SDPL Recommended Reads

Room to Dream by David Lynch and Kristine McKenna
Reviewed by Joel Bakker
Collection Development Librarian, Central Library
San Diego Union Tribune, May 31, 2026

The late filmmaker David Lynch produced a body of work unparalleled in American cinema, a collection of oneiric descents to urban and suburban underworlds, as dark and sensual as the black coffee beloved of Dale Cooper, the mystic FBI agent at the heart of Lynch’s Twin Peaks. Lynch was famously reticent to discuss the meanings and potential interpretations of his work, and his cheery, “Jimmy Stewart from Mars” (to quote Mel Brooks) persona could seem like an impenetrable barrier to decoding his mysteries. In Room to Dream, however, we are given a surprisingly intimate view of Lynch the man and the artist: the book alternates between biographical chapters written by McKenna and freewheeling personal reflections by Lynch, beginning with his Eagle Scout boyhood and his starving artist days in Philadelphia, when the young painter became fascinated by the possibilities of film, leading to his epochal Eraserhead and a tumultuous but ultimately transcendent career as stubbornly idiosyncratic and visionary auteur. A fascinating portrait of a true original, a man whose name has become an adjective for the wonderful and strange: Lynchian.  

Chilean Poet by Alejandro Zambra
Reviewed by Cora Lee
Library Assistant III, Kensington-Normal Heights Branch
San Diego Union Tribune, May 17, 2026

This playful saga explores the mess of life—from teenage lust to young heartbreak to unconventional parenthood. Gonzalo, an aspiring poet, reunites with his high school sweetheart and enthusiastically steps into the role of stepfather to her six-year-old son. Their eventual break-up leaves this familial bond in limbo—what is the role of the ex-stepparent? Zambra's writing is textured and cheeky, embedded with adolescent love sonnets and multiple choice questionnaires. Doled out with a balance of humor, tenderness, and verve, this novel will transport you to gay nightclubs in Santiago, pretentious literati parties, and bookstores stocked with (what else?) Chilean poetry.   

Black Beach by Shauna Stith
Reviewed by Veronica Rodriguez
Library Assistant II, Logan Heights Branch
San Diego Union Tribune, May 3, 2026

Black Beach is a children’s book that explores the events that led to the creation of the first Earth Day. Readers follow a young girl named Sam, who notices a growing concern among the adults around her as news spreads of the 1969 Santa Barbara Oil Spill. Through Sam’s eyes, confusion and worry turn into anger and community activism. As the oil begins to reach land, the community gathers, and national leaders help bring wider attention to the spill.  Their combined efforts lead to the creation of Earth Day, where an estimated 20 million participated in the first nationwide event. The authors are able to connect youngsters to an event that took place 57 years ago. The illustrations capture both the impact of the oil spill and the power of collective action. A closing note encourages readers to pay attention and stand up for issues that matter to them.

That Librarian by Amanda Jones
Reviewed by Monnee Tong
Supervising Librarian Central & Area IV
San Diego Union Tribune, April 19, 2026

Librarians are often seen as cardigan-wearing shushers, but less known is the profession’s fierce loyalty to the Library Bill of Rights, which affirms everyone’s right to access information. Librarians nationwide are defending the right to read against persistent, and at times highly organized, attempts at book banning; some even being attacked, threatened, and fired from their jobs.

In That Librarian, Amanda Jones tells her story of speaking up against book bans, and the aftermath in which her small town threatens her life and spews lies about her online. Jones interweaves her own story with other librarians who stood up for intellectual freedom and faced similar ostracization and mental anguish from their communities.

In honor of National Library Week (April 19-25,) I wholeheartedly recommend this title if you want to learn more about libraries and how important it is, for the sake of democracy, that we collectively defend the right to read. 

Sacrament by Susan Straight 
Reviewed by David Cederholm 
Library Assistant II, Allied Gardens Benjamin Branch 
San Diego Union Tribune, April 5, 2026

First, it’s Susan Straight. Second, it’s a great story about ICU nurses who live in small trailers to protect their families from COVID. Straight gives us the COVID 19 surge of July 2020 from the perspective of ICU nurses in San Bernadino who choose to live in small trailers at an RV park just steps from the hospital.  The families waiting in the parking lot call them “angels” and “heroes” as they come and go to their shifts. Larette serenades patients with their favorite song in their final moments. Cherise succumbs to the virus and lives only to learn that her daughter has run away and is missing. Marisol comforts them with chicken adobo and folksy wisdom. A uniquely southern California story told the way only Susan Straight can write about southern California. 

Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Read 
Reviewed by Max Peyro Hernandez 
Library Assistant III, Central Library 
San Diego Union Tribune, March 22, 2026 

The novel's titular band 'Daisy Jones & The Six' skyrocketed to stardom and disappeared just as fast, leaving those admiring their favorite band to ask, "what happened to the greatest band of the 1970s?" The story is told retrospectively in a documentary style, formatted by an interviewer compiling the story that happened 30 years prior. Daisy Jones & The Six is a story rooted in everything the 70s embodied - artistry and temptation in a fast-paced world of rock 'n roll captivating you one direction and leaving you to figure out the rest later. The audiobook contains a decorated cast of voice actors. We get a close look at personal dynamics, a "will-they-won't-they" relationship eclipsed by the fleshed out chemistry between the main characters, and the oral recounting of events that lead to the band's final show. 

Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen
Reviewed by Dana Sanchez
Branch Manager, La Jolla/Riford Branch Library
San Diego Union Tribune, March 8, 2026

Nuclear War: A Scenario is a gripping and unsettling exploration of the devastating consequences of nuclear conflict. Investigative journalist Annie Jacobsen's meticulous research and attention to detail make this scenario feel uncomfortably plausible, leaving the reader with a dreaded sense of unease and urgency both during and after reading. The writing is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for non-experts to understand the complexities of nuclear war. This anxiety-inducing scenario, which feels all too real, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of nuclear disarmament and diplomacy. It is a call to action, urging readers to consider the catastrophic consequences of nuclear conflict and to work towards a more peaceful and sustainable future. It is a sobering and thought-provoking read that readers won’t soon forget. 

The Diary of Anaïs Nin, Vol. 1: 1931-1934 by Anaïs Nin
Reviewed by Max Peyro Hernandez
Library Assistant III, Central Library
San Diego Union Tribune, January 25, 2026

In this volume, Anaïs Nin documents the times in her late 20s to early 30s when she meets Henry Miller and his wife June, and the disillusionments of relationships, passion, and sexual identity. Later, her artistic and literary ambition leads her to the realm of psychoanalysis where she meets doctors René Allendy and Otto Rank, a necessary time that reaffirms her interest in the internal world tenfold. Nin describes meeting her estranged father and the shattered expectations of him and the reconstitution of herself because of it. This first published volume is a testament to Nin’s ability to describe her world in vivid-dreamy detail. Her tactful and precise detailing of the woman she became in spite of the men who tried to influence her is evident in her sensitive and introspective writing - offering a window into her emotional realm and thus, reflecting our own potential to tap into ours.

Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton
Reviewed by Ereka Prevot
Librarian II, Central Library
San Diego Union Tribune, January 11, 2026

Raising Hare is a beautiful account of connecting with nature during a time of isolation. Written by Chloe Dalton, political adviser and foreign policy specialist, the story begins on a cold winter day in the English countryside. Dalton finds a lone newborn hare in a field near her home. She cares for the hare into adulthood, altering her home and habits to ensure that the animal remains wild. Dalton describes the hare in tender detail, down to the subtle colors and seasonal changes of its coat. Her choice of words reflects the care with which she handles the wild guest. I loved this story not only because it focuses on a beloved creature, but for how the author handles difficult moments. Rather than dwelling on loss, she graciously reflects on what the hare contributed to her life.