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Pride month continues on in full swing! Pride started as a riot, as those who were oppressed rose up to demand the respect and freedoms our constitution promised. Many of those rights and freedoms are still in conflict today. These books help to highlight the path so many had to walk before and also those whose current paths are currently being made.

The Queer Thing About Sin by Harry Tanner tries to answer how we got here in terms of perception and prejudices against those who are part of the LGBTQ community. Beginning in ancient Greece, Tanner looks at a time when it was seemingly acceptable to be queer, as shown through plays and works of art. But as time passes, arguments and prejudices begin to pop up that sound very similar to modern ideas. Tanner suggests that this is not a coincidence, that similar downturns in society leads it to turn on it’s most vulnerable. He shows how philosophical ideas were adopted into religious concepts and how the consequences of that are still being felt today. The work is a great read that gives us not only a perspective on how we got here, but ideas on how to change our path.

Another book that shows how we got here but centers itself on the Black queer community is A Black Queer History of the United States by C. Riley Snorton and Darius Bost. Since the very concept of the United States, we have had residents who do not fall into the binary of male or female. Instead of just adhering pronouns or sexualities, the authors are very cognizant of not labeling individuals of the past with modern day terms or sensibilities. The authors show how many historical contributions from slavery uprisings, to fighting in the civil war, through Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement, queer people have played an integral part in the history of the United States. It even highlights that during the Civil Rights Movement, queer people were marginalized because the leaders believed that heteronormativity was the only way to gain equality. Snorton and Bost allow us to see how queer, trans, and gender non-conforming individuals have always fought for a place at the table, even if they were not the ones who ultimately benefitted from it.

Ace of Hearts: Lessons in Love from an Asexual Girl by Cooklin is a graphic novel in which the main character struggles when society’s norms are counter to who she feels she is as a person. Caitlin looked to discover the formula for happiness, how walking down the prescribed conventional path would automatically lead to comfort and belonging. But that isn’t what happened. Caitlin finds that closeness with another person is wonderful but physical intimacy is not as it was touted. Every step of the way, from Evangelical pastors, to friends, and even college counselors, she never really finds someone who gave a perspective close to how she felt. Throughout her journey and her relationships, she seeks out her own answers on what love means to her.

Enjoy these books and more at your local library! Happy Pride!

–Ciara Lightner is a library specialist at A.K. Smiley Public Library who believes the library is for everybody. Just don’t arrive all at once…. limited parking.

True crime is extremely popular! One can find it on TV, podcasts, and streaming services. California has seen its share of true crime (the Golden State Killer or the Night Stalker). Other cases here, and throughout the country may be lesser known—but are just as horrifying. AKSPL has three new titles involving true crime and one older true crime title that will be discussed here.

One of California’s most famous cases is the Black Dahlia. This occurred in the late 1940s in Los Angeles. The victim, Elizabeth Short, was found dismembered in a vacant lot in L.A. But did you know that there was another parallel murder case back in the Midwest? Leila Welsh and Elizabeth Short were very different in upbringing, lifestyle, and lived in different states. Sisters in Death: The Black Dahlia, The Prairie Heiress, and their Hunter by Eli Frankel compares their murder cases and tries to link them to the same suspect. Who is this suspect? You’ll only know if you read the book. To this day neither case is officially closed.

Going from California to Arizona, Chasing Down the Zombie Hunter, by Troy A. Hillman shares the cases of Angela Brosso and Melanie Bernas. Both women were killed within months of each other. Both had bicycles. Both were killed in comparable circumstances. For years the cases could not be solved until a unique cold-case team of detectives, and a CPA, were able to figure things out. Scariest of all was that the suspect was hiding in plain sight all along.

In Arkansas the Ozarks can be beautiful, but, deadly. Benjamin Hale’s, Cave Mountain: A Disappearance and Reckoning in the Ozarks, shares the story of Haley Zega. She disappeared on a hike and the search for her turned into a huge search and rescue mission. After she was rescued, Haley talked about another girl “Alecia.” Haley’s disappearance and “Alecia” would be eerily associated together though years apart.

For classic true crime, nothing beats author Ann Rule! Her book, Too Late to Say Goodbye: A True Story of Murder and Betrayal, takes place in Georgia. Jenn Corbin and Dolly Hearn were young women living their best lives. Both women were involved with Dr. Bart Corbin and both ended up dead. Was it a coincidence? Ann Rule compares and contrasts both women’s lives and their love for the same man.

For true crime fans, AKSPL has many other books, e-books, and other materials to keep them up at night! Patrons can also use our new app to search for items or to place them on hold. The app can be found in the App stores for both iPhone and Android users.

Allison Peyton is principal librarian for A.K. Smiley Public Library Adult Services.

Reading memoirs offer us the opportunity to step into an author’s personal life and immerse ourselves in the experiences that have shaped their growth, life purpose, and understanding of the world during a particular era. Thus, we may feel inspired by the author’s journey, connected through shared experiences, or motivated to learn more about unfamiliar perspectives and topics. Additionally, the format in which the memoir is presented plays a part in how we engage with it. Today, memoirs are presented not only in traditional book form, but also as graphic novels, which can appeal to a new generation of readers through the use of visual elements such as color to convey emotion and meaning. In addition, memoirs are available in audiobook format, allowing listeners to further immerse themselves in the author’s emotions and experiences.

What began as a letter correspondence between Sister Helen Prejean and Patrick Sonnier, a man sentenced to death for murder, led to Prejean’s lifelong advocacy for the abolition of the death penalty. Dead Man Walking: Graphic Edition, takes readers back to the beginning of Prejean’s work in this field through a visual adaptation of her 1993 bestselling memoir, “Dead Man Walking: The Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty That Sparked a National Debate.” Created in collaboration with writer Rose Vines and artist Catherine Anyango, the memoir aims to reach a new generation that perhaps has not heard of Prejean and her work. Combined, the visuals, colors, and the script, capture the sorrow and emotional weight of Prejean’s experiences, as well as those of inmates and families. The memoir humanizes those on death row while also acknowledging the impact of their crimes on their victims’ loved ones; multiple perspectives on this controversial issue are also presented.

The audiobook version of Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice by Virginia Roberts Giuffre was a finalist for the 2026 Audie Award for Best Narration in Biographies— an award that recognizes distinction in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment. Narrators Gabra Zackman and Thérèse Plummer bring Giuffre’s story to life by giving voice to her experiences of childhood abuse, the exploitation she suffered by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, and the emotional challenges she faced in seeking justice. Listening to the memoir allows readers to connect to Giuffre’s emotions through the narrators’ tones and inflections, which can often be less apparent on the page. On the other hand, reading the physical memoir offers the reader flexibility to skim, or skip sections that can be difficult to read—both the audiobook and print formats are available for check out.

Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense by Joe Manchin recounts his experiences in the Senate and the White House, along with the defining moments that shaped his character, values, and work ethic. Organized into thirteen chapters, the memoir traces his journey from childhood to his career as both a businessman and senator. Each chapter centers on a guiding principle that has influenced his leadership approach, such as, “The dignity of work builds a good and accountable society,” and “If you can’t change your mind, you can’t change anything.” Manchin explains how these principles helped him overcome adversity, shaped his understanding of leadership, and influenced his view on commonsense politics.

There are several memoirs to be checked out at A.K. Smiley Public Library; perhaps there is one ready to be read by you.

Celina Lozano is a library specialist at A.K. Smiley Public Library.