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Sophie - Youth Services Assistant (Handley)
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Thus begins an unlikely correspondence between two rival agents hellbent on securing the best possible future for their warring factions. Now, what began as a taunt, a battlefield boast, becomes something more. Something epic. Something romantic. Something that could change the past and the future. Except the discovery of their bond would mean the death of each of them. There's still a war going on, after all. And someone has to win. That's how war works, right? Cowritten by two beloved and award-winning sci-fi writers, This Is How You Lose the Time War is an epic love story spanning time and space. |
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Adrienne - Handley Library Branch Manager
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Theo and Kit have been a lot of things: childhood best friends, crushes, in love, and now estranged exes. After a brutal breakup on the transatlantic flight to their dream European food and wine tour, they exited each other's lives once and for all. Time apart has done them good. Theo has found confidence as a hustling bartender by night and aspiring sommelier by day, with a long roster of casual lovers. Kit, who never returned to America, graduated as the reigning sex god of his pastry school class and now bakes at one of the finest restaurants in Paris. Sure, nothing really compares to what they had, and life stretches out long and lonely ahead of them, but--yeah. It's in the past. All that remains is the unused voucher for the European tour that never happened, good for 48 months after its original date and about to expire. Four years later, it seems like a great idea to finally take the trip. Solo. Separately. It's not until they board the tour bus that they discover they've both accidentally had the exact same idea, and now they're trapped with each other for three weeks of stunning views, luscious flavors, and the most romantic cities of France, Spain, and Italy. It's fine. There's nothing left between them. So much nothing that, when Theo suggests a friendly wager to see who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first, Kit is totally game. And why stop there? Why not a full-on European hookup competition? But sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can't have. "I've been in a real rom com mood since Alyssa (Info Coordinator) got me hooked on Katherine Center (Hello Stranger is her best). I listened to two Casey McQuiston audiobooks in a row and really enjoyed them both. The Pairing slightly more. I haven't read Red, White & Royal Blue but I did love the movie adaptation." - Adrienne |
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Directed by Celine Song
Summary:
Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrest apart after Nora's family emigrates from South Korea. Two decades later, they are reunited in New York for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life. "I was excited to learn about the new movie Materialists, which is written and directed by Celine Song. I loved her earlier movie Past Lives. It is my ideal of the romantic movie. It is a quiet movie that conveys a lot." - Adrienne |
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Nova - Information Services Assistant (Handley)
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Directed by Josh Boone
Summary: An acclaimed writer, his ex-wife, and their teenaged children come to terms with the complexities of love over the course of a year. "This is a pretty standard romantic comedy-drama. It's a sweet story that shows love at different stages in life. I've seen this movie a number a times, and it hasn't gotten old yet!" |
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After Pinky's lethal performance art piece, her devoted girlfriend Pepper follows her into death, only to find that in Hell, Pinky is... thriving?! Pinky & Pepper Forever is a tragic love story meets dark comedy crafted in Atoms' unrestrained mixed media style. Follow these two puppygirls' tumultuous relationship and shocking works of art from undergrad to the underworld! |
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Mackenzie - Branch Assistant (Clarke)
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A Little Life follows four college classmates—broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition—as they move to New York in search of fame and fortune. While their relationships, which are tinged by addiction, success, and pride, deepen over the decades, the men are held together by their devotion to the brilliant, enigmatic Jude, a man scarred by an unspeakable childhood trauma. A hymn to brotherly bonds and a masterful depiction of love in the twenty-first century, Hanya Yanagihara’s stunning novel is about the families we are born into, and those that we make for ourselves. "The most beautifully written book I have ever read. Filled with tremendous love and tremendous heartache, this masterpiece will live in your soul for years to come." - Mackenzie |
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Kaitlyn - Youth Services Assistant (Handley)
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In this intimate and defiantly hopeful graphic novel memoir, the author shares their journey to find a home within themself, taking readers through the experiences and everyday moments that all led up to them finding the term "nonbinary," which finally struck a chord. "This book is all about loving yourself enough to be yourself and what could be a better message for young people than that?" - Kaitlyn |
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Kathy - Circulation Assistant (Bowman)
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A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret. Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages. When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they're likely to bring about the end of days. But the children aren't the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn. An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place-and realizing that family is yours. |
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There might be no such a thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes-all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediately yes. That is until Xavier opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Like, really wrong. Of course, there's nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong... unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake. But after one incredible and seemingly endless date-possibly the best in living history-Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that her family is in crisis and any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. To remember their night together as a perfect moment, as crushing as that may be. Only no amount of distance or time is nearly enough to forget that something between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life-and even a love-worth remembering. |
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Gwen - Information Services Assistant (Bowman)
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In this prequel to #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon They Both Die at the End, two new strangers spend a life-changing day together after Death-Cast first makes their fateful calls. It's the night before Death-Cast goes live, and there's one question on everyone's mind: Can Death-Cast actually predict when someone will die, or is it just an elaborate hoax? Orion Pagan has waited years for someone to tell him that he's going to die. He has a serious heart condition, and he signed up for Death-Cast so he could know what's coming. Valentino Prince is restarting his life in New York. He has a long and promising future ahead, and he only registered for Death-Cast after his twin sister nearly died in a car accident. Orion and Valentino cross paths in Times Square and immediately feel a deep connection. But when the first round of End Day calls goes out, their lives are changed forever--one of them receives a call, and the other doesn't. Though neither boy is certain how the day will end, they know they want to spend it together . . . even if that means their goodbye will be heartbreaking. "Beautiful, heartbreaking love story" - Gwen |
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Alyssa - Information Services Coordinator (Handley)
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William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him, so when he meets the spirited and ambitious Julia Padavano in his freshman year of college, it's as if the world has lit up around him. With Julia comes her family, as she and her three sisters are inseparable: Sylvie, the family's dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book; Cecelia is a free-spirited artist; and Emeline patiently takes care of them all. With the Padavanos, William experiences a newfound contentment; every moment in their house is filled with loving chaos. But then darkness from William's past surfaces, jeopardizing not only Julia's carefully orchestrated plans for their future, but the sisters' unshakeable devotion to one another. The result is a catastrophic family rift that changes their lives for generations. Will the loyalty that once rooted them be strong enough to draw them back together when it matters most? "This book was on the New York Times Bestsellers list for an embarrassingly long time before I finally read it. Once I finally gave in, I couldn't believe it had taken me so long to start. There are so many different types of love in this book, including both familial and romantic love, and this book felt to me like it was meant to be about love, how it grows and changes, how it both helps us and hurts us. It was the first book I thought of for this month's prompt, despite how many romance picks I have up my sleeve. I hope you'll 'love' this book as much as I did!" - Alyssa |
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After a disastrous blind date, Darcy Lowell is desperate to stop her well-meaning brother from playing matchmaker ever again. So she fibs and says her latest set up was a success. Darcy doesn't expect her lie to bite her in the ass. Elle Jones, one of the astrologers behind the popular Twitter account, Oh My Stars, dreams of finding her soul mate. But she knows it is most assuredly not Darcy, a no-nonsense stick-in-the-mud, who is way too analytical, punctual, and skeptical for someone as free-spirited as Elle. When Darcy's brother, and Elle's new business partner, expresses how happy he is that they hit it off, Elle is baffled. Was Darcy on the same date? When Darcy begs Elle to play along, she agrees to pretend they're dating to save face. But with a few conditions: Darcy must help Elle navigate her own overbearing family during the holidays and their arrangement expires on New Year's Eve. The last thing they expect is to develop real feelings during a fake relationship.
"I couldn't leave this month's newsletter on love without a romance pick for everyone! So my second pick for you all is an adorable opposites-attract, sapphic rom-com by Alexandria Bellefleur. Elle is super into astrology and believes in soul mates. Darcy is the opposite of a free-spirit, and she wishes her brother would stop trying to set her up on dates. There are two more books in the series, but I definitely think the 1st one is the best." - Alyssa
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Matt - Technical Services Manager (All Branches)
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Andy - Information Services Assistant (Handley)
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The Birdcage (1997)Directed by Mike Nichols Summary: Armand is the owner of a wild Miami Beach nightclub. His partner, Albert, is the star attraction. Armand's son Val announces his engagement to the daughter of ultra-conservative US Senator Keeley, who sees the wedding as the opportunity to restore his political fortune by promoting "traditional family values". The scene is set for a riotous comedy of errors.
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Andy - Information Services Assistant (Handley)
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Summary:
Tashi Duncan is a a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak, Tashi's strategy for her husband's redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick--his former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win? |
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Elyse - Youth Services Associate (Bowman)
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Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood Summary: Inadvertently wiping the board with notorious “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer, which opens the door to sorely needed cash prizes to keep her family afloat, Mallory’s love for the game of chess rekindles, as do her feelings for her competitor, against her own best intentions. "A great summer read! You will find yourself becoming invested in their competition and relationship, even if you don't have a clue on how to play chess." - Elyse
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Bridget - Youth Services Assistant (Handley)
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Summary:
When Liza Winthrop first lays eyes on Annie Kenyon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she knows there’s something special between them. Soon, their close friendship develops into a deep and intimate romance. Neither imagined that falling in love could be so wonderful, but as Liza and Annie’s newfound sexuality sparks conflict in both their families and at their schools, they discover it will take more than love for their relationship to succeed. "Fun Fact: This was the first YA book where the queer characters got a happy ending!" - Bridget Formats available: eBook on Libby, eBook on Hoopla |
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Robyn - Administrative Assistant (Bowman)
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Sixteen-year-old, not-so-openly-gay Simon Spier is blackmailed into playing wingman for his classmate or else his sexual identity—and that of his pen pal—will be revealed. "This book is so cute! The relationship that Simon has with Bram, and with all of his friends and family, is about as wholesome as it gets. Still a bumpy ride, but a sweet book that makes you feel good. We could all use a feel-good story right about now." - Robyn |
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Mary - Information Services Assistant (Handley)
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A professional organizer whose own life is a mess, Ali Morris meets a man who looks at her like she's a version of herself she hasn't been in a long while and decides there's no harm in a little summer romance—or is there? |
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Alison - Clarke County Library Branch Manager
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Pumpkin by Julie Murphy Summary: Creating a drag-show audition tape that culminates in an unkind nomination for prom queen, an overweight and openly gay teen partners with a girl who has been nominated for prom king to embrace their true selves. "My favorite book in the "Dumplin" series! The audiobook is terrific!" - Alison
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Katie - Youth Services Manager (Handley)
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Cynical twenty-three-year old August doesn't believe in much. She doesn't believe in psychics, or easily forged friendships, or finding the kind of love they make movies about. And she certainly doesn't believe her ragtag band of new roommates, her night shifts at a 24-hour pancake diner, or her daily subway commute full of electrical outages are going to change that. But then, there's Jane. Beautiful, impossible Jane. All hard edges with a soft smile and swoopy hair and saving August's day when she needed it most. The person August looks forward to seeing on the train every day. The one who makes her forget about the cities she lived in that never seemed to fit, and her fear of what happens when she finally graduates, and even her cold-case obsessed mother who won't quite let her go. And when August realizes her subway crush is impossible in more ways than one-namely, displaced in time from the 1970s-she thinks maybe it's time to start believing. Casey McQuiston's One Last Stop is a sexy, big-hearted romance where the impossible becomes possible as August does everything in her power to save the girl lost in time. |
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Cheryl - Information Services Coordinator (Bowman)
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In a strange little home built into the branches of a grove of trees, live three robots--fatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson, a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, and a small vacuum desperate for love and attention. Victor Lawson, a human, lives there too. They're a family, hidden and safe. The day Vic salvages and repairs an unfamiliar android labelled "HAP," he learns of a shared dark past between Hap and Gio--a past spent hunting humans. When Hap unwittingly alerts robots from Gio's former life to their whereabouts, the family is no longer hidden and safe. Gio is captured and taken back to his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams. So together, the rest of Vic's assembled family must journey across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio from decommission, or worse, reprogramming. Along the way to save Gio, amid conflicted feelings of betrayal and affection for Hap, Vic must decide for himself: Can he accept love with strings attached? "This was a fantastic audiobook!" - Cheryl |
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Paula - Circulation Assistant (Bowman)
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Summary:
The story of Jesus Christ is being presented as a multi-season show. Digging deeper into the backstories and context of the people and events of the gospels, season one introduces you to people such as Simon Peter, Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene, Matthew, and of course, Jesus in a way never before seen on film. "It fits the theme of love as Mary Magdalene encounters Jesus." - Paula |
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Kate - Circulation Coordinator (Handley)
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"Cate Kay knows how to craft a story. As the creator of a bestselling book trilogy that struck box office gold as a film series, she’s one of the most successful authors of her generation. The thing is, Cate Kay doesn’t really exist. She’s never attended author events or granted any interviews. Her real identity had been a closely guarded secret, until now. As a young adult, she and her best friend Amanda dreamed of escaping their difficult homes and moving to California to become movie stars. But the day before their grand adventure, a tragedy shattered their dreams and Cate has been on the run ever since, taking on different names and charting a new future. But after a shocking revelation, Cate understands that returning home is the only way she’ll be a whole person again. This LGBTQ+ love story is brilliantly written by Kate Fagan who knows how to craft a good story even better than her main character. It starts in the 80's so it's a wonderful flashback for those of us who grew during that era. Beautifully written, tragic, and funny I highly recommend this book to anyone!" - Kate |
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Julie - Information Services Assistant (Bowman)
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Shesheshen is a shapeshifter, who happily resides as an amorphous lump at the bottom of a ruined manor. When her rest is interrupted by impolite monster hunters, she constructs a body from the remains of past meals: a metal chain for a backbone, borrowed bones for limbs, and a bear trap as an extra mouth.
Badly hurt by the hunters, Shesheshen’s nursed back to health by Homily, a warm-hearted human. Homily is kind and would make a great co-parent: an ideal place to lay Shesheshen’s eggs so their young can devour Homily from the inside out. But as they grow close, Shesheshen realizes that eating her girlfriend isn’t an option.
Just as Shesheshen’s about to confess her identity, Homily reveals something else: she’s hunting a shapeshifting monster that supposedly cursed her family. Has Shesheshen seen it anywhere?
Shesheshen didn’t curse anyone, so now she has to figure out why Homily’s twisted family thinks she did. As Shesheshen’s hunt for the monster becomes increasingly deadly, the bigger challenge remains: learning how to build a life with, rather than in, the woman she loves. "A cozy fantasy with a dash of horror, a platonic romance, and humor? And written from the point of view from the monster? Worth checking out if you're looking for something different or off the beaten path" - Julie |
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