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Staff Picks August 2025 Reviews and Recommendations from Our Adult and Teen Services Staff |
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Roseanne recommends: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily HenryAvery, eager to break free from her uptight ways, turns to notorious flirt Taylor for lessons in confidence, but as their connection deepens, both must face their growing feelings and the risks of falling for each other. "Both longtime Henry (Funny Story) fans and new romance readers will devour this rivals-to-lovers slow burn, one of Henry's best to date. Also good for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid" (Library Journal). |
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Mallory recommends: The Only One Left: A Novel by Riley SagerIn 1983, home-health aide Kit McDeere arrives at a decaying Hope's End to care for Lenora Hope, helping her write about the events leading up to her family's massacre in 1929 ,and soon discovers this seemingly harmless woman could be far more dangerous than she first thought. "Claustrophobic and haunting, this is Sager at the top of his game" (Booklist). |
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Meghan recommends: Rules for a Knight: The Last Letter of Sir Thomas Lemuel Hawke by Ethan HawkeA knight writes a letter to his children containing his thoughts on a variety of topics, from courage to grace, in the event that he doesn't return from battle. "Hawke's joust against injustice and fear is an easy and endearing read, perfect for young and old children alike" (Publishers Weekly). |
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Abby recommends: The Paris Apartment: A Novel by Lucy FoleyArriving in Paris to stay with her brother Ben, Jess learns that he has gone missing, and to find him, she starts digging into his life, realizing even though she has come to the City of Lights to escape her past, it's his future hanging in the balance. " A fine suspenser from a writer who consistently delivers the goods" (Booklist); "Foley reliably entertains" (Publishers Weekly). |
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Laura recommends: Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim HarrisonWorking at the mages' university due to her rare ability to handle dross—the damaging, magical waste generated by spellwork—Petra Grady, after an unthinkable accident, seeks out an outcast exiled for the crime of using dross to cast spells, who convinces her to embrace her own hidden talents. "Like Harrison's Hollows series, this first book in the Shadow Age series is action packed and will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next" (Booklist). |
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Astrid recommends: Locked In by Jussi Adler-OlsenThe Department Q series comes to a thrilling conclusion when the team must turn inward to solve the cold case that has put their leader, Detective Carl Morck, behind bars, a place where enemies are plentiful, and time is running out. Carl's colleagues at the Copenhagen Police Department turn their backs on him, leaving Department Q team as his only chance. " Adler-Olsen sends this excellent series out on a high note, reaping the benefits of his deep character work in the previous novels. Fans will be thrilled" (Publishers Weekly). |
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Carly recommends: The Knight and the Moth by Rachel GilligSybil Delling, a Diviner, dreams of having no dreams. She receives visions from six Omens, predicting terrible events. As she and her fellow Diviners near the end of their service, the knight Rodrick arrives, disrespecting her visions. When Diviners start vanishing, Sybil must seek Rodrick's help. The perilous world outside the cathedral holds the answers she seeks, and only a heretic can defeat a god. |
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Misty recommends: Smashing Stigma: Dismantling Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination by Connie GoldsmithStigma is everywhere, from mistrust of unhoused people to discrimination based on weight. Discover how to identify and confront stigma and stop the spread of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination."This accessible overview will provide much-needed validation for some and contribute to awareness for others" (Kirkus). |
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