Plano Reads: Book Selfies, Episode 6
4 mins read

Plano Reads: Book Selfies, Episode 6

The libraries may be closed, but our love of reading and recommending never ends! 

Your Plano Public Library staff are virtually recommending our latest favorite reads, and below is the list of these titles, with additional read-alikes you can checkout on Overdrive and the Libby app. 

See all Book Selfies posts here.


See the latest Book Selfie video on our YouTube page.


Me and Marvin Gardens by A. S. King

Recommended by: Andrea at Haggard Library, available as an eBook and an eAudiobook

Genre: juvenile fiction, juvenile literature

Description from Overdrive: Obe Devlin has problems. His family’s farmland has been taken over by developers. His best friend Tommy has abandoned him. And he keeps getting nosebleeds, because of that thing he doesn’t like to talk about. So Obe hangs out at the nearby creek, in the last wild patch left, picking up trash and looking for animal tracks. One day, he sees a creature that looks kind of like a large dog. And as he watches it, he realizes it eats plastic. Only plastic. Water bottles, shopping bags… No one has seen a creature like this before. The animal—Marvin Gardens—becomes Obe’s best friend and biggest secret. But to keep him safe from the developers and Tommy and his friends, Obe must make a decision that might change everything.

Me and Marvin Gardens Read-alikes 

Pax by Sara Pennypacker eBook | eAudiobook
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen eBook | eAudiobook
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate


I’ve Been Thinking… by Maria Shriver

Recommended by: Tenille at Haggard Library, available as an eBook

Genre: new age, self-improvement, nonfiction

Description from Overdrive: As a prominent woman juggling many roles, Maria Shriver knows just how surprising, unpredictable, and stressful everyday life can be. In this moving and powerful book, she shares inspiring quotes, prayers, and reflections designed to get readers thinking, get them feeling, get them laughing, and help them in their journey to what she calls The Open Field—a place of acceptance, purpose, and passion—a place of joy.

I’ve Been Thinking… Read-alikes 

Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis eBook | eAudiobook
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron


Author P. G. Wodehouse

Recommended by: Erik at Davis Library 

Genre: fiction, humor, literature

From Encyclopedia Britannica: P.G. Wodehouse, in full Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, English-born comic novelist, short-story writer, lyricist, and playwright, best known as the creator of Jeeves, the supreme “gentleman’s gentleman.” He wrote more than 90 books and more than 20 film scripts and collaborated on more than 30 plays and musical comedies.

Titles include: The Code of the Woosters and others

P. G. Wodehouse Read-alikes 

Books by Douglas Adams 
Books by Martin Amis
Books by Stephen Fry


红楼夢 Dream of the Red Chamber by 曹雪芹 (Cao Xueqin)

Recommended by: Amy C. at Davis Library, available as a print book in two volumes

Genre: Chinese literature

Description from Encyclopedia Britannica: The novel is a blend of realism and romance, psychological motivation and fate, daily life and supernatural occurrences. A series of episodes rather than a strongly plotted work, it details the decline of the Jia family, composed of two main branches, with a proliferation of kinsmen and servants.

Dream of the Red Chamber Read-alikes 

红楼梦 (Dream of Red Mansions) by 全三册
《真本红楼梦》解惑与批注 by 曹雪芹
刘心武揭秘《红楼梦》上卷畅销经典书系 (Liu Xinwu Disclosing the Secrets of Dream of the Red Chamber) by 刘心武


Author David Sedaris

Recommended by: Sarah O. at Haggard Library

Genre: nonfiction, literature, humor

From Encyclopedia Britannica: David Sedaris, in full David Raymond Sedaris, American humorist and essayist best known for his sardonic autobiographical stories and social commentary, which appeared on the radio and in numerous best-selling books.

Titles includeMe Talk Pretty One Day, David Sedaris: Live at Carnegie Hall/Live for Your Listening Pleasure and others

David Sedaris Read-alikes 

Books by Chuck Klosterman
Books by Augusten Burroughs

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One thought on “Plano Reads: Book Selfies, Episode 6

  1. There’s something about reading David Sedaris’ “Holidays on Ice” collection in the dead middle of summer that’s extremely refreshing. Great commentary, fantastic humor, and interesting stories. I definitely recommend it for anyone who’s looking for a light-hearted read. Sedaris uses a conversational tone and fills his stories with a sense of adventure.

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