Catherine recommends "The 13th Day of Christmas"

Holidays can be stressful and gift-giving can be fraught, even though filled with love. This is the story of a perplexed man who is the recipient of all of the gifts from the Twelve Days of Christmas, from the partridges in pear trees to the twelve drummers drumming. Adam Rex wrote and illustrated this book - his illustrations perfectly show the cacophony, confusion, and also the joy that results from so many people, animals, and NOISE all showing up on one man’s doorstep. In desperation, the man goes to see his mother for advice. His journey turns into a parade, and that turns into a chance meeting that gives him an idea of how he can put all of these abundant gifts towards a good purpose. Love and humor abound in this book. It is a great new Christmas story to share; it will make you laugh when you are feeling overwhelmed.  

Recommended for children (and their families!)

Catherine recommends "The Last Resort"

 

Ever since her near-death experience during a family road trip, twelve-year old Lila can see ghosts. This is a problem because her family has just moved into the house that they inherited from her grandfather – a large house that is full of ghosts (including the ghost of Lila’s grandfather) who have unfinished business.  With the help of her little brother, Caleb, and her new ghost-obsessed neighbor, Teddy, Lila tries to understand why the ghosts are so upset and how she can help them. This is a delightfully eerie book from the multiple award-winning author Erin Entrada Kelly. It is just spooky enough to satisfy elementary students who are beginning to have an interest in horror, but not so spooky it will keep them up at night.

In addition to being a great story, there is a bonus interactive element to the book that is sure to engage young sleuths and ghost-hunters: You can scan a QR code at the end of the book to learn more about some of the ghostly characters. You can even help them resolve their unfinished business by doing a few simple puzzles.

This book is the first in what will be a new series – each written by a different author -  so if you read it and enjoy it, you can find out more about Teddy in The Claiming by Jasmine Warga, which comes out in January 2026.

Recommended for upper elementary and middle school.

 

Phil recommends "Pumpkinheads"

 

In this beautifully illustrated graphic novel by Rainbow Rowell, high school seniors Deja and Josiah are working together at the local pumpkin patch as they have done every fall.  They have become seasonal best friends and this is their last night working together before they graduate and move away for college.  Deja convinces the unfailingly dutiful Josiah to loosen up and make their last night at the pumpkin patch an epic one.  Their quest involves searching for Josiah’s secret crush while hitting all of the tasty autumnal snack stations along the way.  Their night of adventure turns into hilarious misadventure as we learn more about Deja’s and Josiah’s unique and heartwarming friendship…and wonder if this might be the beginning of something more.

My wife and I both loved this book as the illustrations reminded us of Greenfield Village at Halloween; it really captures the magic and nostalgia of the season.  The humor, camaraderie, and chemistry between the two protagonists are compelling and make this a light, fun, and cozy fall read.

This graphic novel is for young adults but older readers might enjoy it, too

 

Catherine recommends "Hedgehogs Don't Wear Underwear"

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Taryn recommends "The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science"

Sisters Gertrude, Eugenia, and Dee-Dee Porch don’t belong. They don’t belong in their snooty town of Antiquarium, they don’t belong with their adoptive family, and they certainly don’t belong at Mrs. Wintermacher’s etiquette school. After the girls’ love of science and their unique personalities get them kicked out of the last etiquette school that would take them, their aunt and uncle plan to send them away for good. Then one day the Porch girls receive a mysterious invitation to a new school. At first the girls are wary of this new school where the pizza is fatal and the Dean of Students is a hermit crab, but once they realize that they will be taught by the infamous Millicent Quibb they are excited to see what adventures this new school will bring them. 

I loved this book! This book has it all; humor, adventure, oysters in a bathtub, a bus powered by gerbils. This book reads like “A Series of Unfortunate Events” for a new generation with an eccentric world that’s just bizarre enough to appeal to strange kids everywhere (and maybe a few adults). It is over the top in the best way! Also this is probably one of the most entertaining audiobooks I’ve ever listened to, and why wouldn’t it be with Kate McKinnon narrating it. I think that this is best for grades 4-6, but I could see this being a fun family read as well.

Gretchen recommends "Every Tom, Dick & Harry"

I look forward to each new novel by Elinor Lipman.  This funny romantic comedy exposes small town crushes, criminality, and clandestine rendezvous at a B&B that doubled as a brothel in this feel good love story.  As in her past novels, Lipman’s writing style is uniquely her own.  She is a keen observer of modern life and the human condition.  Emma Lewis is taking over her retiring parents’ estate sale business.  Her most daunting and potentially lucrative clients are the owners of a mansion that had a shady side hustle in its past. What ensues with the estate sale is pure charm for adults.

 

Uma recommends “The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking"

The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking by Mel Robbins and Sawyer Robbins is a transformative and empowering read that offers a refreshing perspective on emotional well-being. The core message — "Let Them" — encourages readers to stop trying to control others and focus on protecting their own peace. This practical, easy-to-read guide is packed with wisdom, providing a simple yet effective tool for overcoming overthinking and managing stress. Uplifting and insightful, it's perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by others' expectations or seeking more clarity and balance in today's fast-paced world. A must-read for anyone looking to reclaim their emotional freedom and live with more clarity and less stress.

Adult

 

 

 

Rion Recommends Legendary Frybread Drive-In

 

Emerging from a cellar following a tornado warning, feeling scared while driving on a rainy road, opening your fridge - these are all ways in which the teens in Legendary Frybread Drive-In wind up at Sandy June's Legendary Frybread Drive-In, a hub for indigenous youth that exists outside the constraints of time and space in this anthology of intertribal stories edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith. The collection features seasoned indigenous YA authors such as Angeline Boulley (Firekeeper's Daughter) and Darcie Little Badger (Elatsoe) alongside relative newcomers, each author immersing the reader briefly into the unique dynamics of their varied cultures. The teens in Legendary Frybread Drive-In come to Sandy June's in search of their crush, seeking confidence to read in front of their class, or in moments of profound grief, and each teen receives just what they need from their time at the Drive-In.

 

I have never read a short story collection quite like this, and I was delighted by the through line of the Drive-In that connected each of the stories. While they were all written by different authors, by the end of the book I felt as though I had a thorough relationship with the concept of the Drive-In, feeling excited for what each teen would find upon reaching the destination. Each story offered a brief immersion into indigenous cultures from across Turtle Island, and the wisdom of elders was a consistent theme throughout the anthology. I particularly loved Kaua Māhoe Adams' story-in-verse, "Braving the Storm", in which the main character, Marley, reconnects with her recently deceased grandfather in Hawai'i. I highly recommend this book to teens and adults alike!

 

Age group: Teen

 

Catherine recommends “The Peach Thief”

Thirteen-year-old Scilla has grown up in a workhouse in mid-19^th century Britain. She has no memories of her own family and is all alone in the world. Once, and only once, she had a single bite of a ripe peach and it was the greatest thing she ever tasted. Cold and hungry, one night she decides to try and scale the Earl's walled garden in order to steal a peach. She does not succeed and is caught by the head gardener. Thinking that Scilla is a boy, the gruff head gardener offers her the chance to pay for her attempted theft by working as a garden boy, washing out pots and doing other menial garden tasks. With the job comes a safe place to sleep, good food to eat, and a community – all things Scilla has always wanted. Scilla stays – but in order to do so, must keep up the pretense of being a boy. Over the course of the year, Scilla falls in love with gardening, learning as much as she can. She begins to be quite adept at gardening, but Scilla also learns much about responsibility, community, and hard choices.

As someone who loves The Secret Garden - a book that is well over 100 years old, but which continues to charm readers - The Peach Thief evoked the same wonder of watching a child and a garden blossom together.

Age group: Children, 9 and up. And maybe sentimental adults.

 

Phil recommends Armchair Travel Double Feature

I love a good armchair travel audiobook for my workday commute.  These two true story adventures, available through Libby (and in print), were fun, low stress listening:

“On the Hippie Trail” by Rick Steves.  There is something about travel guru Rick Steves’ voice and cadence that lowers my blood pressure.  If you are familiar with his excellent travel videos then you already know what I mean.  Before Rick Steves built his extensive travel book/video/tour company empire, he was just a young 23 year old backpacker on a shoestring budget, journeying from Istanbul to Kathmandu.  Fortunately he kept a diary and Steves, now 70, reads from this journal in his trademark style.  His formative journey through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal are full of ups and downs but his optimism and sense of wonder always remain intact.  Steves has a knack for describing the sights, tastes, and experiences of world cultures and it is easy to see from this travelogue how his talents would eventually become his life’s work.

“Nala’s World” by Dean Nicholson.  Like Steves in “On the Hippie Trail”, Nicholson is a young man traveling on a tight budget across numerous countries.  The twist here is that Nicholson travels by bicycle and picks up a stray cat along the way, Nala, and soon becomes a social media sensation.  From Montenegro, to Greece, to Turkey, and beyond, Nicholson relays his adventures and many challenges resulting from taking on this feline passenger, all the while coming to terms with his newfound status as an Instagram celebrity.  Nicholson is Scottish and audiobook narrator Angus King (also Scottish) is an absolute delight to listen to.

Rick Steves’ book describes instances of drug use and is appropriate for adults.  Nicholson’s book is for adults but I think that cat lovers of all ages would enjoy it.

Meghan recommends Audie Award winners

Summer means road trips, and for many that also means audiobooks! The Audio Publisher’s Association honors the best of audiobooks published in the last year, and many of these recordings are available through the Clinton-Macomb Public Library. Click here for the list of CMPL’s holdings that were nominated for Audie Awards this year.

Do you have a long trip coming up? Barbra Streisand’s memoir took the top prize as Audiobook of the Year – it may also be the longest, clocking in at a whopping 48 hours!

If you’re looking for celebrity backstories that are a little shorter, try From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough, narrated by Julia Roberts and Riley Keough, which runs a manageable six hours.

The audio version of the Pulitzer Prize winner, James by Percival Everett, shows up on the list, as well as perennial favorite authors like Lucy Foley, Karin Slaughter, Kristin Hannah, Stephen Graham Jones and Erik Larsen. There are stories for all ages and interests.

Do you need assistance getting set up to listen to audiobooks on your phone? Stop in to see a librarian; we’re happy to help! (And remember, audiobooks are books, and listening counts towards your summer reading goals!)

Andrea recommends "Cat's People"

What do a barista who moonlights as a cat rescuer, a bodega owner who recently lost his wife, an author struggling with writer's block, a young woman looking for family, and a mailman trying to find his path in life have in common? In Tanya Guerrero's Cat's People it's their love for a street-smart cat that brings this motley crew together.

Being a cat lover myself, this book immediately caught my eye, and I think anybody who's ever shared a special bond with a pet will love this one. It will warm your heart, make you cry (in a good way), and remind you that connection can sometimes be found where you least expect it.

This book is suitable for adults.

Meghan recommends "Ink Blood Sister Scribe"

 

When she was 18, Esther’s father sent her away from her childhood home, telling her she must spend no more than one year in the same place, and to leave every year on the same date. Ten years later, her parents have divorced, her father has died, and her sister (who doesn’t know the real reason Esther left home) misses her terribly, but also feels terribly betrayed by her. This year Esther decides not to run away from the place she’s called home for the last year. Her decision triggers a series of events that leads her to a mysterious person beyond a mirror, a sheltered British magician, a Boston-bred bodyguard, and finally to her sister back home.

Ink Blood Sister Scribe is a light fantasy novel that challenges its characters to confront family secrets and defy the status quo. Once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down! While voracious readers may guess some of the twists, having an idea where the book was heading didn’t detract from my enjoyment at all.

As Kirkus reviews wrote, “Törzs’ simple magic system of books is straightforward, with clear rules set out for readers early on, leaving her plenty of space to explore how an obsession with power can twist people so deeply that they betray the ones they love. Esther and Joanna’s complicated but loving relationship is wonderfully rendered, and Törzs pulls off such an expert series of twists that readers would be advised to cancel their plans until they get to the end.”

Recommended for adults and older teens.

 

 

Phil recommends "Box Office Poison: Hollywood's Story in a Century of Flops"

 

There is something endlessly entertaining about stories of Hollywood hubris and excess turning into spectacular failure. Tim Robey begins with the early days of Hollywood, including D.W. Griffith’s grandiose financial flop Intolerance, and takes us through a century of multi-million dollar disasters like Dr. Dolittle (1967), Dune (1984), The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Cutthroat Island, Speed 2: Cruise Control, and many more.  Robey essentially performs an autopsy on each, telling the story of how such projects came to be in the first place…and why they failed in such dramatic fashion.  Unlike similarly-themed podcasts like How Did This Get Made?, Robey eschews the overtly comedic approach but instead lets the inherently compelling subject matter speak for itself.

 

This book is appropriate for adults.

Rion recommends "Moon of the Turning Leaves"

           

 Over a decade after complete collapse of all societal systems, residents of Shki-dnakiiwin, a small community of Anishinaabe people in Northern Canada, have noticed that the land they are living on is starting to run out of the ability to provide for them. When an elder has a vision of returning to their ancestral homelands around the Great Lakes, a group of six community members, including Evan Whitesky and his daughter, Nangohns, are sent on a scouting trip to assess the land and journey it would take to go home. Along the way, they pass through ransacked cities and encounter other survivors of the collapse, some friendly, and others dangerous. The group’s survival skills and commitment to finding their homeland are constantly put to the test, and the conclusion to the book is both satisfying and touching.

This book evoked so many feelings in me - fear, appreciation for nature, and love for the characters and some of the communities they encounter. While it is technically a sequel, it also functions as a stand-alone book, and having read both, I recommend it over Moon of the Crusted Snow (the first book in the duology). The plot moved at a consistent pace and I found myself wondering about what was next for the characters whenever I put the book down – the sign of being immersed in a very absorbing story! The use of Anishinaabemowin (the Anishinaabe language) throughout the book was beautiful, and the entire story is a testament to the resilience of indigenous communities through the most difficult of times. I highly recommend Moon of the Turning Leaves!

Age group: Adult