the championships, only for Flabberghast to have an unfortunate encounter with square number seven, leading him to the ominous Tower at the End of Time. This unexpected detour might provide the answers they seek to cure the House's peculiar ailment. More importantly, it could finally lead Nine to uncover the identity of the person who bequeathed her the cherished music box, and in doing so, reveal the truth about her own origins.

Humorous and fast-paced, The Tower at the End of Time features strange and wonderful characters with their own missions. Fans of light fantasy will love this fast read.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 22

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 22. 2018. 202p. ISBN 9781974703937. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

The rupture of the seals on the artificial Gehenna Gate in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 21 has unleashed widespread demonic chaos, plunging the world into pandemonium. In the wake of this crisis, the Exwires are left adrift without the leadership of Rin and Yukio, while the Knights of the True Cross struggle to regain their footing amidst the escalating crisis. Nations globally are battling to contain the demonic outbreaks, facing an unprecedented threat that throws established orders into disarray.

Amidst this global calamity, Rin confronts Mephisto, desperately seeking answers about his past. Mephisto, seemingly delighted by Rin's demand, agrees to reveal the events of long ago, but not without a chilling warning: the story can only culminate in tragedy. This foreboding revelation sets a dark tone for Rin's journey into his origins, hinting at a painful truth that will undoubtedly shape his future as the demonic chaos continues to engulf the world.

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 23.

Please Pay Attention

Sumner, Jaime. Please Pay Attention. 2025. 240p. ISBN 9781665956079

Bea Coughlin's life is irrevocably altered by a school shooting that claims the lives of three of her school mates and her 6th grade teacher, dividing her existence into a stark "Before" and "After." Struggling to cope with the overwhelming grief and the sense of helplessness she experienced in her wheelchair during the tragedy, Bea finds herself disconnected from the wave of activism that sweeps through her community. The marches and protests, while well-intentioned, fail to alleviate her internal turmoil, leaving her feeling isolated in her grief.

Seeking solace and healing, Bea discovers the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding. Through her interactions with the horses, she gradually begins to reconnect with herself, her adopted mother, and  she rediscover a sense of normalcy. As her emotional wounds begin to heal, Bea finds her voice and the courage to advocate for change, transforming her personal trauma into a powerful force for action. She moves beyond her initial feelings of helplessness to become a driving force in the fight against gun violence.

Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us

Tubbs, Anna Malaika. Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us. 2025. 384p. ISBN 9781250876690

The American patriarchy has structured society to ensure its survival and undermine everyone else in what it perceives to be a zero-sum game. Erased offers a groundbreaking analysis of American patriarchy, arguing that the nation's gendered hierarchy is uniquely intertwined with a flawed binary logic that is also fundamentally tied to whiteness and racial supremacy. This constructed hierarchy has become deeply embedded in the United States over time, rendering it largely invisible along with the contributions and experiences of those it oppresses. Erased contends that this system of patriarchy has intentionally concealed the very tools needed for its dismantling.

Through a comprehensive examination spanning from the founding fathers to contemporary issues like the maternal health crisis and the absence of the ERA, Erased weaves together academic research, the narratives of past and present freedom fighters, and her own personal insights. It shifts the historical focus to center the experiences of those marginalized by American patriarchy, revealing what has been systematically overlooked. Ultimately, Erased empowers readers by reminding them that the means to dismantle this oppressive system – including intuition, courage, ancient wisdom, and collective power – remain accessible.

Fans of women's history and those intrigued by the history behind our current social policies will appreciate this thorough and well-researched book.

Love Spells Trouble

Davenport, Nia. Love Spells Trouble. 2025. 320p. ISBN 9781547612963. 

Cayden is intimately familiar with the historical tensions between witches and humans; her own witch mother was ostracized by her high-society family for falling in love with Cayden's human father. In the name of love, her mother cut off all contact with her family, and they moved to Ohio, where they opened a bakery. Years later, their bakery faces financial ruin due to wealthy witches gentrifying their neighborhood. The situation worsens when Cayden realizes she inadvertently went on a date with Khy Carter, the popular "it-boy" of the local witch community.

However, an unexpected solution emerges as Khy's newfound "girlfriend" status brings a surge of new customers to the bakery. Despite her family's strong anti-witch sentiments, Cayden decides to fake-date Khy to save her family's business. While this facade offers a lifeline, Cayden grapples with the betrayal she feels towards her parents, who chose love over everything. This forces her to question if she, too, is willing to prioritize love, even if it means defying her family's deeply ingrained beliefs.

Though there is magic in this story, it is heavily underutilized and barely noticeable. The narrative leans more towards contemporary romance with only a smidge of fantasy elements, leaving a desire for more magical integration. Fans of light fantasy or romance will enjoy this light read.