Whether you are looking forward to mushroom hunting, watching baseball, or just enjoying the sunshine with a good book this spring, the staff at Crawfordsville District Public Library have some great reading recommendations for you.
Looking for an engaging and epic story? Brenda fell in love with the bestseller “The Women” by Kristin Hannah (FIC Hannah): “The best story I’ve read this year — so far! This is the story about a young woman serving in the Vietnam War as a nurse. I was shocked to learn that the nurses who provided medical care to soldiers were not considered veterans and could not go to VA for help with PTSD. So much of this book took me back to those days … guys waiting for their number to be called, the war protests, and the mention of certain songs. The best of Kristin Hannah!”
Interested in more historical fiction? Dellie recommends the newly published book “The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West by Sara Ackerman” (FIC West). This book is inspired by real events and moves back and forth between 1927 and 1987. It tells the story of a female aviator in a dangerous race across the Pacific and a woman 60 years later who works to uncover her story. Dellie also recommends another mysterious historical fiction title that moves between two different time periods. “The Wings of Poppy Pendleton” by Melanie Dobson shifts from 1907 to 1992 as a journalist tries to discover what happened to a little girl who went missing from her family’s New York castle at the beginning of the century.
If you love thrillers, Mary recommends reading “The Couple in the Photo” by Helen Cooper (FIC Cooper): “Two couples are very close friends. They share most everything, or so Lucy thought. Lucy uncovers a web of deception and lies. Who knew all the details?” She also recommends the mystery “Fatal Intent” by Tammy Euliano (FIC Eul). This one is a medical thriller “where money buys positions. Lives are endangered. Who is killing the patients and how?”
Looking for some wonderful children’s books? Ivette recommends two beautifully illustrated picture books that each tell the story of two different storyteller librarians. “Planting Stories” (j 921 Belpre, P) and “Go Forth and Tell” (j 921, Baker, A). And I recommend checking out “Love Monster and the Scary Something” by Rachel Bright (j E Bri), which is such a fun book to read out loud at bedtime. All the Love Monster books are family favorites that we’ve read hundreds of times by request.
If you are excited about baseball season, don’t miss Dennis’ staff pick this month, which is the winner of the CASEY Award for Best Baseball Book of the Year: “Why We Love Baseball” by Joe Posnanski (796.357 Pos). He says, “Another baseball season is upon us and this book reminds us of why we love the game with 50 of the greatest moments in baseball history!” And Steph is ready for mushroom season with “Morel Hunting” by John Maybrier (641.358 May), which provides information about hunting morels, preserving them, and preparing them to eat. Want even more mushrooming information? Join us for Steph’s Morel Mushrooms presentation for adults and teens on April 20 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Donnelley Room in the library’s lower level. Registration is not required to attend this free event.
You can find all these recommended books and more on display on the first floor of the library near the circulation desk, ready to check out with your library card. Many are also available to check out digitally on our library’s Libby app. Our regular open hours are 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 Adult Services Department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.
