Are you as exhausted by 2024 as I am? How about a book to help soothe the soul, or make you laugh, or give you a reason to read more on a topic? Here are twenty options that made my list (and more available upon request- heh heh!):
Actual Facts (aka Nonfiction)
The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl
This is a beautifully crafted book, both the art work and the sharing of the author’s life experience in monthly chapters. If you’re looking for a gift for a nature loving friend -this might be worth checking out.
Generations by Jean Twenge
This book plus The Coddling of the American Mind have answered a lot of questions for me I didn’t know I had.
Something Cozy
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy
Short in length, long on happiness impact. Take an afternoon and enjoy!
A New Lease On Death by Olivia Blacke
Looking for a cozy mystery? Here you go!
How to Age Disgracefully by Claire Pooley
Zesty characters and a cute dog. Do I need to say more?
The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
Welcome back to Patrick O’Hara -everyone’s favorite Guncle!
Something a Little Different
Tilda is Visible by Jane Tara
What if you felt invisible because you’re a woman who’s getting older, and then your physical body actually started disappearing? And the medical community even had a name for the phenomenon?!
The Voyage of the Damned by Frances White
If you’re willing to read a fantasy book in which charming characters have magical gifts, this is also a locked room mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.
The Failures by Benjamin Liar
A chonky science fiction story with multiple storylines that come together in a pretty satisfying way to end the first in a trilogy.
After Annie by Anna Quindlen
When Annie unexpectedly passes away, we are given the opportunity to know her better through the lives she touched.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Margo is used to people thinking she makes bad choices, the current bad choice would be sleeping with her married college professor. When she discovers she’s pregnant and decides to keep the baby, Margo feels overwhelmed and determined to succeed.
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
When a woman on a plane starts predicting when and how other passengers will die, the first response was to brush it off. After the first prediction comes true, the rest of the group begins to bond and a search begins to find the mysterious lady.
Something a Little Dark
Fireborne Blade by Charlotte Bond
First in a new series, this is another short in length but long on impact book. You’ll be amazed at the world building the author is able to accomplish in only 167 pages!
The Haters by Robyn Harding
Camryn Hart went from celebrating her first published book to trying to figure out who’s making damaging false accusations about her online. The longer the attacks go on, the less trust Camryn has in the people surrounding her. What a wild ride!
Diavola by Jennifer Thorne
Creepy, creepy, creepy… So good!
Something Old (aka Historical)
Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate
Set in Oklahoma, with storylines in 1909 and 1990s, this book is filled with young women fighting for survival and for acceptance.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
I had no idea who Martha Ballard was before reading this book and now I know why her legend lives on. Fascinating details on midwifery and all the additional jobs that were attached to that title.
The Mesmerist by Caroline Woods
Using some factual happenings and some fictional characters, this is another story of women fighting to have control over their own lives.
The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore
Just when you think there’s nothing new to learn about World War II, you read a book like this. Also, I’m a little sorry I didn’t pay more attention in my Macro Economics course…
Hopefully one of these books is just what you were looking for, and I’m *always* interested in hearing what you thought after reading! []~( ̄▽ ̄)~*
Enjoy!
Stacey
Top 10
Melinda’s Top 10 of 2024
It’s that time again! All week, your favorite library staff will be sharing their Top Ten Books of 2024. From horror to memoir to fantasy to romance, we have a wide range of book to recommend. Be sure to keep checking back – there will be new Top Ten lists every day this week!
Click on the book cover to request a print copy of the book, or check out Libby or Hoopla for eBook and eAudiobook offerings.
In no particular order, here are my Top Ten!

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
Twelve-year-old Robbie Stephens, Jr., is sentenced to six months at a reformatory for kicking the son of the largest landowner in town in defense of his older sister, Gloria. So begins Robbie’s journey further into the terrors of the Jim Crow South and the very real horror of the school they call The Reformatory. Robbie has a talent for seeing ghosts, or haints. But what was once a comfort to him has become a window to the truth of what happens at the reformatory.

The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee
In a mysterious town hidden in our collective subconscious there’s a department store that sells dreams. Each floor specializes in a specific type of dream: childhood memories, food dreams, ice skating, dreams of stardom.
Full review here.

Youthjuice by E.K. Sathue
Joining HEBE, a luxury skincare/wellness company, 29-year-old Sophia Bannion is soon addicted to her HEBE lifestyle, especially youthjuice, the fatty, soothing moisturizer she’s been asked to test, but when she learns the gruesome secret ingredient, she must decide how far she’s willing to go to stay beautiful forever.
Full review here.

You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith
The book begins with one woman’s personal, particular heartbreak, but its circles widen into a reckoning with contemporary womanhood, traditional gender roles, and the power dynamics that persist even in many progressive homes. With the spirit of self-inquiry and empathy she’s known for, Smith interweaves snapshots of a life with meditations on secrets, anger, forgiveness, and narrative itself.

The Farm by Joanne Ramos
Nestled in New York’s Hudson Valley is a luxury retreat boasting every amenity: organic meals, private fitness trainers, daily massages–and all of it for free. In fact, you’re paid big money to stay here–more than you’ve ever dreamed of. The catch? For nine months, you cannot leave the grounds; your movements are monitored, and you are cut off from your former life while you dedicate yourself to the task of producing the perfect baby.

A Grandmother Begins the Story by Michelle Porter
The story of the unrivaled desire for healing and the power of familial bonds across five generations of Métis women and the land and bison that surround them.

The Prettiest Star by Carter Sickels
At eighteen, Brian, like so many other promising young gay men, arrived in New York City without much more than a love for the freedom and release from his past that it promised. But within six short years, AIDS would claim his lover, his friends, and his future. With nothing left in New York but memories of death, Brian decides to write his mother a letter asking to come back to the place, and family, he was once so desperate to escape.

Outofshapeworthlessloser by Gracie Gold
When Gracie Gold stepped onto center stage (or ice, rather) as America’s sweetheart at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, she instantly became the face of America’s most beloved winter sport. Now Gold reveals the exclusive and harrowing story of her struggles in and out of the pressure-packed world of elite figure skating: the battles with her family, her coaches, the powers-that-be at her federation, and her deteriorating mental health.

Mister Lullaby by J.H. Markert
As coma patients are trapped in a world full of evil mythical creatures of sleep, which is linked to an old train tunnel around town, one troubled man finally acts upon the voice in his head called Mr. Lullaby who wants him to kill all the coma patients he can find.
Full review here.

Dolls of Our Lives by Mary Mahoney & Allison Horrocks
Combining history, travelogue, and memoir, Dolls of Our Lives follows Allison Horrocks and Mary Mahoney on an unforgettable journey to the past as they delve into the origins of this iconic brand.
Happy reading!
-Melinda
Melinda’s Top 10 of 2023

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey
There are secrets yet undiscovered in the foundations of the notorious Crowder House. Vera must face them and find out for herself just how deep the rot goes.
I was introduced to Sarah Gailey this year and have loved everything I’ve read so far. Spooky house stories are a win anytime of year.

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
After a young Japanese woman’s life falls apart, she moves into a flat above her eccentric uncle’s bookshop, staying rent-free in exchange for working at the store and developing a passion for Japanese literature.
This is a quietly paced gem of a book. A short read perfect for all book lovers.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
The beloved Friends star shares candid behind the scenes stories from the legendary sitcom, as well as detailing his own struggles with addiction.
As a Friends fan, this book was a heavy read, but an important read for anyone wanting to understand addiction and its impact.

A Long Stretch of Bad Days by Mindy McGinnis
To earn the last credit she needs to graduate, Lydia Chass teams up with foul-mouthed Bristal Jamison to transform her listener-friendly local history podcast into a hard-hitting, truth-telling expose as they investigate an unsolved murder from their small town’s past.
Full review here.

A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
Warned by her brother that their mother seems “off,” Sam visits and discovers a once-cozy home with sterile white walls, a her mom a jumpy, nervous wreck and a jar of teeth hidden in the rosebushes.
Full review here.

Alchemy of a Blackbird by Claire McMillan
Felling the Nazis, painter Remedios Varo and her poet lover await exit papers from a safe house on the Riviera and take refuge in a mysterious bookshop that opens up a world of occult learning that sparks creative genius.
Full review here.

A Guide to Midwestern Conversation by Taylor Kay Phillips
Learn how to speak like a Midwesterner in this humorous and self-deprecating look at their common phrases and sentiments and featuring an ode to the Garage Fridge.
Ope, lemme just tell you- this light-hearted look at the Midwestern states and our odd speech patterns was a fun read.

The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell
During her annual televised baking competition on her Vermont estate, celebrated baker Betsy Martin, hailed as “America’s Grandmother,” finds murder in the mix when a body is discovered, and everyone is a suspect.
Full review here.

My Murder by Katie Williams
Having been murdered by a serial killer and subsequently resurrected, Lou must solve her own slaying.
An original and intriguing tale of cloning, crime, and community- one of my few five star reads this year!

The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon
Investigating an estranged sibling’s suspicious drowning at their grandmother’s estate, Jax connects the tragedy to the unsolved case of a housewife who in 1929 allegedly succumbed to a wish-granting spring.
Jennifer McMahon is always a must-read for me, and the alternating timeline of this book made this one hard to put down.
Happy reading!
-Melinda
Stacey says, “It’s time for the Top Ten of 2023!”
This year I’m really leaning into the popular saying, “So many books, so little time!” My list of possibilities for a Top Ten is longer than usual thanks to my participation on American Library Association’s The Reading List committee. The Reading List is focused on finding great reads in the genres of Adrenaline, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Relationship Fiction, Romance, and Science Fiction -some of these categories aren’t ones I naturally gravitate toward but I’ve enjoyed the entire experience! (Plus -now I have bonus books for this list!)
As always, the books are in alphabetical order in each genre. I’m attempting a three emoji description -🤞 I can make it work. The link will take you to our digital collection but there are print books as well, just give us a call!
General Fiction:
Half-Life of a Stolen Sister by Rachel Cantor 🤔 👀 🔎
Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan 👪🏽 🤐 🎉
Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes 🏫 🕵🏼 👫🏽
Maame by Jessica George 👪🏾 🏠 🏋🏾♀️
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim 🏡 🤫 🔍
Adrenaline:
Dirty Laundry by Disha Bose 🤐 😮 🪤
A Twisted Love Story by Samantha Downing 🕵🏼♀️ 👩❤️👨☠️
Historical Fiction:
Ghost Girl, Banana by Wiz Wharton 🇭🇰 🏴 👨👩👧👧
The Beach at Summerly by Beatriz Williams ⚔️ 💘 🏡
The House is on Fire by Rachel Beanland 🎭 🔥 💔
Mystery:
The Appeal by Janice Hallett 🤫 🔍 🥸
Better the Blood by Michael Bennett ☠️ 😰 🇳🇿
Killing Me by Michelle Gogan 🙅 😳 🤥
The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp by Leonie Swann 👵 🐢 🪤
Horror:
The September House by Carissa Orlando 🔥 🫠 😵
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix 👻 😱 🥴
Fantasy or Science Fiction:
The Books of Babel series by Josiah Bancroft series ☠️ ⛓️💥
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett 🧚 ✨ 📚
The Meister of Decimen City by Brianna 🐉 🦸♀️ ⚡
The Road to Roswell by Connie Willis 🗺️ 🛸 😉
📚 💖 😊
– Stacey
Gina’s 2016 Top 10 Books!
I’m still trying to find my reading style. This past year it has been a mix of nonfiction and fiction. I generally enjoy reading books before it is adapted into a movie, that way I can see the differences.
Yes, My Accent Is Real: and Some Other Things I Haven’t Told You by Kunal Nayyar
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
How to Be Single by Liz Tuccillo
Me Before You and After You by Jojo Moyes
Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 & 2 by John Tiffany, Jack Thorne, and J.K. Rowling
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
On My Own by Diane Rehm
I hope you enjoy these as much as I did! Happy Holidays!
-Gina
Latest Additions
It’s coming! One of my favorite things! The end of the year Top Ten of 2013 lists are coming next week! I love seeing what everyone has chosen as their favorite books of the year. Some of the books I’ve heard co-workers talking about but some I haven’t, plus sharing a book right after you’ve read it is different than putting it in a final, favorites list (I think)… And I know waiting is tough, so I thought maybe I’d share just a few “outside” lists to hold you over until our awesomely awesome lists come along!
New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2013
Kirkus: Best General Fiction Books of 2013
Library Journal’s Best Books 2013 Top Ten
And more from Library Journal!
Publishers Weekly: Staff Favorites of 2013
The Guardian
And don’t forget to take a peek at our Holiday Gift Guide 2013! (True, you missed the program -and the snacks- but you can still see all the wonderful titles suggested by RRPL staff members.) Now let’s start the countdown until next week… Seven days to go!
— Stacey
Rosemary’s Best 11 of 2011
Last week we had about an inch of snow and my dog was beside himself with happiness. Jack loves the snow! He loves it when I kick it up into the air and he can launch himself at it. As we were heading back home from our walk, I noticed how his small footprints and my big ones were intersecting all the way down the sidewalk. I wonder if we will have a white Christmas? I know Jack is dreaming of one. My top 2011 books were all read and savored in the company of my faithful companion.
Dark Inquiry by Deanna Raybourn
The Call by Yannick Murphy
Velva Jean Learns to Fly by Jennifer Niven
Emily Alone by Stewart O’Nan
Daughters-in-Law by Joanna Trollope
Dog Who Knew Too Much by Spencer Quinn
Nightwoods by Charles Frazier
Little Women Letters by Gabrielle Donnelly
To be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal
South of Superior by Ellen Airgood
I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher (nonfiction)