Staff Picks
Barbara, Reference
The Lioness of Boston by Emily Franklin
Book | eBook
The Isabella Stewart Museum is a museum I have always enjoyed visiting thus it was a pleasure to read this novel about its founder. As a young, married woman, Gardner struggled with acceptance into Boston society and she relished her travels abroad with her husband, acquiring art and developing relationships with famous individuals such as Henry James and John Singer Sargent, whose portrait of her further challenged her reputation. The art in the museum is arranged as it was originally hung in Gardner’s home, a non-traditional arrangement of mixing styles and different types of art, challenging visitors to view art from a different perspective than that typically presented in art museums.
Lone Women by Victor Lavelle
Book | eBook
Reading books about strong women is always a pleasure. Adelaide Henry, the daughter of Black farmers, leaves home after tragedy strikes her family, carrying a very heavy trunk, which she never lets out of her sight. Traveling from California to Montana, she becomes one of the ‘lone women’ taking advantage of a government option for free land for homesteaders in 1915. Her family secret is held within the trunk, which she must relinquish to fight the men who deplore the idea of female homesteaders. She and other lone women she meets learn to survive the challenges of the West, eventually establishing their own community in the Montana hills.
Death of a Bookseller by Bernard J. Farmer
Book
This title introduced me to a new series of books, the British Library of Crime Classics, of which this title is the 100th volume. While on patrol one night, a British police Sergeant encounters a rare book dealer celebrating the purchase of a much sought after title. Their relationship develops an interest in collecting rare books for the Sargent and when his new friend is killed, he is introduced to the jealousies of that world, as those involved in the murder try to acquire the collection his new friend left to him upon his death.
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
Book | Large Print | eBook
Ben Hendricks, a professor and expert on the 20th century composer, Frederick Delaney, is asked by the Delaney Foundation to authenticate a new piece of music recently discovered. In the process of this research, Hendricks learns about Josephine Reed, Frederick Delaney’s companion, and a prodigy who composes music based on sounds she encounters every day. The question then becomes who really composed Delaney’s masterpieces? The novel celebrates the creation of music and challenges the role of legacy when studying its history.
Joan, Youth Services
The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick
Book | Large Print | CD Audiobook | eAudiobook
A Shoe Story by Jane L. Rosen
Book | Large Print
Katherine, Head of Circulation
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Book | Audiobook | eBook | eAudiobook
A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley
Book
A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette
Book | eBook | eAudiobook
Marita, Assistant Director
The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins by by Clint McElroy and Carey Pietsch
Book | eBook
An extremely silly story.
The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett
Book | eBook
Because sometimes you can’t think of what to read, and reread a book for the 700th time. Like most of Pratchett’s work, it’s still great.
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
Book | Large Print | eBook | eAudiobook
A really beautiful work that reimagines The Great Gatsby from an entirely different point of view.
Patty, Administrative Assistant
Don’t Believe It by Charlie Donlea
Book | Large Print
Rachel, Reference
The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Book | Large Print | eBook | CD Audiobook | eAudiobook | Playaway
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
Book | Large Print | eBook | CD Audiobook | eAudiobook | Playaway
Samantha, Circulation
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Book | eBook
These days it’s hard to find a standalone fantasy book that isn’t part of a series. This one has beautiful world-building and a satisfying ending that could grow into more books but doesn’t have to.
The Davenports by Krystal Marquis
Book | eBook | eAudiobook
This was a fun, speedy read about four young Black women in early-1900s Chicago. Great for fans of the Gilded Age series or other period pieces.
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
Book | eBook | eAudiobook
I generally enjoy Christina Lauren’s romances, and this one didn’t disappoint. The concept of using genetics for dating apps probably isn’t too far in the future either.