2023 Staff Picks
December 2023 Picks:
Kim recommends:
Doppelganger : a trip into the mirror world by Naomi KleinAlong the way, Klein found herself examining many doppelgangers (sort of like unrelated “twins”), including on a national level, and international. She tried to understand these “shadow selves” and what they say about us. From finding that an author she swore off of when she was in her 20s (Philip Roth) had wisdom to share thirty years later, to discovering that her Yoga-practicing neighbor wouldn’t vote for Klein’s left-wing husband, there were many surprises in this mirror world. She did her best to understand Wolf’s own journey.
Peggy recommends:
And remember, I did say quirky.
Amie recommends:
The Girl and the Ghost by Hanna Alkaf 
A heartbreaking story about a girl and her ghost. It was sweet in ways I didn’t think possible and is one of my new favorites.
Barbie 
DVD
I laughed so hard at this I had to watch it again to hear the jokes I missed. Ryan Gosling better get an Oscar!
Vicki recommends:
Wondrous Journeys in Strange Lands by Sonia Nimr
This award winning story tells the tale of a young Palestinian woman born into strange circumstances who leads a life of travel, romance, longing, mystery and adventure. It is a pure DELIGHT to read this worldwide odyssey with a female heroine. It is timeless and beautiful – every sentence makes me happy and every bend in the journey fills me with excitement and suspense. I whole heartedly recommend this book for all lovers of epic sagas and rich storytelling.
Nik recommends:
The Hand-Sculpted House : A Practical and Philosophical Guide to Building a Cob Cottage by Ianto Evans and Michael G Smith
As the weather cools and we perhaps find ourselves spending more time indoors, it’s wonderful to browse through The Hand-Sculpted House by Ianto Evans and Michael G Smith and re-imagine a domicile that can be built with local materials (perhaps beneath our very own feet?), a structure that is personalized to one’s own needs, and a home created with all the love and intention that rivals any modern, conventionally built home. Utilizing design and construction techniques that predate the industrial revolution, we are empowered to create spaces that utilize the heat-absorbing materials of the earth itself to create comfortable, climate-stable buildings without the need for excessive energy inputs from central heating and cooling systems. So cozy up and rethink what’s possible with this fantastic read filled with illustrations, color photos, and plenty of inspiration for reimagining the future by harnessing the knowledge of the past.
John recommends:
Not the Ones Dead by Dana Stabenow
This the latest in the Kate Shugak series. This one is slightly longer and more involved than most of the earlier books and it will not disappoint.
Dirty Thirty by Janet Evanovich 
This latest book is filled with the characters we have all come to know and love. Joe, Bob, Grandma Mazur, Lula, Connie, Ranger, Mrs Plumb (and her way of dealing with stress), and the blue 1953 Buick. The ending may be a surprise. Enjoy.
November 2023 Picks:
Amie recommends:
My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones
The first book in the trilogy by Stephen Graham Jones that I accidentally read second. It was not as scary as the second one, but still great! And now I have to wait a year for the finale. Dang!
A beautiful film about a man who feels nothing but really wants to feel everything. RIP Matthew Perry!
Peggy recommends:
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
The passing of Matthew Perry was a devastating blow for all those who adored him in Friends. But Friends was just a small fraction of Matthew’s life. This memoir is a no-holds barred look into his life, his loves and his demons. We will forever remember our favorite Friend, Chandler Bing but more than that, we will remember the man behind the character. RIP Matty.
October 2023 Picks:
Vicki recommends:
Stack the Cats by Susie Ghahremani
This is my 8 year old’s longtime favorite book. Stack the Cats is a delightful counting book for ages 4 and up that develops counting forward and backward, simple grouping, and understanding more and less than. It is also incredibly cute. There’s something about yelling “Stack!” when reading a book about making cat cairns that will bring out the laughter at bedtime. Of course they all fall down, but all’s well that ends well and this book is adorable to the last page.
This One Summer by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki
I am including a YA graphic novel this month because it was a challenged book in 2022 and I hope more people read it! This One Summer is a moving coming-of-age story about two young tween friends who have been meeting at the same lake house for their childhoods and the summer that they find themselves on the precipice of teenagers. As the girls watch the teenagers and adults and their respective dramas, they also grapple with how their relationship will make it through the coming transformation. I love when a book manages to capture an in-between time for what it really is – confusing, quiet, observational, internal, alternating between boring and thrilling – without having to add a heavy hand of “The Lesson Is…” The artwork is gorgeous and the purples and blues fit perfectly with the end of summer, end of childhood melancholy. This is a quiet book – there isn’t a big buildup of action, but its heart is beautiful and to me, that’s what we hope to make of our day to day lives.
Peggy recommends:
The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves
During a severe storm, Detective Matthew Venn is called to the small village of Greystone to investigate the death of Jem Roscoe, a famous sailor who’s body was discovered in a dinghy anchored in Scully Cove. Matthew remembers the village fondly from when he visited as a child as a member of the Brethren, a religious commune his parents belonged to, a group he parted ways with many years ago. With several strong suspects, some of whom are members of the Brethren, Matthew must face his past, put aside his prejudices and investigate Jem’s murder with a clear head.
Once again, Ann Cleeves gives us an outstanding mystery to solve, dripping with rich characters. If you haven’t read the first two books in the Two Rivers series, I highly recommend those as well. They are The Long Call and The Heron’s Cry.
How Can I Help You? by Laura Sims
Margo, a former nurse with a string of premature deaths in her wake, gets a job as a Library Assistant, soon establishing herself as the ideal library worker everyone adores. When Patricia, a failed writer, joins the team, she finds herself doubting Margo’s sincerity and sees behind the facade. When a patron turns up dead in the library bathroom, Patricia is hot on the trail of proving Margo is to blame.
I love serial killer books and the best part about this one is its setting—the library!—a win-win for this library staffer! This is a fun read, especially for those who frequent the library.
John recommends:
The Longmire Defense by Craig Johnson
This latest novel from Craig Johnson introduces a murder case from 1948 that involved Walt’s grandfather Lloyd. It becomes much more complicated than expected because it involved state finances. And Walt finally asks undersheriff Vic Moretti to marry him. Enjoy.
Amie recommends:
Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones
So, this is apparently the second book in a trilogy by one of my new favorite authors. It was so freaking scary that I couldn’t read it at night, but I also couldn’t put it down. Stephen Graham Jones just has this unique way of telling a story without telling it traditionally. And I had to immediately read a dumb book after it just to get my nerves to settle. So scary. Definitely, a good October read!
Ghosts: Season 2 BBC (DVD)
The BBC version of Ghosts is so funny! Read the scary slasher book and then watch Ghosts to calm down.
Nik recommends:
Braking Day by Adam Oyebanji Braking Day was a refreshing reminder of how one may get lost in the endless adventure of deep-space science fiction. Combining a fictitious narrative of human colonization beyond the limits of our familiar solar system with the mysterious observations from the book’s main protagonist, a wonderfully entertaining story is brought to life with plenty of moments for suspense, action, and intergalactic intrigue. This book is Oyebanji’s first novel and I already look forward to reading whatever may come next.
September 2023 Picks:
Peggy recommends:
Holly by Stephen KingHolly is Holly Gibney, Bill Hodges’ well-loved partner from the Mr. Mercedes trilogy, and head PI in The Outsiders and If It Bleeds, is back investigating the sudden disappearance of Penny Dahl’s daughter. Though she should be taking bereavement time off, when she discovers there is a missing child as well, she can’t help but dive into the case full force. Holly is written in true King style and, while a little milder than usual, it is still a difficult read to put down.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
With Banned Books Week approaching, I selected this book as the ultimate in ridiculous reasons for being banned or challenged. Of course Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl is sad. It’s the true two year history of a young teen living in fear and isolation. In it she expresses the emotions one would expect from such unfathomable living arrangements, the hopes and fears the whole family shares is such desperate times. I find it unbelievable that it was banned for young readers because it was “too sad”. What, are we raising our kids in padded rooms now? Protecting them from all forms of grief? Anne’s story is incredibly poignant but also crucial for every generation to know and understand. I feel it should be required reading for every 5th grader from here on out, lest we EVER, EVER forget the horrors millions of people had to endure.
August 2023 Picks:
Jennifer recommends:
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
Sadie Montgomery is a struggling artist, looking for her lucky break. Things seem to be going her way when she becomes a finalist in a portrait competition. But then Sadie wakes up in the hospital and finds out she needs to have surgery. As Sadie recovers, she realizes she can no longer see faces, a condition known as face blindness. Sadie is assured that the condition is temporary—but Sadie is a portrait artist, and she needs to submit a new portrait in six weeks. Luckily, Sadie can still see the face of her dog, Peanut. When Peanut gets sick, Sadie meets veterinarian Dr. Addison, and is surprised when he asks her on a date. Then there’s Joe, Sadie’s obnoxious neighbor who seems to know everyone in the building—and who becomes a friend to Sadie. With the help of her best friend, Sue, and neighbor Joe, Sadie learns how to see and paint her subjects differently.
While Sadie’s first encounter with her neighbor, Joe, didn’t paint him in the best light, he ended up being my favorite character. Sadie’s evil stepsister (as Joe says, “They still make those?”) is so mean, and I really felt for Sadie every time she popped up. Katherine Center writes such sweet, thought-provoking contemporary romance novels. I highly recommend her books, and we have all of them in our system!
Jasmine recommends:
Every Day by David LevithanEvery day A wakes up in a new body, and spends a day in the life of a different person. A does their best to leave these lives unmarked, until one day they wake up in the body of Justin and falls in love with Justin’s girlfriend Rhiannon. A treats Rhiannon to a wonderful day, and wants to keep seeing her. They both have to decide if they can trust each other, and the story unfolds in a truly beautiful way. A wakes up as many different young people over the course of the book and they have great respect and caring for each of the lives they get a glimpse of. Its also interesting to follow Rhiannon struggle to reconcile this attraction they have for A’s personality while meeting them behind a new face every time. One of my favorite books I’ve ever read.
Kim recommends:
The Lost King DVDThe Lost King DVD (2022) is a fun, inspiring blend of history, mystery, comedy, and fantasy, based on the book The King’s Grave (which I haven’t read yet but plan to). An ordinary British woman becomes benignly obsessed with finding the burial place of Richard III, while imagining the dead king’s reactions. Along the way, she has to learn whom to trust, and how much, as people from around the country and then the world react to her quest.
Peggy recommends:
O Pioneers! by Willa CatherCelebrating the 110th anniversary of the publication of O Pioneers!, one of the original feminist novels to come out of early 20th century. O Pioneers! is a classic that exemplifies how perseverance, fortitude and spirituality are all necessary characteristics for survival. Based on the author’s Nebraska upbringing, the main character, Alexandra Bergson overcomes extreme hardships and life-altering tragedies while trying to make her frontier homestead a success. O Pioneers! is a classic peek into early Americana life and well worth the read all these years later.
The Dry (DVD)Based on the Jane Harper book by the same title, this is a great mystery that provides a beautiful Australian backdrop.
Federal Agent Aaron Falk returns to his hometown to attend the funeral of his childhood friend, who has allegedly killed his family before taking his own life. His friend’s family begs Aaron to stay and investigate the deaths and he reluctantly agrees. As he investigates the current crimes, he is thrown back to the crime that caused him to flee his hometown 20 yrs prior. (I highly recommend you read the book, The Dry, first, and the follow up book, Force of Nature. In fact, I recommend ALL of Harper’s books!)
I Swear: Politics is Messier Than My Minivan by Katie Porter
Katie Porter is best known as the “whiteboard” Congressperson because her style of questioning , 99% of the time, includes visuals. Katie is a down-to-early Representative, one who works from paycheck to paycheck, is a single-mother and a domestic abuse survivor. As an “everyday” Congressperson, she knows the issues that are important to the everyday middle class constituents she represents. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author, and it was well worth the time spent. I learned a lot about Congress I didn’t know and experienced the insurrection through her eyes. I highly recommend this book.
John recommends:
Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett
I love Pratchett’s witch stories. They are a whole series unto themselves. The character development is excellent and the story is both amusing and holds the attention almost to distraction. Try it you’ll like it. And look for the other Pratchett witch stories too. ENJOY
Vicki recommends:
Deer Woman: An Anthology by ElizabethThis is an anthology of comics written, drawn, published and edited by Indigenous artists all centered around the legend of the Deer Woman, a spirit in many Native American mythologies who protects women and children and can bring vengeance to those who have hurt them. There are artists in this anthology from all levels of expertise, including a section in the end for children’s submissions. I appreciated the honesty, power and beauty in these stories, and the vision of hope and solidarity for Native women in this anthology.
A Complaint-Free World: The 21-Day Challenge that Will Change your Life by Will BowenAmie recommends:
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
Though I knew from the beginning how this story was going to unfold, the writing was gorgeous and my sentiments and beliefs aligned perfectly with it.
Not your normal RomCom, but definitely worth it.
July 2023 Picks:
Jasmine recommends:
All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue
A strange old tarot deck that gives scarily accurate readings, an ex-best friend that disappears soon after her reading, and a creepy card that shouldn’t be in the deck at all but will not stay out… All Our Hidden gifts has a fantastic dark and witchy atmosphere, and a cast of fun and very real characters. And some good queer representation on top of all that, I’m sold!
Vicki recommends:
No Fuzzball! and the sequel No Snowball! by Isabella Kung
Both my daughter and I loved these very funny children’s picture books featuring a delusional cat who believes she rules over her humans under the name, “NoFuzzball.” They scream at her everywhere she goes, supposedly delighted by her antics of curtain shredding, dragging their things around and torturing the family dog. In “No Fuzzball!”, our empress is left alone and has to rethink her ways, and in “No Snowball!” she becomes guardian of a new subject in the queendom, whom she must train to follow in her footsteps. The front and back inside covers are full of expressive sketches which will be relatable to all subordinates of a royal feline.
Jennifer recommends:
Happy Place Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple of their friend group since college. They broke up six months ago. And they haven’t told their friends. This is the last year the group will be spending a summer week at their yearly Maine getaway beach house before the house is sold. Harriet and Wyn make a pact to keep their breakup a secret from their friends so they can have one final, happy summer vacation. But as the week goes on, Harriet and Wyn can’t help but notice how desperately they still want each other.
Happy Place quickly became one of my Emily Henry favorites (my other favorite being Beach Read). The chapters are all told from Harriet’s perspective, but alternate between the present and her past happy places—with Wyn. While a wonderful romance, this story is so much more than that. Harriet not only repairs her relationship with Wyn, she becomes closer to her best friends as they all realize they were keeping secrets from each other. Despite being called Happy Place and having a cute summer-y cover, this book is gut-wrenching with painful memories and that will-they-won’t-they tension (but don’t worry…there IS a happy ending!).
Peggy recommends:
Lone Women by Victor LaValleWhen we first see Adelaide, she has poured gasoline all over the family dwelling and is about to set it on fire with her family’s corpses tucked tight in bed.
The year is 1915. Adelaide will soon escape to the harsh beauty of Montana as one of the “lone” women acquiring a homestead from the federal government. If she can survive three years there, cultivating the land and making it habitable, the land will become hers.
As a single Black woman heading into the Badlands, Adelaide is aware of her vulnerability to racial and gender violence, but surprisingly, she’s more concerned with what’s inside the heavy steamer trunk that she drags with her to Montana.
I learned a lot reading this book. First, I wasn’t aware women and minorities were allowed to homestead the land. I just assumed they needed a white male accompaniment to be viewed as legit contenders. So that part intrigued me. But, the story of Adelaide, as a person, and what happened to push her in such an unconventional direction kept me enraptured. It’s a unique story. Give it a try.
Only the Survivors by Megan Miranda
True to form, Miranda gives us another thrilling mystery. High-schoolers set out on a field trip in two separate vans. For unknown reasons, they veer away from the planned route only to plunge off a damaged bridge into a raging river. Nine students survive by climbing up the cliff, away from the rising river waters. To take care of each other after such a traumatic event, they agree to gather each year at the anniversary to check in. At the ten year anniversary, the survivors are down to seven. When one of the seven disappears, the survivors struggle with their increasing anxiety and the fear that the secret of what really happened that night has put them in grave peril.
The author does not disappoint with this one. With flashbacks to the fateful night built in to the present anniversary gathering, Miranda’s story flows flawlessly to a satisfying climax.
I highly recommend Only the Survivors.
June 2023 Picks:
Kim recommends:
First Words with Cute Crochet Friends by Lauren Espy
First Words with Cute Crochet Friend is an adorable board book with knitted objects and animals, from a watering can to an ice cream cone to a cow and a bunny. There’s no story, unless parents want to make one up for their toddlers, based on the two-page themes, like “Arctic Animals.”
Jennifer recommends:
The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick
Liv Green works as a maid, barely scraping by to make ends meet to support her family. She loves to escape into a good book while daydreaming about becoming a writer herself. For the last three years, Liv has been working as a housekeeper for her hero, bestselling author Essie Starling. Years ago, Essie became a recluse, and Liv seems to be her only friend. When Essie passes away suddenly, Liv is surprised to learn that her dying wish was for Liv to complete her final novel—and she’s tasked to keep Essie’s death a secret. Liv must step into Essie’s shoes to write about her hero, Georgia Rory. As Liv writes, she uncovers secrets from the past that reveal a connection between the two women—one that will change Liv’s life forever.
There is a surprise twist at the end that reveals why Essie Starling chose her housekeeper and friend, Liv, to finish her novel, which I did not see coming. I enjoyed reading the “excerpts” from Essie’s/Liv’s book about heroine Georgia Rory throughout. Overall, a fun read.
Vicki recommends:
Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T Kira Madden
This memoir hit all the spots for me – livin’ through the 90’s, parents with substance abuse issues, coming out as queer, wild road trips, coastal Southern Florida (I could smell it through Madden’s funky descriptions), and total teenage dysfunction bordering on near destruction. Ah, the nostalgia – fun times! A lot of reviewers apparently think these themes are “too intense,” but this is my jam. Madden is an heir to the Madden shoe dynasty (yes, the iconic platforms of the 90’s and 00’s) on her dad’s side, and Native Hawaiian and Chinese on her mother’s side. She’s incredibly privileged, but neglected and parentified by her mom and dad, and also a witness to their shared domestic violence and out of control drug use. Still, she loves them with a fierce loyalty while she tries to navigate an almost entirely white world as a biracial person and multiple generations of family secrets on both sides that keep her from knowing her identity fully. I was crushed by the vulnerability of Madden’s teen self, and her insistence on survival even in the midst of the deep self-loathing only a forgotten, young girl can have. Madden’s writing is raw, sharp, honest, sad and often funny in spite of it all. I was rooting for her the whole time and couldn’t wait to read how she made it out to the gifted writer she is today. An incredible plot twist in the last chapter is a reminder that a family only needs one person to step up, break generational curses and send the healing back to the ancestors and on to the future generations. Bravo!
Peggy recommends:
Blackwater Falls by Ausma Zehanat Khan
Investigating the gruesome murder of a Muslim teen in a small town outside of Denver, Detective Inaya Rahman soon discovers there is more to this crime than first expected. The investigation unravels details of abhorrent behavior including, but not limited to, racism, police brutality, anti-immigrant sentiment, misogyny and extreme religious fanaticism.
This novel is not for the faint of heart (it is graphic) nor those who disagree politically. However, it is well written and thought provoking. Not for everyone but if you can, try it.
May 2023 Picks:
Jennifer recommends:
The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda
10 years ago, two vans filled with high school seniors crashed into a ravine, claiming the lives of many classmates and two teachers. The nine students who escaped were changed forever. A year later, one of the survivors dies by suicide on the anniversary of the crash. The remaining survivors made a pact: to come together each year to keep each other safe—or to hold each other accountable. Cassidy tries to distance herself from everyone on the tenth anniversary, but on the day of the reunion, she receives a text with an obituary attached: another survivor is gone. With seven survivors left, Cassidy rushes to their meeting place, a house on the Outer Banks. But something feels off this year. Amaya, annual trip organizer, leaves without communication. With an impending storm, the survivors are faced with closed roads and surging waters…again.
This is another chilling, suspenseful mystery/thriller from Miranda. The book kept me engaged until the end, on the edge of my seat, and surprised by the ending. I did not see the final twist coming. Cassidy is the main narrator, telling the story in the present (the novel flips to other survivors’ perspectives in the past, unfolding the event of the initial tragedy), and she has her own secrets, keeping the reader in the dark until the final few pages.
Peggy recommends:
What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
Three young girls spend their summer days roaming the nearby woods playing The Goddess Game. Then one day, one of the girls is attacked and nearly dies. Based on the three girl’s testimony, a serial killer is put away for life. But the girls were lying. Twenty-two years later one of the girls wants to confess what really happened, knowing full well the confession could do great harm to their adult lives, and not everyone wants the truth to come out.
What Lies in the Woods is a labyrinth of secrets and lies, winding the reader through the creepy woods of childhood games and imaginations. This story is a great thriller that’s hard to put down.
Beaujolais in My Blood by Eric Pitsenbarger
Eric Pitsenbarger tells a heartfelt personal story of growing up in his parents’ French restaurant, Cafe Beaujolais in Mendocino. Against the backdrop of immense cultural shift in the late-1960s, in the unique setting of wild, coastal Mendocino, here is a poignant telling of what it was like for a closeted gay kid working and living in a family-run French restaurant. A humorous and gritty.
April 2023 Picks:
Vicki recommends:
Drawing Power: Women’s Stories of Sexual Violence, Harassment and and Survival edited by Diane Noomin, with an introduction by Roxane Gay
Jennifer recommends:
The Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Deb Caletti
Harper Proulx has unanswered questions about her anonymous sperm donor father. She believes that without knowing him, she can’t know herself. When an Instagram post connects Harper to a half sibling, she begins to uncover her father’s identity. Harper joins her new half siblings, Dario, Wyatt, and Simone on a summer trip to Hawaii to meet their father. This half siblings meet Beau, a charismatic deep-sea diver obsessed with solving the mystery of a sunken shipwreck off the Hawaiian coast, and his mother, Greer. Meeting her half siblings and Beau forces Harper out of her comfort zone and helps her confront her anxiety brought on by the pandemic. But Harper also has more questions than ever: Who is she? Is she her DNA, her experiences, her successes, her failures? Who is she in dark times? Who might she become after them?
Caletti beautifully explores the concept of family—all kinds of family—in this young adult novel. The beginning of each chapter features excerpts from letters and journal entries of Mary Ann Brown Patten, the first female commander of an American Merchant vessel when her husband became ill, and her story grows as Harper’s does. This is a wonderful coming-of-age story which I highly recommend!
John recommends:
March 2023 Picks:
Vicki recommends:
Mamaphonic: Balancing Motherhood and Other Creative Acts, edited by Bee Lavender and Maia Rossini
Bigfoot and Nessie 1: The Art of Getting Noticed by Chelsea M Campbell
Bigfoot and Nessie 1: The Art of Getting Noticed is an adorable start to a new graphic novel series. The youngest member of the Bigfoot family never seems to get photographed, or even noticed, by humans, no matter how hard he tries. His new friend, Nessie, has the opposite problem, since she’s trying to go incognito away from Loch Ness. The story examines subjects like fame and creativity, in a kid-friendly way, with bright, cheerful illustrations. I’d recommend it for ages 8 to 12, although I could see teens and adults who appreciate a sweet but thought-provoking story getting something out of it, too. (And it would work for 5 and up as a read-aloud.)
Amie recommends:
So this started as a dark and stormy murder mystery that I thought I knew the outcome of, but then it turned into something much better and surprised me. Hard to do. The characters are fun. The story is good. The telling is great.
A Carnival of Snackery: Diaries 2003-2020 by David Sedaris
Mr. Sedaris and Ms. Ullman read David’s diary snippets. That is all. That is enough. Hilarious! Do the audiobook so you can hear him. Roll on the floor funny, not good for when you’re driving. In the snow. Cuz it just snowed here.
Peggy recommends:
Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger
A luxury rental, featuring exquisite views, a personal chef, a hot tub and all the amenities of home. What better way for family and friends to celebrate a birthday? But all is not right with this beautiful cabin in the woods nor is it right with this family (hint…DNA testing reveals some rather shocking results). Again, Lisa Unger gives us a thriller that makes us go “Hmm…”
When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain
Anna Hart is a seasoned missing persons detective in San Francisco with far too much knowledge of the darkest side of human nature. When tragedy strikes her personal life, Anna, desperate and numb, flees to the Northern California village of Mendocino to grieve. She lived there as a child with her beloved foster parents, and now she believes it might be the only place left for her. Yet the day she arrives, she learns that a local teenage girl has gone missing.
This semi-autobiographical novel is both familiar and chilling. Paula McLain takes us on a visual journey through Mendocino as seen through the eyes of someone who knows and loves it well. You’ll enjoy solving this mystery set in your own stomping grounds.
The Light we Carry by Michelle Obama
Ms. Obama shares stories about the importance of giving and how it enriches the life of the giver as much as the receiver. She offers guidance and tools for adapting to change in difficult times and developing habits that help us adjust and grow in times of change. Whether you liked her as First Lady or not, this book is truly inspirational.
I encourage listening on audio, too, as her voice lends authenticity to the narrative.
Jennifer recommends:
Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn
Georgie Mulcahy leaves her hectic job in LA and moves back to her hometown. As a personal assistant, Georgie always put others before herself. She takes this move as an opportunity to find out what she wants. While going through high school memorabilia with her best friend, Georgie find a “friendfic” diary she wrote as a teenager—a sort of guidebook for how she wanted high school and her future to be. Georgie decides to use the dairy as a way to find her new path. She hits a snag with unexpected roommate Levi Fanning—onetime town troublemaker. But Levi is more than just his reputation, and the grouchy man offers to help Georgie with her quest. As the two make their way through the list, Georgie begins to realize that the answers she’s looking for may not be in the pages of the diary after all.
Told from both Georgie’s and Levi’s perspectives, this is the sweet love story and finding yourself journey of two people who never felt they fit in…until they find each other. The supporting characters are great as well: Hank, Levi’s goofy dog; Bel, Georgie’s pregnant best friend; and Georgie’s flaky, but loveable parents.
February 2023 Picks
Amie recommends:
Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach
I live north of town and happen to have a favorite bear named “Bear.” She is very polite and always demure, but this past spring, her extended family appeared, some 11 other bears. Though I was ecstatic, my neighbors were not. Fuzz is just one-step beyond my recent experiences and a good look into where my life might turn.
The Banshees of Inisherin DVDColin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson reunite with their writer/director buddy Martin McDonagh of In Bruges in this too-heartbreaking-to-be-hilarious tale of two best friends no longer being best friends. It is a beautiful, semi-haunting film that makes you think about friendships past and what makes life worth living.
Peggy recommends:
Exiles by Jane HarperHarper brings back Investigator Aaron Falk in this new thriller where a mother disappears from a busy festival leaving behind her baby in the pram, tucked in alongside her possessions.
A year later, as the young mother’s friends and family gather to welcome a new addition to the family, federal investigator, Falk, on a break from his own hectic work schedule, soon realizes this community is not as tight knit as they portray themselves to be.
As always, Harper weaves a dark, suspenseful web that hooks the reader in and grips on tight until the end.
Jennifer recommends:
Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen
Olivia (Liv) Huang Christenson is nervous and excited to be taking over her grandmother’s matchmaking business, Lunar Love. When Liv learns about a new dating app, ZodiaCupid, that has made her Pó Po’s traditional Chinese zodiac approach more about “animal attraction,” she’s furious. Especially when she learns the creator of the app is Bennett O’Brien, the cute guy she met at the local bakery. Liv knows better than to fall for a handsome guy who believes traditions are meant to be broken, let alone one whose Zodiac sign is incompatible with hers. As their businesses go head to head, Liv and Bennett make a deal: they’ll find a match for each other—and whoever falls in love loses. But will the guy who is adept at stealing business ideas also steal Liv’s heart?
The banter between Liv and Bennett is entertaining and humorous. Jessen did a wonderful job seamlessly weaving in Chinese traditions, customs, beliefs, and the Chinese Zodiac with the sweeping love story of Liv and Bennett. Bonus: the back of the book includes some recipes and more information about the Chinese Zodiac!
January 2023 Picks
Kim recommends:
After the Snowfall by Rich LoAfter the Snowfall is a stunning yet peaceful picture book, with a simple yet satisfying story. A fox walks home on a winter night, observing but not disturbing the other animals. The creatures look realistic but huggable, even the moose, while the leafless trees run the color spectrum, in watercolors. And of course the black sky and white snow provide strong contrasts to this all. As for the story, the ending is both surprising and sweet.
Recommended for ages 3 to 9, as well as adults who appreciate lovely children’s book illustrations.
Peggy recommends:
Death in Shetland Waters by Marsali Taylor
Marsali Taylor and her Shetland Sailing Mysteries were highly recommended by author Ann Cleeves so, when I started researching this series for the library, I landed on the book author’s website. I was instantly intrigued when Ms. Taylor described her experience doing active research aboard one of the Norwegian tall ships thusly “I’m afraid my presence called out the worst instincts of crew and trainees alike; even our dignified Captain Sture came up to me and murmured, ‘If I was going to hide a body on board …’”
Now, come on, who wouldn’t want to read about murder on a tall ship where everyone is stuck onboard? And, I’ll tell you what…it does not disappoint. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
I didn’t want to read this because it sounded like it was going to be lame. Then, one of our regular patrons came in and told me it was her new favorite, one she couldn’t put down once she started it. I said, “dang! I guess I need to try it.” But I didn’t. I let it go. Didn’t trust her judgement. Then, one of my favorite musicians recommended it on her social media page. And I said “dang! Now I really need to read it.” And I’m so glad I did! It is different, it is refreshing, and it is delightful. My new favorite character, Elizabeth Zott, is a 1960s chemist turned TV cooking show host. Elizabeth teaches women, not only how to cook, but how to stand up for their right to be more than just wives and mothers, and, in so doing, teaches them to change the status quo. I loved Lessons in Chemistry! I hope you will, too.
Jennifer recommends:
The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews
Newly divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse sight unseen, looking for a change in her life. With the help of Ezra, Ivy’s realtor, Ivy begins to renovate the farmhouse. The previous family left so much junk and furniture, that Ivy needs all the help she can get. At the top of a closet, Ivy and Ezra find an old Santa suit—beautifully crafted and decades old. In the pocket of the suit is a note written by a child; a little girl who has one Christmas wish: for her father to return home from the war. The letter spurs Ivy on a mission. Who wrote the note? Did the little girl’s father ever come home? Ivy’s quest helps her venture out into her new community at a time when she just wanted to stay home and wallow. But, Ivy finds more than she bargained for: a welcoming town, new friends, and a second chance at love.
This is a sweet Christmas novella by Mary Kay Andrews about the miracles of Christmas and second chances. This book reminds me of feel-good Hallmark movies. So cozy up with this short read if you’re still yearning for the magic of Christmas.
John recommends:
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion