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January Staff Picks – 2025


We are kicking of 2025 with some great reading and viewing suggestions. Consider checking out one today.

  • Alison, Circulation

Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke: A very fun and cute kids chapter book.

Book | CD Audiobook

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: This was the best cozy winter read. It’s a classic for a reason!

Book | eBook | eAudio | DVD

The Fire Within by Chris d’Lacey (Book 1 of The Last Dragon Chronicles): This is great for middle-grade readers who enjoy fantasy, specifically dragons! The first book really sets up the characters and lays the groundwork for the dragon lore.

Book | eBook

Icefire by Chris d’Lacey (Book 2 of The Last Dragon Chronicles): The second book really saves the series. More action and dragons!

Book | eBook


Chef (2014 Film): The best feel-good movie. One of my favorites!

DVD

  • Barbara, Reference

James: a novel by Percival Everett: Having read ‘Trees’ by the same author, I was looking forward to reading this title. Reading about Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of James, Huck’s slave, was a pleasure. James’ concern about being sold without his wife or daughter to accompany him was the beginning of James’ trek. I enjoyed the transformation of James as an illiterate slave, as initially depicted by the author, to the well read individual Huck learned he was as their journey progressed. 

Book | Large Print | eBook | eAudiobook | Playaway

Universe in Verse: 15 Portals to Wonder Through Science & Poetry by Maria Popova: I regularly read The Marginalian, originally called Brain Pickings, written by this author and appreciate her discussions about science, poetry, writing, and a wide range of authors. Each of the essays in this recently published title deal with various issues of scientific discovery and are accompanied by a poem written by well known poets such as Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou and others, reflecting its topic.

Book

The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers: Years before her cooking career began Julia Child, then Julia McWilliams, worked for the first American spy agency and ended up serving in the Far East during World War II.  Deemed too tall for the women’s service she worked for the Office of Strategic Services when Lord Louis Mountbatten was in command. Traveling through Southeast Asia, this is also the time she meets her future husband, Paul Child, a mapmaker for the OSS. 

Book | CD Audiobook | Large Print | eBook | eAudiobook

  • Chihiro, Youth Services

The Hotel Balzaar: a Norendy tale  / Kate DiCamillo ; iIllustrated by Júlia Sardà : For fans of the Mercy Watson and Tales from Deckawoo Drive series ready to transition to Middle Grade books, this is the perfect next read! If you’re an adult who enjoyed The Grand Budapest Hotel, you’ll find this story; which hovers between fantasy and reality, fascinating.

Book | eBook | eAudiobook | Wonderbook

  • Kathe, Reference

Of time and turtles : mending the world, shell by shattered shell by Sy Montgomery and illustrations by Matt Patterson: Author Sy Montgomery visits a turtle rehabilitation hospital in Southbridge ,MA and recounts some sweet and some serious interactions with this species. It’s a very tender and wise telling that’s easy to read and very enjoyable. Lots of photo-realistic art is included in the print version.

Book | eBook | eAudiobook

  • Katherine, Circulation

Murder on the Page by Daryl Wood Gerber – cozy mystery

Book | eBook

The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky – holiday romance

Book |

An American Story: Everyone’s Invited by Wilmer Valderrama – memoir

Book |

  • Mary, Circulation

James by Percival Everett

Book | Large Print | eBook | eAudiobook | Playaway

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Book | CD Audiobook | Large Print | eBook | eAudiobook | Playaway

  • Molly, Reference

Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg

Book | eBook | eAudiobook |

The Four-Fold Way by Angeles Arrien

Book |

You Were Born For This by CHANI Nicholas.

Book | eBook |

  • Pat, Reference

Jeeves & Wooster. The complete first season : Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster and Stephen Fry as his manservant Jeeves capture the spirit and hilarity of the P. G. Wodehouse novels.  Need a break and a lot of laughter? Check out the (mis) adventures of Jeeves & Wooster.

DVD

  • Samantha, Circulation

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

Book | Large Print | eBook | eAudiobook

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

Book | eBook

  • Spencer, Cataloging and Technical Services

Amelie

DVD