Michigan City Public Library: Must-Read Books: December 2025

Adult Fiction

One of Us
by Dan Chaon

It's 1915 and the world is transforming, but for thirteen-year-old Bolt and Eleanor--twins so close they can literally read each other's minds--life is falling apart. When their mother dies, they are forced to leave home under the care of a vicious con man who claims to be their long-lost uncle Charlie, the only kin they have left. During a late-night poker game, when one of his rages ends in murder, they decide to flee. Salvation arrives in the form of Mr. Jengling, founder of the Emporium of Wonders and father to its many members. He adopts Bolt and Eleanor, who travel by train across the vast, sometimes brutal American frontier with their new family, watching as the exhibitions spark amazement wherever they go. After a lifetime of having only each other, Eleanor and Bolt are finally part of something bigger. But as Bolt falls in deeper with their new clan, he finds Eleanor pulling further away from him. And when Uncle Charlie picks up their trail, the twins find themselves facing a peril as strange as it is terrifying, one which will forever alter the trajectory of their lives.

King Sorrow
by Joe Hill

Blackmailed into stealing rare books, college student Arthur Oakes and his friends summon King Sorrow, a powerful dragon from a supernatural realm. The creature saves them -- but their bargain binds them to provide an annual human sacrifice, unleashing dark, magical consequences that shadow their lives for decades. Try this next: The Dissonance by Shaun Hamill.

The Gun Man Jackson Swagger
by Stephen Hunter

In 1897 Arizona Territory, sharpshooter and Civil War vet Jack Swagger takes a job guarding deliveries to and from Mexico for prosperous rancher Colonel Callahan. But not everything is as it seems in this western by Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Hunter, which is “reminiscent of Larry McMurtry” (Booklist). For fans of: Hunter’s Bob Lee Swagger novels; William W. Johnstone’s novels.

The Intruder
by Freida McFadden

When a bloodied girl appears on Casey’s doorstep during a violent storm, her quiet cabin in the New Hampshire woods becomes a trap. The girl’s mysterious past and deadly secrets soon put Casey in mortal danger. Alternating perspectives heighten the suspense as survival, trust, and hidden truths collide in this tense, pulse-pounding thriller.

Evensong
by Stewart O'Nan

In Pittsburgh, a group of aging church women who call themselves the Humpty Dumpty Club help others in myriad ways, like by baking cookies, taking care of pets, running errands, and sitting with the sick. Then one of their own has a bad fall. This quietly moving character-driven story portrays the importance of community and chosen family. For fans of: Elizabeth Strout.

Slashed Beauties
by A. Rushby

In present-day Seoul, antiques dealer Alys sets out to destroy three 18th-century Anatomical Venuses, who supposedly come to life at night to murder ill-behaved men. Meanwhile, in 1769 London, a trio of sex workers seek gainful employment and make a fateful decision. Fans of dual timeline novels and body horror will want to check out this "feminist gothic that stretches its waxen hands across time" (Booklist). Try this next: The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia; Old Soul by Susan Barker.

Conform
by Ariel Sullivan

In a future ravaged by war, Emmeline, a woman at the lower end of a caste system based on genetics, is unexpectedly chosen to mate with Collin, an Elite who can give her the life she's always dreamed of. Conforming to the rigid expectations of the ruling Illum proves to be a challenge when Emmeline finds herself drawn to Hal, a resistance leader determined to bring down the system. This cinematic 1st in a planned trilogy will appeal to fans of dystopian science fiction romances like Dani Francis' Silver Elite.

The Dentist
by Tim Sullivan

DS George Cross, who’s autistic and detail-oriented, investigates an unhoused man’s murder in South West England. Noticing clues that others miss and with help from his partner DS Josie Ottey, George unearths links to an old killing in this acclaimed series starter and bestselling police procedural from the United Kingdom. For other books with neurodivergent detectives, try Brandy Schillace’s Netherleigh mysteries or Daniel Aubrey’s Orkney mysteries.

Palaver
by Bryan Washington

In the weeks before Christmas, a mother arrives unannounced in Japan to visit her estranged son, who isn’t happy to see her. They speak infrequently and haven’t seen each other in years, but can they come to an understanding with each other before it’s too late? Readers who appreciate sparse yet evocative tales or stories that center gay men and family in all its forms will enjoy Bryan Washington’s novels.

Youth Fiction

The House Saphir
by Marissa Meyer

Armand hires Mallory, who can talk to ghosts, to exorcise his ancestral estate. Mallory plans to swindle him out of his money, but instead she finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, and Armand is a suspect. This creepy novel is a witty retelling of the Bluebeard myth.

The Poisoned King
by Katherine Rundell

Ever since his first excursion, Christopher has been longing to return to the Archipelago, a hidden realm of mythological animals. So when he’s summoned by a dragon, Christopher is thrilled to follow it into a mystery involving a sphinx, a spreading poison, and a small girl bent on revenge. This exciting, illustrated sequel will be most fun if you’ve already read Impossible Creatures.

Contact your librarian for more great books!