Author: Molly

Posted in Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Horror, Mystery, Nonfiction, Romance

Library Reads July 2025

Posted on by Molly

Here they are, the top ten books of the month selected by library workers across the country. I really look forward to this blog publishing for many reasons. I like to read lists. I like to hear what other people are excited to read. And I like learning about up-and-coming authors before they hit the mainstream. This is the blog that introduced me to Sarah Gailey, Grady Hendrix, Lucy Foley, Martha Wells, Alix E. Harrow, Nnedi Okorafor, T. Kingfisher and dozens of other incredible authors. I love discovering a new favorite author and the understanding that the world will never run out of fresh voices and ideas. And now, I present to you, the Library Reads picks for July, 2025:

How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold (Poisoned Pen Press)
Seven strangers, all horror writers, are brought together for a reading of the will of Mortimer Queen. They have to survive the night in a classic old house. There are riddles, secrets, tales within tales, and a bit of gore wrapped up into an intricate and pulse-pounding evening. This debut is sure to appeal to fans of mystery and horror.
—Douglas Beatty, Baltimore County Public Library, MD
NoveList read-alike: The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

Typewriter Beach by Meg Waite Clayton (Harper)
A Hollywood starlet is sent to a cottage until her “condition” goes away. She creates a masterpiece with the outcast screenwriter next door. Years later, the screenwriter’s granddaughter returns, finding closure with the legendary actress. Under the shimmer of 1950s movie magic and the shadows of the McCarthy era, this romantic, moody mystery spotlights life in front of the camera.
—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX
NoveList read-alike: Death Upon a Star by Amy Meade

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox (Minotaur Books) 
A sweet 16 party at a Texas mansion takes a deadly turn. A host of unsavory narrators add to the story, revealing a myriad of shocking secrets. Multiple intertwined characters help create a sense of urgency and intrigue, contributing to a buildup of suspense to a shocking conclusion.
—Cyndi Larsen, Avon Free Public Library, CT
NoveList read-alike: The Block Party by Jamie Day

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes by Sandra Jackson-Opoku (Minotaur Books) Savvy Summers is trying to keep her soul food cafe on the South Side of Chicago open, despite a customer being murdered via one of her own pies. She and her coworker, Penny Lopés, attempt to solve the case while fending off developers. This series has fun characters and good food, as well as interesting history and culture.
—Becky Abbott, Santa Fe Public Library, NM
NoveList read-alike: Body & Soul Food by Abby Collette 

Not Quite Dead Yet: A Novel by Holly Jackson (Bantam)
Jet Mason has seven days to solve her own murder after being attacked on Halloween. Throughout the week, she uncovers shocking hidden truths about her family and community. This incredibly propulsive adult debut from a YA powerhouse author lives up to the incredible hook. Feisty, snarky Jet is such a fun lead, and the ticking clock towards her death will keep readers flying through the pages.
—Jenna Friebel, Oak Park Public Library, IL
NoveList read-alike: Don’t Open Your Eyes by Liv Constantine 

The Library at Hellebore by Cassandra Khaw (Tor Nightfire) 
Things at school can be tough. Your roommate thinks you like her boyfriend, your friend won’t shut up about her sorority, and sometimes the faculty’s desire for flesh coincides inconveniently with graduation. What’s a kidnapped, devil-touched girl to do? Flee to the library, of course! Come for the body horror, stay for the revolutionary spirit
—Krista Feick, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH
NoveList read-alike: The Library At Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy: Book 1 of the Dearly Beloathed Duo by Brigitte Knightley (Ace)
In a world of amazing and strange magic, a healer and a killer make an unlikely alliance that may inadvertently save the lives of thousands. This debut is an absolutely delightful spin on enemies-tolovers with fantastic prose, intelligent characters, sarcastic and quippy conversation, and desperately denied pining.
—Brenna Timm, High Plains Library District, CO
NoveList read-alike: Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna (Berkley)
Sera had great powers until she performed a spell that cost nearly all of her magic. Now, there’s a chance she could get her magic back, and become more than just an innkeeper with a house full of quirky boarders under her (falling apart) roof. She will need the help of an attractive historian, a nefarious talking fox, and the rest of her hodgepodge found family. Utterly delightful, and a bit bittersweet.
—Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public Library, NY
NoveList read-alike: The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski 

The Satisfaction Café by Kathy Wang (Scribner)
Taiwanese immigrant Joan realizes her childhood dream—a café where hosts ask diners questions and provide pleasant conversation. Wang brings up the issues of sadness, isolation, and loneliness in a quiet, restrained way, and offers a graceful pragmatic character in Joan. If cafés can offer cats to make people happier, why can’t true human companionship be offered?
—Donna Ballard, LibraryReads Ambassador, NY
NoveList read-alike: Rental Person Who Does Nothing by Shoji Morimoto

BONUS PICK

Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar: A Novel by Katie Yee (Scribner)

NOTABLE NONFICTION

The CIA Book Club: The Secret Mission to Win the Cold War with Forbidden Literature by Charlie English (Random House)

JULY TOP PICK

The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst (Bramble)
On a remote island during a snowstorm, outside a magical greenhouse, Turlu the librarian wakes from her punishment as a statue—fully human again, and really cold. How did she get here? How was she freed? Who is the mysterious and attractive gardener, and can he help? Readers of cozy fantasy will be enchanted with this parallel story set in the world of The Spellshop.
—Crystal Faris, Kansas City Public Library, MO
NoveList read-alike: The Honey Witch by Sidney J. Shields

If none of the one dozen new books listed above are ringing any bells of excitement, please consider using Mead’s Your Next Five Books reader’s advisory tool. Provide us with your favorite books, authors, and genres and Mead staff will send you list of five books we suspect you will enjoy. Try also Your Next Five Movies for a list of film suggestions because Mead has a super bonkers DVD collection and I think you can benefit from it.

Posted in Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Nonfiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Thrillers

Library Reads May 2025

Posted on by Molly

There’s at least one thing I will never become tired of as a lover of books and libraries, and that’s learning what everyone has been reading lately. I also love to learn what everyone is excited to read in the future, which is why I find Library Reads so incredibly useful. This condensed ten-book list highlights some of the most unique and anticipated reading material for each month. The mission here is to promote inclusivity and diversity in a world that doesn’t always value these things. Amplifying emerging author voices via grassroots word-of-mouth is that pure library activism I signed up for in library school, so I am happy to be able to post the list here.

Below, I listed the top ten fiction books and non-fiction book of interest recommended by library workers and patrons all over the country. It’s early enough in the month that several titles have not reached their publication day at the time I am writing this blog, so keep checking back for their availability status.

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie (Tor Books)

In an alternative medieval Europe, a young monk is tasked to lead a disparate group of supernatural beings on a holy quest using very unholy methods. Abercrombie’s endlessly quotable wit, deft character work, crackling dialog, and gift for large cinematic action set pieces are on full display. This novel about found families will absolutely draw in new readers.

—Gregg Winsor, Johnson County Library, KS
NoveList read-alike: The Maleficent Seven by Cameron Johnson

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune (Berkley) 

Alice is more comfortable behind a camera than living her life. When her Nan has surgery, Alice takes her for rest and relaxation at their favorite lake cottage. Alice falls for their handyman neighbor Charlie, who brings her out of her shell and lets her discover who she really is in this fun and flirty romance.

—Jacquie Daddato, Cherry Hill Public Library, NJ
NoveList read-alike: Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

Silver Elite by Dani Francis (Del Rey) 

In a grim future, a military dictator sends forces after modified humans with psychic powers. Most have a tell when they use their powers. Wren wants revenge on those who destroyed her family, but she has a secret: she has powers, but no tell. Nonstop action, great worldbuilding, and a blisteringly hot enemies-to-lovers romance make this a winner.

—Jayna McDaniel-Browning, Delaware Library, OH
NoveList read-alike: Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole

The Names: A Novel by Florence Knapp (Pamela Dorman Books) 

This debut novel is told in three alternating storylines based on three different names that the main character could have been given at birth. What results is a beautiful and nuanced story of a family attempting to survive and overcome domestic abuse and forge their own identities in the process. 

—Jessica Sweetland, Manchester Public Library, CT 

NoveList read-alike: The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller 

A Fate Forged In Fire: A Novel by Hazel McBride (Delacorte Press) 

Stakes are high for the kingdom of Tir Teine. A toxic influence looms in the form of the True Religion, a patriarchal group that condemns magic. Aemyra is fierce, headstrong, and unapologetically ambitious as she prepares to claim the throne. Fast action, romantic drama, mythical creatures, and the sinister allure of a dangerous cult will pull readers in. 

—Marcie Fitzherbert, Fort Myers Regional Library, FL
NoveList read-alike: Fever series by Karen Marie Moning

Maine Characters: A Novel by Hannah Orenstein (Dutton) 

Two half-sisters meet for the first time at their father’s lake house after his passing. Lucy and Vivian have led very different lives and knew very different versions of their dad. Readers will enjoy the characters, setting, and the twists and turns this story delivers.

—Shelby, Thomas B. Norton Public Library, AL
NoveList read-alike: If We’re Being Honest by Cat Shook

Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan (Forever) 

Hendrix, a strong, intelligent Black woman, has big goals and no time for love. Then she meets billionaire Maverick, and everything changes. The characters are compelling and have strong chemistry. Ryan continues to excel at bringing big topics—in this case Alzheimer’s and racism—to her romances. 

—Laura, West Bloomfield Public Library, MI
NoveList read-alike: Forbidden Promises by Synithia Williams

The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson (Berkley) 

In this modern take on a classic small-town mystery, book club members get drawn into amateur sleuthing when money to repair the town’s community center goes missing. The characters are well drawn and likable, the setting is cozy, and the motives are plentiful. The mystery twists and turns with several reveals leading to a satisfying conclusion. 

—Laura Eckert, Clermont County Public Library, OH
NoveList read-alike: The Mystery of the Crooked Man by Tom Spencer

Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame by Neon Yang (Tordotcom) 

The tale of Yeva, a masked dragon slayer who has never felt truly at home, is both mythic and achingly human. Her journey to Quanbao sets the stage for an exploration of identity, duty, and love. The world building, storytelling, and representation has made Yang an author to watch in the realm of queer fantasy. 

—Addy, Montrose Regional Library District, CO
NoveList read-alike: Singing Hills Cycle series by Nghi Vo

BONUS PICK:

A Showgirl’s Rules for Falling in Love by Alice Murphy (Union Square & Co.)

NOTABLE NON-FICTION:

The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want by Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna (Harper)

PICK OF THE MONTH:

The Missing Half: A Novel by Ashley Flowers with Alex Kiester (Bantam) 

Nic has been messed up since her older sister went missing. Enter Jenna, who is searching for connections between her sister’s disappearance and Nic’s. They decide to work together to uncover what happened, but the deeper they get the harder it becomes. A twist ending completely turns the tables on this tightly written thriller. 

—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX
NoveList read-alike: Night Will Find You by Julia Haberlin 

If this crop of Library Reads book picks is not causing you excitement, please consider using Your Next Five Books, Mead’s book recommendation tool. There is a team of voracious readers on staff who are at the ready. All we dream of is (metaphorically) hurling our favorite book picks at a receptive audience of readers. See you at the library, and happy reading.

Posted in Uncategorized

Library Reads April 2025

Posted on by Molly

According to the five-second Google search I just conducted, one book is published about every eight seconds, which equates to roughly 11,000 books per day. PER DAY. With those kind of numbers to contend with it’s a wonder any of us can push past the choice paralysis and pick out a single solitary book. 

Once again, librarians have you covered. Below, I listed the top 10 adult fiction and nonfiction books hand picked by library workers and enthusiasts across the country, and roundly agreed upon to be worthy of our time and attention. 

Book descriptions are contributed to Library Reads by working librarians around the country. Scroll all the way to the bottom to reveal this month’s top pick.

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee (MIRA)
In the midst of the COVID pandemic of 2020, Cora’s haunted by her deceased sister and stalked by a serial killer as her chaotic life spirals further out of control. The journey to finding her way back to some semblance of normal won’t be easy. Readers seeking a book blending slasher and bio-horror need look no further.
—Jolie Hanlon, Girard Free Library, OH
NoveList read-alike: The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones 

Cold Eternity by S.A. Barnes (Tor Nighfire)
Hiding out due to a political scandal, Halley decides to take a job in the most remote place she can find. That turns out to be a large space barge holding cryogenically frozen wealthy people. The horror begins as Halley starts hearing noises and notices a presence at the foot of her bed. Thrilling and downright scary, this is a must-read.
—Terri Smith, Cornelia Library, GA
NoveList read-alike: Crypt of the Moon Spider by Nathan Ballingrud

A Drop of Corruption: An Ana and Din Mystery by Robert Jackson Bennett (Del Rey)

Din and Ana return in a new sci-fi/fantasy mystery. This time an official in the Treasury delegation has gone missing from a locked room. Tense negotiations are ongoing between the Treasury and a small outpost kingdom. What Din and Ana find is a hidden hornet’s nest and extreme danger to the Empire. Can the two stop a terrorist from destroying everything?
—Michelle Ogden, Crawfordsville Dist Public Library, IN
NoveList read-alike: The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older

Murder by Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery by Rachel Ekstrom Courage (Hyperion)
Golden Girls plus cozy mystery equals match made in heaven! This novel is nostalgic fun for fans of the TV show and might even draw some new fans in with the atmospheric 80s Miami vibes. The story is over the-top silly at turns, but it’s all part of the fun. Readers will be left hoping the series continues with more mysteries for the ladies to solve.
—Elizabeth Motyka, Wheaton Public Library, IL
NoveList read-alike: The Excitements by C.J. Wray

The Correspondent: A Novel by Virginia Evans (Crown)
Sybil’s life has centered around her correspondence with both people she knows and with strangers. Why she finds writing easier than conversing soon becomes clear, and her sadness and remove are explained through the events of her past and in her encroaching blindness. The plot unfolds with wonderful character development.
—Mary Robinson, Vernon Area Public Library District, IL
NoveList read-alike: Olive Kittiredge by Elizabeth Strout 

I See You’ve Called in Dead: A Novel by John Kenney (Zibby Publishing)
In this sensational novel, Bud gets a new lease on life after he starts visiting wakes and funerals. With equal measures of laughter and tears along the way, this character-driven novel probes the psyche of the contemporary male mind and takes readers in unexpected directions, all leading to a very satisfying conclusion.
—Todd Krueger, Baltimore County Public Library, MD
NoveList read-alike: Keya Das’s Second Act by Sopan Deb 

Any Trope but You: A Novel by Victoria Lavine (Atria Books)
Margot and Forest are genuinely likeable, though flawed characters, and seeing through their perspective is a delight. The conflicts come from practical issues, and the couple is not kept apart by miscommunication, but by respect for each other’s priorities and values. A love letter to “romancelandia” and the tropes it celebrates.
—Katrina Dagenais, Bucks County Free Library, PA
NoveList read-alike: Unromance by Erin Connor 

How to Seal Your Own Fate: A Novel by Kristen Perrin (Dutton) 
This second book in the Castle Knoll series has Annie involved in another mystery of long past and current murders. Annie realizes she’s being set up when all of the clues point to her. Readers will love that this book builds so well on the last one, and wonder just how many secrets exist in this small rural town.
—Linda Quinn, LibraryReads Ambassador, CT
NoveList read-alike: Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton 

The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig (Del Rey)
Four friends are haunted when another climbs a mysterious staircase and never comes down. Years later, they decide to rescue the boy they lost. What they find is a haunted house preying on their personal nightmares. A coming-of-age story reminiscent of Stranger Things and It—plus all the perfect scary things that Wendig is known for.
—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX
NoveList read-alike: The Children of Red Peak by Craig DiLouie 

BONUS PICK:

The Library of Lost Dollhouses: A Novel by Elise Hooper (William Morrow)

NOTABLE NONFICTION:

No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris (Random House)

TOP PICK:

The Sirens by Emilia Hart (St. Martin’s Press)
In 1800s Ireland, twin sisters are taken from their father and put on a ship bound for Australia. During the voyage, they begin to change as they hear the call of the sea. In 2019, while Lucy looks for her missing sister, she reads her old diary full of strange stories of the sea. Spanning centuries, this novel casts its magic with the story it weaves. 
—Jennifer Winberry, LibraryReads Ambassador, NJ
NoveList read-alike: To The Sea by Christine Dibley

I am pausing to briefly note that all Wisconsin library users have access to the excellent reader’s advisory tool, NoveList, among dozens of other resources. We have these nice things provided to us from a variety of funding sources, including funding from the federal level. Learn more about the importance of these funds and how their distribution is changing by clicking HERE. To satisfy curiosity about NoveList click HERE and take a spin around the block.

The above titles I listed will start dropping throughout the month of April. Reserve your copy now, and avoid the wait. What to do if none of the library picks appeal? Consider using Mead’s Your Next Five Books service. Learn more by clicking HERE. Library staff are more than happy to connect our community with great books for any occasion, ritual, emergency, and ordeal. 

Posted in Adult, Award Winners, Film

Oscar Round-up: What to Watch While You Wait

Posted on by Molly

For me, it has been a year of folding inward and away from general awareness of the world at large. I have been keeping calm and sane dwelling on my interiority and reading dozens and dozens of cozy mysteries that take place in seaside bookshops and whatnot. Knowing this, perhaps my surprise that Oscar season was upon us can be forgiven. Not only had I not been aware that the big day was imminent until like, the day before the Oscars aired, I had no idea who and what the nominees were. Once I allowed myself the chance to emerge from the dank hole I live in, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and breadth of the nominees. 

Below, I listed all ten Best Picture nominees, along with films similar in tone to enjoy while waiting for Oscar 2024 holds to arrive. All listed films are available in the Monarch catalog in DVD and/or BluRay format, and often Academy Award winners in their own right. Blurbs sourced from IMDB.

Anora (Neon) starring Mikey Madison and Directed by Sean Baker
What to watch while you wait: Humanist explorations of people living on the fringe. Lucky for us, this is Baker’s bread and butter. 

Tangerine (2015) starring Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor; this film is notable for being the first feature-length film shot entirely on iPhones.
A hooker tears through Tinseltown on Christmas Eve searching for the pimp who broke her heart.

The Florida Project (2017) starring Brooklyn Prince, Bria Vinaite, and Willem Dafoe
A single mother and the manager of a roadside motel do their utmost to maintain the innocence of a six-year-old girl’s life.


The Brutalist (A24) starring Adrian Brody and directed by Brady Corbet
What to watch while you wait: Cinematic with a capital “C” period pieces.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) starring Noemie Merlant and Adele Haenel
On an isolated island in Brittany at the end of the eighteenth century, a female painter is obliged to paint a wedding portrait of a young woman.

Once Upon a Time in America (1984) starring Robert De Niro and directed by Sergio Leone
A former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster returns to the Lower East Side of Manhattan 35 years later, where he must once again confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life.

A Complete Unknown (Searchlight) starring Timothee Chalamet and Elle Fanning
What to watch while you wait: Musician biopics, but maybe the musician is a big jerk.

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) starring Oscar Isaac and directed by the Coen Brothers
A week in the life of a young singer as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961.

Crazy Heart (2009) starring Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal
A faded country musician is forced to reassess his dysfunctional life during a doomed romance that also inspires him.

Conclave (Focus) starring Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci
What to watch while you wait: Catholic church-adjacent thrillers and controversies.

The Name of the Rose (1986) starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater
An intellectually nonconformist friar investigates a series of mysterious deaths in an isolated abbey. 

Doubt (2008) starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams
A Catholic school principal questions a priest’s ambiguous relationship with a troubled young student. 

Dune: Part Two (Warner Bros.)
What to watch while you wait: epic, sprawling, and ambitious crowd-pleasers

Lawrence of Arabia (1962) starring Peter O’Toole and Alec Guinness
The Story of TE Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during WWI in order to fight the Turks.

Stargate (1994) starring Kurt Russell and James Spader
An interstellar teleportation device, found in Egypt, leads to a planet with humans resembling ancient Egyptians who worship the god Ra. 

Emilia Pérez (Netflix) starring Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofia Gascon
What to watch while you wait: stories that center on living an authentic life. 

I Saw the TV Glow (2024) starring Justice Smith and Jack Haven
A teenager just trying to make it through life in the suburbs is introduced by a classmate to a mysterious late-night TV show.

Joyland (2022) starring Ali Junejo and Rasti Farooq
The youngest son in a traditional Pakistani family takes a job as a backup dancer in a Bollywood-style burlesque and quickly becomes infatuated with the strong-willed trans woman who runs the show. 

I’m Still Here (Sony Classics) starring Fernanda Torres and directed by Walter Salles
What to watch while you wait: family dramas in times of war or conflict.

Roma (2018) starring Yalitza Cuaron and directed by Alfonso Cuaron
A year in the life of a middle-class family’s maid in Mexico City in the early 1970s.

Empire of the Sun (1987) starring Christian Bale and directed by Steven Spielberg
A young English Boy struggles to survive under Japanese occupation of China during WWII. 

Nickel Boys (Amazon/MGM) starring Ethan Herisse and directed by RaMell Ross
What to watch while you wait: reform school buddy films and coming-of-age pictures.

The 400 Blows (1959) starring Jean-Pierre Leaud and directed by Francios Truffaut
A young boy, left without attention, delves into a life of petty crime.

Crooklyn (1994) starring Alfre Woodard and directed by Spike Lee
Semi-autobiographical portrait of a school teacher, her stubborn jazz musician husband, and their five kids living in Brooklyn in 1973.

The Substance (Mubi) starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley
What to watch while you wait: mind-bending horror-adjacent and stylish thrillers. A smidge of body horror.

Mandy (2018) starring Nicolas Cage and directed by Panos Cosmatos
The enchanted lives of a couple in a secluded forest are brutally shattered by a nightmarish hippie cult and their demon-biker henchmen, propelling a man into a spiraling, surreal rampage of vengeance.

The Fly (1986) starring Jeff Goldblum and directed by David Cronenberg
A brilliant but eccentric scientist begins to transform into a giant man/fly hybrid after one of his experiments goes horribly wrong. 

Wicked (Universal) starring Cynthia Eriv and Ariana Grande
What to watch while you wait: eye-popping, crowd-pleasing musicals.

In the Heights (2021) starring Anthony Ramos and Corey Hawkins
In Washington Heights, a sympathetic New York bodega owner saves every penny every day as he imagines and sings about a better life.

Into the Woods (2015) starring Anna Kendrick and directed by Rob Marshall.
A witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree. 

Did you notice how I did not include which film was nominated for which award or who won what? There are five million articles out there to this effect. Like the article HERE for instance, if one desired this information.

Not a big prestige/award season movie lover? Don’t worry, Mead owns copies of the highest art and lowest trash fit for the silver screen. Consider using our Your Next Five Movies tool, and be watching the movie of your dreams in no time. 

Posted in Adult, Audience, Biography & Memoir, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Horror, Mystery, Nonfiction, Romance, Science Fiction

Library Reads February 2025

Posted on by Molly

If you are anything like me, you love to know what books other people are reading. In particular, it’s interesting to learn what other library workers are excited about. Below, I have listed the top 10 fiction and nonfiction books hand picked by America’s library staff. Book blurbs sourced from publishers and selecting librarians.

TOP PICK: First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison (Berkley)

A cute story about Lucie, whose daughter calls into a radio show for people looking for love. Aiden, the show’s host, is taken by her honesty and invites her to the show to document her quest for love. It’s a bumpy ride, but Aiden is there the whole way! Readers will love the tension between Lucie and Aiden, and the secondary characters are chef’s kiss.
—Claire Schroeder, Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library, OH;
NoveList read-alike: Is She Really Going Out With Him? by Sophie Cousens

Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis (Bramble) 

This cozy romance features a librarian hiding out as a dark wizard, a witch queen who’d rather nerd out about experiments, and the most wonderfully supportive found family. This has all the tropes you love of romantasy with the added bonus of witty banter, snarky witch queens, and a heart-melting romance. Give this one to fans of The Princess Bride.
—Sarah Bean Thompson, Springfield-Greene Cty Library, MO;
NoveList read-alike: Sword Crossed by Freya Marske

The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens (Mulholland Books) 

Hana, a librarian in a small town in Minnesota, lives a quiet life until the day a detective informs her of her close friend’s murder. Knowing her friend’s death is tied to her, Hana’s afraid she’s next. This historical thriller alternates between present day and 1995 Bosnia with a plot that’s intense and gritty, and writing that’s moving and heartbreaking. 
—Connie Laing, Great River Regional Library, MN; 
NoveList read-alike: Groundskeeping by Lee Cole

Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito (Liveright) 

Dark and diabolical, this is a tale of a governess pushed to the limit. Arriving at an estate to care for two spoiled brats, she must deal with a barrage of verbal and physical abuse, until Christmas arrives and she can take it no more. This gruesome gothic tale full of dark wit and horror is reminiscent of Sweeney Todd. 
—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin,TX; 
NoveList read-alike: Maeve Fly by CJ Leede

Isola: A Novel by Allegra Goodman (The Dial Press) 

This novel is based on the true story of Marguerite de la Rocque, an aristocratic French girl who was marooned with her lover on an island off of Canada in the 1500s. When her parents pass away, she’s entrusted to a guardian who seeks adventure and uses her fortune to finance his travels. Readers will enjoy her adventures as she makes a new life. 
—Claire Talbot, Greece Public Library, Rochester, NY;
NoveList read-alike: Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff

I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming (Berkley) 

When Dory Valentine is abducted and transported to another planet, she ends up falling for not one, but two sexy aliens. As you might expect, this book is funny, sexy, and very fast-paced. The subplot about her alien abduction—and the reasons behind it is interesting and intricate. Readers will absolutely look forward to more from this up-and-coming author.
—Dontaná M., Oak Park Public Library, IL;
NoveList read-alike: Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall (Flatiron Books) 

When Theo arrives at her new fiance’s family retreat, she realizes she has been there before. As the secrets this family has been holding onto for years start to come out, this drama goes in a dark, suspenseful direction. Just when you think you know where this is headed, it becomes full of twists and turns. Yes please! 
—Paige N., LibraryReads Ambassador;
NoveList read-alike: The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister (William Morrow) 

Cam can’t believe it when her husband Adam takes three hostages in an abandoned warehouse. Seven years later, Adam’s betrayal rears its ugly head again. Will Cam turn to amateur sleuthing, or put everything behind her and find closure? McAllister uses her standard smooth and emotional style to make sure all the puzzle pieces click together for a satisfying ending.
—Cari Dubiel, Twinsburg Public Library, OH;
NoveList read-alike: The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce (Minotaur Books) 

Mina, a newly minted child psychologist, meets Sam, a journalist, who seeks her help on a piece about Alice, a teenager who claims to be possessed by a witch. Mina agrees, and they find themselves in a very unsettling small town, experiencing strange things that they can’t explain. This book is just spooky enough that you may want to read it with the lights on!
—Melissa Turner, Maricopa Library & Cultural Center, AZ;
NoveList read-alike: The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister

The Strange Case of Jane O.: A Novel by Karen Thompson Walker (Random House) 

After Dr. Henry Byrd is summoned by police to see Jane O. at the psychiatric hospital, they want him to reveal her confidential information: has she really lost three days under a dissociative fugue, or is she faking it to cover up a crime? This unique novel explores the idea of alternate and parallel realities, grief, friendship, and trust. 
—Donna Ballard, LibraryReads Ambassador;
NoveList read-alike: The Possibilities by Yael Goldstein

BONUS PICK: A Forty Year Kiss by Nickolas Butler (Sourcebooks Landmark)

NOTABLE NONFICTION: Fearless and Free: A Memoir by Josephine Baker (Tiny Reparations Books)

Didn’t see anything that tripped your trigger on the above list? Take a look at the Library Reads archive by clicking HERE. They have been at this once a month since 2013. The assembled lists reflect our collective shifts in reading habits and desires, which I think is fascinating. Still at a loss for what to read next? Take a look at Mead’s Your Next Five Books tool by clicking HERE. Send us a list of your favorite books, authors, and genres, and we will send back a custom list of at least five books you might like. Happy reading!

Posted in Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Horror, Mystery, Nonfiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Thrillers

Library Reads January 2025

Posted on by Molly

Did you ever wonder which new and upcoming book releases and authors librarians get excited about? Below, I listed the top 10 adult fiction and nonfiction books hand picked by librarians across the country, and roundly agreed upon to be worthy of our time and attention.

Book descriptions are contributed to Library Reads by working librarians around the country. Scroll all the way to the bottom to reveal this month’s top pick.

Out of the Woods: A Novel by Hannah Bonam-Young (Dell) 

In this follow-up to Out on a Limb, high school sweethearts Sarah and Caleb find that over a decade into marriage, their relationship has changed. They resolve to rekindle things through a weeklong couples retreat, camping in the wilderness. This second-chance romance features flashbacks and great character backstories that elevate it from the typical trope.

—Cari Dubiel, Twinsburg Public Library, OH

NoveList read-alike: Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

The Note: A Novel by Alafair Burke (Knopf) 

Three friends reunite in the Hamptons only to have chaos ensue after a night spent out drinking. The fast moving narrative features multiple narrators and lots of unexpected twists. Burke has delivered another excellent psychological thriller.

—Cyndi Larsen, Avon Free Public Library, CT 

NoveList read-alike: We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz

Babylonia by Costanza Casati (Sourcebooks Landmark) 

Semiramis was abandoned by a fragile mother and raised by a cruel stepfather. She grows up learning that to belong in a male dominated society, she has to think and fight like a man. The author’s research, vivid descriptions, and memorable characters make for a great read. 

—Linda Sullivan, Mission Viejo Library, CA 

NoveList read-alike: Wings of Fury by Emily R. King

The Favorites: A Novel by Layne Fargo (Random House) 

This novel looks at ambition and the elite figure skating world with a sharp eye and a fierce writing style. It’s a dishy story of an Olympic ice dancing couple with some truly romantic moments, the pacing of a thriller, and a documentary interview style that effectively propels the story along.

 —Jodi Prather, Bartholomew County Public Library, IN 

NoveList read-alike: Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia (St. Martin’s Press) 

Stephanie, heading to a work conference, meets Jasmine, who is running from an abusive relationship. They find themselves connected to Trent, a raging narcissist. When both women turn up missing, evidence is found at Trent’s house. This fast-paced plot will keep readers guessing until the very last page of the book.

—Melissa Turner, Maricopa Library & Cultural Center, AZ

NoveList read-alike: Leave the Girls Behind by Jacqueline Bublitz 

Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura (Berkley) 

This delightfully madcap adventure through dangerous jungles and beautifully realized relationships will appeal to fans of Segura’s first romance, but can be read on its own. Perfect for patrons who are looking for the quirky banter of India Holton or the academic wit of Ali Hazelwood.

—Clay Chiment, Ulysses Philomathic Library, Trumansburg, NY

NoveList read-alike: The Jewel of the Isle by Kerry Rea

Water Moon: A Novel by Samantha Sotto Yambao (Del Rey) 

At Hana’s pawnshop in Tokyo, people can sell their regrets. While Hana provides relief for them, she desperately seeks answers for her father’s disappearance. Enter Key and his scientific mind. A fascinating blend of magical realism, mystery, romance, and hope.

—Crystal Faris, Kansas City Public Library, MO 

NoveList read-alike: Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy

The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill (Avon) 

In this aching “what if?” story, Darby goes back to his Midwest hometown and finds everything has changed but the In Between Bookstore—in fact, when he walks in, the person behind the counter is the sixteen-year-old version of himself. A tender look at how events change and create us— and how not even the closest people to us can know what’s going on in our heads.

—Jessica Trotter, Capital Area District Libraries, MI 

NoveList read-alike: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson (Poisoned Pen Press) 

Poe, a popular true-crime podcaster, has the tables turned on her when a caller claims to know her past. Poe took out her mother’s killer years ago, but the caller says she got the wrong person. This tightly wound cat-and-mouse game asks all kinds of moral questions, and readers will enjoy the many twists and turns.

—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX 

NoveList read-alike: Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

Bonus Pick:

Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman (Quirk Books) 

Notable Non-Fiction:

Y2K: How the 2000s Became Everything (Essays on the Future That Never Was) by Collette Shade (Dey Street Books)

Top Pick of the Month:

Good Dirt: A Novel by Charmaine Wilkerson (Ballantine Books) 

When Ebby was a child, she witnessed her older brother’s murder. After being ditched at the altar years later, she escapes to France only to run into her exfiancé, Henry, and his new girlfriend. Ebby is forced to confront Henry and the trauma of her brother’s death. Through a treasured heirloom pottery jar, the novel chronicles the history of Ebby’s family and its resilience.

—Alison Zaya, Pollard Memorial Library, MA 

NoveList read-alike: Acts of Forgiveness by Maura Cheeks

The books listed above can be found in the Monarch catalog, often in a variety of formats. What to do if none of the library picks appeal? Consider using Mead’s Your Next Five Books service. Learn more by clicking HERE. Library staff are more than happy to connect our community with great books for any occasion, ritual, emergency, and ordeal.

Posted in Adult, Audience, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, History, Horror, Mystery, New & Upcoming, Nonfiction, Romance

Library Reads December 2024

Posted on by Molly

Here are the top ten new and upcoming books selected by library workers across the country. We know books, so trust that these titles will thrill. Blurbs sourced from the publisher. Titles linked to the Monarch Catalog.

Not In My Book by Katie Holt

If there’s such a thing as “light academia” this book embodies it, with collegiate setting-fueled banter in a cute, enemies-to lovers romance. As Rosie and her nemesis, the uppity Aiden, are forced to write a book together, opposites attract as they produce each chapter. Readers will love the chemistry between the two writers in this debut novel. 

I Might Be In Trouble by Daniel Aleman

When struggling novelist David wakes up next to a dead body after a hookup with a stranger, he realizes inspiration for his next book may have finally struck. But he’ll need his agent’s help to move the body and avoid the blame first. This mystery thriller is funny, suspenseful, and surprisingly touching.

Keep Me by Sara Cate

Killian is a brute who let his past dictate his life until he met Sylvie. She’s entitled and has a foul mouth according to Killian, but she is the only woman he’d consider entering into a fake marriage with. Sylvie agrees, knowing that 10 million dollars awaits at the finish line. What neither of them expected was to actually fall in love.

Eddie Winston is Looking For Love by Marianne Cronin (to be published Dec. 31, 2024)

Unexpected friendships and second chances come alive in this life-affirming story. 90-year-old Eddie, a volunteer in a resale shop, meets 24-year-old Bella, who brings in the things of her boyfriend who died last year. Through their friendship, Bella discovers Eddie has never been kissed. This read is hope and humanity in a book.

The Resurrectionist by A. Rae Dunlop

This gothic novel is a delightfully atmospheric tale of a medical student turned grave robber, set amidst the dark alleyways of 19th-century Edinburgh. The combination of historical fiction and murder mystery with plenty of medical history will make this a crossover hit with several audiences. Readers will be looking for more from this author. 

Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon

Readers who follow this series will be happy to see Talasyn and Alaric work through their tension and angst and come together in order to save the world from being devoured. The slow burn of the enemies-to lovers romance really sets the pace for the entire book.

Booked for Murder by P.J.Nelson

Madelaine has to live in her late aunt’s home/bookstore for six months in order to inherit. It’s only her first night and she’s already putting out fires, getting threatening phone calls, and finding a body.Does she flee? Nope! She sets out to find the villain. Add in some eccentric women and small town characters for a great cozy mystery.

The Rivals by Jane Pek

Claudia works for a company verifying information for online matchmaking programs. As she digs deeper into a possible A.I. conspiracy, danger rises. With the uncomfortable feeling that the people she’s investigating are being eliminated, Claudia races to solve the case and to manage her complicated personal life. Readers will enjoy the banter, multifaceted characters, and interesting storyline.

North is the Night by Emily Rath

Finnish gods meet mortals in this journey to the underworld featuring two strong heroines, one captured by the Witch Queen of Death and the other determined to rescue her. Aina and Siiri’s bond intensifies even when they are separated. Rath’s world is peppered with gods, shamans, and assorted witches, pushing the story into new territory and making this a unique and original tale.

Rental House by Weke Wang

Keru and Nate decide to rent a summer house, inviting their parents on different weekends of their vacation. She is the child of Chinese immigrants, and he is the son of working class Appalachians. The novel’s dry humor focuses on how each family views Keru and Nate’s marriage compared with their more traditional ideas, making this an interesting study of contemporary marriage

Bonus Pick:

How to Steal a Galaxy by Beth Revis

How to Steal the Galaxy continues the sexy, rip-roaring good time that Beth Revis began in Full Speed to a Crash Landing, with the return of Ada, Rian, and all the tension, twists, and turns that made the first novella so much fun.

Notable Non-Ficiton:

Sisters in Science by Olivia Campbell

The extraordinary true story of four women pioneers in physics during World War II and their daring escape out of Nazi Germany.

If none of the books listed above don’t trip your trigger, consider using Mead’s Your Next Five Books service for a book list tailored to suit individual reading tastes. Not in the mood to read a book? Try Your Next Five Movies, and regret nothing.

Posted in Adult, Award Winners, Fiction, New & Upcoming

Library Reads November 2024

Posted on by Molly

Here are the top new titles librarians are recommending all over the country for November, 2024. Book descriptions have been sourced from the publishers. Click each title to see the Monarch catalog listing:

Top Pick: Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage

Teddy Andersen doesn’t have a plan. She’s never needed one before. She’s always been more of a go with the flow type of girl, but for some reason, the flow doesn’t seem to be going her way this time. Her favorite vintage suede jacket has a hole in it, her sewing machine is broken, and her best friend just got engaged. Suddenly, everything feels like it’s starting to change. Teddy’s used to being a leader, but now she feels like she’s getting left behind, wondering if the life she lives in the small town she loves is enough for her anymore.

Gus Ryder has a lot on his plate. He doesn’t know what’s taking care of his family’s 8,000 acre ranch, or parenting his spunky six-year-old daughter, who is staying with him for the summer. Gus has always been the dependable one, but when his workload starts to overwhelm him, he slips up, and he has to admit that he can’t manage everything on his own. He needs help. His little sister’s best friend, the woman he can’t stand, is not who he had in mind. But when no one else can step in, Teddy’s the only option he’s got. Teddy decides to use the summer to try and figure out what she wants out of life. Gus, on the other hand, starts to worry that he’ll never find what he needs. Tempers flare, tension builds, and for the first time ever, Gus and Teddy start to see each other in a different light. As new feelings start to simmer below the surface, they must decide whether or not to act on them. Can they keep things cool? Or will both of them get burned?

Continue reading “Library Reads November 2024” →
Posted in Uncategorized

Soup O’Clock

Posted on by Molly

The change in seasons this time of year is palpable. The angle and quality of sunlight has shifted lower, and the kids are back in school. It’s important to cultivate things to enjoy for every season, so while the light fades and the days shorten, I urge everyone to do what is right and just. It’s time to start thinking about what kind of soup to make, and to put those plans into action. Below, I picked out some cookbooks that feature recipes for some of my favorite soup and soup-adjacent dishes. The cookbooks I listed are a microscopic fraction of all the cookbooks we have on the shelf at Mead and throughout the Monarch system, if the ones I like to use aren’t appealing. Click each cookbook title to see the Monarch catalog listing. 

The soup: Chili Con Carne
The book: The Enchilada Queen (2016) by Sylvia Casares

This is not strictly a soup, per se, but a soup-adjacent dish that I make all the time. I am not here to have the “is a hotdog a sandwich” conversation applied to what qualifies as a soup, versus a stew, and so on. We’re progressive soup connoisseurs round these parts, and won’t be confined by any narrow definitions. Chili equals soup, I tell you, and this one is so delicious.

I love the recipes in this book because I love Tex-Mex cooking and I enjoy the borderline complexity of Sylvia’s recipes. Her Chili Con Carne is incredibly tasty over the enchiladas she is famous for, but I use it as a Tex-Mex shakshuka base for breakfast quite often. Pour a cup or two into a hot, oily pan, and crack some eggs on top, cover until set. Serve with crusty bread or crispy potatoes, precious. It might ruin all other breakfasts by comparison, that’s how tasty this chili is. 

The soup: Dal
The book: Indian for Everyone (2014) by Anupy Singla

This is a great cookbook for those who enjoy Indian cuisine, but might be intimidated by long ingredient lists and unfamiliar cooking techniques. Singla’s cookbook is the best guide I have come across for home cooks looking to expand their repertoire. Dal in particular is a great dish to have in one’s arsenal because it is delicious, inexpensive, and good for one’s health as dal tends to be lentil-based. It’s also on the lower end of the scale for degree of difficulty, and the ingredients are forgiving. I was thrilled to learn that Alex’s Corner Market, located at 723 Center Ave here in Sheboygan, carries an astounding array of Indian cooking staples, if anyone is looking for a particular variety of dal. A few years ago there was nowhere in town to purchase fresh curry leaves, let alone so many different lentils, and now we have access to this incredible resource. Totally dreamy. Lucky us. 

Singla also published an Indian slow cooker cookbook that is worth the time to track down. I had a copy but lent it to someone, and I forget who that was. If anyone knows who has my copy of this cookbook, please let them know I would like it back.

The soup: Gazpacho
The book: Snacks for Dinner (2022) by Lucas Volger

We might be at the tail end of gazpacho season here in the dregs of summer, but I think this is a recipe to keep handy for next time tomatoes are coming in. Gazpacho is a cold soup made primarily from tomatoes and other summer vegetables. This recipe stood out to me because it also calls for watermelon, resulting in the most refreshing and flavorful gazpacho I have ever tasted. Plus, with a title like Snacks for Dinner, who wouldn’t be moved to try out some of these fantastic recipes? I liked the book so much I bought my own copy to keep at home. 

The book: Cook’s Illustrated Revolutionary Recipes (2018)
The soup: Pasta e Fagioli

Soup is peasant food. If I were alive during feudal times I would for sure have been a peasant. This does not mean the food was bad, it meant the food was simple. Pasta e fagioli, or pasta and beans, depending on one’s mother tongue, checks all my peasant-hearted soup boxes. It is made of common ingredients, it comes together quickly, and it is so comforting and tasty. Plus, it gets finished with grated parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil. Please and thank you. I’ll crawl into a big bowl as soon as the snow starts flying, so hopefully not TOO too soon. 

Any Cook’s Illustrated, America’s Test Kitchen, or Cook’s Country cookbook is worth the time to peruse. This group of related publications has been cranking out top-tier cookbooks for decades now. I like the Revolutionary Recipes book because it is essentially a repository for the best recipes to appear in the magazine counterpart. The recipes might get slightly fiddly because they are highly researched and tested, but this means they are also quite foolproof. These cookbooks are wildly popular, so they will be available in most library collections for years and years. 

The soup: Ramen
The book: Let’s Make Ramen (2019) by Hugh Amano and Sarah Becan

This hand-illustrated guide to creating ramen at home is such a joy to read. The graphic-novel quality of the drawings paired with great ideas and recipes for various ramen elements demystified the hows and whys I had about ramen-making. While I am still a big fan of the $0.25 Maruchan packets and their reliable saltiness and versatility, it’s nice to have an idea of how to level up ramen into a dish I would be happy to serve company. Making ramen is a great way to explore ingredients commonly used in Japanese cooking, and how they might be incorporated into regular rotation in the kitchen and pantry. Any cookbook that broadens the possibilities of my home cooking is the kind of cookbook I want to use. 

The soup: Chicken Stock
The book: Make it Ahead (2014) by Ina Garten

Barefoot Contessa alert! Ina’s Food Network show is one of my all-time comfort shows. Her gorgeous house, kitchen, and garden in the Hamptons provide hours of idle daydream fodder, and her adorable husband Jeffrey is away for work all week. What bliss. Ina’s recipes tend to be of a classic variety, but updated for modern palettes and kitchens. Her process for making chicken stock always knocks me out. She puts a whole five pound chicken in the pot with all the aromatics and simmers it for a million years, resulting in gorgeous golden stock that turns gelatinous after straining and refrigeration. I usually prefer to save scraps for stock-making, or to make soup that creates the stock as the recipe is followed. Store bought is fine, too.

However, when I need to make a super clean and tasty stock, this is my go-to. This recipe appears in all of Ina’s cookbooks, of which there are like a dozen or more. The books are always beautifully produced, and tend to contain recipes that one will actually use again and again.  

What’s your favorite soup to eat? Or to cook? Do you have any deep indelible memories involving soup? I have several. One of my best memories ever is this time my friends and I were out all day one fall. We were still in high school. It was chilly and bright out. We went to my house and my mother had just finished making a big pot of chicken soup, and that bread you bake in a coffee can. The sun was streaming into the kitchen and everything smelled good. She fed us like we were all her daughters, and we were all sisters. That’s what it felt like then. I still know those women, and we still remember that day, and that soup. 

Still feeling unmoved by the idea of soup for din-din? No worries, we can hook you up with a cookbook suited to any particular taste, and we’ll have fun doing so, too. Consider using Mead’s Your Next Five Books service for additional recommendations. This service is not limited to cookbooks, in the event that one is more interested in a different variety of books. Every book its reader, as they say. Happy reading and a very happy soup season to all.

Posted in Adult, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Teen & Young Adult

Awesome Books to Defeat a Reading Slump

Posted on by Molly

When I go through a reading slump, it is generally related to how long I need to wait for my next hold to come in on Libby. I read like I eat fast food; it’s incredibly enjoyable in the moment, but not necessarily nourishing, and mainly forgettable. If I get really stuck I switch to podcasts until I get sick of skipping through ads every 20 minutes. Below, I listed a few remedies to the common reading slump. Maybe they strike seasonally, maybe it’s a regular occurrence, or maybe this reading slump is totally out of character. Hopefully, one of these techniques can help shake things loose regardless of why things are slumping. 

Try a Novella
Novellas range from 60-120 pages by definition, but I am rounding up to 200 for my purposes. A shorter book will take the perceived pressure off of finishing a novel that tends to be 400 or more pages in length. They say that hunger is the best pickle, but I know for a fact that snacks whet the appetite prior to a meal, too. The same can go for reading. 

Mr. Majestyk (1974) by Elmore Leonard; 150 pages
Leonard was the best in the business when it came to writing hard-boiled, violent, and near-mythical characters. This novella is one of my favorites, and pits a watermelon farmer against a bunch of extortionate mobster pinecones. If this book holds any appeal, please see Mr. Leonard’s back catalog. It is extensive. 

Every Heart a Doorway (2016) by Seannan McGuire; 176 pages
This is the first in McGuire’s excellent School for Wayward Children series that is now up to ten books. These interconnected portal fantasies are so gorgeous and compelling, I feel envious of anyone reading them for the first time. McGuire also writes horror novels under the name Mira Grant that are a lot of fun, too.

The Little Prince (1943) by Antoine de Saint-Exupery; 96 pages
Everyone has had about 80 years to get their hands on this charming and affecting novella. It still fills me with wonder and takes me to a place of imagination that can be hard to access as an adult. 

Silver in the Wood (2019) by Emily Tesh; 112 pages
Green Man British Isles mythology meets a sweet and tender queer romance. This book is beautifully written and absorbing. There’s a part two out to enjoy, as well. 

Juvenile Fiction
Returning to the books that made readers out of us in the first place is another way to shake off the cobwebs and light up various dusty brain parts. I was a nascent reader in the 1980s, so many of my formative reads were written before I was born. 

James and the Giant Peach (1961) by Roald Dahl
It might be time for a re-read to remember why this author is still massively popular decades after his death. James was always a favorite of mine, but The Twits are a close runner-up. That Quentin Crisp illustration work is so primo. 

The Black Stallion (1941) by Walter Farley
The Black Stallion was one of the first chapter books I read on my own. I’ve reread the book here and there over the years, and to me, it holds up. The writing is good and the story sweeps along at a good clip. Don’t sleep on the 1979 film based on the book, either. 

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1967) by EL Konigsburg
Total nostalgia ball for the Oregon Trail generation. Who among us didn’t spend an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out ways to sneak into and stay in a museum, or a zoo, or a mall after hours? It’s the city kid equivalent to being marooned on a desert island with a spirited Arabian horse. 

The Westing Game (1978) by Ellen Raskin
Yes, I’ve written about this book in the past, and yes I will write about it in the future. This is the book at the nexus of my reading life. It fascinated me in ways that no other book has matched, and spurred me on to read for pleasure in a purposeful way. It’s in heavy rotation as recommended reading for book lovers of all ages. 

Graphic novels
When I was a kid, comic books still had a bad rap and were not readily available at the school library. My old man loved comic books like Dick Tracy and TinTin, so I would read them too. He encouraged me to look at stuff like Art Spiegleman’s Maus when I was in junior high. It expanded my perception of what literature could be and look like. Graphic novels are great for people who would like to read a book from cover to cover, but maybe don’t have hours in the day to devote to it. 

Fangs (2020) by Sarah Anderson
Get to know a vampire and werewolf as they fall in love. Anderson is an excellent and hilarious illustrator, and this book puts her talents on full display.

Fun Home (2006) by Alison Bechdel
This might be one of the best autobiographical graphic novels of all time. Bechdel recounts her complex childhood and early adulthood through the lens of life at the funeral parlor her family owned and ran. She is a literal genius, and to me, Fun Home is a 21st century must-read. 

Ice Haven (2005) by Daniel Clowes
A tidy one-off story from the hipster prince of 1990s indie publishing. Clowes is most famous for his seminal title Ghost World, which was turned into a Major Motion Picture, but I prefer this unusual volume. It’s part mystery, part meditation on life in the Midwest, but mostly another fascinating character exploration from a master of sequential art. 

Tales From the Loop (2014) by Simon Stalenhag
This is a crowd-funded book that caught on with popular audiences. Tales from the Loop is filled with the most unbelievably beautiful illustrations of a past that never existed, but that we still feel nostalgia for. Also: DINOSAURS.

All-time classics
If a book is still in publication years and years after initial release, and still widely loved, chances are it’s worth the time to read. “Classic” can be a very malleable descriptor, by the way. How would you define a classic book?

Jane Eyre (1847) by Charlotte Bronte
It’s not just a good book, it’s GREAT. Many English speakers probably know the story beats just by virtue of living in the world, but letting the book unwind in print is almost spiritual. Sorry for the gushing, but this book is really really good. 

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (2000) by Michael Chabon
To me, this is one of the more accessible and engaging Pulitzer Prize winners from the last 30 years. I read it when it was first published, and still have vivid memories of entire passages of text. Chabon is known for several highly readable titles like Wonder Boys, and The Yiddish Policeman’s Union that I freely and often recommend. 

The Count of Monte Cristo (1844) by Alexander Dumas
Who doesn’t adore epic tales of revenge spanning decades? This book can still be found in practically any library, book store, and thrift shop in half the world. It has staying power for a reason.

The Catcher in the Rye (1951) by JD Salinger
While this may be a divisive suggestion, the work of JD Salinger changed my life. To me, he defines the ennui, despair, and dissatisfaction that has been percolating through the country since World War II. I read this book as soon as I understood how nervous the story made mid-20th century parents. I didn’t understand all the pearl-clutching, but I DID understand that this was literature, and something different than what I had been reading before. 

Murderbot


The ultimate solution for smashing that reading slump is to read Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries. They are the best books ever written in the history of the written language. Sorry to you James Baldwin, William Shakespeare, and Annie Proulx, but Martha has you all beat. Start with All Systems Red and thank me later for curing your depression and anxiety. 

Still feeling uncertain about what to read? Consider using Mead’s Your Next Five Books reader’s advisory tool. List your favorite books, authors, and genres, and we will prepare a custom list of five books you’re likely to enjoy. We’re always happy to help people in-person, at the second floor desk, too. Happy reading!