Looking for a good book? Don’t miss the library’s latest round of Staff Picks. Mary kicks off our recommendations with the popular thriller “Stay Awake” by Megan Goldin (FIC Gol), an “electrifying novel that plays with memory and murder. A successful magazine writer loses all her memories of the past two years every time she sleeps. Someone is after her, but she has no memory of who it is!” Cindy recommends another popular thriller, “The Fall of Crazy House” by James Patterson (YA FIC Pat); it was so good she “could not put it down.” And Joni says “Uprooted” by Naomi Novik (FIC Nov) is “a fun and engrossing fantasy with just the right amount of romance — I devoured this one!”
Brenda fell in love with the story and characters in “Horse” by bestselling author Geraldine Brooks: “Horse was a great read based on true facts. It combines horse racing, race relations, art, love, greed, ego, slavery, betrayal, and ambition into a remarkable story. The book spans many generations, from the 1800s to current day. You’ll fall in love with a horse named Lexington, and you’ll love Jarrett, the slave who trains him and transforms the animal into a legend!”
Kaela was pleasantly surprised by the diabolical thriller “Murder Your Employer” written by Edgar award-winning novelist Rupert Holmes (FIC Hol): “Very witty and entertaining read. Prepare for an education you’ll never forget!” She also absolutely loved “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle (921 Doyle, G): “All about finding your own voice and strength! I felt so empowered after reading this–highly recommend!”
For our large print readers, Dellie recommends “Thursday’s Child” by Melody Carlson (LP FIC CAR): “A great story about breaking away and rediscovering life and happiness.” She also enjoyed “The Express Bride” by Kimberly Woodhouse (LP FIC WOO), saying it is “a great adventure with a super ending!”
For our nonfiction readers, Michelle recommends “Love Your Home Again” by Ann Lightfoot and Kate Pawlowski (648.8 Lig), which looks at your home and how you actually use your spaces and helps you get organized. She also found “Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less” by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen and Roy Schwartz (658.45 Van) to be an interesting and helpful read: “Forget what you learned in school. Write for the way people read and digest information today.”
From our children’s collection, Dawn recommends “I Begin with Spring: The Life and Seasons of Henry David Thoreau” (j 921 Thoreau), which shares natural history and Thoreau’s life and times in a field notebook format, with great illustrations. She also loved the illustrations for “Arthur Who Wrote Sherlock” by Linda Bailey (j 921 Doye, A), a children’s book about the life of Arthur Conan Doyle.
Finally, if you just want a fun nostalgic movie to relax with, Susanna recommends the classic Labyrinth (DVD FIC Lab): “Teenager Sarah would rather play make believe than babysit her brother Toby, so she wishes for the Goblin King (David Bowie) to steal him away. When her wish comes true, Sarah must reconcile her childhood fantasies with her new responsibilities and rescue Toby. This is a wonderful adventure featuring puppets from Jim Henson’s workshop.”
All these staff picks, plus even more, are on display on the first floor of the library throughout May and may be checked out with your library card anytime during our open hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Megan Taylor is assistant manager in the Reference and Local History Department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.
