Weekend Picks for July 3rd

Greetings!

As this long holiday weekend (Happy 250th, America!) comes to a close, you might find yourself looking to head back to the stacks. If so, we have you covered. And if you are a lover of historical fiction and mythology - this one is for you!  

Madison Ballard

Our many thanks to Leilya ​Pitre and her students from Southeastern Louisiana University for their ongoing contributions to the blog. 
​
Meet this weekend's blog contributor Madison Ballard. Madison is a secondary English education major at Southeastern Louisiana University. ​

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

​Imagine that a historical fiction meets contemporary fiction and blends in the myth-inspired elements, and you will getThe Sirens (2025), an atmospheric novel that weaves together three different timelines, all connected by the sea. The story follows women from different generations as they struggle with trauma, identity, and survival. The ocean is always present, shaping the characters’ lives and emotions, and giving the novel a haunting, reflective tone .

​I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s writing style, which is slow and descriptive, allowing readers to fully sink into the setting. Switching between timelines seems to be challenging at first, but each storyline echoes the others in meaningful ways. The novel brings together realistic experiences with myth-inspired elements, especially the idea of sirens, which adds depth and symbolism.

Major themes include womanhood, memory, inherited pain, and healing. The sea works as a symbol for both danger and comfort: it can hurt, but it can also help characters recover. The Sirens is a thoughtful read that encourages readers to think about how stories and struggles are passed down across generations.

Emilia Hart