Staff Picks

June 2024

“You Just Need to Lose Weight”: and 19 other myths about fat people

by Aubrey Gorgon

I enjoy listening to podcasts, and one of my favorites is Maintenance Phase, a podcast that debunks the junk science behind health fads, wellness scams, and nonsensical nutrition advice. When I saw that co-host Aubrey Gordon wrote a second book I was very interested to give it a read. “You Just Need to Lose Weight” is similar to her podcast as acts to debunk common anti-fat myths. But this book also equips readers with facts and figures to address discrimination ingrained in how we think about and treat fat people. I appreciated Aubrey’s intense research and her passion for information and I felt like this book tried to tackle a lot of difficult and important issues in a short amount of pages. It is a great introduction to the many other companion reads that she recommends on this topic at the end of the book.

Recommended by: Kristen Holding, Graphic Artist

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

How to Keep House While Drowning: a gentle approach to cleaning and organizing

by KC Davis

I often feel so overwhelmed with daily life that household chores get pushed to the wayside. K.C. Davis, licensed professional counselor and creator of Strugglecare.com, popped up on my TikTok feed several months ago with simple “life hacks” to make care tasks more manageable. When I heard that she wrote a book, I was very excited to see what other life-changing and revolutionary ideas she had to share about home care. Written in 31 short easy-to-read chapters, she focuses on removing the moral obligations we feel towards care tasks that are counterproductive and suggests strategies for cleaning a messy space without becoming overwhelmed. I would recommend this book to anyone, even if you do not struggle keeping your space clean, as it has so many helpful ideas that are presented in a validating way.

Recommended by: Kristen Holding, Graphic Artist

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

Willow the White House Cat

by Jill Biden

Fun book authored by first lady Jill Biden and filled with wonderful illustrations. It shares with us the life of Willow, a shorthaired cat adopted from a farm in Pennsylvania by President Joe Biden, and First Lady, Jill Biden and named after Jill Biden’s hometown of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Now living in the White House, Willow meets many of the special people who work there and spends her days exploring the many rooms that make up the White House. Not just for children, this book should be enjoyed by all ages.

Recommend by: Denise Mitchel, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Youth Fiction

City Spies, Book 1

by James Ponti

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a kid spy? Kids are smart and funny, but most of all adults do not suspect they are on a mission to save the world from destruction. City Spies, Book 1 , by James Ponti is a thrilling story that follows a group of kid spies as they seek to save the world from an international hacker scheme. Each kid spy has a unique story similar to the main character, Sarah Martinez, who was stuck in the New York Foster system for years before being recruited to join the team. Will Sarah fit in among this unique group of kids? Are her hacking skills up to snuff? Can she conquer her fear of heights in Paris, the City of Lights? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.

Recommended by: Darnetta Bolton, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction

The Moonshiner’s Daughter

by Donna Everhart

Set in 1960’s North Carolina. Jessie Sasser’s family has a long legacy of making and running moonshine on Shine Mountain. Seeing her mother die a horrific death when she was very young has Jessie dead set against the family business. It leaves her with many questions about her mother and a eating disorder. Running shine isn’t easy, even with Sally Sue a rocket of a car. Mayhem, rivalry and the revenuers takes it’s toll on this family leaving Jessie with a choice to make about her family legacy.

This book is available in the library and on Hoopla an ebook and e audiobook.

Recommended by: Chris Schultz, Graphics Information Clerk

Posted in: Adult Fiction

My Life with the Walter Boys

by Ali Novak

When Jackie’s family dies in a car accident, she is forced to move from New York City halfway across the country to a farm in the middle of nowhere with her mom’s old best friend. Worst of all, the friend has 12 kids of her own already and most of them are boys. How will Jackie figure out how to navigate the world of the Walters, especially without falling for one (or more) of the boys? Read the book, then watch the Netfix show to compare the two.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

All That’s Left in the World

by Erik J. Brown

After a virus has killed off most of the population of the world, Andrew accidently stumbles upon Jamie’s house. Somehow they come to trust each other enough to live together and share their resources. When their shelter is attacked, they flee south, hoping to find safety. Both boys have secrets, but will those secrets save them, or get them killed? The only certain thing is their feelings for each other in a destroyed world.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Deep Dark

by Molly Knox Ostertag

Magdalena’s life weighs heavy with all the responsibilities and secrets she carries. She was left behind by her mother and father after an accident that ended up getting Emil killed leaving her to be to sole caretaker of her Abuelita. But the secrets she carries weigh more on her than her responsibilities. She reconnects with Nessa, a friend from long ago, but will they be able to trust each other? Or will they be consumed by their secrets?

Recommended by: Ayla Franco, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Camino Ghosts

by John Grisham

An extraordinary blend of fact and fiction, Camino Island grabs you at the very first page and carries you until the end. Continuing with his Camino Island series, this third book by Grisham brings us back to bookseller Bruce Cable and tells the story of a small barrier island off the coast of Florida settled by slaves hundreds of years ago and the 300-year-old curse that surrounds it.

When a giant resort developer uses its deep pockets to try to claim ownership of the island, the last surviving inhabitant is the only thing that stands in their way. What the developer doesn’t realize is that the island has a long history and the locals believe it is cursed. The author also provides us a look back into the horrors of the slave trade. The battle that ensues for ownership makes for fascinating reading. I would highly recommend this one.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook.

Recommended by: Denise Mitchel, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Adult Fiction

Forever Neverland

by Susan Adrian

Forever Neverland by Susan Adrian is an exciting new tale of Peter Pan’s Neverland. Siblings, Clover and Fergus, are the descendants of the original Wendy and anxiously await their turn to visit Neverland while staying with their grandparents. Clover isn’t sure if they should go at all, but Fergus, who has autism and is often misunderstood in the mortal world, is ready for an adventure. He fits right in with the lost boys, while Clover has some difficulties, but nothing compares to the mythological gods they end up against! Their story keeps you on edge the entire time turning the pages quickly for more. Fans of Rick Riordan will feel right at home.

Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction

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