Welcome to The Dispatcher's Shelf, a hub created specifically for dispatchers who share a love for reading. Here, you'll find a curated collection of book recommendations from fellow dispatchers, as well as have the opportunity to share your own reads for the year. Together, we'll build a comprehensive list of recommendations crafted by dispatchers, for dispatchers.
The Dispatcher’s Shelf
Recommended Reads for the console
Recommend a Book!
During our shifts, we often find ourselves with downtime. What books have helped you pass the time? Share your recommendations with us! Let's build a collection of reads that keep us engaged and entertained during those quiet moments behind the console. Looking forward to hearing your suggestions!
Below is a list of book recommendations from 911 professionals—titles they've enjoyed to help pass the time during long shifts. Add one to your TBR list today!
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January 2024
Title of Book: The Unmaking of June Farrow
Tell us why you love it!: I try to stay away from books involving time travel, since my brain can’t wrap around the concept. This book, however, was so interesting. Admittedly there were a couple of times I got slightly confused, but it was so good. Family history, strong FMC (female main character), lost/found family, first love kinda book.
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February 2024
Title of Book: Billy Boyle by James R Benn
Tell us why you love it!: This is book 1 in the series. World War II murder mysteries that follow a Boston police detective turned US Army LT as he solves the crimes that his “Uncle Ike” need solved quietly and quickly. This series is a little bit of a slow start but I wasn’t able to put them down. I’m now caught up and waiting until September when Book 19 “The Phantom Patrol” comes out. The characters travel through multiple different theaters of war while the author weaves together a great fiction story with factual historical information.
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March 2024
Title of Book: Pomegranate by Nicole Scarano
Tell us why you love it!: It is an awesome, gender-swapped, spicy-free (though I love me some spice lol) retelling of the Hades and Persephone story! If you’re a fan of Greek mythology I think you’ll enjoy this author’s twist on it.
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April 2024
Title of Book: A Touch of Chaos by Scarlett St. Clair
Tell us why you love it!: I previously recommended Pomegranate as a retelling of Hades and Persephone. This story is another amazing retelling, it is NOT gender-swapped like Pomegranate but it has a lot more spice (which I love but not everyone likes spice in their books ) and is meant to be read in tandem with the Hades saga (an additional trilogy, a Game of Fate, etc) and it is absolutely amazing.
Hope you enjoy both! -
May 2024
Title of Book: Bad Luck & Trouble by Lee Child
Tell us why you love it!: Read the book before Season 2 of Reacher, the book was absolutely amazing, Wham bam, secret squirrel MP operations. Lee Child writes in a manner where you instantly either love Jack or your don't. This particular installment is very personal and places Jack back working with his former coworkers who have all been honorably discharged from the Army and working as civilians. A common desire to right a wrong allows us more insight into Reacher's past and also shows him working with people he actually loves. If you like somewhat procedural law enforcement books with a side of we could never do that. This book is a win.
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June 2024
Title of Book: Nothing Good Happens After Midnight
Tell us why you love it!: This book was everything I thought it would be. It was real, funny, and helped me cope with certain things. Highly recommend.
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July 2024
Title of Book: Sully: My Search for What Really Matters
Tell us why you love it!: It's amazing and while Sully is a pilot, he shares why and how all of his DECADES of training and experience prepared him for the worst flight of his career. Which could translate to the worst call or incident of a Telecommunicator's career
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August 2024
Title of Book: Frankenstein: the Modern Prometheus
Tell us why you love it!: I just completed the Original Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein: the Modern Prometheus”I highly suggest everyone read it at least once.
Pray for me, Saints. -
September 2024
Recommended By: Natalia Duran
Title of Book: Behind Closed Doors-B.A.Paris
Tell us why you love it!: She writes psychological thrillers. Her first book, this one, kept me on my toes. The ending is one I did not expect, and my gasp sitting in an airplane made me let those around me know that it was a great story!
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October 2024
Name: Jennifer Johnson
Title of Book: Outlander Series
Tell us why you love it!: This is a series of 9 books, ten is underway and slated to be the last. There is also a TV Show, that is excellently cast. There is something for everyone in this series. History, romance, a little something paranormal, fighting, you name it. My husband read then too!
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November 2024
Name: Kris Inman
Title of Book: Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
Tell us why you love it!: A fascinating and fiercely original take on a mysterious pandemic and the apocalypse that it portends, this book fully fleshes out its memorable characters and draws you in without ever letting go. Don't be deterred by its length -- this is a big, epic book to absolutely lose yourself in, and the reveals and rewards are well worth the effort. If you loved Stephen King's "The Stand," this is a can't miss!
Below is the list of books I've completed this year as I work toward my goal of reading 25 books before the new year.
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Legendborn | Tracy Deonn
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Crescent City | Sarah J. Maas
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Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Run On Red | Noelle W. IHLI
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House of Sky and Breath | Sarah J. MAAS
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Sword of Kaigen | M.L. WANG
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Bride | Ali Hazelwood
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House of Flame and Shadow | Sarah J. Maas
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The Wren in the Holly Library | K.A. Linde
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The Ashes & The Star Cursed King | Carissa Broadbent
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Skyward | Brandon Sanderson