Monogamy is a practice observed by many, but not all, relationships. The Wives by Tarryn Fisher is a fictional thriller that takes a polygamous relationship down a path of mystery and drama. The woman narrating the story is a wife to a husband with two other wives she has never met. After purposely bumping into one of her husband's other wives, our protagonist finds that her husband may be an abuser, and hiding more secrets than she believed. West Lafayette Library Director Nick Schenkel has the

In her introduction to Tbe Best American Short Stories 2018, writer Roxanne Gay says, " I am looking for the artful way any given story is conveyed, but I also love when a story has a powerful message, when a story teaches me something about the world." This famous collection of short stories has famous literary icon Roxanne Gay take the wheel, with stories that do indeed convey powerful, important messages. West Lafayette Library Public Director Nick Schenkel has the review.

Science can answer many questions about our natural world, but can it solve some of our mundane problems? Problems such as moving, trying to charge your phone, taking a selfie, and other human foils of this day and age? The book How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems gives unexpected scientific answers to these questions and more. West Lafayette Library Director Nick Schenkel is back with another review from his own home.

Working for an engineering university, we are more than aware of the steretoypical engineer lacking romanticism. Breaking these stereotypes, Call Upon the Water is one of the few novels that tells a beautiful story of romance with an engineer as its protagonist. And don't worry there aren't any corny mathematics pick-up lines in its pages. West Lafayette Libaray Director Nick Schenkel has the review. P.S. The derivative of my love for you is 0, because my love for you is constant

When you happen to see algae in your daily life are you one to say "yuck!" at its appearance? Well, after reading this book you might be inclined to say "thanks" or "don't hurt me." The book Slime: How Algae Created Us, Plague Us, and Just Might Save Us by Ruth Kassinger gives complex insight into a seemingly simple organism. West Lafayette Library Director Nick Schenkel is back again with another review from his own home.

Rain or shine or pandemic, no matter, West Lafayette Library Director Nick Schenkel is back with another book review recorded from his own home! Are you in need of some comfort food in these strange times? Let's Make Ramen! A Comic Book Cookbook gives a comedic take on a classic food that you may already have stocked in your pantry. Nick Schenkel has the review. P.S. The physical library may be closed, but the virtual one is open for business. Go to to find this book and many other wonderful

What is love? What is masculinity? What is IKEA? These are the questions husbands face when raising a son, and these are the main topics of the non-fiction book Things My Son Needs to Know About the World by Fredrik Backman. The book offers life advice for Backman’s son, but the lessons shared are universal to anyone who is still growing up. West Lafayette Library Director Nick Schenkel has the review.

Kids are messy. If you have a child you are probably quite familiar with the woes of mud stains, lego blocks, and spaghetti dinners. How can anyone have time for parenting while keeping a clean, stylish living space at the same time? Elements of Family Style by Erin Gates attempts to accomplish this goal. Through her experience as a family blogger/instagram-er, she has seen the gamut of messes. Does it hold up? West Lafayette Public Library Director Nick Schenkel has the review.

One of the most famous paintings in the world by Andrew Wyeth portrays a young, frail woman in a field looking towards a farmhouse. It's called "Christina's World", and if you've ever seen this painting and wondered "Who is this woman and what is she thinking," then the novel A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline will satiate your curiosity. It's a fictional historical memoir following the stubborn nature of Christina, the woman in the painting, and her romantic history with Wyeth. West

It's Valentine's Day and there is no better way to celebrate this day of love than by curling up and reading a "fast-paced historical thriller." One Good Deed by David Baldacci is one such book. A war vet named Archer is released from Prison into a 1949 Southwest American town. Suspicions and intrigue rise as a mystery murder unfolds which Archer must solve. West Lafayette Public Library Director Nick Schenkel has the review.