Book it to a Naperville Public Library and get ready for some pun with a punny title! In honor of April Fools’ Day, we’re highlighting this Amazing Book Challenge category that encourages you to choose a title featuring a clever play on words or a witty twist on a popular phrase.
From a town that’s constantly banning letters of the alphabet to a talking cat with nine lives, you can be sure of one thing with each title in this collection — it’s pun intended.
To see the full list of recommendations and to check out the other categories, visit www.naperville-lib.org/ABC.
“Ella Minnow Pea” by Mark Dunn
Ella Minnow Pea lives on the island of Nollop, named after Nevin Nollop, author of the famous pangram, “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” When the island’s council bans letters from the alphabet as they fall from a statue of Nollop, Ella must act to save her community from growing totalitarianism. As letters vanish, they also disappear from the novel.
“Heart and Seoul” by Jen Frederick
Hara Wilson, a Korean adoptee, has always felt different from her white parents. At 25, she thought she had accepted it, but after her father’s sudden death, a comment at his funeral sparks an identity crisis. She travels to Seoul in search of her roots, where she encounters a mysterious stranger, new family ties and a forbidden love that could either bring her home or tear everything apart.
“Home Is Where the Bodies Are” by Jeneva Rose
After their mother’s death, three estranged siblings — Beth, Nicole and Michael — reunite to settle her estate. While sorting through belongings, they find home videos that reveal a chilling memory from 1999: their father, covered in blood, and a dead body. As they uncover their parents’ dark secret, the siblings must decide whether to confront the truth or leave the past buried.
“’Til Heist Do Us Part” by Sara Desai
A year after pulling off a high-wire diamond heist, Simi Chopra and her crew are back to struggling with bills. When a Mafia boss demands the return of the jewels plus interest, they must reunite to track them down. But the necklace is in the hands of a vengeful nemesis, forcing Simi to work her con to get it back. As she navigates a billionaire’s mansion, a rival thief and a determined detective, Simi risks ending up in serious trouble.
“Fool Moon” by Jim Butcher
Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, has been struggling to find work — magical or mundane — until a brutal murder brings him back into action. A mutilated corpse, strange animal markings and the murder occurring on the night of a full moon point to one thing: a werewolf stalking the city. With his supernatural expertise, Harry must navigate Chicago’s dark underbelly to stop the killer before more victims are claimed, all while dealing with the dangerous creatures and forces that lurk in the shadows.
“Cat Out of Hell” by Lynne Truss
Alec Charlesworth, a grieving librarian who’s lost his job and wife, discovers a file of interviews between a man named “Wiggy” and a cat named Roger. To his shock, Roger speaks — and Alec learns that much of what we fear about cats is true: they think they’re smarter than humans and they have nine lives. Roger, ancient and wise, reveals a dark history that may connect to the death of Alec’s wife and other local tragedies. But can Alec trust the cat, or is Roger part of the dark forces at play?
“The Pun Also Rises” by John Pollack
A former world pun champion’s funny, erudite and provocative exploration of puns, the people who make them and this derided wordplay’s remarkable impact on history.
“Uganda Be Kidding Me” by Chelsea Handler
Chelsea Handler takes readers on a wild, hilarious ride through her travel misadventures. Whether she’s fumbling through a safari in Africa, getting into trouble in the Bahamas or escaping a German hospital on crutches, Chelsea’s sharp wit and outrageous humor make every journey unforgettable. With stories of family chaos, missteps and her devoted dog Chunk, Chelsea hilariously tackles the world’s most absurd travel situations.
“The Ride of A Lifetime” by Robert Iger
Robert Iger reflects on his journey as CEO of Disney, where he led the company through a transformative period by prioritizing quality, embracing technology and expanding globally. Under his leadership, Disney became the world’s largest media company, acquiring Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox. Iger shares the leadership principles that guided his success and highlights the importance of curiosity, thoughtfulness and a decency-first approach in shaping his decisions and Disney’s growth.
Ashlee Conour is the marketing specialist at Naperville Public Library.
