Staff Picks

Smithsonian handbook of interesting bird nests and eggs

Douglas G. D. Russell

598.1564 /Russell
Nonfiction, Animals, Nature

This book reveals how a simple bird's nest or egg can tell extraordinary stories about the birds behind them, help reconstruct a habitat’s flora and fauna, and offer potential answers to important evolutionary and ecological questions. From the Cape Penduline Tit nest that includes a false chamber to trick predators to the unique patterning of a Great Auk egg allowing parents to always recognize and care for their own egg, this insightful handbook peers into the brilliance and architectural skills of birds. Smithsonian Handbook of Interesting Bird Nests and Eggs is an essential read for birdwatchers and nature lovers.

Natural history is so fascinating! The extent of my bird-nest knowledge ends at my backyard, where we sometimes find house finch nests in our hanging ferns. This book has hundreds of historic nests collected from all over the world. The back cover reads, "Birds are some of nature's most innovative architects." I never knew I needed to know about birds' nests until eyeing this book on the shelf. What a fun discovery! The only drawback is that this book doesn't include illustrations of the bird species that build these nests. But have a web browser handy and that drawback is easily remedied. Two talons up. -Melody

The ogre who wasn't

Michael Morpurgo

jE Morpurgo
Humor, Kids, Picture Books, Nature

Princess Clara misses her father, the King. All Clara wants is to escape outside and make friends with the creatures that she finds there. Her best friend is a very small ogre. Ogres are usually baddies, aren't they? Not this one... and he might just be able to help make Clara's dreams come true. Maybe he isn't an ogre at all?

Morpurgo and Gravett's latest collaboration is fabulous! Pair with Munch's "Paper Bag Princess" for a wildly fun reading time. -Casey

The True Love Experiment

Christina Lauren

OverDrive Audiobook
Fiction, Humor, Romance

Winner of the 2024 Audie Award for Romance. Sparks fly when a romance writer and a documentary filmmaker join forces to craft the ultimate Hollywood love story—but only if they can keep the chemistry between them from taking the whole thing off script—from the "divine" (Jodi Picoult) New York Times bestselling authors of The Soulmate Equation and The Unhoneymooners. Felicity "Fizzy" Chen is lost. Sure, she's got an incredible career as a beloved romance novelist with a slew of bestsellers under her belt, but when she's asked to give a commencement address, it hits her: she hasn't been practicing what she's preached. Fizzy hasn't ever really been in love. Lust? Definitely. But that swoon-worthy, can't-stop-thinking-about-him, all-encompassing feeling? Nope. Nothing. What happens when the optimism she's spent her career encouraging in readers starts to feel like a lie? Connor Prince, documentary filmmaker and single father, loves his work but when his profit-minded boss orders him to create a reality TV show, putting his job on the line, Connor is out of his element. Desperate to find his romantic lead, a chance run-in with an exasperated Fizzy offers Connor the perfect solution. What if he could show the queen of romance herself falling head-over-heels for all the world to see? Fizzy gives him a hard pass—unless he agrees to her list of demands. When he says yes, and production on The True Love Experiment begins, Connor wonders if that perfect match will ever be in the cue cards for him, too. "Full of big laughs, a few tears, and some seriously steamy scenes" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), The True Love Experiment is the book fans have been waiting for ever since Fizzy's debut in the New York Times bestselling The Soulmate Equation.

Once I got into this audiobook, I had to make sure I only opened it when I had a solid block of time to binge-listen. The story, the narrative performances had me so rapt that any disruption to my attention to it stoked my ire. I missed the fact that it won an Audie; the award is well deserved. And honestly, I'm not a fan of the covers of Christina Lauren's books so I passed this one by every time I saw it. But boy was I missing out! The writing is so funny too, the plot clever. The first book in this series, The Soulmate Equation, is definitely going on my To Be Read list. Can't wait! -Melody

Thank you for listening : a novel

Julia Whelan

FICTION Whelan, Julia
Humor, Romance

The days of being a star on film sets are long behind Sewanee Chester. She has found success and satisfaction as an audiobook narrator, and it allows her to care for her ailing grandmother. When she arrives in Las Vegas last-minute for a book convention, Sewanee unexpectedly spends a whirlwind night with a charming stranger. On her return home she learns one of the world's most beloved romance novelists wanted her to perform her last book-- with Brock McNight, the industry's hottest, most secretive voice. Sewanee stopped narrating romances years ago, but she works on the book under her old romance pseudonym. Hidden behind the comfort of anonymity, Sewanee and Brock forge a real connection-- until the realities of life come crashing down around her once more. -- adapted from jacket.

If you know you know...audiobook listeners of literary fiction, historical fiction, romance, and most other genres have enjoyed the voice of Julia Whalen, she has narrated over 600 titles. Generally I expect that if I see Julia Whalen as the narrator of an audio title that it's going to be a really good listen for me. Fans of Kristen Hannah, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Abby Jimenez, Emily Henry and various popular thriller writers such as Rachel Hawkins, (she even narrated Gone Girl!) will recognize her voice. I was excited to listen to her narrate her own book, appropriately about a book narrator, and even more appropriately set in the world of "HEA" or romantic comedy. I found the story to be similar to an Emily Henry book, with a mixture of witty banter, personal tragedy, ironic situational humor and some absolutely fantastic narrating by Julia herself, with a large range of characters and accents! -Mari

The other ancient civilisations : decoding archaeology's less celebrated cultures

Raven Todd DaSilva

930 /DaSilva
Nonfiction, History

"The world has always been filled with vibrant cultures and civilisations and mainstream history is dominated by only a select few. In this book, Raven Todd DaSilva invites you on an archaeological expedition across millennia and continents to discover the rich diversity of peoples that are often overlooked but have made monumental impacts that have shaped our modern world. From the world's first peace treaty to daring expeditions across the Pacific, twenty ancient and historic cultures from around the world are highlighted, offering an alternative view of history. Each chapter investigates the archaeological evidence we have for each culture, delving beyond their rise and fall and highlighting the magic in the mundance of everyday life in the past. Relive key historical events, explore ancient sites, and marvel at astounding artefacts that changed the way we understand history." -- From back cover.

This is a great little book. It reminds of the nonfiction works I'd read as a child, super quick, high-interest pieces about history, mysterious places, and events (dinosaurs! outer space! Egyptian pyramids! the Bermuda Triangle!), presented in bite-sized portions but full of all the pertinent facts. This is like that, but for an adult. DaSilva covers 20 ancient cultures in 300 pages, so there's a quick pace; he's covering lots of important details and interesting facts, but doesn't get bogged down in minutiae. Certainly not a comprehensive look at any culture, but just enough to get you on the right track and interested in finding out more. -Candice

Family romance : John Singer Sargent and the Wertheimers

Jean Strouse

759.13 /Sargent
Nonfiction, Art / Art History, Biographies

"Jean Strouse captures the dramas, mysteries, intrigues, and tragedies surrounding John Singer Sargent's portraits of the Wertheimer family"--

I really enjoy John Singer Sargent portraits--there is a great one at the Des Moines Art Center! Strouse's Family Romance tells the story of Sargent's portraits of the Wertheimer family giving context to the culture and politics of early 20th century England, the art scene, and this period of Sargent's life. -Anne M

Ultimates.

Deniz Camp

COMIC Ultimates 2024
Graphic Novels

Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe. A new era for the Ultimate Universe and its mightiest heroes! Six months ago, Tony Stark, A.K.A. Iron Lad, sent Peter Parker a radioactive spider to set him back on the course to become Spider-Man. Since then, Stark, Captain America, Doom, Thor and Sif have begun to do the same for others, building a network of super-powered heroes hungry for change. Now they must band together to destroy the Maker's Council and restore freedom and free will to a world ruled from the shadows! Together they are the Ultimates! But when Cap reckons with the Maker's dismantling of nations by visiting the White House, it leads to a massive brawl with the deadly Midas - who's been holding a superhuman hostage as a power source! The search for answers will lead the Ultimates to...She-Hulk!

After Ultimate Spider-man, I was excited to dive into "The Ultimates," the Avengers group of Earth-6160. Led by Iron Lad, a teenage Tony Stark, the group is framed for a terrorist attack by The Maker's Council and are on the run. Various members are recruited--including Thor, Sif, and Captain America--as we're shown how different this world is to the Marvel Universe we know. The volume ends tragically, and it makes the wait for the continuation even harder! -Brian

The five sides of Marjorie Rice : how to discover a shape

Amy Alznauer

j510.92 Rice
Picture Books, Nonfiction, Biographies

"When Marjorie Rice was a little girl in Roseburg, Oregon, in the 1930s, she saw patterns everywhere. Swimming in the river, her body was a shape in the water, the water a shape in the hills, the hills a shape in the sky. Some shapes, fitted into a rectangle or floor tilings, were so beautiful they made her long to be an artist. Marjorie dreamed of studying art and geometry, perhaps even solving the age-old "problem of five" (why pentagons don't fit together the way shapes with three, four, or six sides do). But when college wasn't possible, she pondered and explored all through secretarial school, marriage, and parenting five children, until one day, while reading her son's copy of Scientific American, she learned that a subscriber had discovered a pentagon never seen before. If a reader could do it, couldn't she? Marjorie studied all the known pentagons, drew a little five-sided house, and kept pondering. She'd done it! And she'd go on to discover more pentagonal tilings and whole new classes of tessellations." --

I'm so inspired by this book, which describes the work of self-taught mathematician Marjorie Rice, who discovered not one, not two, but THREE new tesselating five-sided shapes despite being held back from even attending college in the 1960s and 1970s by familial and societal expectations about women's roles at the time. I didn't know that a person could...discover a new shape until I read this book? (A tesselating shape, I learned, is one that fits together with itself infinitely with no gaps or overlaps.) Absolutely astonishingly beautiful illustrations tie together the themes of nature, patterns, and math that "shape" this story and give personality and verve to Rice and her life. With puzzling so popular, this book is timely, interesting, and inspiring. -Anne W

Critical hits : writers playing video games

794.809 /Critical
Nonfiction, Memoir

A wide-ranging anthology of essays exploring one of the most vital art forms on the planet today. From the earliest computers to the smartphones in our pockets, video games have been on our screens and part of our lives for over fifty years. Critical Hits celebrates this sophisticated medium and considers its lasting impact on our culture and ourselves. This collection of stylish, passionate, and searching essays opens with an introduction by Carmen Maria Machado, who edited the anthology alongside J. Robert Lennon. In these pages, writer-gamers find solace from illness and grief, test ideas about language, bodies, power, race, and technology, and see their experiences and identities reflected in--or complicated by--the interactive virtual worlds they inhabit. Elissa Washuta immerses herself in The Last of Us during the first summer of the pandemic. Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah describes his last goodbye to his father with the help of Disco Elysium. Jamil Jan Kochai remembers being an Afghan American teenager killing Afghan insurgents in Call of Duty. Also included are a comic by MariNaomi about her time as a video game producer; a deep dive into "portal fantasy" movies about video games by Charlie Jane Anders; and new work by Alexander Chee, Hanif Abdurraqib, Larissa Pham, and many more.

I found this collection of essays while looking up if ICPL had the game "Disco Elysium" (we don't), but I'm glad I got to learn about so many other games that I now want to play! -Annie

Life is strange. Double exposure

VIDEO GAME Switch Life

"Two timelines. One impossible mystery. When Max Caulfield finds her friend Safi dead in the snow, she tears open the way to a parallel timeline. Here, Safi is still alive...and still in danger! With her new power to Shift between two timelines--can Max solve and prevent the same murder?"--Container.

A fascinating new adventure in the Life is Strange universe, taking place 10 years after the first game! Max is now a photographer-in-residence at Caledon University and rediscovering her powers as she travels between alternate timelines. -Violette

When women were dragons : a novel

Kelly Regan Barnhill

FICTION Barnhill Kelly
Fiction, Fantasy, LGBTQ+

"Alex Green is a young girl in a world much like ours. But this version of 1950's America is characterized by a significant event: The Mass Dragoning of 1955, when hundreds of thousands of ordinary wives and mothers sprouted wings, scales and talons, left a trail of fiery destruction in their path, and took to the skies. Was it their choice? What will become of those left behind? Why did Alex's beloved Aunt Marla transform but her mother did not? Alex doesn't know. It's taboo to speak of. Forced into silence, Alex nevertheless must face the consequences of this disturbing event: a mother more protective than ever; a father growing increasingly distant; the upsetting insistence that her aunt never even existed; and helping to raise a beloved younger girl obsessed with dragons far beyond propriety. In this timely and timeless speculative novel, award-winning author Kelly Barnhill boldly explores rage, memory, and the forced limitations of girlhood. When Women Were Dragons exposes a world that wants to keep women small-their lives and their prospects-and examines what happens when they rise en masse and take up the space they deserve"--

This is a searing feminist novel that explores female rage through a lens of magical realism. This book really shines in its exploration of female relationships, especially between Alex and her family. They love each other deeply, but that love is often tempered by resentment or fear or secrecy, and Barnhill does a great job depicting that complexity. -Chelsea

What to cook when you don't feel like cooking

Caroline Chambers

641.5 /Chambers
Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Health

"With three little boys less than two years apart and a packed schedule as an online creator, Caroline Chambers often doesn't feel like cooking. Inspired by her wildly popular Substack newsletter of the same name, this book is brimming with efficient recipes that take the guesswork out of dinner--in fact, each one is a complete meal: protein, veg, starch, done! The recipes are organized by the amount of time they take to cook, so whether you have 15 minutes to throw together something or a little bit more time on your hands, dinnertime is totally doable. On top of that, Caro gives you more ways to choose, so you can search by protein (chicken thighs waiting in the fridge? Make White Chicken Chili. Nothing but beans in the pantry? Cannellini Caprese with Burrata is it!) or mood (Tomato Farrotto is perfect for a cozy craving, and Crunchy Honey Harissa Fish Tacos are an excellent way to show off). Most importantly, these recipes include Caro's famously extensive swaps, riffs, tips, shortcuts, and more to be sure they work best for you, helping you save money, improvise, and even learn a thing or two"--

This book is great! I like making bulk meals on Sundays so that I can have lunch for the week. I'm not so much a sandwich gal; I like my soups and grains and baked veggies. The first thing I made was a Tater Tot Egg Bake, which was so easy that I had time to clean the kitchen while it was baking. Usually, my Sunday batch cooking means Monday kitchen cleanup. But not with the tot bake! I'm also keen on trying their garlicky grains, featuring greens, farro, and sausage, and their one pot "squash-ta." They have a nice section on ingredients to keep on hand, as well. This book is perfect for working people who don't want to spend their leisure time toiling over the stove. -Melody

A pocket full of rocks

Kristin Mahoney

jE Mahoney
Kids, Picture Books, Nature

"A sweet and soulful celebration of how a child's imagination can transform ordinary objects into extraordinary treasures. You can do a lot with a pocket full of rocks... "

Sweet, beautiful, and just the right length for sharing. What can you do with a pocket full of rocks? Watch for this one at a BookWalk near you soon! -Casey

This is how you lose the time war

Amal El-Mohtar

SCIENCE FICTION El-Mohtar, Amal
Fiction, LGBTQ+, Science Fiction

Among the ashes of a dying world, an agent of the Commandant finds a letter. It reads: Burn before reading. Thus begins an unlikely correspondence between two rival agents hellbent on securing the best possible future for their warring factions. Now, what began as a taunt, a battlefield boast, grows into something more. Something epic. Something romantic. Something that could change the past and the future. Except the discovery of their bond would mean death for each of them.

The relationship between Red and Blue reveals the false dichotomy of nature vs technology. As they write to each other, Red finds the humanity within the machine, and Blue observes the algorithms that govern the natural world. I could spend ages thinking about this book. The strands of this world have been woven into my veins. -Chelsea

Toto

Hyewon Yum

jE Yum
Kids, Picture Books

A little girl, self-conscious about her birthmark named Toto, worries her school friend will see her differently when her birthmark is revealed but is pleasantly surprised by her friend's reaction.

Hyewon Yum is one of my favorite author illustrators and her new story is a delight! Be sure to check out all of her other books and the Hazel Westgate Collection in the Children's Room to see one of her beautiful originals. -Casey

Save our souls : the true story of a castaway family, treachery, and murder

Matthew Pearl

910.452 /Pearl
History

In this true story, on December 10, 1887, the Walker family's shark fishing boat was split in two by a storm, and they awoke in the morning on an island inhabited by a ragged man named Hans who seemed helpful but had a dark secret.

Save Our Souls is a shipwreck survival book. It has all the elements of a thrilling adventure--being lost at sea, foraging on a deserted island (in this case one of the Midway Islands), and faction-based mutiny. But there is a twist. Someone is already on the island that makes things far more complicated--he knows the island, but why is he there by himself? And there is also the context of the late-19th century. Pearl deftly explains the economics and politics of a European shark fishing boat in the middle of the Pacific.It is a fascinating read. -Anne M

A sorceress comes to call

T. Kingfisher

SCIENCE FICTION Kingfisher, T.
Fiction, Fantasy

"From New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes A Sorceress Comes to Call--a dark reimagining of the Brothers Grimm's "The Goose Girl," rife with secrets, murder, and forbidden magic. Cordelia knows her mother is . . . unusual. Their house doesn't have any doors between rooms--there are no secrets in this house--and her mother doesn't allow Cordelia to have a single friend. Unless you count Falada, her mother's beautiful white horse. The only time Cordelia feels truly free is on her daily rides with him. But more than simple eccentricity sets her mother apart. Other mothers don't force their daughters to be silent and motionless for hours, sometimes days, on end. Other mothers aren't evil sorcerers. When her mother unexpectedly moves them into the manor home of a wealthy older Squire and his kind but keen-eyed sister, Hester, Cordelia knows this welcoming pair are to be her mother's next victims. But Cordelia feels at home for the very first time among these people, and as her mother's plans darken, she must decide how to face the woman who raised her to save the people who have become like family." --

The characters in this book really shine, especially Hester. I love that one of the co-protagonists is a grumpy, disabled old woman, and that she uses her wit and cleverness to win the day. There are some real moments of horror in this book as well, and they were vivid enough to make me shiver. -Chelsea

Waifs and Strays

Helen Harper

OverDrive Audiobook
Fantasy, Romance

Nobody is just a cat lady. Kit McCafferty's life is quiet, unremarkable, and filled with cat hair. In the magical city of Coldstream, located on the border between Scotland and England, Kit is viewed as little more than mildly eccentric and mostly harmless. She passes her days caring for her family of five cats, feeding the local feral moggies, and maintaining relatively good relations with her neighbors. All that changes, however, when a teenage werewolf shows up at her door in the desperate hope of renting out a nearby vacant flat. Kit knows that the smart move is to tell him to leave. The last thing she needs is to become embroiled in complicated shapeshifter politics. But something about the secretive young werewolf tugs at her heartstrings. It's not long before Kit ends up caught in a maelstrom of mysterious crime and magical wrong-doing. Fortunately, there's far more to Kit McCafferty than meets the eye and she has a few dark secrets of her own. Of course, anyone with an ounce of intelligence knows that you underestimate a cat lady at your own peril.

I haven't picked up a Helen Harper novel for a few years, but I used to burn through her books like nobody's business. Her characters are cheeky and irreverent, getting into all sorts of hijinks and having a range of magical abilities. She is one of my favorite urban fantasy writers, and while the person reading her audiobooks has a rather thick alto brogue, it is well worth training your ear for a listen. -Melody

Smelly Peggy

Helen Stephens

jE Stephens
Kids, Picture Books

Meet Peggy--a very naughty dog who gets into a lot of trouble. Some of the things she loves doing: leaping on the bed in the morning and sticking her hairy bottom in Dad's face. Sweeping her human family off their feet with her favorite sticks. And most of all, rolling in everything stinky and smelly she can find! And that's not even the naughtiest thing she does . . . But do you think her family loves her anyway? Open the windows for this happy, bighearted story about a beloved puppy named Peggy--a story that delights in the smelly but cherished canine family members that we couldn't do without.

Pet owners will be charmed and feel seen while reading this funny book about all the ways Peggy, an adorable terrier, is naughty and annoying. Interactive text makes the book a great read-aloud, as does the straight-shooter narrator, a red-haired little girl, who frankly discusses gross doggy behaviors. The highlight of the bright, fun illustrations are the dog's adorable facial expressions on each page. -Anne W

Balatro.

VIDEO GAME Switch Balatro

"Balatro is a hypnotically satisfying deckbuilder where you play illegal poker hands, discover game-changing jokers, and trigger adrenaline-pumping, outrageous combos"--Container.

This is highly addictive and unique poker-themed roguelike with a low learning curve, great for long flights. It also won Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Best Mobile Game, and was nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024. Playing on the Nintendo Switch might be a more mindful option, if you find that you get addicted to phone games easily. -Annie

The serviceberry : abundance and reciprocity in the natural world

Robin Wall Kimmerer

581.6 /Kimmerer

In The Serviceberry, Robin Wall Kimmerer reflects on the practice of harvesting serviceberries and the concept of reciprocity central to Indigenous wisdom. She contrasts this with the dominant economic system rooted in scarcity, competition, and resource hoarding. Kimmerer highlights how the serviceberry tree, by sharing its abundance with its ecosystem, embodies a model of interdependence and mutual support. This ethic of reciprocity, she argues, shows us that true wealth arises from relationships, not self-sufficiency, and encourages us to reimagine our values in a way that nurtures both people and the planet.

Kimmerer has written another gem of a book. Though not as hefty in nature as Braiding Sweetgrass, this tiny book has some provocative ideas based on understanding reciprocity in nature, being part of a gift economy (which does not necessarily need to be scaled up). This book really highlighted what it means to be content with having enough, while also appreciating everything nature provides for us, with never asking for anything in return. When we take stock in everything nature "does" for us, we are more inclined to revere it and may tend it a little more carefully. When we buy from a store, the process is transactional. When we take a zucchini from our neighbor's free stand, make zucchini bread, and pass a loaf to another neighbor, we have created an authentic connection. This was a beautiful, hopeful read. Pro tip: you can likely get it right away on our Express shelf and easily be able to read it in the two weeks needed. -Victoria

Dare to bird : exploring the joy and power of birds

Melissa Hafting

598.022 /Hafting
Nonfiction, Animals, Nature

"Melissa Hafting is an ethical, passionate, and respected birder, photographer, and mentor. Her love for birding has helped shape who she is and has helped with her mental health, along with enabling her to cope with the difficult aspects of grief and loss after the death of her mother and father. Showcasing some of Melissa's most stunning bird images from the continental United States, Hawaii, and Canada, Dare to Bird explores the joy that birding and photography has brought to her life and how both have allowed her to foster meaningful connections with young birders from diverse backgrounds, along with the conservation community, eco-travel advocates, rare bird enthusiasts, and ethical wildlife viewing practitioners in order to preserve bird habitats that are constantly under threat. At the same time, she is determined to expand birding to include more BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour), women, and LGBTQIA+ through youth outreach and talking about the barriers (racism and sexism) she herself has faced in her journey to become part of the birding community"--

Okay. I'll admit it. I just checked this book out for the pictures. When did I get into birds? Probably at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when I would sit and stare out the window all the time. The Merlin Bird ID app taught me to appreciate all the different bird songs around me, and now, I just like looking at photos of beautiful birds. When I'm reading a book set in the British Isles and puffins make their way into the text, I tend to imagine the penguins I've seen at the zoo. But a puffin is not a penguin! And a book like Dare to Bird shows me the delightfully bright beak of a bird who lives half a world away. -Melody

Can't spell treason without tea : a cozy fantasy steeped with love

Rebecca Thorne

SCIENCE FICTION Thorne Rebecca
Fiction, Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Romance

"All Reyna and Kianthe want is to open a bookshop that serves tea. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters ... all complemented by love and good company. Thing is, Reyna works as one of the Queen's private guards, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. Leaving their lives isn't so easy. But after an assassin takes Reyna hostage, she decides she's thoroughly done risking her life for a self-centered queen. Meanwhile, Kianthe has been waiting for a chance to flee responsibly -- all the better that her girlfriend is on board. Together, they settle in Tawney, a town nestled in the icy tundra near dragon country, and open the shop of their dreams. What follows is a cozy tale of mishaps, mysteries, and a murderous queen throwing the realm's biggest temper tantrum. In a story brimming with hurt/comfort and quiet fireside conversations, these two women will discover just what they mean to each other ... and the world."--Back cover.

So many romance novels are about the opening stages of a relationship, and it was really refreshing to watch Reyna and Kianthe navigate the conflicts that can arise in an established relationship. Thorne does a great job balancing the cozy atmosphere with intriguing political drama and world building. The sequel, "A Pirate's Life for Tea," was also a great read, and I'm excited to see what else this series has in store later this year! -Chelsea

It's hard to be a baby

Cheryl B. Klein

jE Klein
Kids, Picture Books

While adults assume life as a baby is easy, a young child sympathizes with babies and recognizes that life as a baby is harder than it seems.

Such a sweet, funny story, with gorgeous, diverse illustrations of babies and families. Get this for new parents and new babies in your life! -Anne W

The favorites : a novel

Layne Fargo

FICTION Fargo Layne
Fiction

"She might not have a famous name, funding, or her family's support, but Katarina Shaw has always known that she was destined to become an Olympic skater. When she meets Heath Rocha, a lonely kid stuck in the foster care system, their instant connection makes them a formidable duo on the ice. Clinging to skating-and each other-to escape their turbulent lives, Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers, captivating the world with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style, and rollercoaster relationship. Until a shocking incident at the Olympic Games brings their partnership to a sudden end. As the ten-year anniversary of their final skate approaches, an unauthorized documentary reignites the public obsession with Shaw and Rocha, claiming to uncover the "real story" through interviews with their closest friends and fiercest rivals. Kat wants nothing to do with the documentary. But she can't stand the thought of someone else defining her legacy either. So, after a decade of silence, she's telling her story: from the childhood tragedies that created her all-consuming bond with Heath to the clash of desires that tore them apart. Sensational rumors have haunted their every step for years, but the truth may be even more shocking than the headlines"--

If you are counting down the days until the next Winter Olympics, explore the drama and determination of getting a gold in The Favorites. It is filled with drama. It's a nod to Wuthering Heights, but with ice dancing. There are the figure skating rivalries, the international intrigue, the off-rink backstabbing, the on-rink backstabbing, the oscillation of love and hate between partners, and many angry walks through the rain. Honestly, there is too much drama. This book is packed with it. But I don't care--I enjoyed it. It was a great winter distraction. -Anne M

The comfy cozy witch's guide to making magic in your everyday life

Jennie Blonde

133.43 /Blonde
Nonfiction, Crafts, Health, Nature, Religion

"From the host of the beloved podcast The Comfy Cozy Witch comes an accessible two-color illustrated guide resonant with cozy fall vibes, featuring spells, recipes, meditations, and practices to bring good magic into your daily life. Whether you're a novice curious about witchcraft but aren't sure where to start, or a seasoned witch interested in deepening your practice, this warm, accessible, and nurturing interactive guide shows you the way. The Comfy Cozy Witch's Guide to Making Magic in Your Everyday Life combines the practical charm of The Little Book of Hygge with the down to earth wisdom of The Spell Book for New Witches and the practical advice of Grimoire Girl, Drawn from decades of popular podcaster Jennie Blonde's experience, she shares seven tenets to help you begin and develop your own authentic practice."--

I was drawn to this cover the moment I eyed this book on the shelf! It has a beautiful and welcoming embroidered look to it. I'm enjoying how accessible Blondie makes dipping ones toes into spiritual mysticism. I am usually such a techno-realist, but this is the year I start loving crystals and meditation again. This is a self-care book in its essence, a way to practice mindfulness while focusing respect on the natural world all around you. -Melody

Quiet girl in a noisy world : an introvert's story

Debbie Tung

BIOGRAPHY Tung, Debbie
Diverse Characters, Graphic Novels, Memoir

This illustrated gift book of short comics illuminates author Debbie Tung's experience as an introvert in an extrovert's world. Presented in a loose narrative style that can be read front to back or dipped into at one's leisure, the book spans three years of Debbie's life, from the end of college to the present day. In these early years of adulthood, Debbie slowly but finally discovers there is a name for her lifelong need to be alone: she's an introvert.The first half of the book traces Debbie's final year in college: socializing with peers, dating, falling in love (with an extrovert!), moving in, getting married, meeting new people, and simply trying to fit in. The second half looks at her life after graduation: finding a job, learning to live with her new husband, trying to understand social obligations when it comes to the in-laws, and navigating office life. Ultimately, Quiet Girl sends a positive, pro-introvert message: our heroine learns to embrace her introversion and finds ways to thrive in the world while fulfilling her need for quiet.

Debbie Tung's "Quiet Girl in a Noisy World" presents an accurate depiction of the role that anxiety plays in the lives of highly sensitive people and how this introversion can, in turn, be embraced. I would recommend Tung's comic book memoir to anyone who is suffering from debilitating anxiety and wanting to find their quiet place in a noisy world. -Violette

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

VIDEO GAME Xbox Series X Indiana

Set in 1937, play as Indiana Jones and keep the Great Circle and its ancient power safe by staying one step ahead of the sinister forces also in pursuit.

One last favorite of 2024! "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" is one of the most fun games I've played in a long time. It really makes you feel like the famed archeologist, and it has a story that's better than the last two Indiana Jones films they've released. -Brian

Penguin Season 1

ON ORDER DVD
Action, Drama

Following the events of The Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, a.k.a. the Penguin, makes a play to seize the reins of the crime world in Gotham.

This was my favorite TV series of last year. It has electric performances and sharp direction throughout. I highly recommend it. -Brian

Under cover of darkness : murders in blackout London

Amy Helen Bell

940.5341 /Bell
Nonfiction, True Crime

"Fear was the unacknowledged spectre haunting the streets of London during the Second World War; fear not only of death from the German bombers circling above, but of violence at the hands of fellow Londoners in the streets below. Mass displacement, the anonymity of shelters, and the bomb-scarred landscape offered unprecedented opportunities for violent crime. In this absorbing, sometimes shocking account, Amy Helen Bell uncovers the hidden stories of murder and violence that were rife in wartime London. Bell moves through the city, examining the crimes in their various locations, from domestic violence in the home to robberies in the blacked-out streets and fights in pubs and clubs. She reveals the experiences of women, children, and the elderly, and focuses on the lives of the victims, as well as their deaths. This groundbreaking study transforms our understanding of the ways in which war made people vulnerable-not just to the enemy, but to each other"--

Amy Helen Bell's exploration of murders during London's Blitz and blackout is staggering--a murder rate skyrockets when disruption to everyday life (and established law) happens. From fear, opportunity, and need to bombed out buildings, dark streets, and an overwhelmed police force, London faced much more than German bombs--they faced a threat from their own people. Bell does not revel in her subject's fates, but uses the book to show that the people of London were not as cohesive or resolved as we thought. -Anne M

The sinners all bow : two authors, one murder, and the real Hester Prynne

Kate Winkler Dawson

364.1523 /Dawson
Nonfiction, History, True Crime

"On a cold winter day in 1832, Sarah Cornell was found hanging in a barn, four months pregnant, after a disgraceful liaison with a charismatic Methodist minister, Reverend Ephraim Avery. Some (Avery's lawyers) claimed her death was suicide--but others weren't so sure. Determined to uncover the real story, intrepid Victorian writer Catharine Williams threw herself into the investigation and wrote what many claim is the first American true-crime narrative: Fall River. The case and Williams's book became a sensation--one that divided thecountry and inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. But the reverend was not convicted, and questions linger to this day about what really led to Sarah Cornell's death. ... In [this account], ... true-crime historian Kate Winkler Dawson travels back in time to 19th century small town America, emboldened to finish the work Williams started nearly two centuries before."--

Kate Dawson takes a deep dive into a historical death, using today's methods of investigation to deduce what happened. Along the way, she takes a look at another author who covered the same crime shortly after it happened (possibly the first American work of true crime writing, and one that Dawson clearly finds well-done and admirable), teasing out what their motives were. Dawson does a great job of being up-front with details and facts (which this librarian finds admirable!), while at the same time bringing an empathetic understanding to what was, and still is, a shocking crime. -Candice

Every dog deserves an adventure : amazing stories of camping with dogs

L. J. Tracosas

796.54 Tracosas
Nonfiction, Animals, Nature, Travel

"From the backcountry to car camping, mountaintop hikes to beach-day hikes, learn how to keep your dog safe and happy while on an adventure. In Every Dog Deserves an Adventure, the Camping With Dogs team shares stories, photos, safety tips, and hiking bucket lists to inspire you to get outside and enjoy nature with your dog. From the Camping With Dogs team, Every Dog Deserves an Adventure encourages people everywhere to go on outdoor adventures with their dog. Whether it's camping or hiking, kayaking or skiing, dogs love spending time with their humans in nature. If you have a furry friend, it's time to go out and find a trail you both love. With stunning photography and heartwarming stories of how people got into camping with their dogs, this book is a love letter to dogs around the world, from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Organized by season, each section features photos with various types of dogs, hikes, terrain, and activities, as well as: -- Tips on camping with your pups -- A bucket list of great hikes and trips -- Key items you need to keep your dog safe and happy on the trail. Delighted dog lovers will learn the power of camping--how it strengthens family bonds and transforms relationships. On top of that, Camping With Dogs is partnered with local animal rescues to help adoptable dogs find their forever home, so your purchase will support rescue dogs and their mission to help dogs blossom out on the trail."--

Attention dog lovers! This book has gorgeous photos of canine companions on wonderous romps. The book is organized by season, featuring dogs enjoying spring wildflowers, summer lake jumping, and snowy runs. Check it out for the photography alone, or sit and share it with a young reader. The sentences are short and accessible for grades 3 and up. -Melody

Piranesi

Susanna Clarke

FICTION Clarke Susanna
Fiction, Fantasy

"From the New York Times bestselling author of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, an intoxicating, hypnotic new novel set in a dreamlike alternative reality. Piranesi's house is no ordinary building: its rooms are infinite, its corridors endless, its walls are lined with thousands upon thousands of statues, each one different from all the others. Within the labyrinth of halls an ocean is imprisoned; waves thunder up staircases, rooms are flooded in an instant. But Piranesi is not afraid; he understands the tides as he understands the pattern of the labyrinth itself. He lives to explore the house. There is one other person in the house-a man called The Other, who visits Piranesi twice a week and asks for help with research into A Great and Secret Knowledge. But as Piranesi explores, evidence emerges of another person, and a terrible truth begins to unravel, revealing a world beyond the one Piranesi has always known. For readers of Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane and fans of Madeline Miller's Circe, Piranesi introduces an astonishing new world, an infinite labyrinth, full of startling images and surreal beauty, haunted by the tides and the clouds"--

The atmosphere in "Piranesi" is so calming; the waves, the clouds, the statuary its a perfect balance of stillness and movement terrible secrets and inevitable knowledge- a stillness disrupted- reread and edit this -Chelsea

Atlas obscura : Wild life : an explorer's guide to the world's living wonders

Cara Giaimo

570 /Giaimo
Nonfiction, Animals, Nature, Science

"From the bestselling authors of Atlas Obscura and Gastro Obscura, comes Wild Life, an over-the-top, dazzling collection of the world's most fascinating, most unusual, and least-understood natural wonders. It's more than a field guide--it's an adventure. From the curious minds of Atlas Obscura, authors of #1 New York Times bestselling Atlas Obscura and Gastro Obscura, comes an unputdownable tour through the world's most extraordinary natural wonders and curiosities. Learn how dung beetles navigate by the stars and trees communicate through their roots. Meet one of the strongest animals in the world: the puny peacock mantis shrimp. Visit a 44,000 year old shrub, float along flying rivers, and explore a garbage dump teeming with endangered storks. There are first-person interviews: hear from a honey hunter and his avian partners, a scientist working to understand the hidden language of prairie dogs, an offshore radio DJ who is at the heart of the local fishing community. Examine old examples of bird song notation written on sheet music. Featuring over 500 extraordinary plants, animals, and natural phenomena with illustrations and photos on every page, first-person interviews, and engaging infographics, the book takes readers around the globe, with stops in every continent--from Arctic deserts to lush jungles, to the deepest fathoms of the ocean, and into the heart of our densest cities. In a time where the world that feels more knowable than ever, where can access anything with the click of a mouse or a swipe of a finger, and where nature documentaries are a dime a dozen, Wild Life finds a way to reinvigorate our send of wonder about the natural world"--

This book is gorgeous! I am the lucky cataloger who got to see this book before the labels were delicately affixed and it was placed on the Hold shelf. This book is perfect for the curious, for those who love indulging in wonder. Pick this book up if you want your mind to take a walk on the wild side. -Melody

Super Mario party jamboree

VIDEO GAME Switch Super

"A party jam-packed with fun! 7 boards. 112 minigames. Get in the groove with 3 motion modes! Cook to the beat! Flap to fly! Roll to the goal! It's Bowser vs. the world in 2 online modes!: Koopathlon; Bowser Kaboom Squad"--Container.

This is a fantastic party game if you and your friends love boardgames and you're snowed in (even if you're by yourself)! I love the gameplay mechanics, unique twists that come with the different game venues, and cute but challenging minigames. Just make sure you set aside enough time for each game depending on the amount of turns you choose. Guaranteed hours of endless entertainment for kids and adults alike! -Annie

The Martian : a novel

Andy Weir

SCIENCE FICTION Weir Andy
Science Fiction

"Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he's alive--and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old 'human error' are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills--and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit--he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?"

If you ever find yourself stranded on Mars, "The Martian" would be an excellent "how to survive" guide to keep on hand...plus a fully-fueled rocket to get you back home. This character-driven story is told with incredible wit and humor, despite the dire circumstances astronaut Mark Watney finds himself in. If you are looking for a book about surviving against the odds and the unbreakable human spirit, "The Martian" is the perfect read! -Madison C