Clear by Carys Davies

Let this beautifully written novel transport you to a fascinating time and place!

1843. On a remote Scottish island, Ivar, the sole occupant, leads a life of quiet isolation until the day he finds a man unconscious on the beach below the cliffs. The newcomer is John Ferguson, an impoverished church minister sent to evict Ivar and turn the island into grazing land for sheep. Unaware of the stranger's intentions, Ivar takes him into his home, and in spite of the two men having no common language, a fragile bond begins to form between them. Meanwhile, on the mainland, John's wife, Mary, anxiously awaits news of his mission.
Against the rugged backdrop of this faraway spot beyond Shetland, Carys Davies's intimate drama unfolds with tension and tenderness: a touching and crystalline study of ordinary people buffeted by history and a powerful exploration of the distances and connections between us. Perfectly structured and surprising at every turn, Clear is a marvel of storytelling, an exquisite short novel by a master of the form.
Find Clear in the library catalog 
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook 
Read more about the author Here

The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes  

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff 

A darkly funny and insightful look at village life and female solidarity set in present-day India!        

The rumors that Geeta killed her husband to escape his abuse have served her well, allowing her to live in relative peace and plenty - until other women start seeking her help for removing their problematic husbands. This book has the magical ability to handle some serious themes - women's rights, alcoholism, religion, caste - while remaining empowering, upbeat, and hilarious. Best book I've read so far this year!
Find The Bandit Queens in the library catalog 
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

This book creatively and distinctly demonstrates the critical importance of stories and diversity on culture and humanity. Higuera does this in a way that speaks to all audiences, although it is specifically written for middle grade readers. It is the perfect blend of science fiction and dystopia while also being deeply personal and emotional. It follows a young teen named Petra Peña as she and her family board a ship to leave Earth before its imminent demise. She discovers what is important to keep from Earth as those around her eliminate what they want to erase from their past. This book is honestly incredible, and I was amazed at the message that could be portrayed through a book that is essentially meant for children. I encourage everyone to give it a try!
Find The Last Cuentista in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla eBook and audiobook (available in Spanish)
Read more about the author Here

Tyler recommends . . .

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Station Eleven, published in 2014, is the eerily prescient story of our world following a global pandemic. Infrastructure has collapsed, civilization has crumbled.  The story follows a troupe of traveling actors, moving back and forth in time, vividly depicting life before and after the pandemic. I couldn't put this book down, nor did I want it to end. 
Find Station Eleven in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here

 Beth recommends . . .

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

“And so the lion fell in love with the lamb.”

Anything is a better love story than Twilight! While I may be inclined to agree with you, this novel is more than just another sappy YA romance novel. Through her use of supernatural beings, Meyers explores what it is like to be in a relationship with someone who has every ability to harm you, yet actively chooses not to. This is a reality many young women struggle with, the notion that their partner is inherently stronger and deadlier than them. Not only that, but Twilight began discussions about sexual assault and brutality. Emily, Rosalie, and Bella are all victims of gender based violence, something young women identify with, either from their own experiences or the experiences of their loved ones. In no way is this novel perfect, but Twilight allows for a safe place to engage in this nuanced reality in an entertaining and socially acceptable manner.
Find Twilight in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla eBook 
Read more about the author Here

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

"Great fantasy novel featuring an ancient library hidden beneath the earth!"

 

Camden recommends . . .

As You Wish by Cary Elwes 

The Princess Bride is one of my all-time favorite movies and I doubt I'm alone in that. As You Wish is the story of that unforgettable movie shoot from the perspectives of the actors and crew who brought it to life. In the audiobook, you get to hear these stories in their own voices, with much of the original cast and crew reading aloud their portions of the book.  And the Princess Bride is one of those wonderful movies where, when the curtain is peeled back, only becomes even more magical and enchanting!
Find As You Wish in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby audiobook
Hoopla audiobook (Spanish)

James by Percival Everett

James is a beautifully written retelling of the Huckleberry Finn adventures. The story is told from the point of view of Huck’s companion Jim. James tells a similar story, but with much more humanity and understanding than Twain could manage in 1885. Heartbreaking; at times funny; brutal; but always beautiful and revealing.
Find James in the library catalog
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here

The Women by Kristin Hannah

This novel paints a stirring portrait of a woman’s experience not only of the Vietnam War, but the world following its end.  It is a tale of strength and determination, but also the fragility of human existence, both physically and emotionally. As always, Hannah’s attention to historical detail lends to a feeling of authenticity. I’d give this book five stars!
Find The Women in the library catalog
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla audiobook
Read more about the author Here

Clare . . .

A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko

In his signature style, Kevin Fedarko takes us along with him, as he and photographer Pete McBride, attempt to complete an end-to-end transvers of the Grand Canyon. Along the way we explore not only the scenery, but also the history and politics around the Canyon.  This book had me marveling at the immensity of the canyon itself as well as the odd human ability to think "oh how hard could that be?"  I'm ready for a vacation to the canyon, but perhaps just to peer admiringly over the edge.
Find A Walk in the Park in the library catalog
Also available for digital checkout:
Hoopla audiobook
Read more about the author Here

Terri . . .

North Woods by Daniel Mason
When two young lovers abscond from a Puritan colony, little do they know that their humble cabin in the woods will become the home of an extraordinary succession of human and nonhuman characters alike. An English soldier, destined for glory, abandons the battlefields of the New World to devote himself to growing apples. A pair of spinster twins navigate war and famine, envy and desire. A crime reporter unearths an ancient mass grave--only to discover that the earth refuse to give up their secrets. A lovelorn painter, a sinister con man, a stalking panther, a lusty beetle: As the inhabitants confront the wonder and mystery around them, they begin to realize that the dark, raucous, beautiful past is very much alive. This magisterial and highly inventive novel from Pulitzer Prize finalist Daniel Mason brims with love and madness, humor and hope. Following the cycles of history, nature, and even language, North Woods shows the myriad, magical ways in which we're connected to our environment, to history, and to one another. It is not just an unforgettable novel about secrets and destinies, but a way of looking at the world that asks the timeless question: How do we live on, even after we're gone?

Find North Woods in the library catalog
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here

 

April . . .

My Beloved Monster (the half-wild cat who rescued me) by Caleb Carr

Caleb Carr has had special relationships with cats since he was a young boy in a turbulent household, famously peopled by the founding members of the Beat Generation, where his steadiest companions were the adopted cats that lived with him both in the city and the country. As an adult, he has had many close feline companions, with relationships that have outlasted most of his human ones. But only after building a three-story home in rural, upstate New York did he enter into the most extraordinary of all of his cat pairings: Masha, a Siberian Forest cat who had been abandoned as a kitten, and was languishing in a shelter when Caleb met her. She had hissed and fought off all previous carers and potential adopters, but somehow, she chose Caleb as her savior.   For the seventeen years that followed, Caleb and Masha were inseparable. Masha ruled the house and the extensive, dangerous surrounding fields and forests. When she was hurt, only Caleb could help her. When he suffered long-standing physical ailments, Masha knew what to do. Caleb's life-long study of the literature of cat behavior, and his years of experience with previous cats, helped him decode much of Masha's inner life. But their bond went far beyond academic studies and experience. The story of Caleb and Masha is an inspiring and life-affirming relationship for readers of all backgrounds and interests--a love story like no other.
Find My Beloved Monster in the library catalog
Read more about the author Here

 

Molly . . . 

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

This book shook me out of a reading rut and pushed me to read more books outside of my comfort zone. 

In a small back alley of Tokyo, there is a café that has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. Local legend says that this shop offers something else besides coffee--the chance to travel back in time. Over the course of one summer, four customers visit the café in the hopes of making that journey. But time travel isn't so simple, and there are rules that must be followed. Most important, the trip can last only as long as it takes for the coffee to get cold.  Heartwarming, wistful, mysterious and delightfully quirky, Toshikazu Kawaguchi's internationally bestselling novel explores the age-old question: What would you change if you could travel back in time? 
Find Before the Coffee Gets Cold in the library catalog
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here

 

Lisa . . .

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

When Lauren returns home to her flat in London late one night, she is greeted at the door by her husband, Michael. There's only one problem--she's not married. She's never seen this man before in her life. But according to her friends, her much-improved decor, and the photos on her phone, they've been together for years. As Lauren tries to puzzle out how she could be married to someone she can't remember meeting, Michael goes to the attic to change a lightbulb and abruptly disappears. In his place, a new man emerges, and a new, slightly altered life re-forms around her. Realizing that her attic is creating an infinite supply of husbands, Lauren confronts the question: If swapping lives is as easy as changing a lightbulb, how do you know you've taken the right path? When do you stop trying to do better and start actually living?
Find The Husbands in the library catalog
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here

 

 Holly . . .

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

I really enjoyed the Maisie Dobbs series by Jaqueline Winspear this year. It was such a pleasant surprise to read. The plot, characters, and setting were all very interesting. The writing was excellent. Plus the main character is not your usual heroine. I could see it as a really great PBS/BBC drama series. I could just see it all in my head.  I  read the first four books in the series.  
Find the Maisie Dobbs series in the library catalog
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBooks and audiobooks
Hoopla eBooks and audiobooks
Read more about the author Here
 

Emmon . . .

Iron Widow  by Xiran Jay Zhao

In a land both futuristic and based on Ancient China, Zetian has given up on living long --so she sets her sights on revenge, planning to kill her sister's murderer (a mecha pilot widely hailed as a celebrity war hero). The trouble is, Zetian is more powerful than she imagined, and the war is not what it seems.  I loved the dramatic, no-holds-barred fierceness of Zetian's character --and I loved that she pulled no punches in a world that is determined to diminish and destroy her.
Find Iron Widow in the library catalog
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here

Deby . . .

A Brew to a Kill by Cleo Coyle

A shocking hit-and-run in front of her Village Blend coffeehouse spurs Clare Cosi into action. A divorced, single mom in her forties, Clare is also a dedicated sleuth, and she's determined to track down this ruthless driver who ran down an innocent friend and customer. In the meantime, her ex-husband Matt, the shop's globetrotting coffee buyer, sources some amazing new beans from Brazil. But he soon discovers that he's importing more than coffee, and Clare may have been the real target of that deadly driver. Can ex-husband and wife work together to solve this mystery? Or will their newest brew lead to murder?
A Brew to Kill is the eleventh book in the Coffeehouse mystery series by Cleo Coyle. This cozy mystery series is really great and there are recipes!
Find the Coffee House mystery series in the library catalog
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla audiobooks
Read more about the author Here

Eric L. . . .

Uzumaki  by Junji Ito

One of my favorite books I've read this year is Uzumaki by Junji Ito.  It's a horror manga with beautiful, often grotesque artwork.  The horror aspect centers around the concept of a spiral, in both literal and figurative ways.  Often unsettling, it kept me hooked, wondering what twisted things the author was going to throw at me next.
Find Uzumaki in the library catalog
Read more about the author Here

 

 

Malin . . .

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes

Warning: do not listen to this on audiobook while driving: it's so interesting, you won't be able to pay attention to the road! (I may possibly know from experience.) The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School follows a Latina teenager named Yamilet Flores as she transfers to a Catholic high school as a closeted lesbian. Yamilet is an incredibly lovable character, and I was so anxious for her at some points that I had to pause the audiobook and take some deep breaths. This book basically consumed my life until I finished it, and it was totally worth it. 10/10 recommend.
TW: This book deals with homophobia, racism, and mental illness. 
Find The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School in the library catalog
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby audiobook
Hoopla audiobook
Read more about the author Here

 

Eric W. . . .

Something Is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV; Werther Dell'Edera (Illustrator)

Imagine being so terrified of the creature under the bed that you manifest that monster into life, and then it goes on a rampage and kills all of your friends and family. That's when Erica Slaughter rolls into town. Erica is part of a secret organization that dispatches such horrific creations before they escape into the wider world, where tales of things can be kept quiet. Both thrilling and terrifying, this title is not for the faint of heart.
Find Something is Killing the Children in the library catalog
Also available by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell'Edera for digital checkout:
Hoopla comics

 

 

Bog Myrtle by Sid Sharp

Enjoy this modern-day fairytale, akin to Grimm tales of old, as one sister attempts to do something kind for her sister and the pitfalls of capitalism and greed. A pro-union and pro-worker tale, rendered in lush detail should become a new household favorite at story time. And there are super-cute spiders!
Find Bog Myrtle in the library catalog
Also available for digital checkout:
Hoopla eBook 

 

Beth . . .

Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates

This is such a cool knitting book!  Featuring a unique beanie pattern inspired by each of the 63 US National Parks, this collection is so creative and fun.  I don't know how many of the hats I will actually make from this book, but it's fun looking at the variety of patterns as well as the gorgeous landscapes from the various parks.  I especially love the patterns for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado, the Joshua Tree in California, and Glacier Bay (Alaska).  I read a lot of good books this year, but this long awaited knitting book brought me the most joy! 
Find Knitting the National Parks in the library catalog 

Bretagne . . .

Tiny Humans, Big Emotions by Alyssa Blask Campbell; Lauren Elizabeth Stauble

The Future is Emotionally Intelligent --Find this helpful book in the parenting section!
We're in the midst of a parenting revolution that is radically changing the way we raise our kids. Gone are the days of minimizing emotions: Don't Cry. You're Fine. Don't Make a Scene. As our understanding of developing brains has increased, today's parents are looking for a new way to help their children understand their feelings and learn to process them. Emotional development experts Alyssa Blask Campbell, M.Ed. and Lauren Stauble M.S. are at the forefront of a movement to foster little ones' emotional intelligence. Their revolutionary Collaborative Emotion Processing (CEP) method has been a game changer for parents and educators, and now they are sharing it with readers in this indispensable guide.  Tiny Humans, Big Emotions provides the tools to tackle every sort of stressful child-rearing situation, including:
* What to do when your child throws a tantrum (it's not what you think!)
* Helpful scripts to handle any challenging moment like school refusal and bedtime resistance
* How to react when your child hits, punches, or bites
* Easy tips that help regulate your child's nervous system
* How to anticipate and end meltdowns before they even begin
Designed for all humans--tiny and big--this book shows caregivers of children how to handle their children's outbursts while empowering them to recognize and manage difficult feelings like anger, sadness, and shame, along with anxiety. All caregivers will find valuable insights and guidance in this book, especially those caring for children from infancy to age eight. Tiny Humans, Big Emotions equips adults with tools for emotional intelligence so they can respond with intention. This innovative, research-based approach teaches children self-regulation and empathy, even as it strengthens the parent-child relationship, setting the groundwork for a lifetime of emotional resilience and wellbeing.  This book is an essential, empathetic guide that will teach parents to notice their own habits and hold space for their tiny human's big emotions.
Find Tiny Humans, Big Emotions in the library catalog
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby audiobook

 

Thanks for reading the blog in 2024!  Now to get ready for next year.  Are you the kind of person who likes to set reading goals for the New Year? Stay tuned for some great tips on setting New Year's reading intentions.  

Jen recommends . . .

North Woods by Daniel Mason                                   LITERARY FICTION

When two young lovers abscond from a Puritan colony, little do they know that their humble cabin in the woods will become the home of an extraordinary succession of human and nonhuman characters alike. An English soldier, destined for glory, abandons the battlefields of the New World to devote himself to growing apples. A pair of spinster twins navigate war and famine, envy and desire. A crime reporter unearths an ancient mass grave--only to discover that the earth refuse to give up their secrets. A lovelorn painter, a sinister con man, a stalking panther, a lusty beetle: As the inhabitants confront the wonder and mystery around them, they begin to realize that the dark, raucous, beautiful past is very much alive. This magisterial and highly inventive novel from Pulitzer Prize finalist Daniel Mason brims with love and madness, humor and hope. Following the cycles of history, nature, and even language, North Woods shows the myriad, magical ways in which we're connected to our environment, to history, and to one another. It is not just an unforgettable novel about secrets and destinies, but a way of looking at the world that asks the timeless question: How do we live on, even after we're gone?
Find North Woods in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio                ROMANCE

When Lauren returns home to her flat in London late one night, she is greeted at the door by her husband, Michael. There's only one problem--she's not married. She's never seen this man before in her life. But according to her friends, her much-improved decor, and the photos on her phone, they've been together for years. As Lauren tries to puzzle out how she could be married to someone she can't remember meeting, Michael goes to the attic to change a lightbulb and abruptly disappears. In his place, a new man emerges, and a new, slightly altered life re-forms around her. Realizing that her attic is creating an infinite supply of husbands, Lauren confronts the question: If swapping lives is as easy as changing a lightbulb, how do you know you've taken the right path? When do you stop trying to do better and start actually living?
Find The Husbands in the library catalog Here
Read more about the author Here

Murder at the Lakeside Library by Holly Danvers         COZY MYSTERY

"Interesting murder mystery inside a setting of a small Wisconsin community. Page turner!"

Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs                               MYSTERY

"Intriguing book about the life of a fictional forensic anthropologist. The TV show "Bones" is based off of this book series."

Rachel suggests . . .

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

"The Song of Achilles is good every time I listen to it and it's been probably like 20 times!"

A tale of gods, kings, immortal fame, and the human heart, The Song of Achilles is a dazzling literary feat that brilliantly reimagines Homer's enduring masterwork, The Iliad. An action-packed adventure, an epic love story, a marvelously conceived and executed page-turner, Miller's monumental debut novel has already earned resounding acclaim from some of contemporary fiction's brightest lights--and fans of Mary Renault, Bernard Cornwell, Steven Pressfield, and Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series will delight in this unforgettable journey back to ancient Greece in the Age of Heroes.
Find The Song of Achilles in the library catalog Here
Also available in digital format:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla audiobook
Read more about the author Here

The Faraway World by Patricia Engel        

"A beautiful collection of short stories that explore the lives of Cubans, Columbians, and other Latinos as they navigate their changing country, as well as emigration, family, and love. This is a character-driven look at many sensitive topics, including abuse, infertility, and infidelity."

Two Colombian expats meet as strangers on the rainy streets of New York City, both burdened with traumatic pasts. In Cuba, a woman discovers her deceased brother's bones have been stolen, and the love of her life returns from Ecuador for a one-night visit. A cash-strapped couple hustles in Miami, to life-altering ends.  Intimate and panoramic, these stories bring to life the liminality of regret, the vibrancy of community, and the epic deeds and quiet moments of love.
Find The Faraway World in the library catalog Here
Read more about the author Here

Interested in reading more short stories? Check out Goodreads' list of Best Short Story Collections Here

The Leavers  by Lisa Ko 

An interesting look at immigration, familial relationships and adoption of Asian children by non-Asian parents.

And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander

"The Lady Emily mysteries by Tasha Alexander is set in Victorian England. The books in this series cover a wide range of historical subjects from the Russian ballet to the death of Henry VI to the pyramids in Egypt!"

For Emily, accepting the proposal of Philip, the Viscount Ashton, was an easy way to escape her overbearing mother, who was set on a grand society match. So when Emily's dashing husband died on safari soon after their wedding, she felt little grief. After all, she barely knew him. Now, nearly two years later, she discovers that Philip was a far different man from the one she had married so cavalierly. His journals reveal him to have been a gentleman scholar and antiquities collector who, to her surprise, was deeply in love with his wife. Emily becomes fascinated with this new image of her dead husband and she immerses herself in all things ancient and begins to study Greek. Emily's intellectual pursuits and her desire to learn more about Philip take her to the quiet corridors of the British Museum, one of her husband's favorite places. There, amid priceless ancient statues, she uncovers a dark, dangerous secret involving stolen artifacts from the Greco-Roman galleries. And to complicate matters, she's juggling two very prominent and wealthy suitors, one of whose intentions may go beyond the marrying kind. As she sets out to solve the crime, her search leads to more surprises about Philip and causes her to question the role in Victorian society to which she, as a woman, is relegated.

Currently there are seventeen novels in the Lady Emily series, starting with And Only to Deceive (published in 2005) to the most recently published A Cold Highland Wind (just published in 2023). For a list of the books in series order, look Here.
Find The Lady Emily mystery series in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla eBooks and audiobooks
Read more about the author Here

Devil's Chew Toy by Rob Osler

"I absolutely loved The Devil's Chew Toy!  Great story, and a VERY colorful cast of characters!"

Seattle teacher and part-time blogger Hayden McCall wakes sporting one hell of a shiner, with the police knocking at his door. It seems that his new crush, dancer Camilo Rodriguez, has gone missing and they suspect foul play. What happened the night before? And where is Camilo? Determined to find answers, pint-sized, good-hearted Hayden seeks out two of Camilo's friends-Hollister and Burley-both lesbians and both fiercely devoted to their friend. From them, Hayden learns that Camilo is a "Dreamer" whose parents had been deported years earlier, and whose sister, Daniela, is presumed to have returned to Venezuela with them. Convinced that the cops won't take a brown boy's disappearance seriously, the girls join Hayden's hunt for Camilo. The first clues turn up at Barkingham Palace, a pet store where Camilo had taken a part-time job. The store's owner, Della Rupert, claims ignorance, but Hayden knows something is up. And then there's Camilo's ex-boyfriend, Ryan, who's suddenly grown inexplicably wealthy. When Hayden and Hollister follow Ryan to a secure airport warehouse, they make a shocking connection between him and Della-and uncover the twisted scheme that's made both of them rich. The trail of clues leads them to the grounds of a magnificent estate on an island in Puget Sound, where they'll finally learn the truth about Camilo's disappearance-and the fate of his family.
Find Devil's Chew Toy in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook 
Hoopla eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

"Ruth Ware is a reliable source for a great mystery--they are intense and suspenseful and you will be stressed out in the best way. The Woman in Cabin 10 is a set on a cruise ship- so there is nowhere to escape!"

In this tightly wound, enthralling story reminiscent of Agatha Christie's works, Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime: a week on a luxury cruise with only a handful of cabins. The sky is clear, the waters calm, and the veneered, select guests jovial as the exclusive cruise ship, the Aurora, begins her voyage in the picturesque North Sea. At first, Lo's stay is nothing but pleasant: the cabins are plush, the dinner parties are sparkling, and the guests are elegant. But as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the deck, gray skies fall, and Lo witnesses what she can only describe as a dark and terrifying nightmare: a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers remain accounted for--and so, the ship sails on as if nothing has happened, despite Lo's desperate attempts to convey that something (or someone) has gone terribly, terribly wrong... With surprising twists, spine-tingling turns, and a setting that proves as uncomfortably claustrophobic as it is eerily beautiful, Ruth Ware offers up another taut and intense read in The Woman in Cabin 10--one that will leave even the most sure-footed reader restlessly uneasy long after the last page is turned.
Find The Woman in Cabin 10 in the library catalog Here 
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and eAudiobook
Boundless audiobook
Read more about the author Here

"I loved the Louise Penny's Three Pines mystery series, starting with Still Life. Her characters seem like old friends, and the setting is vivid and charming. The plot kept me engaged and it was hard to put a book down! 

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surêté du Québec and his team of investigators are called in to the scene of a suspicious death in a rural village south of Montreal. Jane Neal, a local fixture in the tiny hamlet of Three Pines, just north of the U.S. border, has been found dead in the woods. The locals are certain it’s a tragic hunting accident and nothing more, but Gamache smells something foul in these remote woods, and is soon certain that Jane Neal died at the hands of someone much more sinister than a careless bowhunter. Still Life introduces an engaging series hero in Inspector Gamache, who commands his forces---and this series---with integrity and quiet courage.
Currently there are seventeen novels in this series. For a list of the books in series order, look Here.
Find The Chief Inspector Gamache series in the library catalog Here   
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBooks and audiobooks
Boundless eBooks and audiobooks 
Hoopla audiobooks
Read more about the author Here

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

"If you're looking for a lighter, laugh out loud thriller, featuring four older women who can still kick butt and take names this is your book!"

They've spent their lives as assassins in a clandestine international organization, but at 60 years old, four women find they can't just retire - it's kill or be killed in this book by New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated author Deanna Raybourn. Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie have worked for the Museum, an elite network of assassins, for forty years when they are targeted by one of their own. Now to get out alive they have to turn against their own organization. They're about to teach the Board what it really means to be a woman - and a killer - of a certain age.
Find Killers of a Certain Age in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here

The Couples Trip by Ulf Kvensler

"Definitely one of the darker mysteries I've read in a long time, this book pushed me beyond my comfort level, and it was worth it!"

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

"A chilling vision of what our very near future could be if we don't make changes now. And you have to love a book where librarians are the heroes!"

The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore

"This is a sweet read about the power of books bringing people together."

Beth recommends . . .

The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt 

 

Bob Comet is a retired librarian passing his solitary days surrounded by books and small comforts in a mint-colored house in Portland, Oregon. One morning on his daily walk he encounters a confused elderly woman lost in a market and returns her to the senior center that is her home. Hoping to fill the void he's known since retiring, he begins volunteering at the center. Here, as a community of strange peers gathers around Bob, and following a happenstance brush with a painful complication from his past, the events of his life and the details of his character are revealed. Behind Bob Comet's straight-man façade is the story of an unhappy child's runaway adventure during the last days of the Second World War, of true love won and stolen away, of the purpose and pride found in the librarian's vocation, and of the pleasures of a life lived to the side of the masses. Bob's experiences are imbued with melancholy but also a bright, sustained comedy; he has a talent for locating bizarre and outsize players to welcome onto the stage of his life. With his inimitable verve, skewed humor, and compassion for the outcast, Patrick deWitt has written a wide-ranging and ambitious document of the introvert's condition. The Librarianist celebrates the extraordinary in the so-called ordinary life, and depicts beautifully the turbulence that sometimes exists beneath a surface of serenity.
Find The Librarianist in the library catalog Here 
Also available for digital checkout:
Libby eBook and audiobook 

Read more about the author Here
The Librarianist is also the selected book for the Premier Book Group's meeting in December!

The Wager by David Grann

"For readers of Patrick O'Brian and anyone who enjoys high adventure!" 

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

 "This is chilling non-fiction, about the Osage during the 1920s. The author presents his research in a very readable narrative; it reads like a novel, actually. Neither I nor my husband could put it down."

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel

"Fascinating, remarkable true-crime story." 

Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond

"Desmond presents a gripping, thoroughly-researched, fast-paced examination of poverty's creation in and impacts on a wealthy, post-industrial society - and, more importantly, of concrete steps one can take towards poverty abolition in America." 

Press Reset by Jason Schreier

"A deeply researched and well narrativized account of the volatility within the video game industry and the effects it has on the very real people working on our favorite games. Schreier gives us a sobering look at the many dysfunctions of management, but also spends time highlighting the grit and heart of the developers. If you enjoyed Schreier's last writings, Blood, Sweat, and Pixels, this will be a surefire hit. Bonus points for a strong union message."

Moldilocks and the Three Scares by Lynne Marie; David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Illustrator)

"Since fall is around the corner this book is the big hit in our house right now with both the 2 ½  year old and the 5 year old. The kids have told me they like it is because it's very colorful and silly. They also like that the little girl finds a happy home in the end." 

Forget Goldilocks and the three bears--MOLDILOCKS and the THREE SCARES are here, in a delightful new version of the popular story. Papa Scare (a monster), Mama Scare (a mummy), and Baby Scare (a vampire) live in a haunted house where they eat finger sandwiches and alpha-bat soup. One night, they go out to walk their dog (a bloodhound, of course) to let their soup cool down. While they're away, in walks the zombie Moldilocks, looking for food, a chair, and a bed that's just right. Kids will love this hauntingly funny story with its surprise ending!
Moldilocks and the Three Scares is not currently available in library catalog, but you can enjoy a recorded reading Here

Ten Little Pirates by Mike Brownlow; Simon Rickerty (Illustrator)

"Every time we read it the kids giggle at the new things they spot in the pictures, and they love the rhyming aspect of the story. This book is their very favorite!"

Ten little pirates set out to sea in search of adventure. But soon they encounter a bit more adventure than they expected. What will happen when they meet a hurricane ... and a hungry shark ... and a GIANT SQUID? This fun-filled rhyming story, which incorporates counting backwards from ten to one, is great to share with young children who are learning about numbers. The colorful, humorous illustrations feature objects to spot and count on every page. With a bouncy, rhythmic text and lots of great sound words, this book is perfect for sharing again and again.
Ten Little Pirates is not currently available in library catalog, but you can enjoy a recorded reading Here

 

Holly recommends . . .

Cinderella--With Dogs! by Linda Bailey; Freya Hartas (Illustrator)

"This is a hilarious re-telling of Cinderella featuring a dog-loving kingdom and the most fabulous, far-out fairy DOG-mother ever! Great illustrations. Recommended for 3 -7 year olds."

Here is a Cinderella story like no other. When Cinderella wishes for a fairy godmother, she's not expecting one that barks! And this fairy dogmother has a different agenda. Yes, Cinderella will have a new dress, but made of a cozy dog blanket. Yes, they will go to the ball, but they will run there and chase squirrels along the way. There's nothing like a canine companion to get a girl out of the house and her mind off her troubles! Yes, indeed, dogs do make everything better-and are a reminder that you don't need "happily ever after" when you have the joy of now. Readers will get a kick out of this retelling with its lovable cast of characters and refreshing ending.
Find Cinderella--with DOGS! in the library catalog Here

 

Maddy recommends . . .

The Pumpkin Book by Gail Gibbons (Author/Illustrator)

"I love all the books by Gail Gibbons--and there are sooo many! This author is so great, I think she picks a topic she wants to write about and boom! What a great life she must have!"

In this cheerfully-illustrated, simply-presented book, children can learn about the growth cycle and many varieties of pumpkins, and even how to plant their own.  Award-winning author Gail Gibbons also relates the special role pumpkins played in the first Thanksgiving, the history behind carving pumpkins into jack'o'lanterns, and how pumpkins are still part of our celebrations today. The book features bold, clearly-labeled illustrations, directions for drying seeds, and even how to carve funny or scary faces into your pumpkin (with an adult's help), along with a fascinating section on pumpkin facts and lore. Perfect for aspiring farmers and kids who can't wait for Halloween! 
Find all the Gail Gibbons books in descending chronological order in the library catalog Here

 

April recommends . . .

A Thousand Glass Flowers by Evan Turk (Author/Illustrator)

"This book is recommended for 4-8 year olds, but even as an adult, I think it is an amazing book.  The dynamic illustrations, the history lesson on Venetian glass, the protagonist's real life success story, and the wonder of creating something really beautiful—you just need to read it!"

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

"Don't miss this delightful story!"

Miles recommends . . .

Fuzz by Mary Roach    (2021)

What's to be done about a jaywalking moose? A bear caught breaking and entering? A murderous tree? Three hundred years ago, animals that broke the law would be assigned legal representation and put on trial. These days, as New York Times best-selling author Mary Roach discovers, the answers are best found not in jurisprudence but in science: the curious science of human-wildlife conflict, a discipline at the crossroads of human behavior and wildlife biology. Roach tags along with animal-attack forensics investigators, human-elephant conflict specialists, bear managers, and "danger tree" faller blasters. Intrepid as ever, she travels from leopard-terrorized hamlets in the Indian Himalaya to St. Peter's Square in the early hours before the pope arrives for Easter Mass, when vandal gulls swoop in to destroy the elaborate floral display. She taste-tests rat bait, learns how to install a vulture effigy, and gets mugged by a macaque. Combining little-known forensic science and conservation genetics with a motley cast of laser scarecrows, langur impersonators, and trespassing squirrels, Roach reveals as much about humanity as about nature's lawbreakers. When it comes to "problem" wildlife, she finds, humans are more often the problem--and the solution. Fascinating, witty, and humane, Fuzz offers hope for compassionate coexistence in our ever-expanding human habitat.
Find it in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Montana Library2Go/Libby app eBook 
Other titles by Mary Roach available through Libby, Axis 360, and Hoopla

 

 

Living Untethered by Michael A. Singer    (2022)

Now more than ever, we're all looking to feel more joy, happiness, and deeper meaning in our lives. But are we looking in all the wrong places? When our sense of wholeness depends on things or people outside ourselves--whether it's a coveted job, a new house, a lavish vacation, or even a new relationship--sooner or later we're bound to feel unsatisfied. That's why we must look inside for real freedom, love, and inspiration. But how do we embark on this inner journey? Living Untethered is the book to reach for. At once profoundly transcendent and powerfully practical, it provides clear guidance for moving beyond the thoughts, feelings, and habits that keep you stuck--so you can heal the pain of the past and let your spirit soar. On each page, you'll discover a deeper understanding of where your thoughts and emotions come from, and how they affect your natural energy flow. Finally, you'll find freedom from the psychological scars, or samskaras, that block you and keep you from reaching your highest potential. It's time to stop struggling and start experiencing. This miraculous book will show you how to put the spiritual teachings of Michael A. Singer into practice every day, and propel you toward a life of liberation, serenity, openness, and self-knowledge. Isn't it time you started Living Untethered?   
Find it in the library catalog Here
Also available for digital checkout:
Montana Library2Go/Libby app eBook and audiobook
Hoopla eBook and audiobook

Suzanne recommends . . .

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

"It's an oldie, but goodie.  The movie is fantastic!"

Magic, fantasy, and love at first sight figure in this tale about four generations of Massachusetts sisters.

Find Practical Magic in the library catalog Here

Montana Library2Go/Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla audiobook
Read more about the author Here

 

 

 

 

 

Kadie recommends . . .

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
The tale of two women: the irrepressibly daredevilish tomboy Idgie and her friend Ruth, who ran a little place in Whistle Stop, Alabama, back in the thirties. Their southern-style cafe offered good barbecue, good coffee, and all kinds of love and laughter--not to mention an occasional murder.

Kadie says, "I love this book. The story is funny and sad and poignant.  Idgie is such a great character."

Find Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (book & movie) in the library catalog Here
Montana Library2Go/Libby eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here

 

 

 

Michelle  recommends . . .

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep South--and the heroism of one man in the face of blind and violent hatred One of the most cherished stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than forty million copies worldwide, served as the basis for an enormously popular motion picture, and was voted one of the best novels of the twentieth century by librarians across the country. A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father--a crusading local lawyer--risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.
Find it in the library catalog Here 
Montana Library2Go/Libby  audiobook
Hoopla eBook and audiobook
Axis 360 eBook and audiobook
Read more about Harper Lee Here

 

Camden recommends . . .

World War Z by Max Brooks

This gripping story of the Zombie War, told through interviews with the survivors, is unlike any other zombie tale.  With its international perspective, focus on realism, and immense cast of colorful characters, World War Z transcends its classic horror roots and becomes an epic tale of humanity's drive to survive and thrive. World War Z should never have been made into a movie; it should have been a mockumentary.
Find it in the library catalog Here
Montana Library2Go/Libby eBook and audiobook
Read more about the author Here

 

 

 

 

Rachel recommends . . .

The King's Grave by Philippa Langley; Michael Jones           (nonfiction)
The first full-length book about the discover of Richard III's remains by the person who led the archeology team and the historian whose book spurred her on The mystery of who Richard III really was has fascinated historians, readers and audiences familiar with Shakespeare's dastardly portrait of a hunchback monster of royalty for centuries. Earlier this year, the remains of a man with a curving spine, who possible was killed in battle, were discovered underneath the paving of a parking lot in Leicester, England. Phillipa Langley, head of The Richard III Society, spurred on by the work of the historian Michael Jones, led the team of who uncovered the remains, certain that she had found the bones of the monarch. When DNA verification later confirmed that the skeleton was, indeed, that of King Richard III, the discovery ranks among the great stories of passionate intuition and perseverance against the odds. The news of the discovery of Richard's remains has been widely reported by the British as well as worldwide and was front page news for both theNew York Times andThe Washington Post. Many believe that now, with King Richard III's skeleton in hand, historians will finally begin to understand what happened to him following the Battle of Bosworth Field (twenty miles or so from Leicester) and, ultimately, to know whether he was the hateful, unscrupulous monarch of Shakespeare's drama or a much more benevolent king interested in the common man. Written in alternating chapters, with Richard's 15th century life told by historian Michael Jones (author of the critically acclaimed Bosworth - 1485) contrasting with the 21st century eyewitness account of the search and discovery of the body by Philippa Langley, The King's Grave will be both an extraordinary portrait of the last Plantagenet monarch and the inspiring story of the archaeological dig that finally brings the real King Richard III into the light of day.

Rachel says, "The movie is The Lost King  and the book is The King's Grave by Phillippa Langley. Both describe the process in which Langley fought and ultimately was victorious in finding the bones of the last English King to die in battle: Richard III. The coolest part for me was how Ms. Langley visited the car park in Leicester early in her search and got a feeling in her bones that she was standing over Richard's final resting place and looked down to see an "R" painted on the pavement. Talk about chills!"
Find The King's Grave in the library catalog Here     
Hoopla audiobook

Terri recommends . . .

Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian

It is the dawn of the nineteenth century; Britain is at war with Napoleon's France. Jack Aubrey, a young lieutenant in Nelson's navy, is promoted to command of H.M.S. Sophie, an old, slow brig unlikely to make his fortune. But Captain Aubrey is a brave and gifted seaman, his thirst for adventure and victory immense. With the aid of his friend Stephen Maturin, ship's surgeon and secret intelligence agent, Aubrey and his crew engage in one thrilling battle after another, their journey culminating in a stunning clash with a mighty Spanish frigate against whose guns and manpower the tiny Sophie is hopelessly outmatched.

Terri says, "I loved the book Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian. The movie was also good, but not great. Master and Commander is great adventure, characters, friendship and humor. The author makes geography and history spellbinding."

Find Master and Commander in the library catalog Here
Montana Library2Go/Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla audiobook
Read more about the author Here

 

Tyler recommends . . .

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque 

"An oldie, but a heartbreaking goodie."

The original US edition of the masterpiece of war literature depicting the plight of German soldiers during World War I--now an Oscar-nominated Netflix film.   From the perspective of Paul Bäumer, a young German soldier in World War I, comes an unsettling tale of the mundanity and misery of trench warfare on the Western Front. When Paul and his comrades volunteer for the Imperial German Army, pressured into this act of patriotism by idealistic parents and a steely schoolmaster, they quickly learn that the authorities they trusted to shape their minds and guide their growth were condemning them to unimaginable danger and squalor, in the name of duty to an old world in its death throes.   Bombarded by shells and bombs, by horror after horror, Paul absorbs the sordid lessons of combat and reflects upon the strangers on the arbitrary other side, transformed into enemies by a distant "word of command." With timeless insight and searing prose, Erich Maria Remarque draws readers into the embattled consciences of soldiers on the frontlines, enlivening a tragic story with characters whose survival one hopes for against all odds. 
Find All Quiet on the Western Front in the library catalog Here
Montana Library2Go/Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla audiobook
Read more about the author Here

 

Larissa recommends . . .

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

The stark and beautiful romance of a governess and the master of a house with long-kept secrets. After a sad and neglected childhood as an orphan, Jane Eyre is hired by Edward Rochester as governess for his ward. Jane is pleased with the quiet country life at Thornfield, with the beautiful old manor house and gardens, with the book-filled library, and with her own comfortable room. But there are stories of a strange tenant, a woman who laughs like a maniac, and who stays in rooms on the third floor. The moody Rochester rebuffs her attempts to find discover more, ordering her to keep silent on the matter. An unlikely relationship blooms between the two, however, and Jane is thrilled to accept Rochester's proposal of marriage. But the quiet ceremony is shockingly halted by a stranger who claims that Rochester was already married--to the raving maniac Jane had heard crying in the house. Grief-stricken, Jane flees from Thornfield, feeling that her life is over before it has really begun. Can she ever hope to find a comfortable life again--or even dare to dream of a happily ever after? 
Larissa says, "This is my favorite book from my teenage years. I've never had a 'favorite' book since; tons of books I've loved, but none I've called a favorite. Maybe it's the crazy woman theme that I didn't particularly understand at the time, but that I do understand on another level today. The rich character development and setting really appealed--and still does--to my imagination. A classic I'll always adore."

Find Jane Eyre in the library catalog Here

Montana Library2Go/Libby eBook and audiobook

Read more Charlotte Brontë Here

 

 

Millie recommends . . .

The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupéry; Katherine Woods (Translator)

“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
A wonderful book and show is The Little Prince. As you follow the story of this odd individual and the lessons he learns on his way. Children have inherently sought knowledge; they delve into everything willing to explore of facet of it. They do not allow their preconceived notions to cloud their actions like narrow minded adults. This exploration of the world around allows for great personal growth and substantial introspection. Another great lesson to be found in this story is the acknowledgment that loneliness is not due to the amount of people around you, only the quality of the relationships you possess. You can still be lonely, despite being surrounded. This harsh isolation is juxtaposed with the depth of love in its true nature. There is much you can take from this book, with its unique characters and circumstances, and they are all up to your perceptions.
Find The Little Prince in the library catalog Here
Montana Library2Go/Libby eBook and audiobook
Hoopla eBook and audiobook
Read more about Antoine De Saint-Exupéry Here

 

 

Deby recommends . . .

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

For fans of Old Yeller and Shiloh, Where the Red Fern Grows is a beloved classic that captures the powerful bond between man and man's best friend. Billy has long dreamt of owning not one, but two, dogs. So when he's finally able to save up enough money for two pups to call his own--Old Dan and Little Ann--he's ecstatic. It doesn't matter that times are tough; together they'll roam the hills of the Ozarks. Soon Billy and his hounds become the finest hunting team in the valley. Stories of their great achievements spread throughout the region, and the combination of Old Dan's brawn, Little Ann's brains, and Billy's sheer will seems unbeatable. But tragedy awaits these determined hunters--now friends--and Billy learns that hope can grow out of despair, and that the seeds of the future can come from the scars of the past.   
"I picked this book up to read as an adult. Please note: have a box of tissue at all times," says Deby.

Find Where the Red Fern Grows in the library catalog Here
Montana Library2Go/Libby  eBook and audiobook
Hoopla film
Read more about the Wilson Rawls  Here

 

 

Do you have a favorite book that was made into a movie? Tell us about it.