Book Picks for Adults November 2023

Fantasy, role-play games, airship disaster, and encyclopedias -- hear about a variety of topics in this month's picks of new books by Ian Hauck, of Troy Public Library's adut services. The choices discussed: "Forged by Blood: A Novel" (Okosun, 2023) is the first in a new fantasy series exploring colonization through Nigerian mythology. "Role PLaying" (Yardley, 2023) has a mother and college-age son trying to be more sociable through online gaming. "His Majesty's Airship: The Life and Tragic Death of the World's Largest Flying Machine" (Gwynne, 2023) is a non-fiction account of one of largest airship disasters in history, in 1930. "All the Knowledge in the World: The Extraordinary History of the Encyclopedia" (Garfield, 2023) delves into the history of efforts to compile all knowledge into one set of books, and reflects on similarity to the limitless range of online information. But even if all can be compiled, can all be absorbed by anyone? For more details on books and activities, visit www.thetroylibrary.org. To find other libraries in New York State, see https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/libs/#Find. Produced by Brea Barthel for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.