book recommendations
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Best Books of 2025: Adult
As chairs of the Adult Book List committee, we are excited to share with you how the committee was formed, how the books were reviewed, and how the list you can now find in the December Books & Beyond newsletter was created. Several librarians from across the whole system met together in person in the…
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Best Books of 2025: Youth
This year marked an exciting first for our library: the creation of our Best Books list for babies, children, and young adults! Two of us had the privilege of leading this new committee, and with a wonderful team of librarians, we set out to find the most remarkable (and often overlooked) books of the year.…
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Shapes & Forms: A Guide to Contemporary Indigenous Literature
The history of Indigenous literature is a lineage that runs deep throughout the American continent. From tales shared through oral traditions to modern poetry and prose, these narratives have often sought to illuminate the lived experiences of contemporary Indigenous reality while covering themes of heritage, nature, community, and preservation. For this Native American History Month,…
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Pride: The Importance of Queer Stories
“I often wonder what I’d do if there weren’t any books in the world.” – James Baldwin, Giovanni’s Room Reading queer stories, whether it’s romance, or horror, or literary fiction, always feels like coming home. A place to rest, to unwind after a long day, and be truly, utterly myself. I find comfort in seeing…
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Book Recommendations: Picture Books for Mental Health Awareness Month
Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month with these amazing picture books! Explore a diverse array of neurodivergent experiences, and the unique challenges (and triumphs) that come with them. While many children’s titles address juvenile mental health issues broadly (for instance, personifying anxiety as a monster), the entries on this list deal more specifically with symptoms of…
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With Books, I Was Never Alone
For years, I was floating by. I hated this feeling especially when it was combined with my intense moods. Grounding tools felt impossible to use; because I was an independently minded teenager, creating and maintaining healthy habits that people would advise for my success was not something I’d taken seriously. However, in 2014, after a…
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Book Recommendations: Botanical Horror
Climate change may be scary… but these horror stories are even more daunting! In honor of Earth Day (April 22nd) this month, I’ve compiled a list of botanical horror novels that will surely have you question the power of nature. Don’t Let The Forest In by CG Drews High school student Andrew Perrault finds refuge…
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Book Recommendations: Poetry That Celebrates Nature
This month, we are celebrating National Poetry Month (April 1st to April 31st) and Earth Day (April 22nd). To highlight both, I thought, why not recommend poetry books that use the natural world as either the subject or core imagery of the book? The following list includes both classic and contemporary poets. The Lost Words:…
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How Ancient Epic Poetry Shaped Modern Fantasy
Poetry is often overlooked, yet its influence on storytelling is profound. I have always been captivated by the rich history of poetry, which holds a special place in my heart. The oldest form of it, epic poetry, has shaped literature for centuries, inspiring everything from novels to films. These grand narratives explore heroism, fate, and…
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Children’s Book Recommendations: Growing Families
Siblings Day is celebrated on April 10. This year, staff member Ethan shares his family’s book recommendations that help parents and children prepare for a new family member. Is your family growing and you want to prepare the little one(s) in your life for the new addition? Do you want to help them navigate these…
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