November 2025

Laura's Pick: 

The witch roads by Kate Elliott (2025)

What happens when you take a shortcut to a haunted place that you were specifically warned against? Only bad things. Deputy courier Elen immediately notices that the man who leaves the Spires isn’t the same arrogant prince who entered them; but maybe that’s for the better, because there’s more danger in the hills than anyone realizes and the not-a-man who travels with her may carry their salvation. Look for the second book in this duology coming soon.  

John’s Albums/Movies Picks:

Remembering Now by Van Morrison (2025)

The forty-seventh studio album by Van Morrison and his first of all new material in over three years after a period of covers and reworked older songs.  The lead single, “Down to Joy,” was actually written four years prior for the Kenneth Branagh film, Belfast, to which Morrison composed the soundtrack.

F1 The Movie (2025)

A sports drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, and Javier Bardem.   In the film, Sonny Hayes (Pitt) comes out of retirement to help his former teammate (Bardem) with his underdog racing team while coming into conflict with his younger co-racer (Idris).   With intense racing sequences and exotic locations around the world, the film is a great adventure for any motorsport fan.

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (2025)

The eighth and presumably final film in the long-running Mission Impossible franchise.  Tom Cruise returns yet again as Ethan Hunt, alongside Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, and Ving Rhames.  Continuing from the previous movie, Dead Reckoning, Hunt and his team race across the world to stop the rogue artificial intelligence known as the Entity.   With more action and stunts than ever before, if this truly is the last Mission Impossible film, it is quite a high note to end on.

Lauren's Pick:

The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar (2025)

In a small town on the edge of Faerie, two sisters sing to the willow trees, following a tradition passed down through generations. But when Esther, the eldest, rejects a human suitor in favor of her faerie lover, not only her life but her sister’s is put at risk. This lyrical novella is a fairy tale of sisterhood and how love can transcend anything, even death.

Rashmi's Children's Books Picks:

I Would Give You My Tail by Tanya Tagaq, illustrated by Qavavau Manumie (Recommended for ages 3 – 7)

A poetic and beautifully illustrated picture book grounded in Inuit culture. When young Kalluk sets out to tell his grandmother about the arrival of his new sibling, he meets animals and parts of nature who share what makes them happy—always with kindness, including the touching line: “I would give you my tail.” Perfect for the fall season, the story beautifully captures themes of gratitude, love, and connection—to family, community, and the natural world.

Trouble Dog: From Shelter Dog to Conservation Hero by Carol A. Foote and Larry Day (Recommended for ages 5 – 11)

Based on the lives and adventures of two real conservation dogs, Pepin and Wicket, this book tells the story of Tucker, a shelter dog bursting with energy and hard to handle—until he’s adopted and given a job that puts his enthusiasm to good use. With his incredible nose, Tucker becomes a conservation hero, helping protect endangered wildlife  and keeping them safe. This inspiring tale shows how rescued dogs with high energy can make a big difference in the world.

Crumble by Meredith McClaren, illustrated by Andrea Bell (Recommended for ages 8 – 12)

It follows Emily, a young girl who helps run a magical bakery where emotions are baked into treats—with one strict rule: never bake negative feelings. After a family tragedy, Emily breaks that rule. The story explores themes of grief, healing, emotional expression, and how we process difficult feelings. Perfect for fans of The Tea Dragon Society, Witch Boy, and Inside Out, this story is ideal for readers who love magical realism and stories that speak to the heart.