Staff Picks
June 2020
The Engineer’s Wife: a Novel
by Tracey Enerson Wood
Emily Warren marries Washington Roebling in the 1860s and her life becomes not what she planned. When Wash was put in charge of building the Brooklyn Bridge, the next 15 years of her life is consumed by that task. With the equipment available at the time and the depth the towers had to go into the ground, many of the workers suffered from what is now known as “the bends”, Wash became debilitated. Emily took over as the go between Wash and the site engineers. She became the acting chief engineer and project manager She studied engineering books and made suggestions to overcome obstacles. Many people did not trust a bridge “made” by a woman, so P.T. Barnum had his circus cross the bridge including Jumbo the elephant. Throughout her life, Emily stood up for her husband and herself. She later became involved in the women’s right to vote movement. This book has romance, intrigue, death, and suspense all wrapped up as tightly as the cables that hold the bridge.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Librarian I
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Memories of Glass
by Melanie Dobson
During WW II in Holland, friends Josie van Rees and Eliese Linden work with others to rescue hundreds of Jewish children from going to concentration camps with their families. The daring actions and courage displayed makes this book a page-turner. Alternating with present day America and Uganda, Ava Drake begins to suspect that her great-grandfather, William Kingston, had other activities in Holland during the war that were more than glass making. Working with Landon, a man she met in Uganda when she went to represent the Kingston Foundation, they try to uncover a family secret that some in the family will kill to keep hidden. An amazing story with an ending that is as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking. Available on Hoopla.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Three Wishes
by Liane Moriarty
Fans of Big Little Lies, The Husband’s Secret, or Nine Strangers may want to read this first novel written by the author. A funny, madcap, and sometimes sad story about three sisters, who are triplets, and their lives and loves right before their 34th birthday. This book will have you laughing and crying, so it is a perfect summer read. Also available on Hoopla and OverDrive.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Adult Fiction
I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf
by Grant Snider
Posted in: Adult Fiction
May 2020
In Five Years
by Rebecca Serle
When I picked up In Five Years, I thought this would be a quick romantic comedy. Rebecca Serle delivers so much more than that. Our main character Dannie has a premonitory dream that fast forwards her into a very different 5 year plan, that makes her doubt everything. Dannie & best friend Bella will warm your heart with their friendship. Their love & respect for each other far outshines their relationships with their boyfriends/fiances. A wonderful page turner that will leave you wanting to give your childhood best friend a call. Also available on OverDrive.
Recommended by: Theresa Hildebrand, Patron Services Manager
Posted in: Adult Fiction
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel)
by Suzanne Collins
A prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow will be a mentor in the 10th Hunger Games competition. He wants to outwit everyone to help the family fortune, which has suffered since the war. Being the mentor for District 12 candidate does not bode well for that she is from the lowest District. As his desire to win as well as his feelings for Lucy Gray grow, Coriolanus begins to change in attitude and ambition. Many questions are answered in this book as well as foreshadowing of what will occur in the trilogy. Also available on Hoopla.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
All the Greys on Greene Street
by Laura Tucker
When Olympia’s (Ollie) father leaves in the middle of the night, supposedly with another woman and leaves her Mom depressed and unable to get out of bed, Ollie and her friends, Alex and Richard, try to keep everything together. With the mystery about a piece of art and mysterious people hanging around the neighborhood, friendship and family become the cornerstone of solving the unending crisis her life has become.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Small Spaces
by Katherine Arden
From the book cover to the last page this is a spooky book. Ollie prevents a woman from throwing a book into the creek as she mutters about being safe by staying in small spaces. Captivated by the story about a sister and her two brothers, one who is blamed for the other brother’s death, Ollie becomes enthralled with the ghost story. The next day her school takes a field trip to Smoke Hollow, a local farm, which ties in with the story she has been reading. When she comes across the graves of the people she’s been reading about, she begins to understand the story is not just in the book but is happening around her. After the bus breaks down and darkness is falling, she and two friends, heed the warning to RUN and stay small. After reading this book, readers will want to read the follow up with the same characters at a ski lodge, Dead Voices. Also available on OverDrive.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Front Desk
by Kelly Yang
Mia Tang is a 10-year-old who has a lot of responsibility. While her parents clean the rooms of the hotel, she runs the front desk. With kindness and ingenuity, she tries to overcome many obstacles not only for herself, but for her parents, and the hidden immigrants. Can she overcome the mean hotel owner, Mr. Yao, and achieve everyone’s dreams? Winner of the Asian / Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature. Also available on OverDrive.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Drum Roll, Please
by Lisa Jenn Bigelow
Melly, a drummer, is off to band camp for two weeks with her best friend, Olivia. The changes in her life in that short amount of time will have monumental impact on her, her parents, and friends, old and new. Fans of Raina Telgemeier and Tim Federle will enjoy this book. Also available on OverDrive.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction