Woody and Buzz. Sherlock and Watson. Frog and Toad. Jo and Laurie. Shrek and Donkey. Sometimes the best friendships come from the most unexpected places.
Naperville Public Library’s Amazing Book Challenge “Unlikely Pairs” category celebrates oddball duos, mismatched mates and surprising bonds that prove connection can bloom in the most unexpected of places. Here are a few of our book suggestions…
“The Lido” by Libby Page: When developers threaten to demolish the local swimming pool, it’s up to Rosemary, an 86-year-old widow, and Kate, a 26-year-old anxious reporter, to rally the community to save it.
“White Teeth” by Zadie Smith: Follow the intertwining lives of two wartime friends, the Bangladeshi Samad Iqbal and the English Archie Jones, as they navigate culture, identity, history and hope from World War II to the 1990s.
“Puck & Prejudice” by Lia Riley: Hockey goalie Tucker Taylor gets sucked back in time to Regency-era England and meets Lizzy, a woman dreaming of independence. As sparks fly, they’ll have to decide if their love can stand the test of time.
“Nosy Neighbors” by Freya Sampson: Shelley House is crumbling, and someone is targeting its residents. Now it’s up to opposites Kat and Dorothy to team up to save their neighbors and their historic home in the process.
“Akin” by Emma Donoghue: Noah Selvaggio returns to his childhood home in France with his estranged great-nephew to reveal secrets about Noah’s mother’s past during WWII.
“We Should Not Be Friends” by Will Schwalbe: Dive into an unlikely friendship between Will, a gay writer, and Maxey, a wannabe Navy SEAL, as they experience decades of triumphs, losses and personal growth.
“Act Your Age, Eve Brown” by Talia Hibbert: Chaotic, purple-haired Eve crashes into uptight Jacob Wayne — literally. Now his arm is broken, and his B&B is understaffed. As their mutual hostility fades, the chemistry becomes impossible to ignore.
“Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker” by Jennifer Chiaverini: Discover the unlikely friendship between Elizabeth Keckley, a former slave turned seamstress, and Mary Todd Lincoln.
To see our full list of recommendations and other categories in our Amazing Book Challenge, go to www.naperville-lib.org/ABC.
Ashlee Conour is the marketing specialist at Naperville Public Library.
