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Staff Picks October 2025 Reviews and Recommendations from Our Adult and Teen Services Staff |
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Abby recommends: Atmosphere: A Love Story by Taylor Jenkins ReidIn 1980, professor Joan begins training for the Space Shuttle in Houston with Top Gun pilot Hank, scientist John, mission specialist Lydia, warm-hearted Donna, and aeronautical engineer Vanessa, who become unlikely friends—until December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, when everything changes in an instant. "From Reid's tender introductory letter to readers, all the way through the final chapter, this gritty and glorious book challenges what it means to look at the universe from different vantage points, but it never loses sight of the plot's urgency or authenticity of the characters" (Library Journal). |
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Laura recommends: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghyOn a remote island near Antarctica, the Salt family's fragile existence is upended by the arrival of Rowan, a mysterious woman who washes ashore during a storm, forcing them to confront rising dangers and the hope of rebuilding trust amidst isolation and loss. "McConaghy writes about both nature and human frailty with eloquent generosity. Readers won't want to leave behind the imagined world of pain and beauty that McConaghy has conjured" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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Astrid recommends: Spirit Crossing: A Novel by William Kent KruegerAs a huge manhunt is launched to find a local politician's daughter, Cork O'Connor and the newly formed Iron Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police uncover a connection to the missing teenager when the body of a young Ojibwe woman is found -- one that places his own grandson in the crosshairs of a killer. "Krueger maintains an eerie tone throughout, folding subtle supernatural elements into one of his most puzzling mysteries to date. This long-running series still has plenty of gas in the tank" (Publishers Weekly). |
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Carly recommends: The Couple Next Door by Shari LapenaWhen a terrible crime committed on the night of a dinner party casts suspicion on a young couple who seemed to have it all, Detective Rasbach discovers that the panicked duo had been hiding dangerous secrets from each other for years. A debut suspense novel by the award-winning author of Things Go Flying. A "plot-driven page-turner, and even the most character-focused readers will find it hard to put down" (Booklist). |
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Kristin recommends: Mrs. Plansky Goes Rogue by Spencer QuinnMrs. Plansky plans to celebrate a senior tennis championship with her partner, Kev, on his yacht, until the yacht is destroyed in a suspicious fire and Kev goes missing, and apparently her dad had introduced Kev to Jack, her wayward tennis pro son—and now he's missing too. "Fans of Only Murders in the Building, Richard Osman's "Thursday Murder Club" series, and senior detectives in general will love Loretta and wish for many more adventures" (Library Journal). |
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Mallory recommends: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu MandannaBreaking all the rules, Mika Moon travels to the mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic and, as she gets close to the House's residents, must decide whether to risk everything to protect a found family she didn't know she was looking for. "This charming romantic fantasy is a gem" (Publishers Weekly). |
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Allison Holker opens up for the first time on the loss of her beloved husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss, the untold story of the emotional weight he carried, and the importance of hope in the midst of grief. "A celebration of the healing power of family and dance, Holker's memoir shows how to heal from tragedy without wrapping everything up in a neat bow" (Library Journal).
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Misty recommends: Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents: How to Heal, Cultivate Emotional Resilience & Build the Life & Love You Deserve by Sherrie Campbell"If you grew up with a parent who was self-centered, manipulative, or emotionally abusive, you may still struggle with feelings of anger, sadness, fear, or hopelessness as an adult. You may avoid emotional intimacy with others for fear of being hurt or abandoned. And you may even feel like the abuse was somehow your fault. But it was not your fault, and there are tools you can use to heal and move forward... " -- Back cover. "This title is relevant, highly necessary, healing, liberating, and transformative" (Library Journal). |
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