Staff Picks
Nat’s Pick
I never imagined wanting to read a novel about IRS employees, but a craving for more work by David Foster Wallace led me here. Never in my life have I been hypnotized and seized by descriptions of intense boredom and the people willing to bear it. Bizarre and refreshing.
Leah’s Pick
A clever imagining of several of the Grimm Brothers fairy tales, After the Forest picks up the tale of Greta and Hans (Hansel and Gretel) when they are young adults, weaving in other Grimm stories seamlessly. Beautifully told, with vivid characters and surprising elements, including some historical perspective of what was happening politically and sociologically in Bavaria around the time of the Grimms. Couldn't put it down - excellent read!
Laney’s Picks
A gender swapped modern reimagining of When Harry Met Sally that follows two New Yorkers who initially clash but slowly grow to love each other over 13 years. Ari is a struggling comedian who keeps things casual (relationship wise) while Josh is a chef who wants to find "The One." If you enjoy the banter of Nora Ephron films and cozy romance books set around fall then this is the perfect pick.
Eve, Justin, Susie and Ed have been friends since they were teenagers. Now in their mid-30s they remain close but this all changes one night. There were many twists that made me audibly gasp but I appreciated how this book explores grief, relationships, and being in your 30s.
Tammeric’s Picks
Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
Great story of a middle school girl named Bree, and her fear of swimming. Bree gains historical knowledge, skills, and confidence with swim lessons from an elder/former swim captain; and then shoulders the pressure of becoming the community's great hope for state championship.
Married protagonists, Rebecca (a pregnant investigative reporter) & Mickey (up-and-coming Broadway star) from NYC to West Palm Beach in search of a better financial gain for their young family with only "a little bit of compromise.” Mickey accepts an offer to double his salary as the household manager of a politically Conservative billionaire venture capitalist setting forth some unexpected challenges and "ethically gray" decision-making that alters the course of their lives.
Caitlin’s Pick
Warning: this book is about serial killers and has some spice, so if you're squeamish, you may want to skip this one! Sloan and Rowan are both serial killers, but they only target other serial killers, a la Dexter. When they're brought together, sparks fly, and Rowan suggests a yearly competition where they compete to see who can find and kill a target first. Definitely not a book for everyone, but for fans of dark romance, this is a must!
Camila ‘s Pick
I am not usually a literary fiction reader, but I loved this book! It's about a nineteen-year-old girl who finds herself pregnant by her college professor and in a difficult financial situation. I flew through this book because I couldn't help rooting for our main character, Margo and her baby. This story has so much to say about sex work, parenthood, art, and class and it did so without being heavy handed.
For more great books, check out the staff picks section on the first floor of the library. Happy reading!