It has been an interesting couple of days with not just one but two different squirrels finding their way into the Library and hiding out in the Teen and Adult fiction collections. Here are a few fiction titles to pay tribute to these fluffy and sometimes elusive woodland creatures. The squirrels made it back into nature safely and none the worse for wear.
A Little Something Different / Sandy Hall
A sweet romance between two college students told from 14 viewpoints, including their teacher, baristas, friends, and even a squirrel. Despite their shared interests and mutual crush, Lea’s reserved nature and Gabe’s issues create obstacles, but everyone believes they should be together. Available as an ebook and audiobook from Libby.
The Portable Veblen / Elizabeth McKenzie
An exuberant, one-of-a-kind novel about love, family, war, and nature by a brilliant New Yorker contributor. Set around Palo Alto, it explores the clash of new money and old values, with the specter of current wars. The story follows Veblen and her fiancé Paul, whose engagement faces collapse amid dysfunctional families, a seductive heiress, and an intimate encounter with a charismatic squirrel.
Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary / David Sedaris; illustrations by Ian Falconer
A collection of animal-themed essays. In “The Toad, the Turtle, and the Duck,” a group of complete strangers bitterly discuss the order of things within the animal kingdom. In “Hello Kitty,” a miserable alcoholic cat attends AA. In “The Squirrel and the Chipmunk,” two lovers are torn apart by their quarreling families.
Squirrels in the Wall: A Novel in Stories / Henry Hitz
A novel of interspecies voices that blends human and animal perspectives in a darkly hilarious setting on a Wisconsin lake. The stories follow Barney from infancy to death, depicting his epic conflict with his abusive father while introducing a host of memorable animal and human characters.
BH: July 2024
