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Staff Picks May 2026 Reviews and Recommendations from Our Adult and Teen Services Staff |
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Carly recommends: Alone Out Here by Riley RedgateWhen the president's daughter--eighteen-year-old Leigh Chen--ends up on the only ship escaping a dying earth, she and a group of teenagers must grapple with the challenges of what it will take to survive as the last remnants of humanity. "Part survival story and part exploration of the tenuous ties of cooperation, this memorable page-turner is a successful foray into science fiction for Redgate. A gripping post-apocalyptic survival story featuring a multinational cast and just the right amount of introspection." (Kirkus Reviews). |
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Kristin recommends:
The Final Problem by Arturo Perez-ReverteJune 1960. A storm strands nine travelers at an inn on the idyllic island of Utakos, across from Corfu. No one has any premonition of what is about to happen: Edith Mander, a quiet English tourist, turns up dead in the beach pavilion. It looks like a suicide, but the scene contains a series of clues too subtle for anyone but the likes of Hopalong Basil, a washed-up actor who once played the most famous detective of all time on the silver screen. "Fans of Holmes, Poirot, and other Golden Age detectives will relish the many allusions to classic mysteries..." (Library Journal). |
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Roseanne recommends: Before I Go by Colleen OakleyConfronting the final months of her life when her breast cancer aggressively returns, 27-year-old Daisy endeavors to find her beloved husband another wife, an effort that forces her to make difficult choices. "Highly recommended for laugh-out-loud fans and the tearjerker set" (Library Journal). |
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Mallory recommends: Funny Story by Emily HenryAfter being dumped for her boyfriend's lifelong best friend, Petra, Daphne agrees to room with Petra's freshly heartbroken ex until she can figure things out, in the new novel from the New York Times best-selling author of Happy Place. "Reliable bestseller Henry has written another surefire hit that manages to be dramatic, sexy, and fun. Miles and Daphne have chemistry that leaps off the page, and their will-they-or-won't-they energy propels the story to its satisfying conclusion. Daphne is an immensely likable character, one whose past realistically informs her current relationships. The world of Waning Bay is charmingly quirky, and Daphne's co-workers at the library are endearing. As always, Henry's biggest strength is the sharp, often hilarious dialogue that makes the story a joy to read. Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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Abby recommends: Loved One by Aisha MuharrarA warm, witty, and wise novel about a woman who goes looking for answers after her first love turned best friend dies unexpectedly, and winds up finding herself. "Muharrar endears with her candid portrayal of Elizabeth’s and Julia’s messy emotions, and with her gimlet-eyed depiction of the ever-longing and ever-spurned Julia. This brims with insights into the blurry boundaries between love and friendship" (Publishers Weekly). |
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Astrid recommends: Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig RiceHaunting apocalyptic fiction that centers on bewildered individuals from the Anishinaabe community in Canada who must rely on their traditional skills to survive a mysterious cataclysmic event. Atmospheric and suspenseful scenarios depict the dangers of living in remote areas with limited resources. Mounting tension about uncertainties with what's happened to the world adds to the slow-burn thrills. "Although more deliberate than most end-of-the-world thrillers, the story builds in tension and violence as the days get colder and the supplies dwindle" (Booklist). |
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Meghan recommends: Waywardby Blake CrouchWelcome to Wayward Pines, population 461. The town is a modern-day Eden ... except for the electrified fence and razor wire, snipers scoping everything 24/7, and the relentless surveillance tracking each word and gesture. Ethan Burke has seen the world beyond. He's sheriff, and one of the few who knows the truth-- Wayward Pines isn't just a town. And what lies on the other side of the fence is a nightmare beyond anyone's imagining ... |
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Karen recommends: Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare PooleyAn advice columnist breaks her rule for never talking to other commuters on the train when she witnesses a nurse save another man choking on a grape. "In a time when our differences so often divide us, Pooley’s novel is like a reassuring hug, assuring readers that our differences can strengthen relationships and should be embraced and celebrated. A not-to-be-missed read in the mode of Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine" (Booklist). |
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Mary recommends: Martyr! by Kaveh AkbarAs a kid, Cyrus moved from Iran to Indiana with his dad after the plane his mother was on was accidentally shot down by the U.S. military. Now nearly 30 and recovering from addiction, Cyrus' obsession with martyrs leads him to a dying artist in Brooklyn in this highly anticipated debut. "This wondrous novel will linger in readers’ minds long after the final page" (Publishers Weekly). |
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Batavia Public Library
10 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia, Illinois 60510
630-879-1393bataviapl.org |
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