Staff Picks
Need suggestions for something new to read, view or listen to? You came to the right place! Below are recommendations for items staff have enjoyed. We hope these reviews will encourage you to checkout something you might not have tried otherwise and discover more ways to enjoy the library. The cover art and titles are links to the online catalog so you can find out more about items that interest you and place a hold on them. Check back at the beginning of each month for new recommendations or visit previous month's recommendations.
Alex Recommends:
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Lonely Werewolf Girl by Martin Millar
The MacRinnalch clan of Scottish werewolves is in an uproar after the thane's daughter, Kalix, attacks and mortally wounds her father, leaving the succession in question. Kalix defects to London, on the run and hiding in the city's slums from her brothers and the rest of the clan. She is anxious, alone, and despondent over the loss of her lover who has also been exiled from the clan. The plot takes unexpected turns as Kalix interacts with a host of colorful characters including her sister, who works as a couture fashion designer, two Goth college kids, a queen from another dimension, and two punk rock werewolves whose band can't seem to get a break. This urban fantasy is ridiculous, and fantastic and perfect for anyone who likes their fiction to be a little out of the ordinary.
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Amy Recommends:
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (Audio Book)
Set in twelfth-century England, this epic story involves numerous characters over a span of several decades. The main plotline focuses on the struggle to build a grand cathedral in Kingsbridge, England, but this tale is told through various characters including a master mason, a priest, and a few other noble individuals. The story follows some of these characters from birth through adulthood, which gives the reader a clear picture of what it took to survive in medieval England. I highly recommend listening to the unabridged audio book version of this tale. Although it is very long (41 hours), the narrator does a wonderful job of giving a distinct voice to each character and engaging the reader throughout the book.
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Katey Recommends:
Bear Feels Scared by Karma Wilson
Gorgeous illustrations and lyrical, rhyming prose are bound to make this entry into Karma Wilson's Bear series a bedtime favorite. This installment finds Bear frightened and lost in the woods while his friends search for him. Many children can identify with Bear's fear of being alone in the dark and everyone will be satisfied by the resuce efforts of his friends. Bear Feels Scared is one picture book parents won't mind reading again and again.
The Alienist by Caleb Carr
A rediscovered favorite, The Alienist is an atmospheric mystery set in late 19th century New York City. I was on the edge of my seat (again) reading the exploits and deductions of the alienist (as psychologists were known), and his unlikely band of investigators. The thrilling hunt for a serial killer who targets young boys is enhanced by precise period details and a glimpse into the early days of the practice of psychology.
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Kris Recommends:
Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews (Audio Book)
Musical theater lovers, rejoice! The queen of the theater herself is about to tell her story. From child of Vaudeville star to the Broadway stage, to Disney film, this is where the great lady came from. Not always the most pleasant of stories…there is the tragic divorce of her parents and the alcoholic stepfather to deal with…but definitely interesting. My advice: check it out on audio CD and spend your commutes listening to her own gentle voice reading the story (though be prepared that it will be the voice of Mary Poppins telling you about everything…including the details of her early romances). Most fascinating in my opinion is learning about the evolution of “My Fair Lady” from the woman who made the character of Eliza Dolittle on Broadway. A must for musical theater and Julie fans, or if you just love a good audiobook.
Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin
For us baseball fans, it has been a long, dark winter. Welcome in the spring with this first among baseball fan memoirs. Meet the Brooklyn Dodgers’ biggest fan...young historian-to-be Doris Kearns Goodwin. Her team won a few and lost a few more during the tumultuous 1950s…standing in the shadow of the dreaded Yankees…and there was that one great year. But none of us can relate to that, can we? It’s a story of baseball history, breaking color barriers, and a little girl who knows how to root for the home team. As old-time Dodger fans always say…just wait till next year!
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Michael Recommends:
Soul of a Dog: Reflections on the Spirits of the Animals of Bedlam Farm by Jon Katz
This is a fascinating book for any animal lover who has made a pet part of their family. Filled with charming anecdotes about the Henrietta, the bossy chicken who clearly gets her attitude from her rooster father, and Rosie the Border Collie, who could be a person in dog-clothes, this book will amuse, educate and cause you to think about the nature of animals and their spirits.
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