August 2025
Chris’ Audiobook Pick:
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025)
Spanning 1959 to 1975, and set in rural England, this Reese's Book Club pick, is a powerful and tragic story of intertwined relationships, family secrets and the consequences of unspoken truths.
Available on CD and downloadable from Libby.
Laura’s Pick:
The spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst (2024)
Kiela is an ex-librarian who escapes the city to a remote island and establishes a magical library that doubles as a raspberry jam shop. With the help of her sentient spider plant Caz, she’ll make new friends and maybe discover a bit of magic for herself. Settle in for a cozy fantasy reminiscent of Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes.
John’s Picks:
The Lion King: Special Edition Soundtrack by Elton John (2003)
A reissuing of the soundtrack album to the animated film of the same name with music by John and lyrics from Tim Rice. Containing the standard track listing, this rerelease also contains two new songs: “The Morning Report” and a remix of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”
Paul Simon: The Life by Robert Hilburn (2018)
A candid biography of Paul Simon with his participation, but no editorial control. The book presents details of Simon’s life from his early days with Art Garfunkel, to his very successful solo career. With interviews from friends and colleagues alike across many years, this book is an intricate look into one of popular music’s most prolific and celebrated artists of the last sixty years.
Renfield (2023)
An action horror comedy directed by Chris McKay and starring Nicolas Cage as Count Dracula. In the film, the titular Renfield, played by Nicholas Hoult, seeks to free himself from the Count’s control and find a new direction in life. Costarring Awkwafina and Ben Schwartz, the film is a more humorous take on the horror icon.
Lauren’s Pick:
Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods (2025)
Lucinde Leon has always dreamed of life on the high seas, but adventure finds her at home when she saves a shipwrecked sailor. Son of another ship-owning family, Morgan is alluring, and soon Luce begins to dream of a different life, including attending the masquerade ball in Morgan’s honor. But a web of secrets surrounds Saint-Malo, one Luce must unravel if she wants to save her home from the war looming on the horizon. This enchanting historical fantasy combines elements of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid for a new twist on these classic tales.
Ashlee’s Children’s Book Pick:
In the world of whales by Michelle Cusolito ; illustrated by Jessica Lanan (2025)
(Recommended for ages 4-8)
Michelle Cusolito provides her readers with a humbling look into one diver's real-life experience as he witnesses the birth of a sperm whale calf. This once-in-a-lifetime event is accompanied by the book's lyrical prose and stunning watercolor illustrations that immerse the reader into the underwater world. The end of the book features a detailed illustration of sperm whale anatomy as well as additional learning resources.
Rashmi’s Teen Pick:
I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang
(Recommended for ages 13-17 years)
In I Am Not Jessica Chen, Ann Liang delivers a heartfelt coming-of-age novel about identity, family expectations, and the pressure to be perfect. The story follows Jenna Chen, a teenager constantly compared to her flawless cousin, Jessica. After magically waking up in Jessica’s body, Jenna must navigate a life that looks ideal on the outside but comes at a steep personal cost. With warmth and insight, this novel explores self-worth, cultural pressure, and the courage it takes to be yourself.