Multnomah County Library

Text reading "Ask a Librarian" with colorful overlapping circles in the background.

📚Need a personalized reading recommendation? Join us for #AskALibrarian LIVE from 9 to 10 am PT on Thursdays! Send us questions about what you'd like to read ahead of time here and on our Instagram stories. 💚 #booksky

The Devil She Knows — Multnomah County Library The Devil She Knows — Bellefleur, Alexandria, — "A down-on-her-luck woman makes a deal with a crafty demon to win back her ex-girlfriend after a proposal gone awry, only to discover the girl of her dreams might be the devil she knows, from nationally bestselling author Alexandria Bellefleur. Samantha Cooper is having a day from hell. In less than 24 hours, her life has unraveled, leaving her single and with nowhere to live. Adding insult to injury, she's trapped in an elevator with a gorgeous woman claiming to be a demon. Daphne is not at all what Samantha expected from someone claiming to be an evil supernatural entity. She's pretty, witty, dressed in pink, and smells nice. And she's here to offer Samantha a deal she can't refuse. Six wishes in exchange for one tiny trade--Samantha's soul. There's a glaring loophole in their contract, one Samantha fully intends to exploit so she doesn't fork over her soul. After all, she only needs one wish to win her ex back. Hell-bent to gather the last of the one thousand souls she needs so that she can be free of her own devilish deal, Daphne grants each of Samantha's wishes . . . with a twist, so that Samantha is forced to make another. As Samantha's wishes dwindle and Daphne offers her glimpses into the life she thought she wanted, the unlikely pair grows close. Perhaps the girl of Samantha's dreams is actually the stuff of nightmares, but Samantha and Daphne will have to outsmart the Devil himself if they want a chance at happily ever after"--

And to cap it off for the week, we have a patron looking for a Faustian bargain. How about a Faustian bargain where she falls FOR the devil? The Devil She Knows by Alexandria Bellefleur. #AskALibrarian

Oil! — Multnomah County Library Oil! — Sinclair, Upton, 1878-1968, — "By turns an ardent family saga, scintillating potboiler, and anti-capitalist tirade, Oil! ranks among the most important critiques of fossil energy ever printed. ...

Want to read "Something that picks up where East of Eden ends, ~1920 or so, California"? Try Oil! by Upton Sinclair. #AskALibrarian

Low-mess Crafts for Kids — Multnomah County Library Low-mess Crafts for Kids — Chapman, Debbie (Blogger), — Offers seventy-two handicraft projects that can be made individually or in groups to create different scenes, from underwater creatures to a fai...

If you're looking for "At home crafts and activities for kids" try Low-Mess Crafts for Kids by Debbie Chapman. #AskALibrarian

Bog Queen — Multnomah County Library Bog Queen — North, Anna, — When a remarkably well-preserved ancient body is discovered in a bog in northwest England, forensic anthropologist Agnes is called to investigate. As she uncovers the story ...

Try Bog Queen by Anna North if you're looking for an earthy story. #AskALibrarian

A Discovery of Witches — Multnomah County Library A Discovery of Witches — Harkness, Deborah, 1965- — Deep in the heart of Oxford's Bodleian Library, scholar Diana Bishop requests a manuscript called Ashmole 782 in the course of her research. Coming ...

If you're in the mood for dark academia, try A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. #AskALibrarian

Curvy Girl Summer — Multnomah County Library Curvy Girl Summer — Allen, Danielle, — "After a one-night stand with her clingy ex, Aaliyah James has an epiphany: this ain't it. She knows what she wants, and she's ready to move past casual hookups,...

Want "another series like Before I Let Go, 30s-40s, spicy"? Try Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen. #AskALibrarian

Our patron asking for something hopeful may enjoy our hopepunk list. #AskALibrarian

Battle of the Bad-breath Bats — Multnomah County Library Battle of the Bad-breath Bats — Bowles, David (David O.), — "Cousins Malia, Ivan, and Dante are visiting their aunt Lucy for the summer. But on their way to Gulf City's water park, they get lost on 13...

Try Battle of the Bad-breath Bats by @davidbowles.us if you're looking for the ""Next series to tackle after loving Spooky Sleuths as read aloud illustrated chap books!"" #AskALibrarian

Say Nothing — Multnomah County Library Say Nothing — Keefe, Patrick Radden, 1976- — "From award-winning New Yorker staff writer Patrick Radden Keefe, a stunning, intricate narrative about a notorious killing in Northern Ireland and its dev...

Try Patrick Radden Keefe's Say Nothing if you're looking for an "engaging book about the IRA." #AskALibrarian

Can You Solve the Murder? — Multnomah County Library Can You Solve the Murder? — Johnston, Antony — "Follow leads, find clues, and interrogate suspects in this intricately crafted page-turner! Will you make the right calls and catch the culprit, or will...

Our patron looking for a detective book where the reader has to figure it out may enjoy Can You Solve the Murder? by @antonyjohnston.bsky.social. #AskALibrarian

If you're looking for the best graphic novels for kids, we've got a whole list! #AskALibrarian

The Chicken Sisters — Multnomah County Library The Chicken Sisters — Dell'Antonia, K. J., — "Fannie Flagg meets Elin Hilderbrand in this deliciously charming debut novel about fried chicken, family feuds, and the foibles of the human heart"--<br/>...

Try The Chicken Sisters by @kjda.bsky.social if you're looking for an "Adult book for people who grew up loving Ramona and Beezus books." #AskALibrarian

Alys, Always — Multnomah County Library Alys, Always — Lane, Harriet, 1969- — Comforting a dying car crash victim before being invited to meet the woman's privileged family, Frances is transformed through her friendships with two family mem...

For the reader who loved Creation Lake but hated Mars Room, how about another book of subtle espionage? Check out Alys, Always by Harriet Lane. #AskALibrarian

We've got a whole list for our patron asking for spring break reads for 5th graders! #AskALibrarian

To Catch a Thief — Multnomah County Library To Catch a Thief — Forbeck, Matt, — When a thief is caught picking the pocket of a civilar in Waterdeep, they are blackmailed into finding a baby griffon stolen by the leader of the Thieves' Guild, in...

If you'd prefer a choose your own adventure, try To Catch a Thief by @forbeck.com. #AskALibrarian

Late Bloomer — Multnomah County Library Late Bloomer — Eddings, Mazey, — "A sexy, sapphic, opposites-attract romance with Mazey Eddings' signature sparkling voice! Winning the lottery has ruined Opal Devlin's life. After quitting her dead-e...

Want to read a queer springtime romance? Dig into Late Bloomer by @mazeyeddings.bsky.social for the roses and the thorns #AskALibrarian

Showstopper — Multnomah County Library Showstopper — Anderson, Lily, 1988- — "The Ghostlight Youth Theater Camp isn't the best program in the world, but to Faye, it's home. Every summer since junior high, Faye and her friends have come to...

If you're in the mood for a summer camp horror book, try Showstopper by Lily Anderson. #AskALibrarian

Six Days in August — Multnomah County Library Six Days in August — King, David, 1970- — "The definitive account of the bizarre hostage drama that gave rise to the term "Stockholm Syndrome." On the morning of August 23, 1973, a man wearing a wig, ...

We had a patron ask a question about Stockhom Syndrome and if it's real. It captivated us! Try Six Days in August by David King. #AskALibrarian

Ivy & Bean — Multnomah County Library Ivy & Bean — Barrows, Annie — The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn't be friends. But when Bean plays a joke on her sister, Nancy, and has to quickly hide and Ivy comes to the ...

Try Ivy & Bean by Annie Barrows if you're searching for an audiobook a 7 year old fan of Ramona will enjoy! #AskALibrarian

Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom — Multnomah County Library Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom — Wolf, Allan, — Thirteen-year-old Junius Leak is doomed to ten days of boredom on a houseboat on Lake Peigneur with his uncle while his parents "work on" ...

The parent looking for a new read for their 10 year old who loves Holes should check out Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom by @allanwolf100.bsky.social. #AskALibrarian

Adachi and Shimamura. Novel 1 — Multnomah County Library Adachi and Shimamura. Novel 1 — Iruma, Hitoma, 1986- — The yuri light novels about a sweet romance between high school girls--now an anime series! Adachi is skipping class when she first meets fellow ...

Did you know that many yuri manga are based on yuri novel series? One is Adachi and Shimamura by Hitoma Iruma. #AskALibrarian

Steelheart — Multnomah County Library Steelheart — Sanderson, Brandon — At age eight, David watched as his father was killed by an Epic, a human with superhuman powers, and now, ten years later, he joins the Reckoners--the only people who...

Our patron requesting "engaging sci-fi or action adv for 14yr old boy who has read all the usual recs 😊" may find what they're looking for in @brandonsanderson.com's Steelheart! #AskALibrarian

Jade City — Multnomah County Library Jade City — Lee, Fonda, — "Stylish and action-packed, full of ambitious families and guilt-ridden loves, Jade City is an epic drama reminiscent of the best classic Hong Kong gangster films but set in ...

Jade City by @fondalee.bsky.social is a great pick for our patron looking for a duology or trilogy fantasy without spicy romance. #AskALibrarian

Wednesday Is for Wiggling! — Multnomah County Library Wednesday Is for Wiggling! — Wong Nava, Eva, — "Whether it's tiptoeing in dance class with her babysitter on Tuesday, scooting around the canal with Daddy on Sunday, or enjoying a Friday playdate with...

Try Wednesday Is for Wiggling! by @evawongnava.bsky.social if you've got a toddler looking to learn about days of the week. #AskALibrarian

Dog on It — Multnomah County Library Dog on It — Quinn, Spencer, — Chet and Bernie investigate the disappearance of Madison, a teenage girl who may or may not have been kidnapped, but who has definitely gotten mixed up with some very unsavory characters.

Check out Dog on It by Spencer Quinn if you're looking for a mystery book that isn't too dark. #AskALibrarian

We Are Not Like Them — Multnomah County Library We Are Not Like Them — Pride, Christine, — "Told from alternating perspectives, an evocative and riveting novel about the lifelong bond between two women, one Black and one white, whose friendship is ...

If you're interested in finding a book similar to While We Were Burning, check out We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride. #AskALibrarian

The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi — Multnomah County Library The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi — Chakraborty, S. A., — "Amina al-Sirafi should be content. After a storied and scandalous career as one of the Indian Ocean's most notorious pirates, she's survived ...

For our fan of the Owl House's Eda we recommend The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S. A. Chakraborty, about a middle aged pirate captain who is forced out of retirement when offered a job she can't refuse. #AskALibrarian

The Regency Years — Multnomah County Library The Regency Years — Morrison, Robert, 1961- — "A surprising history of the era that brought our modern world decisively into view. Though the Victorians are often credited with ushering in our modern ...

Our patron who isn't a big nonfiction fan but is looking for something to learn about the regency era may enjoy The Regency Years by Robert Morrison. #AskALibrarian

Cleat Cute — Multnomah County Library Cleat Cute — Wilsner, Meryl, — "A sapphic rivals to lovers rom com for fans of Ted Lasso and A League of Their Own, where two soccer teammates are at odds before falling in love as their team gears up for the World Cup. Grace Henderson has been a star of the US Women's National Team for ten years, even though she's only 26. But when she's sidelined with an injury, a bold new upstart, Phoebe Matthews, takes her spot. 22-year-old Phoebe is everything Grace isn't--a gregarious jokester who plays with a joy that Grace lost somewhere along the way. The last thing Grace expects is to become teammates with benefits with this class clown she sees as her rival. Phoebe Matthews is too focused on her first season as a professional soccer player to think about seducing her longtime idol. But when Grace ends up making the first move, they can't keep their hands off of each other. As the World Cup approaches and Grace works her way back from injury, a miscommunication leaves the women with hilariously different perspectives on their relationship. But they're on the same page on the field, realizing they can play together instead of vying for the same position. With every tackle the tension between them grows, and both players soon have to decide what's more important-being together or making the roster. The perfect blend of funny and steamy, Meryl Wilsner's Cleat Cute is about being brave enough to win on and off the field"--

Looking for a lesbian sports romance? Take it beyond a Heated Rivalry with Cleat Cute by @merylwilsner.bsky.social. #AskALibrarian