Catherine recommends "Firefighter Flo!"

“Hey, yo! Firefighter Flo!” This picture book, by Andrea Zimmerman, starts with an exuberant call to Firefighter Flo, and the jaunty pace keeps going till the last page. The story is a classic – the fire station gets a call, there’s a building on fire and a dog in danger. The fire rescue team saves the day. There are many books with similar plots; as a parent of a boy who was once obsessed with fire trucks, I’ve read a lot of books about fire fighters, fire engines, fire dogs… This one easily ranks in the top! The rhyming text flows smoothly, and on almost every page there are great sounds: Rings, Stomps, Clangs, and Screeches; Bangs, Whooshes, Smashes, and Crashes! Pictures by Dan Yaccarino complete the fun. This book would be a pure delight to read aloud to any child.

Recommended for Children

 

Taryn Recommends "Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe"

 

 

Jess has bounced between different foster homes for most of her life so she knows better than to set down roots, so it’s fitting that none of the kids at her new high school don’t give her the time of day. Mostly because they think she’s a witch because she’s goth. There is one kid however that seems to want to spend some time with Jess. Oscar wants Jess to use her style and fashion skills to help his cosplay team compete and hopefully win their competitions. Jess blows him off, until she gets a message from her estranged biological mother through Instagram to see if they can meet. Jess wants nothing more than to meet her mom in New York City, but there is one problem, a bunch of paperwork that would never be approved by her social worker. Once Jess learns that there is a cosplay competition in New York City, she agrees to join Oscar’s team so that she can make it to see her mom. As Jess works with her team to make these cosplay costumes work, she begins to realize that it’s actually fun and so is having friends. As the big competition nears, Jess has to decide just how far she’ll go to achieve the “family” that she’s looking for.

I absolutely fell head over heels for this book! It has everything that I could have asked for: nerdy references, found family, and it didn’t sugarcoat the real issues that Jess goes through as a foster child. Not only is this book set in Detroit, but the author is from Michigan, is a former foster teen herself, and even has a Master’s degree in library science. I found that the author’s personal experience made the book that much better and found that I could not put it down.

This is a Young Adult novel, but I think that adults can appreciate the themes that are touched on in this book.

 

Kara recommends "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow"

Gabrielle Zevin is one of my favorite authors, and her latest novel does not disappoint! 

From Amazon:

On a bitter-cold day, in the December of his junior year at Harvard, Sam Masur exits a subway car and sees, amid the hordes of people waiting on the platform, Sadie Green. He calls her name. For a moment, she pretends she hasn’t heard him, but then, she turns, and a game begins: a legendary collaboration that will launch them to stardom. These friends, intimates since childhood, borrow money, beg favors, and, before even graduating college, they have created their first blockbuster, Ichigo. Overnight, the world is theirs. Not even twenty-five years old, Sam and Sadie are brilliant, successful, and rich, but these qualities won’t protect them from their own creative ambitions or the betrayals of their hearts.
 
Spanning thirty years, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Venice Beach, California, and lands in between and far beyond, Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a dazzling and intricately imagined novel that examines the multifarious nature of identity, disability, failure, the redemptive possibilities in play, and above all, our need to connect: to be loved and to love. Yes, it is a love story, but it is not one you have read before.

This book is best for adult readers.

 

Alicia recommends "Lessons In Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus

What was life really like for women in the late 1950s and early 60s?  Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not an average woman, she is a female chemist at an all-male research facility.  The only non-misogynist male at the facility is Calvin Evans, a brilliant scientist.  When they meet the chemical attraction is immediately evident and they soon are a couple.  Because life is messy and there is not always a happy ending to every story, Elizabeth finds herself a few years later on her own with a child. Elizabeth is the popular host of an afternoon cooking show called, Supper at Six.  She is teaching the afternoon housewives and children how to cook with chemistry.  Along with recipes that include H2O and a quarter teaspoon of sodium chloride, she is blunt, honest and the public "eats" up the witty unconventional comments. Filled with uncommon characters such as six-thirty the dog, Mad her daughter and a host of others.  This was funny, witty, and poignant. 

Catherine recommends "Three Strike Summer"

Gloria Mae Willard wants nothing more in life than to play on a baseball team. She could strike out anyone, if she only had the chance to show off her pitching skills – but she has yet to find a baseball team that will let a girl play. When her parents have to sell their house in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl and move to California where they work as migrant farmers, everything in Gloria’s life seems like it has turned upside down. There is barely enough food to eat, they live in a shanty, they have no freedom to go where they want, and they can’t even eat the peaches that surround them in the orchard. Yet in the midst of the family’s turmoil, Gloria learns there is a secret baseball team – and this time, she is going to find a way to play. I was immediately drawn into this story of a stubborn girl who learns to stand up for herself and for her community. I think anyone who reads this will want Gloria to be on their team!

I would recommend this for middle grade readers – upper elementary and middle school.

Justine recommends Danse Macabre by Stephen King

In Danse Macabre, Stephen King gives an overview of the horror genre from the years 1950-1980.  Originally published in 1981, the book functions as both a historical retrospective and a time capsule of the period it was written in, when Stephen King was new to his success and grappling with the issues of the early 1980's.

"Ranging across the whole spectrum of horror in popular culture and going back to the seminal classics of Count Dracula and Frankenstein, Stephen King describes in his ideas how horror works on many levels, and how he brings it to bear in his own inimitable novels."

Although this is an older title, it's a newer edition to our collection.  Check it out today!

Katie recommends "The Door of No Return"

For anyone who knows me, you know I love a novel in verse! Kwame Alexander’s new one does not disappoint.

This book is POWERFUL. The first book in a soon to be trilogy, The Door of No Return follows Kofi Offin, an 11 year old boy from Ghana in the 1860s. Alexander beautifully weaves details of Ghana’s geography and culture into the descriptions of every day life. I just felt an intense sense of dread as I read this, knowing that something awful was coming and I just…couldn’t stop reading. This book is beautiful, brutal, and a little bit hopeful.

I would recommend this to more mature middle grade readers (grades 5 and up), as some scenes include graphic violence. Definitely recommend to teens and adults as well. The audiobook is fantastic.

 

 

Taryn recommends "That's Not My Name!"

 

Mirha is excited to go to school and make some new friends. However, when she gets there no one can pronounce her name correctly, even the teachers! She’s too scared to correct them. When a fellow classmates asks if he can call her Maya because it will be easier for everyone, she wants to shout, “That’s not my name!” She thinks it might just be easier to change her name. That way people can always pronounce it correctly, she can find keychains with her name on it, and maybe she can even make a friend. After school that day, Mirha tells her mom her plan to change her name to something else. Her mom tells her the special meaning behind her name and that if people can remember other famous difficult names there’s no reason that they shouldn’t be able to say hers. The next day at school she tells her classmate that he hurt her feelings and even gives him a lesson on pronouncing her name the correct way. Mirha even makes friends with some classmates who also have special names. In the end Mirha is proud to tell others “that’s not my name,” when they mispronounce or get her name wrong.

I can relate to Mirha because when I was growing up (and even now) people had a hard time pronouncing my name and I could never find my name on personalized items. I always dreading a new teacher in class since I would always be embarrassed to correct them on how to say my name. Like Mirha, I wanted to change my name to something that was easier for others to pronounce. Also like Mirha, I found out the special meaning behind my name and now I love having a name that is unique. There are even times where it makes things easier! I wish that this book had been around when I was younger so that I could have known that it is okay to tell people that’s not my name.

While this is a picture book, I think this book would be good for any child who might be struggling with how they feel about their own name.

Kara recommends "Garlic & the Witch"

 

 

This new middle grade graphic novel will get readers in the seasonal spirit without giving them nightmares.

Garlic loves spending time with Witch Agnes, Carrot, and her new friend, the Count, who has proven to be a delightful neighbor to the village of vegetable people rather than a scary vampire. But despite Agnes’s best attempts to home-brew a vegetarian blood substitute for Count, the ingredient she needs most can only be found at the Magic Market, far from the valley.

Before she knows it, with a broomstick in hand, Garlic is nervously preparing for a journey.

But Garlic is experiencing another change too—finger by finger, she appears to be turning human. Witch Agnes assures her that this is normal for her garden magic, but Garlic isn’t so sure that she’s ready for such a big change. After all, changes are scary…and what if she doesn’t want to be human after all?

This book is a standalone companion to Garlic & the Vampire, and is best for children ages 8-12.

 

Uma recommends "Ghosted!: Exploring the haunting reality of paranormal encounters"

 

 

“Ghosted!: Exploring the haunting reality of paranormal encounters” by Laythe, Brian, author. 

Just in time for Halloween, “Ghosted!” is a spooky read all about “The Haunted people Syndrome Theory”.  Psychologist Brian Laythe is one of the five study collaborators and Ghosted authors. (The others include Jim Houran, Neil Dagnall, Kenneth Drinkeater, and Ciarán O’Keeffe, with a foreword by Chris French and an afterword by Loyd Auerbach).

This book details all that is investigated by a cutting edge research program devoted to understanding who has ghostly experiences and why. With new insights both on a global scale and multidisciplinary in scope, this collaboration between five researchers uncovers consistent evidence that abnormal experiences represent a very real "Haunted People Syndrome.”

ADULT

 

 

Kathy recommends" Cabin Fever" by Michael Smith and Jonathan Franklin

It is March, 2020. Awareness of the Corona virus is growing.  The cruise ship Zandaam is setting sail from Argentina with 1200 passengers and 600 crew members from America, Europe and South America for a tour of the South American coastline. Most of the passengers are retirees, many in their seventies and eighties. So begins the riveting true story of the personal lives of passengers and crew members, each one of them unprepared for the devastating ordeal ahead of them.

Within days, people begin to fall ill. The world’s ports shut down and safe harbor is denied by nation after nation. The plight of the Zaandam becomes headline news. Food and water supplies are dwindling. There are only two doctors on board and few medical supplies to test or treat Covid. This story has all the elements of a horror story, portraying the fear, resourcefulness and heroism of those on board. But tragically, it is true. This book is a true page turner.

 

 

 

Taryn recommends "Gustavo, the Shy Ghost"

Amazon summarizes this book as: 

Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through walls, making objects fly, and glowing in the dark. And he loves almost nothing more than playing beautiful music on his violin. But Gustavo is shy, and some things are harder for him to do, like getting in line to buy eye scream or making friends with other monsters. Whenever he tries getting close to them, he realizes they just can’t see him. Now that the Day of the Dead is fast approaching, what can he do to make them notice him and to share with them something he loves? With fancifully detailed artwork and visual humor, debut picture-book creator Flavia Z. Drago’s vivid illustrations tell a sweet and gently offbeat story of loneliness, bravery, and friendship that is sure to be a treat for little ghouls and goblins everywhere. This book is great for this time of year and is a great read aloud for families. 

As someone who was a very shy kid, and kind of a shy adult, I find that Gustavo is very relatable in the struggles that he experiences throughout the story. While this is a picture book and is targeted for children, I think that it is great for families to share together.

Justine recommends "Warbreaker"

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson is a rare standalone novel in the fantasy genre.  If you're looking to get into Brandon Sanderson but are daunted by his long series, this is a great place to start! Mel's Bookshelf describes the book:

Warbreaker is the story of two sisters, who happen to be princesses, the God King one of them has to marry, the lesser god who doesn't like his job, and a man who's still trying to undo the mistakes he made years ago.  Their world is one in which those who die in glory return as gods to live confined to a pantheon in Hallandren's capital city and where a power known as BioChromatic magic is based on an essence known as breath that can only be collected one unit at a time from individual people.  By using breath and drawing upon the color in everyday objects, all manner of miracles and mischief can be accomplished. It will take considerable quantities of each to resolve all the challenges facing Vivenna and Siri, princesses of Idris; Lightsong, reluctant god of bravery; and the mysterious Vasher.

With Sanderson's newest novel, The Lost Metal, coming out in November, now is a great time to get into his books and their wider universe, the Cosmere.

Phil recommends "Mexican Gothic"

 

As Halloween approaches, I love me some books (and movies) that take place in creepy, haunted gothic mansions and Mexican Gothic does not disappoint. Noemi Taboada, a glamorous, smart, and strong-willed debutante receives a letter of distress from her cousin who is ailing and possibly being held captive by her husband and his family in the distant manor house of High Place in the Mexican countryside. Noemi, determined to rescue her cousin, goes to the mansion to investigate and learns that there are dark secrets lurking within the family living in High Place and, indeed, lurking within the walls of the mansion itself.  Will Noemi overcome these dark forces before they begin to take hold of her?

This book is appropriate for adults.

 

Andrea recommends "The River at Night"

Four friends with little experience set out for the remote Maine woods for some bonding, adventure, and whitewater rafting. What could go wrong? 

When civility takes a back seat to survival and old resentments are brought to the forefront, our explorers must set those aside and work together if they are to make it out alive. I really enjoyed how the tension between the women slowly ratchets up in tandem with the tension of what might be lurking in the wilderness, and the author's descriptions of whitewater rafting down an inhospitable river were vivid and heart-pounding. 

If adventure, survival, and the dynamics of friendship under stress are subjects you're drawn to, this book is for you. It kept me turning pages way past my bedtime. 

This book is for adults.

Katie recommends "Star Child"

This is a fascinating biography of Octavia Butler, the iconic author. I had never read anything by Butler, and really didn’t know much about her. This books was perfect – it’s short, includes poetry, direct quotes from Butler, photographs, etc. The author does a great job of explaining the poetry pieces without dumbing it down. The writing is really beautiful. One of my favorites so far this year.

This book is written for middle grade readers, but I would also recommend this to teens and adults interested in Butler’s life.

 

 

 

Uma recommends "The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II” DVD

 

"The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II" Videorecording-DVD/BBC.

"The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II ",  this 50 minute documentary film discloses the behind-the-scenes story of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The film draws on rare archive footage and eyewitness accounts of participants and historical experts. This program shows how, despite bubbling tensions, diplomatic incidents, and political wrangling, the Queen kept her cool, arbitrated with skill, and stayed true to her vision of a spectacular and special coronation.

This documentary film will be a perfect one to watch with a family to learn more about Royal tradition and the young Queen Elizabeth.

 

 

 

Jess recommends "The secret garden on 81st street : A modern graphic retelling of The Secret Garden"

Sometimes I am skeptical of modern retellings, but I really enjoyed this retelling of one of my childhood favorites. While intended for ages 8 - 12, with it's beautiful illustrations and personable characters, I would recommend this title to graphic novel readers of all ages or fans of the original. A fast-paced, feel-good read that touches on grief, family and friendship, and coping with death in an easy-to-read format that is well worth the read. 

Justine recommends "What Moves the Dead"

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher is an impressive retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher in a novella format.

When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruritania.  What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves.  Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.

If you're itching for something spooky and fungi-infested after reading Mexican Gothic, then check out this book today!

Catherine recommends "Every Dog in the Neighborhood"

 

Louis and his grandmother believe it is important to go for a walk every day. Rain or shine, they set out together with their comfy shoes and open minds. While his grandmother uses her walks to focus on a mysterious project, Louis decides to find out how many dogs live in his neighborhood – a question for which neither his seemingly all-knowing grandmother nor the people who work at City Hall have the answer. In the course of his walks, Louis meets his neighbors and their dogs – big and small, old and young. He learns about engaging in and giving back to one’s community. But most importantly, he learns – and tells the fine people at City Hall – that “All the dogs are good dogs, even the bad ones.” And who can argue with that? A perfect story to share with your family.

Recommended for children, preschool and up.

 

Amy recommends "The Good Sister"

 

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth is a family suspense novel. Fern and Rose are twin sisters who very different but very close. Fern is likely on the autism spectrum though that is never revealed, Rose looks after her as only a sister can. When Rose discovers she cannot get pregnant, Fern decides to have a baby for her. They are hiding a secret from their past that could ruin one of their lives. This book manages to be funny and character driven even while building suspense. Fern is so very likeable and you will find yourself rooting for her even as she makes decisions you know aren’t good.

This book is recommended for adults.

Kate recommends "Dilla Time"

Dilla Time by Dan Charnas tells the story of James DeWitt Yancey, otherwise known as Detroit's most innovative music producer, J Dilla.  The author connects facets of Detroit's unique history and culture to Dilla's equally unusual yet groundbreaking beats.  Though not a household name, he forever changed the sound of popular Hip-Hop music for the 21st century.  He worked with countless famous musicians to revolutionize their sounds until his death from a rare blood disease in 2006 at age 32.  This book blends biography, musicology, local history, music history, and the recollections of friends, family, and colleagues to produce a truly captivating life story.  It includes lots of diagrams to illustrate just how original Dilla's rhythms were in contrast to the standard rules of music.

After moving from Detroit, he even produced lots of music from his basement studio in Clinton Township - yes, THIS Clinton Township!

Recommended for Adults

Natalie recommends "Long Live the Pumpkin Queen"

A follow up to the 1993 stop motion animated move, Long Live the Pumpkin Queen was a pleasant surprise. It follows Sally, the now queen of Halloween Town. As she tries to get acclimated to change, she finds herself finding a long forgotten world, Dream Town. When that awakens the Sandman and curses all of the Holiday Towns to eternal dreamless slumber, it's up to Sally to stop him.  Along the way, she learns more about herself, and the truth about her past.

A good Young Adult read and if you like Nightmare Before Christmas, this is worth a read.

Justine recommends "A Lady for a Duke"

A Lady for a Duke, written by the author of Boyfriend Material, is a fun Regency romp that includes a trans heroine.

When Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo, she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself.  But freedom doesn't come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood.  Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognizes her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become.  As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that would have been impossible once and may be impossible still, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again.

This romance is perfect for Regency fans who prefer more modern takes and tropes in their historical fiction. I recommend to anyone who's a fan of Netflix's Bridgerton or the authors Evie Dunmore and Cat Sebastian.

Lisa recommends "Everybody Says Meow"

A clowder of cats gather on the farm in that time when everybody says Meow. Other animals try to join in and add their noises. While the cats aren’t thrilled at first, they become accepting of the other voices until the last one clears the farmyard. This one is fun for the kids to hear, but adults will be laughing as they read it too. Recommended for ages 2-6 and their families.

Meghan recommends "The Pretty One"

 

 

“From the disability rights advocate and creator of the #DisabledAndCute viral campaign, a thoughtful, inspiring, and charming collection of essays exploring what it means to be black and disabled in a mostly able-bodied white America.”

This July marks the 32^nd anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act. That makes the ADA just one year old than Keah Brown - pop culture journalist, disability rights activist, and author of The Pretty One: On life, pop culture, disability, and other reasons to fall in love with me. In The Pretty One Brown discusses her relationships with her twin sister, her disability (cerebral palsy) and herself – honestly revealing that it took her a long time to see herself as cute, and to accept her disability as a full part of herself. Because the book is an essay collection, readers can easily dip in and out rather than read it cover to cover. I particularly recommend the title essay, “The Pretty One” and “You Can’t Cure Me, I Promise, It’s Fine.”

The ADA works to ensure all people with disabilities (like the real people and characters in this list of books and films) have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

Catherine recommends "I am I am I am: Seventeen Brushes With Death"

 

I picked this up because I was intrigued by the subtitle of this book: “Seventeen Brushes With Death” – who has that many close calls, I wondered? By the end of the first essay, I was hooked. The writing in this memoir is simply breathtaking, and as I read O’Farrell describe each near-death episode in her life, I found myself needing to pause and absorb the impact of the scenes she described. The essays are at times harrowing, but ultimately this is a memoir about embracing life fully, even when (or perhaps, because) it seems most precarious and frightening. I absolutely loved this book and look forward to reading more by Maggie O’Farrell in the future.

 

Adult.

 

 

Jamie recommends "Blood Sugar"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Ruby, your friendly, neighborhood murdered. She admits it. But she did not kill her husband, Of that she is adamant. So then why are the police questioning her for his murder, yet they haven't a clue about the others? This is was an interesting read. The psychology of why Ruby murders and how was intriguing. Generally in thriller, the murderer is a hated character. In this book, Ruby really wasn't I found the writing compelling and I couldn't put it down. It is set in Florida so even though it is a thriller, it also makes for a great beach read.

Natalie Recommends Pride Month Reads

This month, I decided to read a handful of books that evolve around LGBTQ+ themes.  Whether the characters or authors are members of the LGBTQ+ community, I picked up a few that I would love to recommend.  

From Bad to Cursed by Lana Harper, Miss Memory Lane by Colton Haynes, and Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Green, are all targeted towards Adult audiences in our adult fiction and non fiction sections.  They are about LGBTQ+ characters, take place in a world with prominent LGBTQ+ characters, and/or are written by LGBTQ+ authors.

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman is a young adult graphic novel series telling the tail of two high-school students, Nick and Charlie, who start off as good friends, but as time goes on, find that the feelings they have for each other are more than just friendly.  It's a relatable coming of age about two students who face day to day challenges of high-school life while being LGBTQ+.  This has also inspired a Netflix adaptation that did come out earlier this year. 

A Quick and Easy Guide to Asexuality, A Quick and Easy Guide to Queer and Trans Identity, and A Quick and Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns are all apart of the same Quick and Easy Guide to series and can be found in our graphic novel and teen graphic novel section and can be enjoyed by both teen and adult age groups.  

The Rise of Kyoshi and The Shadow of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee are books that I have previously read and recommended.  They can be found in our teen area.  It can also be enjoyed by an adult audience that either like fantasy and/or are familiar with the Avatar the Last Airbender series.

Kara recommends "Skip to My Moo: A Rollicking Barnyard Story"

 

This fun sing-along picture book retelling of “Skip to My Lou” will have your preschooler giggling at, and dancing along with, the farm animals! 

Singing is a great way to help children hear the smaller sounds in words because it often connects each syllable of a word to a note.  It also introduces rhyming and builds vocabulary. 

This book would probably be most enjoyed by young children.

Catherine recommends "Zia Erases the World"

Zia is an eleven year old girl who used to laugh and have fun with her friends until the “Shadoom” arrived. The Shadoom is what Zia calls the anxious feelings that makes her constantly afraid. But then Zia discovers an unusual dictionary in her grandmother’s attic – when Zia uses the blue eraser lodged inside the dictionary to erase the words for things that make her feel sad and anxious, those things magically disappear. Zia thinks she has solved her problems, but instead, chaos ensues. Ultimately, Zia learns that even big and scary feelings are an important part of life. This book is perfect for upper elementary or middle school readers.

 

Emily Recommends "And Then I Found You"

And Then I Found You by Patti Callahan Henry was a beautiful story about family, adoption, first love, and much more. Patti is one of my favorite authors and I love how different each one of her stories are. She writes some great romance stories. This one is apparently a fictional version of her sister’s life story, and it’ll pull at your heart strings. The main character is about to enter an important phase in her life, but she doesn’t feel like she can until she closes a door from the past. When she was young she had to give up her baby girl. She thinks about it every day, but recently it’s bothering her more and more. The story unfolds with people from her past and people she’s newly meeting playing a role in this beautiful, but sometimes sad story. I really liked this book. I would recommend this for adults and teens.

Andrea recommends "Remarkably Bright Creatures"

"Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt is a tender and heartfelt novel about the unexpected turns life can take and the unlikely friendships that can be formed along the way. After the disappearance of her son and the death of her husband, Tova Sullivan copes by staying busy keeping the local aquarium spic and span. It's there she forms a bond with a giant pacific octopus named Marcellus who turns out to be much smarter than anyone realized. When an injury sidelines Tova and she decides it's time to hang up her mop for good, it's up to Marcellus to get Tova to understand his clues about her son's disappearance before it's too late.

This book is for adults.

Katie recommends "Starfish"

 

I am a sucker for a novel in verse, and this book did not disappoint. Bullied by classmates and her family for being fat, 12-year-old Ellie is having a rough year. This book definitely has some heavy moments, but leaves you feeling hopeful by the time you’re finished. Perfect for upper elementary and middle school readers.

 

 

Amy recommends "The Wives"

 

I missed this one when it came out in late 2019. What starts as a typical story of a problematic marriage soon twists and turns into a tale in which the reader has no idea who is telling the truth. I didn’t see the twist coming and that always gets a thumbs up from me.

This book is intended for adults.

 

 

 

 

Emily recommends "Modern Family"

 

You’ve probably seen at least one episode of Modern Family. Prior to a couple years ago, I had viewed bits and pieces of episodes here or there while flipping through channels. I decided a year ago to watch every episode in order, start to finish. I recommend doing just that! I would watch an episode when I was bored or had nothing else to watch. This show is really fun to watch with family and friends. We have all the DVDs at CMPL. Is it worth watching? Yes! This show is really funny at times. I laughed out loud a couple times. You end up getting to know and loving all the characters throughout the seasons. This show is adorable, funny, and entertaining! It has some sappy moments, but not in every episode which is nice. This show is more comedic than anything else. Sometimes you will feel like the same scenarios keep repeating themselves, but in a different way. I still think it’s worth watching! My favorite characters were Cam and Phil. This is not a show I would go back and re-watch, but I’m glad I did watch it all the way through.

Emily recommends "I Found You"

I listened to the eAudiobook version of “I Found You” by Lisa Jewell on the OverDrive app. I just plugged my phone into my car and listened as I would drive. I don’t usually read suspenseful dramas/mysteries, but this audiobook was listened to in high numbers last year in Macomb/Clinton Township. I was curious so I decided to give it a try and branch out from what I usually read, which is romance. If you like suspenseful mysteries or scary books, I think you’ll like this one! This book is for adults only. I really liked the narrator of this audiobook too. Did I like this book overall, personally? I really prefer romances where scary things like these don’t usually happen, but I was trying to read outside of my comfort zone. So, I got what I was looking for in this situation. With that being said, I listened to the whole audiobook because the story kept me interested. The story did switch between present day and the past. The big mystery was revealed at the end and it was definitely sick and twisted. If you’re into that stuff give this book a try. This book includes topics on assault crimes and murder, so if you don’t want to read about that, just skip this book.

 

Emily recommends "Without Merit: A Novel"

Without Merit by Colleen Hoover is completely absurd, but in a good way! I could not put this book down because the storyline was so unpredictable, downright crazy, and funny. This book had romantic, embarrassing, and sad moments. The main character had to battle a couple family issues, and the way she did it was so very realistic and comical. There were some moments that were a little too cheesy for my taste. Would I read this again? Probably not. I’d give this book 3.5 stars. But I am glad I read it because it was a really cute story with a fantastic beginning and a sweet ending (one that wasn’t too fairytale-ish or unreachable). I love romance books and I have to say for Colleen Hoover, this is the least romantic book that I’ve read of hers so far. This one was more of a PG-13 read, but I would still only recommend adults read this.

Borrow this book from CMPL.

Emily recommends "The Other Side of Midnight "

 

This book would be perfect to read when the leaves start changing colors! The Other Side of Midnight by Simone St. James quickly became one of my favorite books when I realized I couldn't put it down. I would 100% read this book again! My eyes were running across each line as fast as they could! This book keeps you on edge until the very last page, and when you read the last word you’ll probably sit there in shock. I loved the beginning, middle, and ending of the book. I don’t enjoy scary books, but this one only had a couple of scary moments which ended up working out perfectly. If you’re like me, and you get scared easily, I bet you’ll still enjoy this book. I was not able to figure out the mystery until it was revealed, so I don’t think this book is predictable. And the big “commotion” in the end is unbelievable. I would highly recommend this book for adults because it has a little bit of everything. A psychic/fortune teller falls into a murder mystery scandal while falling in love... she's a powerful female, main character with great style! 50% mystery, 30% spook, and 20% romance. What more could you ask for?!

Borrow this book from CMPL.

Kara recommends "I'll Build You a Bookcase"

 

This sweet, rhyming picture book focuses on having books around your home and in your world, and then reading them with your little ones.  Share it with your little one today to help establish a daily habit of reading, which encourages a positive association with books and reading later in life. This book is best enjoyed by children under 5, and is available in a Arabic bilingual edition.

 

Catherine recommends "I Won't Give Up My Rubber Band"

The little girl in this book has found a rubber band and it is a miraculous treasure: she imagines endless creative possibilities for what she can do with this rubber band, including using it as a fashion accessory, playing games with new-found animal friends, and even saving the world. If you have ever known a child who discovers treasures in the ordinary things adults ignore, you will recognize the child in this book. Her creativity and passion are captivating. With just a few strokes, the illustrations convey the wide range of emotions that the girl feels as she first finds her treasure and then imagines what adventures she might have with her amazing and beloved rubber band. My whole family laughed at every page of this book!

Children

 

 

Natalie recommends "Shmuel's Bridge: Following the Tracks to Auschwitz with My Survivor Father"

With May being Jewish American Heritage Month, it felt like a good time as any to pick up this book.  I always appreciate a good biography and this sounded like an interesting one.  Told from the perspective of the author, this book discusses his ninety eight year old father, a survivor of Auschwitz, and his journey to retrace his and his brother Shmuel's footsteps.  Though his father's memory is slowly leaving him, what he and the author learn and remember along the way helps the author better understand his father and the life experiences he had.  

This book brings a personal level to the tragedy that was the Holocaust as the author tries to preserve the importance of this past while trying to understand it through his father's eyes, who had experienced it.

ADULT BIOGRAPHY