Staff Picks
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This is a heartwarming story set in the Scottish Highlands at a run down castle overlooking the Loch Ness. Zoe is a single mom of a mute toddler barely scraping by in London when she gets the opportunity to be an au pair for a single father of 3 mutinous children who live in the castle. Zoe is also hired to work a mobile book bus and there are not many things Zoe loves more than books. She is very optimistic when she gets to Scotland, but she soon finds out that life is not going to get any easier unless she perseveres both with the children, her book bus job, and Ramsay Urquart, the mostly absent dad of the 3 incorrigible children. Zoe falls in love with Scotland (and possibly Ramsey) and her son thrives, though still silently. I truly loved this story, the setting, the characters. I couldn’t put it down and I didn’t want it to end! (Sue)
Six minutes after takeoff, Flight 1421 crashes into the Pacific Ocean. During the evacuation, an engine explodes, and the plane is flooded. Those still alive are forced to close the doors—but it’s too late. The plane sinks to the bottom with twelve passengers trapped inside. T.J. Newman delivers not only an intense pressure driven story but also well-developed characters as well. I became so involved with the twelve diverse survivors, I found myself yelling, crying and holding my breath during the tense action along with them. A breathtaking, edge of your seat thriller, prepare for a late night/early morning with this gripping, claustrophobic, page- turner! (Lisa)
This is a beautiful story about a mother who makes the gut-wrenching decision to send her daughter Maggie away to keep her safe during the start of WWII in Liverpool. Weaving in and around that primary storyline are many others that provide insight into all of the characters - Viv's upbringing in a strict Catholic family and the repercussions of her unplanned pregnancy and quick marriage to Joshua, a Jewish man; Joshua's dreams of becoming a great Jazz musician that get sidelined by his service in the Royal Air Force; Viv's work as a "postie" during the war and; and of course the Thompsons, the family in the countryside to whom Maggie is sent. Well-written, and a very good read. (Michelle)
This graphic novel, geared towards middle grade readers, was one of our most popular at this years We Are All Readers event and it isn't hard to see why. While gradually establishing themes of anxiety and OCD, this story provides an age appropriate introduction to the importance of mental health and self-care.
When Maggie and her new friend join the role playing club at their middle school, her difficulty making decisions without the help of her trusty d20 becomes entangled with the clubs latest campaign. Can Maggie defeat her demons (or dragons, as the case may be), and learn to live life without worrying about a bad roll of the dice. (Carrie)
A subtly nuanced, but page-turning mystery set in a small Maine coastal town revolving around 2 teenage girls, Avery a townie and Sadie a very wealthy summer resident. Avery lost her parents in what she was told was a tragic car accident and then loses her grandmother as well. Avery meets Sadie while working at a summer party Sadie’s parents are throwing and they become fast friends. A few years later when Sadie ends up dead and it is ruled a suicide, Avery is not buying it and is determined to find out what really happened to her friend and who killed her. My first Miranda book and I will definitely be reading more by her. (Sue)
An incredible historical fiction tale weaving together 2 stories set 100 years apart following Audrey Collins as she tries to unravel her grandmother’s and great-grandmother’s past going back to WWI. Audrey’s grandmother has died and left her a cottage in Yorkshire, England where her gran lived as a young girl before fleeing to the US. When Audrey gets there , she finds it perfectly preserved from the time her gran left in 1941. It holds many clues to the past, but it is not an easy puzzle to solve. Audrey had planned on selling the cottage, but she ends up falling in love with it , with Yorkshire, and with the people of the village. (Sue)
Even tight-knit families can be torn apart by secrets and there are plenty of those in the Brennan clan. Sunday, her three brothers, their father, and her ex-boyfriend who is part of the family are trying to keep the family's pub open while also opening a second pub in a new location. When a threat from their past returns and tries to bring them all down, they become a united front, but still each with their own agendas, things to hide, and past mistakes to to correct. The different personalities of the characters add a great dimension to the story and I enjoyed this read very much. (Sue)
Ginny Splinter, acclaimed radio host and advice expert, plans a romantic three-week vacation for her upcoming wedding anniversary but her husband has other plans-he wants a divorce. Despite her heartache, Ginny decides to invite four heartbroken strangers to spend the holiday with her. I loved the cast of characters and the way despite their different ages and walks of lives they formed a friendship as their stories unfolded. Phaedra Patrick's descriptions of Italy, its culture, the beautiful locations and the delicious food was a sunny holiday for this reader without leaving home. I highly recommend this charming, relaxing getaway to sunny Italy! (Lisa)
New York City, 1956: Nineteen-year-old Marion Brooks, after losing her job and feeling trapped by the predictable path her life seems to be taking, tries out for the famous Radio City Rockettes. After securing a spot with the glamorous precision-dancing troupe she begins to spread her wings and exploring her new independence. Fiona Davis has done it again and it is truly spectacular! Taking the readers backstage of a true NYC landmark, Radio City Music Hall, we learn not only the history but the incredible dedication it takes to perform in that historic venue. This book has it all: history, glamour, mystery, terror, family drama and a little romance. If you enjoyed her other books, you'll love "The Spectacular" by one of my favorite authors, Fiona Davis! (Lisa)
The Hope family murders shocked the Maine coast one bloody night in 1929. While most people assume seventeen-year-old Lenora was responsible, the police were never able to prove it. It’s now 1983, and home-health aide Kit McDeere arrives at a decaying Hope’s End to care for Lenora after her previous nurse fled in the middle of the night. This book was a twisted, terrifying puzzle with a story that is so compelling, it will make your head spin. The haunting setting of a mansion on a cliff was described so vividly I felt claustrophobic and yet I felt compelled to keep reading late into the night to finish. "The Only One Left" is a true gothic thriller written by one of the best masters of suspense. I highly recommend this book! (Lisa)
I can't help but love a story that's based on the experiences of three strong women, especially one set on the New England coast that I love so much. The historical Nantucket setting was described so vividly, and the book transported me to that time and place. The womens' stories unfolded and intertwined in a way that revealed so much about both the day-to-day life and the societal challenges of this unique island community. I loved that the ending provided some resolution, but left a little ambiguity, too. An entertaining and enthralling story. (Michelle)
I devoured this book! It was truly an effort to put it down. The characters seemed so real, I felt like they were people I actually knew in real life. Hannah's writing immerses you in the backdrop of wartime Europe - a bleak picture, but amidst that bleakness, she gives you these amazing, inspirational stories of women displaying unbelievable courage and strength in the harshest circumstances. A beautiful story that, although it's set amongst so much evil, contains so much love and light. I rarely re-read books, but this is one I'd read again. (Michelle)
Jodi Picoult never disappoints, and this collaboration with Jennifer Finney Boylan exceeded my expectations. A rich family drama with elements of suspense and a profound commentary on love, secrets, and relationships. The two authors’ voices blend seamlessly into those of Olivia, Asher, and Lily, all of whom have moved to a small town in New Hampshire searching for a fresh start. Their overlapping stories unfold with the pace of a thriller, but also with emotion and insight into the characters’ feelings about the dynamics of their complex relationships, and their place in the world. I was hooked from the first page, and couldn’t put this one down. (Michelle)
Thanks to this story, cozy fantasy is one of my new favorite genres. A wholesome tale with low stakes, this book follows Viv, a retired orc barbarian who has made it her dream to open a coffee shop. Determined to no longer use violence to solve her problems, Viv must learn to adapt to her new lifestyle. For anyone who has ever wondered what happens after your D&D campaign ends, this found family of misfits gives you the best answer possible. (Carrie)
Weaving together history and science, Stone finds new ways to tell the tale of the famous Ship of Dreams. By looking at the Titanic, not as a ship, but as the shipwreck it became, we are able to learn about the tragedy in a whole new way. Using the wreck of the Titanic as a focal point, Stone takes us through the history of shipwrecks, treasure hunters, and salvage operations. A well-written must read for anyone who enjoys nautical and maritime adventures. (Carrie)
With a new take on a fairly traditional fantasy romance trope, this book tells the story of Velasin and Caethari, pushed into a political marriage neither of them were expecting. This story is, all at once, an exploration of Byzantine politics, gender, identity, and self-worth. It caught me off guard in the best way possible. This is the first in a series to be called The Tithenai Chronicles, and I cannot wait to see where the story takes these dynamic and intriguing characters.(Carrie)
When you try to write song that appeals to everyone, it often ends up appealing to no one. Great songs as described in this book usually come by accident as a combination of inspiration and luck. Self-described music geek and journalist Steve Baltin has put together a book that examines 29 iconic songs he considers "Anthems" These songs are timeless and cover all genres of music and are instantly recognized by music fans. Using inteviews of the artists and those involved in their creation, he is able to shed fresh new light on many of them and add to their appreciation. (Bob)
The 30th anniversary of the siege by federal authorities on the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas is recounted by Guinn using first hand accounts of the people who were present during the 51 days of the siege. It makes for an intense experience as the author takes you through the early planning of the raid, the mistakes that may have been made & the response by David Koresh & his followers. He also reports on the lasting impact the raid and resulting siege has had on American Culture. (Kim)