Readers Corner

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Looking for your next book to read? 

Discover library services for readers, scroll through librarian recommended reads, and find links to a variety of book-related resources.

Library Services for Readers

Recommended Adult Titles

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Rites of the Starling

Don't miss out on the stunning DELUXE LIMITED EDITION while supplies last. This breathtaking collectible is only available on a limited first print run in the U.S. and Canada only, a must-have for any book lover.

RITES OF THE STARLING is the epic, heart-pounding sequel to Devney Perry’s #1 New York Times bestselling SHIELD OF SPARROWS. A princess journeys across a cursed realm to find the truth about her family, only to discover her quest intertwines with the fate of a lost warrior. Love, danger, and magic collide in a captivating romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros.

​Calandra’s five kingdoms are on the verge of destruction. The crux migration is coming. And in the wake of a devastating attack, I’ve been separated from the man who owns my heart.

​I’m lost. Terrified. Homesick. Hunted by monsters, driven to exhaustion, and kidnapped by a powerful priest, the only thing keeping me going is the little girl counting on me to keep her safe.

​It’s my turn to become the Guardian.

​Our lives change one fateful night. A night of death. A night of monsters. A night of truths. That night, I learn the real meaning of fear—and the depth of my own strength.

​Everyone wants me to be something I’m not—a queen, a spy, a sacrifice. But what if I embrace my crown? What if the secrets I uncover save our realm?

​What if my sacrifice means salvation for the man I love?

For too long, I’ve feared the monsters we make.

​It’s time to discover the monster within.​

The Shield of Sparrows series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 Shield of Sparrows
Book #2 Rites of the Starling

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The Book Witch

She can hop into any novel, but she just can’t stay there. 

Come along with the Book Witch in this magical and inspiring love letter to reading from the USA Today bestselling author of The Wishing Game.

This hardcover edition includes gorgeously designed endpapers!

“Meg Shaffer continues to surprise and delight me with each book she writes.”—Laurie Gilmore, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Pumpkin Spice Café

Rainy March is a proud, third-generation Book Witch, sworn to defend works of fiction from all foes real and imaginary. With her magical umbrella and feline familiar, she jumps in and out of novels to fix malicious alterations and rogue heroes like a modern-day magical Nancy Drew.

Book Witches live by a strict code: Real people belong in the real world; fictional characters belong in works of fiction. Do not eat, drink, or sleep inside a fictional world, lest you become part of the story. Falling in love with a fictional character? Don’t even think about it.

Which is why Rainy has been forbidden from seeing the Duke of Chicago, the dashing British detective who stars in her favorite mystery series. If she’s ever caught with him again, she’ll be expelled from her book coven—and forced to give up the magical gifts that are as much a part of her as her own name.

But when her beloved grandfather disappears and a priceless book is stolen, there’s only one person she trusts to help her solve the case: the Duke. Their quest takes them through the worlds of Alice in Wonderland, King Arthur, and other classics that will reveal hidden enemies and long-buried family secrets.

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Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!

"A bombshell, jaw-dropping memoir"

--People Magazine



Global icon Liza Minnelli shares her inspiring story: stepping out from the long shadow of a mega-star mother and legendary film director father, fighting a lifetime battle with addiction, and emerging from it all to become a once-in-a-lifetime artist.



Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! is the autobiography of EGOT icon Liza Minnelli. This fascinating, untold story reveals the intimate truth of the only child born to Hollywood legends Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland. For the first time, here is Liza up close: Raw, strong, sexy, hilarious and heartbreaking.



Liza decided at the age of 16 that "sympathy is my mother's business. I give people joy." That veil of joy, however, masks a lifelong struggle with Substance Use Disorder ("SUD," which Liza inherited from her mother's branch of her family), boundless love to give and an equal need to receive it, broken marriages, multiple miscarriages, and hospitalizations--the highs and lows of unparalleled artistic success and lifelong friendships, as well as chronic anxiety and the threat of financial ruin. 



Despite every challenge, Liza's is a life wrapped in laughter and her tremendous capacity to give and receive love. Today at nearly 80, she opens her heart, mind and memories, sharing secrets we never knew. Liza's book celebrates supreme artistry and, more importantly, her human rights activism.



"It's time to tell the truth," Liza says, "and help people heal, as I have, one day at a time."

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Game On

Book three in the #1 New York Times bestselling Into Darkness Series, following the dark rom-com sensations Lights Out and Caught Up. The game is on for these enemies-to-lovers with laugh-out-loud banter and scorching-hot brat play.

I hate that woman.

Tyler Neumann has spent years looking for his father, and not because he wants to meet the man. No, he wants to destroy him. And he'll manipulate whoever he can to exact his revenge.

Including Stella McCormick. She's everything Tyler hates. Her wealth and privilege have protected her for her entire life, and Tyler thinks it's time she finally paid the price. Whether she's ready to or not.

I hate that man.

Stella might not believe in love at first sight, but loathing at first sight--no question. From the moment she sets eyes on Tyler in her tattoo parlor, she knows he's the devil planning to make her life hell.

Forced to play the part of his girlfriend and invite him into her family's glittering circles, Stella quickly clocks Tyler's ulterior motives. But love and hate are two sides of the same coin, and soon she doesn't know which is worse: being blackmailed by a man who wants to ruin her, or that they can't seem to keep their hands off each other.

This is an enemies-to-lovers dark romance with morally grey characters. Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the content warning at the beginning of the book.

Tropes: Enemies-to-lovers / Forced proximity / Fake dating / Rom-com / Morally grey MMC / Black cat FMC / Blackmail / Kidnapping / Power imbalance / Age gap / Betrayal and redemption / Dark past / Revenge

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Starside (Deluxe Limited Edition)

Pre-order now to receive the stunning limited deluxe edition-- only available on the first printing while supplies last! The collector's hardcover features stenciled edges, illustrated endpapers, a special hardcover case design, and jacket effects.

From Alex Aster, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Lightlark series, comes her first adult romantasy. Enter the world of Starside, where swords wield magic and power is not inherited...but claimed.

Hundreds of years ago, a brutal war split a land in two. Starside is the realm of magic and immortals--the descendants of the gods, living in a power-rich paradise. Stormside is where mortals fight for scraps of that magic.

Every fifty years, the gates between them open, and fifty challengers are allowed to journey across Starside on a deadly quest to access a pool of magic that can heal, grant wealth, or extend life. Everyone has their reasons for entering, but Aris has only one: vengeance. As a child, a goddess set fire to her village, killing her family. Aris isn't after the gods' magic--she's going to kill them.

First, she must survive the Culling, the king's deadly competition to choose his fifty challengers. An orphaned blacksmith's apprentice, Aris doesn't have the superior weapons of the heirs from the Great Houses. But the greatest swords--ones that contain power--are not inherited or bought, they are claimed, by both sides. And when Aris claims a great sword, it makes her not just a real competitor--but a target.

Getting past the gates is only the beginning. Starside is deadlier than it seems. If the ancient creatures, magic-wielding beasts, and bloodthirsty immortals weren't dangerous enough, a new peril has even immortals fearing what rises from the ground at night. With a blade most would kill to claim, Aris can't trust anyone. Especially not Harlan Raker, the merciless and mysterious king's guard who betrayed her years ago--and who may now be the key to her survival.

But Aris is hiding a secret tied to her family's death. And when it's revealed, not even the gods will be able to stop what's coming...

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Black Out Loud



 

The award-winning co-anchor of PBS NewsHour presents a sweeping and insightful retrospective on the history of Black comedy in America.

Black comedians have long played a pivotal role in shaping the American sense of humor. The 1990s showcased a golden era for Black comedy, highlighted by the surge of iconic sitcoms that redefined television and left a lasting cultural imprint. Shows like In Living Color, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Living Single, Martin, and A Different World stood on the shoulders of decades of groundbreaking work by Black comedians, both on-screen and on-stage, to deliver nuanced portrayals of life, family, and culture. Yet, just decades earlier, the idea of Black artists dominating American airwaves with characters that were both hilarious and heartfelt would have been unimaginable. How did it come to be

The journey begins with 19th-century minstrel shows - offensive by today's standards but the first stage for Black performers to reach mainstream audiences. Over time, comedians challenged racial stereotypes, exploring race and identity through humor. Icons like Jackie "Moms" Mabley, Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory, Flip Wilson, Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, and Eddie Murphy shifted perceptions and changed how the nation understood itself. In this incisive history, Geoff Bennett tells the story of how they did it.

In Black Out Loud, Bennett chronicles the transformative history of Black comedy in America, drawing on research and interviews with the actors and executives behind some of the most impactful shows. This brilliant exploration traces the evolution of Black comics and provocateurs who reshaped the culture and ultimately became powerful agents of social change -- transforming the way America laughed along the way.

Includes interviews and insights from: Martin Lawrence, Robert Townsend, Debbie Allen, Tisha Campbell, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Quinta Brunson, Arsenio Hall, and many more!

Recommended YA Titles

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A Barista's Guide to Love & Larceny

This cozy fantasy romance combines magic, first love, and college life into a sweetly brewed and delicious read about a girl roped into investigating a company's dangerous product—perfect for fans of Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe!

"A perfect blend of cozy and heist!. . . I loved it!" —Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times-bestselling author of The Spellshop

Dani Lionet is no stranger to working hard. But now she’s attending her dream magic university, and must manage classes, shifts at the local cafe, and maintaining her partial scholarship—all while trying to keep her unique ability under wraps. That way, no one else can take advantage of it like her parents used to. So when a visiting professor calls Dani out on her ability, she’s terrified.

Yet, it seems Professor Silva just wants to pay Dani to use it to investigate a soon-to-be-released lucid dreaming product with horrible side effects. Dani is hesitant, but she needs the money, and it would help her new friend who was part of the product’s clinical trials. Plus, she has a swoony distraction in Kass, a mage and her endearingly cute new regular at work. . .even if she can't tell him about her ability or extracurricular activities. The fact that he seems just as interested in her is very uncharted territory for Dani since, thanks to her parents, she's never lived in one place long enough to have a real crush.

Can Dani help with the professor's “group project,” learn to embrace her ability, and get to know Kass? Or will it all fall apart before the semester is over?

This enchantingly cozy read is perfect for:
*Readers looking for an accessible entry into fantasy books
*Those who enjoyed To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before or The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches 
*Fans of college and/or New Adult stories
*People who enjoy light heist elements in a story
*Stans of Taylor Swift’s Speak Now album, especially the song “Enchanted”
*Anyone who knows all too well how expensive higher education can be

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TEST 1984

In George Orwell's dystopian masterpiece, Nineteen Eighty-Four, the reader is plunged into a chilling totalitarian regime where surveillance, language manipulation, and psychological control dominate the human experience. Written in 1949, the novel employs a stark and unembellished prose style that mirrors the grim reality of its oppressive setting, with a narrative that intricately explores themes of individuality, truth, and resistance. Orwell's portrayal of the omnipresent Party, embodied in the chilling figure of Big Brother, serves as a profound commentary on the dangers of unchecked governmental power and the erosion of personal freedoms in the modern age. George Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair in 1903, had firsthand experience with authoritarianism and social injustice, which deeply influenced his writing. His earlier works, including Animal Farm, reflect his commitment to political commentary and critique of totalitarian regimes. Orwell's experiences as a soldier in the Spanish Civil War and his observations of propaganda during World War II galvanized his vision for Nineteen Eighty-Four—a prescient warning of the deleterious effects of oppressive state control on the human spirit and democratic principles. Highly regarded for its moral urgency and intellectual depth, Nineteen Eighty-Four is an essential read for anyone interested in the interplay between power and individual freedom. This classic resonates today, urging contemporary readers to remain vigilant in the face of authoritarian tendencies and to cherish the fragile nature of truth and autonomy.

Recommended Chapter Books

Recommended Picture Books

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Soy Sauce!

A joyful picture book for kids and foodies of all ages (with real soy sauce as paint!) that celebrates the iconic kitchen staple and the magical way food connects family and friends across the world.

Salty, savory, rich, and even sweet, soy sauce is as fascinating to make as it is delicious to eat!

Luan makes a classic Chinese soy sauce. Haru uses his own recipe at his family's traditional Japanese brewery. And Yoo-mi's Korean soy sauce features special ingredients to make it spicy and sweet.

With unique ingredients that reflect different Asian cultures, and a brewing process that can take years, even decades, soy sauce holds deep meaning and flavorful history in every drop.
 

Praise for Soy Sauce!:
 

✭ "Lee's lively watercolor illustrations of the children gleefully celebrating each stage of the long process pair beautifully with the upbeat text for an informative, engaging story.... A joyful ode to soy sauce that's delicious to the last drop." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review



"Soy Sauce! is a charming celebration of one of our favorite condiments. Delicious!" --Grace Lin, author of Chinese Menu and A Big Mooncake for Little Star



"I can't wait for children and families to learn about the colorful history and process of soy sauce." --Kristina Cho, James Beard-winning author of Chinese Enough and Mooncakes and Milk Bread



"A loving ode to the ways we connect at the table through taste and tradition....A perfect read for your budding epicurean." --Cecily Wong, author of Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer's Guide

Online Library Reading Resources

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Beanstack

Join library reading challenges for all ages, including 1000 Books Before Kindergarten and seasonal challenges.

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Novelist Plus

Novelist contains information on over 260,000 fiction and readable nonfiction titles. Features lists of award-winning books, book discussion guides, Read-a-Like recommendations, and complete series information. 

Goodreads

Goodreads connects a community of readers and allows you to track the books you're reading, have read, and want to read.

Fantastic Fiction

Search and browse the complete works of over 50,000 bestselling fiction authors, with all the latest books and series listed in order.

StoryGraph

StoryGraph is the all-in-one platform for your bookish needs. StoryGraph will help you track your reading and choose your next book based on your mood and your favorite topics and themes.

New York Times Bestsellers List

The New York Times ranked lists of books sold in the United States, sorted by format and genre.