January 2023
Laura's Picks:
Scattered showers by Rainbow Rowell (2022)
Nobody is better at writing about relationships than Rainbow Rowell. This collection of short stories about love, life, and best friends is sure to give you all the feels. Be on the lookout for cameo appearances from beloved characters!
Musical tables by Billy Collins (2022)
Former poet laureate Billy Collins is master of writing poems that are humorous, earnest, deceptively simple and devastatingly true. Here he turns his attention to the very shortest of poems. It would be a mistake to read this book too quickly.
Amy's Picks:
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie Holmberg
A deftly humorous romp with a magical house, a writer with a secret past, a determined woman, and a necromancer. Having unexpectedly inherited a house, Merritt Fernsby is astonished to find that it seems to be set on either keeping him confined inside the house – or killing him. Set in 1846 Rhode Island, this delightful series launch weaves a satisfying spell by blending magic and mystery with romance and twisted ambition.
Vanishing Edge by Claire Kells (2021)
A riveting mystery set in Sequoia National Park, pairing a former FBI agent (Felicity Harland) and a former SEAL (Hap Huxley) in a strenuous hunt for missing campers and a sinister killer. There are some obvious similarities to Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon series, so readers who liked that series should definitely try this one. The author did an excellent job with the meticulous sequence of the investigation and portraying the off-season element of a national park.
Lauren's Picks:
Fairy Tale by Stephen King (2022)
At seventeen, Charlie Reade is set on the path to adventure after saving the life of his elderly neighbor, Howard Bowditch, though he gets more than he bargained for by doing so. He comes to love Mr. Bowditch’s dog, Radar, and becomes intrigued by the locked shed in Mr. Bowditch’s backyard after hearing strange sounds from within. Mr. Bowditch reveals to Charlie what he has told no one else: inside the shed is a portal to a fairy tale world that is under a dark curse. The survival of this world, and the safety of their own, depends on Charlie and Radar. Though it took a while to get to the more fantastical elements of the story, it was well worth the wait!
Diane's Picks:
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (2022)
Not in the mood for a romantic comedy I set it aside when I saw this book cover. Note to self – never judge a book by its cover. If you enjoy strong, independent females, this book delivered with a brilliant chemist who succeeds in a male dominated world of the 1960s, albeit following a most unusual path. A debut novel for Gamus, I also recommend watching her Virtual Author Talk available on the WPL website.
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult (2022)
A soul-stirring novel about starting over and deciding what things should be left leave behind in order to become one’s authentic self. This is a multi-faceted novel focusing on many issues providing an in-depth description of the responsibilities of beekeepers to the intricacies of the judicial system, to the secrets and the angst of young people dealing with their sexuality. An informative and interesting read as well as a heartbreaking love story.
Jenna's Picks for Children:
Skater Cielo by Rachel Katstaller (2022)
You don’t have to be a skater to enjoy this new selection from El Salvadorian author and illustrator Katstaller. Rough and tumble Cielo absolutely loves skateboarding, but after a particularly bad fall she is ready to give it all up. Will some supportive and encouraging new skater friends be enough to build up Cielo’s bravery and get her back on the board? Check out our copy and you will find yourself cheering on Cielo and ready to ollie in no time!
Too Early by Nora Ericson (2022)
Are you looking for a peaceful read aloud that celebrates those early morning moments? Look no further than this stunning picture book that follows a child from the predawn hours to the glorious sunrise. With the repeating refrain of “too early”, Ericson perfectly captures the sights, smells, and sounds of a family waking up. This book is like a tight hug full of love or like slipping on your favorite pair of jammies. Highly recommended for all kiddos and families!
John's Picks:
The Greatest Hits: 20 Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys (1995)
The twenty-sixth compilation album by the Beach Boys covering much of their early catalogue. The album consists of tracks mainly from 1962-1966, but it also contain the band’s number one hit, “Kokomo,” from 1988 that was featured in the movie, Cocktail. There are many compilations of The Beach Boys’ music to choose from, but this album is definitely one of the most comprehensive track listings formatted to a single compact disc.
Dreamland by Joni Mitchell (2004)
Another compilation album on this list, but unlike the previous album, this one contains tracks selected by the artist herself instead of a record label, as is often the case. The album spans Joni’s career from the late sixties up until the present. She also includes re-recorded orchestral versions of several tracks that go to show how far Joni has come musically; and she had come very far already.
The Irishman (2019)
An epic crime drama from legendary director Martin Scorsese and featuring an all-star cast including, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci alongside a cavalcade of other famous actors. At a near three and a half hour runtime, it is a sizeable film to sit through, but the performances are so good, you’ll reach the end credits before you even realize it. While not quite as renowned as Goodfellas, Scorsese’s other epic gangster film, it certainly still cements the longtime director as a master of his craft.