Staff Picks Adult

« All Staff Picks

April 2020

Such a Fun Age

by Kiley Reid

Emira Tucker has spent her mid-20s bouncing from job to job.  Now she’s found a great gig as a baby-sitter for Briar, the toddler daughter of Alix Chamberlain, a well-known self-help speaker for women.  This was the perfect relationship for both women until one night when African-American Emira takes white Briar to a grocery store in a predominately white neighborhood and is accused of kidnapping the child by a customer.  That night sparks a chain of events for both women’s lives that disrupt the previously perfect arrangement.  Reid writes the story in alternating perspectives.  I listened to the audiobook version of this book and it was one of my favorites of the year.
Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager

Posted in: Adult Fiction


Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street

by Michael Davis

I was delighted to find that Carol Spinney (Big Bird & Oscar) read the audio version of this book, what a treat! Michael Davis brings us through Sesame Street’s history from the idea stage to the present day. I loved that every aspect of its conception was covered. It was interesting to hear the thought & decision-making process behind the characters, both human and muppet. Sesame Street did more than teach letters, colors & numbers ~ they also taught kindness & acceptance and for that I thank them.

Recommended by: Theresa Hildebrand, Patron Services Manager 

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction


March 2020

Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping by and Get Your Financial Life Together

by Erin Lowry

Author Erin Lowry tries to speak to Millennials using hashtags and familiar slang to get important points across. It’s a nice introduction to money topics—probably a little bit basic for some, but a nice, easy-to-read introduction to money and finance issues. Whether you’re facing a big-life transition like getting married and buying a house, or just trying to
figure out how to pay your bills, this book has solid financial advice about budgeting, investing, and efficiently paying down debt.

Recommended by: Kristen Holding, Graphic Services

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction


A Witch in Time

by Constance Sayers

This beautifully written story follows a young woman who is cursed to relive a doomed love affair through many lifetimes both as muse and frustrated artist. The curse started in 1895 and from then on the pair of star-crossed are damned to re-live their affair before dying tragically young lifetime after lifetime. It doesn’t help that their is a demon in charge of keeping the curse maintained who also happens to be in love with the young woman. Can the curse ever be broken or will the star-crossed lovers be doomed to relive another doomed affair?

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Adult Fiction


Lady Hotspur

by Tessa Gratton

Another Shakespeare play getting another high fantasy makeover with the next book in her saga of Innis Lear. This time Henry IV is the bard’s play that is featured. It takes place centuries later after the events in The Queens of Innis Lear. As revolution, love and betrayal corrupt the descendants of two warring kingdoms three woman together or apart have the power to bring the once powerful Aremoria back to life or destroy it forever.

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Adult Fiction


February 2020

The Queens of Innis Lear

by Tessa Gratton

Shakespeare’s play King Lear meets high fantasy in this adult retelling of a classic play. The crown will not to go the one that loves their father more but the one that will win the battle. Battle-hungry Gaela, master manipulator Reagan and restrained, starblessed Elia all have the right to take their father’s place and rule Innis Lear. But regardless of who wins the war the shores of their beloved home will weep the blood of a house divided.
Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk    

Posted in: Adult Fiction


January 2020

Magic for Liars

by Sarah Gailey

This book has more twists than a bag of pretzels. Imagine a school for magic, set in the rolling hills of California, from an adult’s point of view. Now throw in an unsolved murder, a non-magic private eye, and messy sibling relationships. It’s an edge-of-your-seat whodunit, and I could not put it down.

Recommended by: Kara DeCarlo, School Liaison 

Posted in: Adult Fiction


The Feather Thief

by Kirk Wallace Johnson

How does a flutist in the London Royal Academy of Music come to steal thousands of rare bird specimens from the British Museum in one evening? Through careful planning and a bit of bravado. But why? You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. True crime, history, and science all wrapped up in one compelling book.

Recommended by: Kara DeCarlo, School Liaison 

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction


Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

by Greg McKeown

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to McKeown share his thoughts on our cluttered minds. This book ticked many boxes for me; self-help, psychology, minimalism, mental health.    Think of it as a Marie Kondo for your mind.   You will be challenged to think about what is essential in your life.  Definitely a great read to start off the new year.

Recommended by: Theresa Hildebrand, Patron Services Manager 

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction


The red bandanna

by Tom Rinaldi

The biography of Welles Crowther, who saved at least 10 people in the World Trade Center during the attacks on 9/11 before losing his own life. When Crowther was young, his father gave him a red handkerchief, which he always kept in his pocket. He became a volunteer with the fire department in New York and was in a Tower at the time of the attacks. No one knew what happened to him when he did not return home. However, eight months after attacks, his mother read stories about survivors who said they had been led to safety by a stranger who was wearing a red bandanna. This is an accounting of that day and his actions.

Recommended by Joan Stoiber, Youth Services

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction


1 13 14 15 16 17 18