Staff Picks
Alyssa's Pick
In compelling fashion, crime historian Alex Hortis examines the role media sensationalism played in swaying societal perceptions and impacting the outcomes of each of Polly Bodine's three trials for the 1843 Christmas murders of her sister-in-law and niece in Staten Island, New York. As a transplanted New Yorker, I was fascinated to follow this case and the rise of modern journalism through leading players such as James Gordon Bennett, Walt Whitman, and P.T. Barnum, who literally helped turn this case into a three-ring circus!
Bethany’s Pick
A rom-com about rom-coms is always a must for me. Aspiring screenwriter Emma gets a shot to rewrite a script with her famous writer crush, Charlie, and sparks obviously fly. The Rom-Commers was warm, fuzzy, and exactly the kind of feel-good book I needed to kick off the holiday season!
Caitlin’s Picks
I cannot believe more people are not talking about this book! An apprentice Dollmaker, Shean, is determined to protect her country from the menace of the Shod--horrible monsters that can only be destroyed by dolls. But how far will she go to do so? This book has some of the most stellar worldbuilding I've ever seen, drawing me in so completely that I was devastated there wasn't more. Lynn Buchanan is very talented, and I cannot wait to read more from her.
This book is a delightful palette cleanser for anyone who wants a sweet, low stakes read that lifts your spirit. Viv the orc wants to open a coffeeshop, and quickly amasses a delightful group to help her; a hob who is a genius at carpentry, a succubus who excels at art, and a ratkin who is one of the best bakers in Thune. The cast is colorful, the story is delightfully sweet, and the vibes are immaculate. A great cozy read!
Imagine if you were given a second chance at life in your favorite book series... and you opened your eyes and realized you were Cersei in Game of Thrones. Long Live Evil is a funny and poignant book about settling into your villain era, but also features genuinely touching moments of relying on the people around you and loving everyone, even an unnamed peasant. I read this thinking it would simply be a fun fluff read, and spent the last 1/4 of the book crying after realizing I was devastatingly attached to the characters. Highly recommend.
A must read for aspiring bakers! Claire Saffitz makes amazing recipes, ranging from absolute showstoppers of pastry perfection to basic chocolate chip cookies that are so good. I must admit, I absolutely love this book for the savory cooking section. The sour cream and chive dinner rolls or the focaccia are always a massive hit when I make them for friends. Plus, most of these recipes are things that Saffitz has made on her YouTube channel! This is a great book to help you dive into the world of baking. And honestly, who isn't a dessert person?
Claudia’s Pick
This is a historical fiction story, about the generational saga of a family who is displaced in Korea and ends up as immigrants in Japan. It has all of the soap opera qualities and a lot of heart. I loved this story and highly recommend the listen.
Jennifer’s Picks
Set in 1914, in a part of history I had never heard about, Adelaide is one of the "lone women" who is allowed to purchase a plot of land in Montana as a single woman. However, she is not alone and carries a heavy steamer trunk with her. It's part horror and part historical.
Oh, a cookbook separated by ingredients makes my librarian heart happy! I made the most fabulous lemon pasta from Easy Wins; even my children loved it.
Laney's Picks
Eliza Balfour is a woman who lived under her husband's thumb for 10 years playing the role of a dutiful housewife to a tee. After his passing, she comes upon a vast fortune which she can keep so long as she doesn't cause a scandal and with this newfound freedom she befriends a famous writer and rediscovers her passion for painting portraits. I may be a bit biased because I majored in art history, but it was fascinating to read about a woman navigating a male dominated field and how it parallels womanhood in the modern era.
Two rival authors are sent to a remote castle in England owned by the highly acclaimed mystery writer Eleanor Ashley. When she disappears two days before Christmas without leaving a trace, the two form an unlikely alliance in the hopes of solving the mystery. It combines witty banter enemies to lovers romance with a wacky cast of characters who-dun-it mystery that's perfect for the holidays.
Theresa's Pick
This memoir is an incredible account of a woman who beat all odds over drug addiction. She tells her story of imprisonment, drugs, stealing, and almost losing her children but overcame it all by leading a clean life and becoming a successful writer. Inspirational!
For more great books, check out the staff picks section on the first floor of the library. Happy reading!