Check It Out Category: Staff Picks

Winter Reading Ideas: Staff Favorites of 2020

Posted January 3, 2021 by Cathleen

We would not dream of celebrating the start of a new year without first cheering the reads that proved exciting company during the last. Choose one of these 2020 staff favorites to kick off your own Winter Reading season, and let us know if you agree! Most are available in both physical and digital collections. Contact us for help with access or to request a title hand-picked just for you.

Top Favorite!
Liz, Al, Denise, and Kelda recommend
The House in the Cerulean Sea
TJ Klune

Al recommends
Vanished Birds
Simon Jimenez

Abby recommends
Witch Hat Atelier series
Kamome Shirahama

John recommends
Don’t Go Without Me
Rosemary Valero-O’Connell

Jenny recommends
From Scratch
Tembi Locke

Andrea recommends
Frankly in Love
David Yoon

Laura recommends
When All Is Said
Anne Griffin

Cathleen recommends
Foul Is Fair
Hannah Capin

Denise recommends
Anxious People
Fredrik Backman
narrated by Marin Ireland

Chelsea recommends
The Sellout
Paul Beatty

Nancy recommends
Nothing to See Here
Kevin Wilson
narrated by Marin Ireland

Andrea recommends
Stamped
Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
narrated by Jason Reynolds

Liz recommends
Ninth House
Leigh Bardugo

Kelda recommends
Leave the World Behind
Rumaan Alam
narrated by Marin Ireland

John recommends
Slaughterhouse-Five
Ryan North
illustrated by Albert Monteys
story by Kurt Vonnegut

Jenny recommends

Charming as a Verb
Ben Philippe

What to Read from Home: More Staff E-book Picks

Posted May 15, 2020 by Cathleen

Do you long for books that might quiet your mind, excite the eye, or take on real life? Available with little or no wait, this week’s staff ebook suggestions spotlight thoughtful, personal stories of different moods, and each can be checked out from the Library’s digital services. Now’s a great time to try something new!

The View from Penthouse B
Elinor Lipman

Elinor Lipman writes engaging and optimistic novels that are light but also thought-provoking. In The View from Penthouse B, a unique set of roommates navigate New York City as they work through unexpected personal transitions. ~Nancy

OverDrive: ebook and e-audio
Hoopla: ebook and e-audio

News of the World
Paulette Giles

There is poetry to this prose, and I wouldn’t have expected to say that about an odd-couple pairing set in the realities of the Old West. This story is rich in local color, laconic yet tough characters, and slice-of-life dialogue. Even only a few pages in, I couldn’t escape echoes of classic American authors such as Ambrose Bierce and Bret Harte. ~Cathleen

OverDrive: ebook
Hoopla: ebook

You Deserve a Drink: Boozy Misadventures and Tales of Debauchery
Mamrie Hart

Littered with 90s pop-culture references and puns, live vicariously through comedian Mamrie Hart’s over-the-top absurd adventures as she creates a fun time out of almost any situation. Includes a built in drinking game! ~Jenny

OverDrive: ebook

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters
Emil Ferris

Filled with B-horror movie and pulp monster iconography, the diary of ten-year-old Karen Reyes records her investigation into the murder of her upstairs neighbor Anka Silverberg, a Holocaust survivor (from NoveList) ~Chelsea

Hoopla: ebook

Another Brooklyn
Jacqueline Woodson

August returns home to Brooklyn for her father’s funeral and explores powerful memories of growing up in the 1970s; this gorgeously written book explores family dynamics, adolescent friendship, joy, and regret. ~Nancy

OverDrive: ebook and e-audio

Convenience Store Woman
Sayaka Murata

A lovely, quirky little book that elicits an empathetic and protective response in the reader while still offering biting commentary on society’s expectations for a fulfilling life. ~Cathleen

OverDrive: ebook and e-audio
Hoopla: ebook and e-audio

The Best We Could Do
Thi Bui

An intimate look at one family’s journey from war-torn Vietnam to new lives in America. Exploring the anguish of immigration and the lasting effects that displacement has on a child and her family (from publisher’s description) ~Chelsea

OverDrive: ebook
Hoopla: ebook

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life
Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Setting boundaries with others is a struggle for many, and people of faith have a tendency to believe saying yes no matter what is an act of service. This longtime bestseller challenges readers to acknowledge self-destructive patterns and identify healthier choices. ~Cathleen

OverDrive: e-audio (unabridged)
Hoopla: ebook and (abridged) e-audio

Still looking? Check out earlier installments of staff ebook and e-audio picks available from home or contact us for suggestions personalized to your mood and taste.

What to Watch from Home – Staff Digital Picks for Chilling Drama

Posted May 8, 2020 by Cathleen

There are times when the most satisfying tension release is to lose ourselves in someone else’s (fictional) drama. To help escape our own strain, it can feel cathartic to be swept away in dark thrills, mystery, action, or espionage. If a flair for the dramatic sounds good to you right now, check out these staff suggestions available to watch from home on Hoopla and Kanopy with your library card.

First Reformed

If you like dark suspense, unstable characters who are navigating their purposes in life, and those who become attracted to the opposite of what they might preach. ~Chelsea

The Fall

This psychological thriller had me on the edge of my seat all season long! The story follows a serial killer and the detective intent on bringing him down. As the story progresses, the two become obsessed with each other. Will he or won’t he be caught? You’ll have to watch and find out. ~Al

Down the Shore

Starring James Gandolfini. The lives of three childhood friends begin to unravel when a deadly secret from their past is revealed. ~Denise

Hidden

Who knew that Wales could hold its own against Scandinavia with moody, can’t-look-away noir? This limited series has all the hallmarks, including baggage-laden investigators and immersive sense of place. ~Cathleen

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace follows a veteran and his teenage daughter who live in the woods in the Pacific Northwest. It follows their lifestyle, their bond, and how unsustainable their lifestyle becomes and how both of them try to adapt. ~Chelsea

Still Life: A Three Pines Mystery

Based on Louise Penny’s novel. Gorgeous scenery and a fascinating mystery. ~Denise

Charade

This classic may be remembered for moments of stylish banter, but it also boasts multiple twists on whom can be trusted. Director Stanley Donen’s playful mix of light and dark is a cross-generational favorite. ~Cathleen

Gunpowder

Who doesn’t miss Kit Harington from Game of Thrones? Get your next fix of him in Gunpowder, a historical drama set in the 1600s based on the Gunpowder plot to assassinate King James I of England. With striking visuals, a stellar score, and top-notch acting, this will surely please fans of historical fiction ~Al

Gone Baby Gone

Expertly portraying the gritty depths and darkness of human nature, this adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s novel wisely plants the compelling bleak-yet-determined qualities of the characters at the forefront. ~Cathleen

Denise recommends
Pandemic

Kelda recommends
Keeping Faith

Cathleen recommends
Winter’s Bone

Still looking? Check out earlier installments of Staff Movies and TV Picks available from home or contact us for suggestions personalized to your mood and taste.

Staff Digital Picks: YA for Teens and Adults

Posted May 6, 2020 by Cathleen

One of the booming arenas of publishing, YA Lit is relatable, well-paced, and offers all the feels. Many stories tackle issues squarely, but in a hopeful way, which makes them an appealing reading choice no matter if your teen years are far behind you. Choose from these hand-picked favorites available on OverDrive or Hoopla, and don’t miss previous staff recommendations for what to read, watch, or listen from home. Looking for something to match a specific mood or interest? Send a request for customized suggestions, and our expert advisory staff will be happy to make your match.

Don’t Get Caught by Kurt Dinan
A motley group of uncool kids are set up by a secret society known as the Chaos Club, so they band together and instigate a prank war. With short chapters, high energy, and the mix of shadowy conspiracy with underdog tale, this is a winner for a variety of teen and adult readers. ~Cathleen

Available as ebook

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

For Sherlock fans: This series is a great riff off of the original tales with Sherlock as a teenage girl and Holmes a boy at boarding school. ~Emily

Available as ebook or e-audio

Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

Reading the pages of Gabi’s journal is a gut-punch. On the cusp of adulthood, navigating body shaming, racism, and finding her own voice along with the joys that come from learning how to celebrate yourself and what you love in life, Gabi is a character you’ll want to keep rooting for. ~Jenny

Available as ebook or e-audio

Far from the Tree by Robin Benway

The story of three siblings who were taken away from their mother as young children and find each other in their teens is riveting! ~Denise

Available as ebook or e-audio

Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson

I love books that oscillate between different characters so I get multiple points of view. Let Me Hear a Rhyme highlights three high school students as they work to honor their murdered friend by making him a rap celebrity. Fast paced, full of secrets, and heavy with friendship.. ~Al

Available as ebook or e-audio

The Berlin Boxing Club by Robert Sharenow

I usually give wide berth to stories about boxing, but this tale of a bullied cartoonist in Nazi-era Berlin taking lessons from German national hero Max Schmeling completely won me over. A crowd-pleasing underdog story against backdrop of art, history, and family. ~Cathleen

Available as ebook

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

A few kids on the edge of adulthood facing the big themes in life: death, love, and life-altering decisions. Bonus: It is set in a bookstore! ~Emily

ebook or e-audio

Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald

Sadie attempts to get over her epic heartbreak over her best friend in this satisfying, humorous, uplifting read that is great for fans of Sarah Dessen! The overall hopeful tone of the book paired with Sadie’s dogged attempt to move on makes this book one of my personal favorites. ~Jenny

Available as ebook

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

A little bit of fantasy and a lot of heart and some laughs along the way. ~Denise

Available as ebook or e-audio

After the Fire by Will Hill

Looking for a book that’ll keep you turning the pages until the very end? After the Fire is it! Not for the feint of heart, this twisty, turny, thriller escape plot will keep you engaged the entire time. ~Al

Available as ebook

Rebel with a Cupcake by Anna Mainwaring

Endearing Jesobel presents as a young woman who knows who she is and what she has to offer, and it’s only when faced with a new crush that her self-assurance begins to erode. British teens, sassy dialogue, and friends who love enough to call each other on their stuff — this is a recipe for an entertaining read. ~Cathleen

Available as ebook

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Two teens on the verge of making huge life decisions give into a fate-filled, love-at-first-sight day in New York City. ~Emily

Available as ebook or e-audio

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

Acevedo has a way with bringing her characters to life! So good!. ~Denise

Available as ebook or e-audio

Laura recommends
We Were Liars
by E. Lockhart
ebook or e-audio

Chelsea recommends
We Are Okay
by Nina LaCour
ebook or e-audio

Laura recommends
Will Grayson, Will Grayson
by John Green and David Levithan
ebook or e-audio

Chelsea recommends
Everything Everything
by Nicola Yoon
ebook or e-audio

Chelsea recommends
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
ebook or e-audio

Staff Hoopla Picks: Music to Get You Moving

Posted May 1, 2020 by Cathleen

Has being limited to home day after day left you listless? Or perhaps you find yourself vibrating with energy to burn? Either way, Hoopla has music to get you moving for your own personal dance party. Staff nominated albums that tap their toes, sway their hips, and cause their heads to bob. Each is available to you from home, so don’t hesitate to take a spin on the floor. Let’s start the music!

Dancing on My Own: Remixes by Robyn
If you are literally dancing on your own right now, here’s 40 straight minutes of dance music to bop along to, built around Robyn’s pop single, “Dancing On My Own.” While hard to choose, the Jackwob remix was my favorite; I found it captured the fun angst of the song the best! ~Jenny