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Staff favorites from 2019

Use the filters below to explore more than 100 titles staff loved this year. Want even more recommendations? Check out our favorite books from 2017, 2018 or request a custom reading list from our librarians.

“Kristin and Jen are the moms that you want in your hangout. The Nebraska natives are honest, funny and …”
Read Casey K.'s full recommendation »
#IMomSoHard Cover
“A charming story that follows a curious young bear as he explores the world around him and finds himself …”
Read Melanie W.'s full recommendation »
Bear Came Along Cover
“This is an original love story between two people who have both had painful breakups …”
Read Paul C.'s full recommendation »
Field Notes On Love Cover
“Allison makes readers cringe and smile as three close friends make it through another semester of college …”
Read Justina W.'s full recommendation »
Giant Days, Vol. 9 Cover
“Mira Jacob faces some difficult life questions posed to her by her son. As Jacob tries to address them, …”
Read Ruby J.'s full recommendation »
Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations Cover
“Eye-opening, research-based information presented in a manner that makes it easily understood as to why …”
Read Joanne F.C.'s full recommendation »
The Healing Power of Girlfriends: How to Create Your Best Life Through Female Connection Cover
“A lonely monster and a mystery (or two or three) to solve! This has all the best technology-free …”
Read Teki V.'s full recommendation »
Malamander Cover
“Steve Catson and his man, Manfried, are back in the sequel to "Manfried the Man," this time to help a …”
Read Laura E.'s full recommendation »
Manfried Saves the Day
“Lori Gottlieb, a therapist who started out as a Hollywood film and TV writer, tells her personal story …”
Read Jean S.-K.'s full recommendation »
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed Cover
“Claude Auzello and Blanche, his American Jewish wife, worked and lived for many years at the Ritz Hotel …”
Read Theresa J.'s full recommendation »
Mistress of the Ritz Cover
“A line of Madeline-style girls explore various biomes in this beautifully illustrated picture book.”
Read Colby J.'s full recommendation »
The Nature Girls Cover
“Ogilvy is just like any other bunny, until he finds himself in a town of bunnies who have very strict …”
Read Melanie W.'s full recommendation »
Ogilvy Cover
“The genius behind "Geek Love" elaborates on the overlooked beauty and usefulness of profanity and its …”
Read Laura E.'s full recommendation »
On Cussing Cover
“Set in the early 1920s, the story follows the mystery of how Alice James ended up in Oregon with a …”
Read Jean S.-K.'s full recommendation »
The Paragon Hotel Cover
“When then 2-year-old Parker Curry viewed Michelle Obama’s portrait in the National Gallery her awestruck …”
Read Melanie S.'s full recommendation »
Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment Cover
“This picture book biography of Pura Belpré introduces kids to the inspirational story of one of our …”
Read Kendall M.'s full recommendation »
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré Cover
“Deja and Josiah (or Josie, to his friends) are working their last shift at the pumpkin patch before they …”
Read Danielle D.'s full recommendation »
Pumpkinheads Cover
“A dark sci-fi thriller that examines the connection between memories and reality. When something begins …”
Read Billy C.'s full recommendation »
Recursion Cover
“McQuiston gives us a modern romance, mixing the fairytale dream of being loved by a prince with the …”
Read Abigail B.'s full recommendation »
Red, White & Royal Blue Cover
“For five years, 12-year-old Coyote and her father have traveled the United States in a converted school ...”
Read Nancy N.'s full recommendation »
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise Cover
“The first collection of Argentinian author Hebe Uhart's work to be published in English features stories …”
Read Billy C.'s full recommendation »
The Scent of Buenos Aires Cover
“The memoir of the former commander of U.S. Special Operations Forces is an in-depth look at life in the …”
Read Billy C.'s full recommendation »
Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations Cover
“Mahurin's brilliant debut novel features an intricate, fast-paced plot alongside clever female characters …”
Read Samantha E.'s full recommendation »
Serpent & Dove Cover
“A story of women's roles during Ethiopia's resistance to Italian fascism in the 1930s, this saga …”
Read Anna W.'s full recommendation »
The Shadow King Cover
“In this novella, Tobias, "Wild Man of the Wood," has spent most of his life listening to the forest, only …”
Read Danielle D.'s full recommendation »
Silver in the Wood Cover
“Skulls might look scary but they're really not! You need them to keep your nice head shape and to help …”
Read Micki D.'s full recommendation »
Skulls! Cover
“A dark, graphic novel spin on the Snow White fairy tale, which casts the queen as the lead and Snow White …”
Read Autumn H.'s full recommendation »
Snow, Glass, Apples Cover
“After a series of tragedies limits large, public gatherings, including live music, this novel follows two …”
Read David D.'s full recommendation »
A Song for A New Day Cover
“An epic fantasy with great worldbuilding that teens will want to dive right into.”
Read Kris C.'s full recommendation »
Sorcery of Thorns Cover
“Jessica Pan is an introvert who will go to extreme lengths to overcome her fears. By self-prescribing a …”
Read Casey K.'s full recommendation »
Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come: One Introvert's Year of Saying Yes Cover
“Ugly, deformed and cruel are the typical descriptors for Cinderella’s stepsisters, but what if there were …”
Read Bridget S.'s full recommendation »
Stepsister Cover
“The author presents a great depiction of Nazi Germany during World War II.”
Read Paul C.'s full recommendation »
Stolen Girl Cover
“When a circle gets stuck on the playground, all kinds of shapes (pentagons, parallelograms, polygons and …”
Read Melanie S.'s full recommendation »
Tangled: A Story About Shapes Cover
“This is a fun and interactive book to help you determine whether you will make the nice list for Santa! …”
Read Katy L.'s full recommendation »
There's an Elf in Your Book Cover
“Have you ever dreamed of becoming a Top Unicorn Scientist? Well then this book is for you! Learn about …”
Read Micki D.'s full recommendation »
Unicorns 101
“Set in 2001 Pakistan, this is a skillful take on an Austen novel. Kamal blends a rich family dynamic …”
Read Elizabeth J.'s full recommendation »
Unmarriageable Cover
“The author presents a teacher on the last leg of his teaching career, who becomes pleasantly surprised by …”
Read Paul C.'s full recommendation »
The Unteachables Cover
“Aidan is thankful that his parents understand that even though he was born a girl, he's really a boy …”
Read Laura E.'s full recommendation »
When Aidan Became a Brother Cover
“Filled with lies, secrets and shame, four women share their stories surrounding their potential new boss.”
Read Casey K.'s full recommendation »
Whisper Network Cover
“Emoni has amazing instincts in her cooking and she wants so badly to pursue this passion as she finishes …”
Read Autumn H.'s full recommendation »
With the Fire on High Cover
“The tale of a gruesome murder investigation in 1793 Stockholm. Utterly captivating in both the details …”
Read Billy C.'s full recommendation »
The Wolf and the Watchman Cover
“This small, 92-page book can easily be read in one sitting, but you'll want to take longer to savor all …”
Read Lisa S.'s full recommendation »
Wolfpack: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power, And Change the Game Cover
“Rum, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants raised in Brooklyn, weaves the stories of three generations …”
Read Amy W.'s full recommendation »
A Woman Is No Man Cover
“Pipher takes on the journey of women over 50 and the multitude of changes they face as they age. Readers …”
Read Theresa J.'s full recommendation »
Women Rowing North: Navigating Life's Currents and Flourishing as We Age Cover

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