“A very colorful and imaginative way to decorate a space! Inspiring!” — Margaret Waters-Poor

“Historical fiction about a young Jewish girl during the Holocaust. Sarah, age 10, locked her brother ina cupboard and planned on returning home to free him. The French police took Sarah and her parents to ship them to Auschwitz. Sarah escaped with a friend, hid from the authorities and was eventually found by an elderly couple who adopted her. Julia, a reporter, learned information about Sarah and her little brother and wanted to find out just what happened to Sarah after she immigrated to the US. It was important to Jackie to tell Sarah’s story and the guilt Sarah had from that horrific time in her life.” — Margie Paura

“Very easy read. The beginning was slow, but then the story picked up. It was very descriptive.” — Mary Comerford

“Epic ending to a fantastic saga!” — Meghan Rose Trenca

“Fun world building with witty names! A cute story about finding out who you are while living a new life.” — Nicole Dibble

“This is the fifteenth book in the Dan Lenson series about a naval officer’s career. All are excellent books including details of military life, world and national politics, battles on land and sea, and many full-bodied characters. Terrific stories with lots of realistic human drama from an author who’s been there!” — Alan Rock-Blake

“This is a self help book about decluttering. It was motivating and helpful.” — Leigh Hurlbut

“A good book, but repetitive in many chapters. An inspiring read for young people.” — Ann Marie Ellis

“Another great book by Freida McFadden.” — Barbara Czerow

“A great read. This page turner keeps you guessing until the end.” — Beckie Mervine. Plus a bonus review:

“Enjoyed this page turner. Like the Adirondack Mountain references. Contained strong and weak women and showed privileged lives vs. the working poor. Another theme was the power of money over people.” — Deb Jaskula

“Loved the writing style! Twists on the twists made it impossible to figure out who was involved… The voice was a surprise. I loved how sarcastic and unapologetic the main character was, even while she made me dislike and love her. This is a book I will be thinking about for a while!” — Charity Conzone

“Well worth reading. Martin has a character, Bruno, who runs through all of his novels. If you like series, this would be a good choice.” — Jean Troy-Smith

“All of his books are wonderful. He writes real life.” — Charlene Himple

“Great to put the pictures with the story. More family values and an inside look at the daily life of family and warehouse.” — John Sanders

“Such an inspiring life!” — Nicole Dibble

“This if a fun summer read or listen. The unlikely relationship between Tova, the elderly custodian at an aquarium, and a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus grows throughout the story. Having Marcellus tell the story adds to the fun. As it develops, Tova’s background and the people around her continue to weave together with the help of Marcellus! Enjoy this entertaining story.” — Cheryl Leopold

“Miss Abrams is a new writer and her plot kept me interested. Enjoyed the novel.” — Ann Gelarden

“An incredible story with an audiobook reader that was perfect! I would highly recommend listening!” — Arielle Goellner

“I chose this book from a list of “books to make you cry” and it did! It is funny, heartwarming and just a good book.” — Beckie Mervine

“I loved it and can’t wait to read the second one. Nice mix of adult content, but still good for middle to late teens.” — Chelsea Darling

“Very educational! I am a big advocate of “hidden heroes” and this biography highlights the lives of twelve! It also incorporates quite a bit of factual and political information. I would recommend this book for those fascinated by US and world politics.” — Deb Engelke

“A non-fiction recounting of his trek across America with his dog named Charley in a truck fitted with a camper. It was interesting, funny, concerning, and great.” — Rachel Arnold

“I read the second book first and now things make sense. I loved the book.” — Stephanie O’Brien

“Loved this book! Best book boyfriend ever is in it. A summer read must.” — Jennalyn Ehlers

“This started sluggishly then became more interesting. However, the extended and graphic blow-by-blow description of horrific torture under inhumae conditions almost made me close the book and return it unread. I stuck with it and it came to an exciting and satisfactory ending. Not for the faint of heart or someone with a weak stomach.” — Helen Hester-Ossa

“Awesome story! I couldn’t put it down!” — Kristine Bushey

“I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.” — Lorraine Burke

“This book was an interesting retelling of Mulan. I loved how fantasy elements were intertwined, really raising the stakes of the story. I enjoyed the overall theme of female rage and defiance within an incredibly patriarchal society. My main critique was how contradictory the main character often was, though it did add to the fantasy since she basically has the devil on her shoulder.” — Maddy Eron-Freeman

“Two women with magical powers, Margaret, born 150 years earlier, and Augusta, are genetically related. While I thought the characters were undeveloped, I found the book still interesting. Augusta was fascinated by the ghost of Harlowe House where she was newly employed. August believed Margaret wanted her story told. A weird and interesting book.” — Margie Paura

“This book was excellent. The characters were very believable and entertaining. Bessie, the 14-year-old narrator, comes to life amid her various struggles with her strong personal set of values and beliefs. She makes you want to become a better person!” — Mary Comerford

“Love the art style! Great world building and relationships between the characters. Powerful depictions of anxiety, but managing to take important actions anyway.” — Nicole Dibble

“A beautifully written but unsettling story involving a young American woman in Shanghai. Haigh is a psychologically insightful writer who leaves me thinking about her characters long after I finish. While not her most accomplished effort, I thoroughly enjoyed listening after I read the book.” — Mary Ann Donahue

“I read this historical fiction in two days. It is the story of a real mid-wife at the end of the 1700s. A crime, a murder and the daily struggles of life as a woman are told through the voice of Martha Ballard. The spiderweb of connected relationships compels you to read further! Wonderfully done. I wish there were more novels with Martha in them. I will read the non-fiction book of her life next!” — Tracey Reynolds

5 stars for A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

  “Spicy and one of the better A Court of Thorns and Roses books.” – Maggie Schmuhl

3 stars for A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle Jensen

  “The narrator was wonderful for the audiobook. The story itself was good, but somewhat predictable.” – Kailah Armstrong

5 stars for Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

  “A must read, then reread. The twist at the end had me question everything!” – Brianna Almanzar

5 stars for The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith

  “Can’t wait to read the second book.” – Teresa Parker

4 ½ stars for House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

  “I have read other books by this author that were written with Greer Hendricks, but I believe this is the first that I ready written by her alone. All kinds of twists and turns with this one! A great whodunit that keeps you questioning what you really know.” – Tina Bitler

5 stars for The Family Firm by Emily Oster

  “I highly recommend this second latest in Emily Oster’s parenting series. The focus of this text is on the complex decisions parents are faced with during school ages. I enjoyed the framework presented for decision making and the need to talk through family priorities, boundaries, and raising kids.” – Maggie Schmuhl

? stars for Bébé Day by Day by Pamela Druckerman

  “Good follow-up to Bringing up Bébé. As someone who loves Montessori ideals, there is a lot of overlap in this book particularly treating kids as autonomous beings and fostering independence. Includes a bit of misogyny that could certainly be done without, but a quick read.” – Maggie Schmuhl

4 stars for No Escape by Maren Stoffels

  “This book is such a cool concept! The idea of a rigged escape room is so scary. Plus, at the end, the reasoning of why the room was created really makes you think. I really liked this book and would like to read more from this author.” – Michelle Boyzuck

5 stars for The Beast by Jamie Lee Grey

  “Loved the whole Mystery Babylon series. I anxiously awaited each release 🙂 ” – Billie Jean Stacy

4 stars for One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

  “I enjoyed the melodic writing style. The magic system was unique and the dark tone lent itself well to the world building. I liked the book but am going to wait to dive into its sequel.” – Kailah Armstrong

5 stars for Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

  “A story of never ending resilience!” – Jessica Leonard

5 stars for The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

  “Absolute must-read for parents, educators, and anyone using social media. Phone – free schools!” – Maggie Schmuhl

5 stars for No Man’s Land by David Baldacci

  “Exciting book. Love the characters. You feel like you know them!” – Ashley Wallace

3 ½ stars for She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica

  “What a roller coaster ride! Definitely lots of twists and turns! Still trying to make heads and tails of things even after reading the whole book…” – Tina Bitler

5 stars for After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

  “This is the second book I have read by this author and I absolutely adore her books! Definitely an eye opening story about how to find your happily ever after even after you feel like the love has faded.” – Tina Bitler

5 stars for Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

  “Two words: Magic Heist. If you like Ocean’s 11, Now You See Me, or books like The Cruel Prince; you will love this duology. It’s fast-paced, thrilling, and breaks your heart in a million pieces. Highly recommend!” – Jess Miller

4 stars for Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

  “Will Josie Moraine, the daughter of a brothel prostitute, finally be carried away from a life of lies and perverted men in The Big Easy to a place where she can use her mind for study instead of trickery and street hustles? This piece of historical fiction will not disappoint with all of its secrets and lies that keep the reader engrossed in the story hoping that Josie can finally come out on top.” – Tina Bitler

5 stars for Ugly Me by J. E. Stamper

  “Great insight into the struggles of underprivileged teens and the challenges they face.” – Jessica Leonard

5 stars for How to be a Ninja by Chris Conti

  “Easy read. Very good book with great pictures. A good book for kids and teens (or someone like me, an adult that loves the Ninja Turtles).” – Teresa Parker

5 stars for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Victoria Shelley

  “Turtle Power!” – Teresa Parker

4 stars for Unstressed by Alane K. Daugherty PhD

  “A great tool to transform your body’s stress response and build emotional resilience!” – Jessica Leonard

5 stars for The Coworker by Freida McFadden

  “I was in a bit of a book slump and decided to go back to McFadden for a quick read. Finished 358 pages in 3 days! It is about a set of coworkers: one neurodivergent who really loves turtles and one the best sales rep in the company. One character goes missing and the other becomes a suspect. McFadden loves to write from the point of view of an unreliable narrator. You never know what to believe!” – Nicole Shue

4 ½ stars for The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts

  “This was such a cute read! There are all kinds of tidbits of wisdom to be discovered as you follow the storyline of each of the four women navigating life’s ups and downs together.” – Tina Bitler

5 stars for Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich

  “Evanovich is always a great read. Laugh out loud kind of story.” – Beckie Mervine

5 stars for Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon

  “This book was a great read — especially for anyone who loves the Mitford series. Jan Karon has a way of weaving a story together and tying up loose ends better than anyone. I loved this book!!” – Kristine Skinner

5 stars for Of Boys and Men by Richard Reeves

  “Such a thoughtful argument for gender equity and for not ignoring the struggles of boys in education and the workforce. Highly recommend for research-minded folks raising boys and considering equity issues.” – Maggie Schmuhl

3 stars for Surprise Island by Gertrude C. Warner

  “Children enjoy these adventures from the 1950’s. I can appreciate the simple charm of this series even though the Boxcar Children’s parent both die. 🙁 ” – Ruth Taylor

5 stars for The Boxcar Children by Gertrude C. Warner that Ruth said was a “charming children’s mystery series. Great for read-aloud!”

4 stars for Crown of Midnight by Sarah Maas

  “When you want to escape to a fantasy world, Sarah J. Maas is the author to take you there.” – Melissa Cornelius

5 stars for Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

  “Leigh again! Absolutely shredding my heart before putting the pieces together. Every book in this universe is engage and keeps you wanting more!” – Jess Miller

5 stars for King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

  “This duology was stunning! The deeper dive into King Nikolai and Zoya is amazing. Nikolai is potentially my favorite character in this series, so being able to see a story from his perspective was amazing!” – Jess Miller

5 stars for Twisted Love by Ana Huang

  “Loved this book! It is detailed and adult as a heads up. If you like a spicy love story I suggest this series!” – LeighAnne Hurlbut

3 stars for Until Jax by Aurora Rose Reynolds

  “A good love story about a girl who was kidnapped and escaped who falls into the arms of a man who will do anything to protect her and her daughter. Kind of fast paced with jumps of time between chapters. Wish it was a bit longer to have more detail and story. A good read overall.” – Brianna Almanzar

4 stars for Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

  “I loved the format the book was written in. It gives more emotional background and the ending had me in tears!” – Brianna Almanzar

4 stars for Keep Your Friends Close by Lucinda Berry

  “This mom’s club murder mystery definitely keeps you guessing until the very end! So many surprises along the way that make you question how well you really know someone. I look forward to reading more books by this author!” – Tina Bitler

4 ½ stars for After the Storm by Linda Castillo

  “I have absolutely been enjoying all of the Kate Burkholder novels by Linda Castillo. You may have seen Amish romance novels before, but these Amish thrillers are such a welcome change of pace and this one in particular is so action packed! I like how you don’t necessarily have to read the books in order to be able to fully appreciate them. Highly recommend her books! :)” – Tina Bitler

5 stars for Don’t Back Down by Sharon Sala

  “Great mystery and love story all rolled into one.” – Melissa Cornelius

5 stars for The Opposite of Worry by Lawrence Cohen PhD

  “Very helpful for parents who have a kiddo with anxiety!” – Heidi Bice

5 stars for Joyful Recollections of Trauma by Paul Scheer

  “Best memoir I’ve read this year! In between chapters there is audio from his stand-up and podcasts that is a bonus.” – Nicole Shue

5 stars for Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke-Fields MSAE

  “In my ‘read all the parenting books’ era, this one was a great reminder to be mindful in our parenting and reactions to age-appropriate behaviors in toddlers. Complete with meditations, the audio is probably best not on 2x speed.” – Maggie Schmuhl

5 stars for Courage to Soar by Simone Biles

  “Inspiring story of determination.” – Jessica Leonard

3 ½ stars for The Housemaid is Watching by Freida McFadden

  “This is the 3rd book in her Housemaid series. I have really enjoyed reading many of her books and read the first two Housemaid books during last summer’s Reading Challenge. This book seemed kind of slow to me at first. Once the reader starts to find out the real truth, then the book lives up to what you expect from this author!” – Tina Bitler

5 stars for King of Wrath by Ana Huang

  “I’m a sucker for a dark romance. A haters to lovers story of arranged marriage, betrayal, family dynamics and love.” – Brianna Almanzar

5 stars for A Beautiful Arrangement by Beth Wiseman

  “This book is an amazing Amish love story.” – Teresa Parker

4 stars for Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

  “Beautifully written and kind of sad with themes of love, connection and loss. I loved that there were LGBTQIA+ characters without that being the point of the book.” – Angelique Chambers

4 stars for Threshold of Deceit by Carol Pouliot

  “2nd book in the Blackwell & Watson Time Travel Mysteries. Interesting premise.” – Mary Smith

5 stars for Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

  “I am so glad that I happened to spot this book on one of the easel displays in the library. It was an absolutely amazing book! Such a cute read that keeps you wanting to read more as you delve into its concurrent storylines. I definitely look forward to reading more by this author.” – Tina Bitler

5 stars for Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

  “A follow-up to the amazing Six of Crows. Each character builds pieces of the story in a split-narrative format. All of Leigh’s work is spectacular!” – Jess Miller

5 stars for The Escape by David Baldacci

  “Turns out I had read this before but I enjoyed it still the second time around!” – Ashley Wallace

4 stars for The Morning Show Murders by Al Roker & Dick Lochte

  “This was an enjoyable read. I couldn’t give it 5 stars as I’d watched the TV movie and kept making comparisons, which never ends well! My advice? Read this as a totally separate entity! (Don’t compare and you will like it!)” – Kristine Skinner

4 stars for No. 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer

  “Really enjoyed how the author presents 3 different endings based on the choice of renters made by the landlady.” – Carol Fitzsimmons

5 stars for Hooked by Emily McIntire

  “A retelling of Peter Pan where Captain Hook, named James Hook in the book, is the protagonist. He is a mob boss with a troubled past and the same hate for Peter Pan, a multi-millionaire mob boss himself with a daughter who is none other than Wendy. In a story with twists, turns, romance & betrayal, there is of course a happily ever after. I highly recommend it if you like a little bit of dark romance.” – Brianna Almanzar

4 stars for Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

  “It was hard to get into at first but got better as it went. Though the plot was predictable it was entertaining.” – Jessica Fragale

4 stars for Shining Forth by Anne Marie Rodgers

  “I’m glad I accidentally stumbled upon this series. I needed an extended soft read.” – Ruth Taylor

5 stars for Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

  “A stellar story about found family, learning your potential, and of course overthrowing corrupt government officials. Removing corruption always brings it up a notch! Highly recommend this trilogy.” – Jessica Miller

4 stars for Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

  “Great twists!” – Jen Haynes

5 stars for Judge & Jury by James Patterson

  “Excellent mobster story. This is my first James Patterson book and I thought it was good. Action, some love story and keeps you wanting to read.” – LeighAnne Hurlbut

3 stars for You Like It Darker by Stephen King

   “I am not a fan of his short stories.” – Jen Haynes

5 stars for One by One by Freida McFadden

  “Excellent 🙂 A page turner.” – Kristen Czerow

3 stars for The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

   “Stuart Turton describes this book as “a dystopian/utopian end-of-the-world story about family and humanity and what’s worth valuing in this world.” I’m sharing this description because I personally had a hard time really being able to follow exactly what was going on in this genre-blending novel with mixed mystery along with science fiction. I enjoy mysteries, but the science fiction parts of this story kept me from fully understanding everything that was going on with the many characters.” – Tina Bitler

5 stars for Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand

   “I am sorry to know this is her last book about Nantucket.” – Diane Fernaays

3 stars for Resurrection by Danielle Steel

  “I love Danielle Steel and her love stories. It was good but was a bit fixated about a second epidemic. I could have done with less on that topic.” – LeighAnne Hurlbut

5 stars for Reckless by Lauren Roberts

   “So captivating. I can’t wait until the next book.” – Melissa Cornelius

4 stars for Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

   “Fast-paced, engaging, and a quick read. It sucked me into the universe and I can’t wait to read the next one! 🙂 ” – Jessica Miller

5 stars for Left to Die by Lisa Jackson

   “A good story. You have to read the 2nd book, Chosen to Die, to find the ending.” – Pamela Buske

3 stars for A Midnight Clear by Patti Berg

   “#7 of 24 in this Christian mystery series. I haven’t lost interest yet. Hopefully, I’ll make it to #24.” – Ruth Taylor

5 stars for A Love Unexpected by Jo Ann Brown

   “This book is a beautiful Amish story.” – Teresa Parker

5 stars for Light from Heaven by Jan Karon

   “This Mitford series book did not disappoint! I’ve loved following Father Tim and Cynthia on their adventures. There’s a warmth to Jan Karon’s writing that I just find endearing! As a reader, the characters in Karon’s story seem familiar and relatable. Great summer read!” – Kristine Skinner

1 star for The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

   “This is the first of Allende’s books I have not enjoyed.” – Carol Fitzsimmons

4 ½ stars for A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber

   “This is the third and final book of the Once Upon a Broken Heart series. The series as a whole was greatly entertaining, with really fun twists and turns.” – Jessica Fragale

3 stars for The End of Wasp Season by Denise Mina

   “Interesting but a little hard to follow.” – Mary Smith

Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman

“The book went over a lot. I liked how the author explained things and the different formatting of the poems. It was good to learn about this stuff” – Madeline Brown

All the Stars in the Heavens by Adriana Trigiani

“Enjoyable read!” – Mary Smith

Sycamore Row by John Grisham

“Very good book. Much longer than I prefer.” – Karyn Atkinson

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

“Strangely weird. Don’t judge a book by its cover and show love to everyone. The Creature was my favorite character because he saved people. I would recommend this because it can help reframe your mindset of how you treat people.” – Emily Brown

I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

“And exciting read you won’t want to put down! You are constantly trying to figure out what is going on and who is who (in a good way.) The pacing is excellent and calm. Easy to read.” – Bethany Phelps

The Christmas Mystery by James Patterson

“I love these Bookshot books. Straight to the point and no fluff.” – Melissa Cornelius

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

“One of my favorite books of hers. A very clever title.” – Diane Fernaays

Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson

“Remarkable.” – Kathleen Aman

All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

“Wow wow wow! I loved the shorter chapters and taking bite size bits. Not an uplifting book but definitely some different subject matter. It kept my attention through till the end.” – Kathy Schrecengost

River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer

“Heartbreaking story of how slaves were treated even after they were “freed.” A mother’s dangerous journey to find the children that were stolen from her while she was enslaved.” – Peggy Pelc

4 ½ stars for Paris audiobook by Paris Hilton

   “I was looking for something “light” to listen to. This wasn’t it, but far exceeded my expectations. If you liked, Pamela a Love Story on Netflix, you’ll like this memoir. It touches on the subject of sexual abuse and is primarily about her time as a teen at an abusive institution. It peaked my interest in learning more about survivors of Provo Canyon School. Lots of discussion on celebrity, technology, and the rise of social media.” – Nicole Shue

4 stars for Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

   “I wouldn’t consider this for a particular age group. Overall a really good book. I was captivated as I kept reading Anne’s story. I related more to the older Anne Shirley. The story was boring until the entrance exam and then it sped up and got more interesting.” – Emily Brown

4 stars for The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell

   “I particularly liked the setting – a small college in an English town. The book had a gothic vibe in describing the main characters estate. What kept me flipping through pages were the clues, and wanting to know the fate of the couple. It had a surprise LGBTQIA+ storyline, which I loved and through queer young adults could see themselves in or relate to.” – Nicole Shue

4 ½ stars for The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden

   “I read the Housemaid and I just had to go out and find the sequel right away. Found a new author that I definitely enjoy!” – Tine Bitler

4 stars for Somebody’s Daughter audiobook by Ashley Ford

   “Thought it would focus mostly on the author’s father’s incarceration, but instead it focused on her relationship with her present parent – her mother. Ashley holds nothing back in describing their bond, the good parts and the bad (physical abuse). It made me think about what “home” means to me and how important safety and stability is in a person’s younger years.” – Nicole Shue

3 stars for Being Lolita by Alissa Wood

   “A 17-year-old becomes involved with her high school English teacher (who is obsessed with the book Lolita). It is a memoir. Wish the author had more self-realization or had described her trauma healing journey.” – Nicole Shue

5 stars for The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden

   “I saw a post by a friend on Facebook saying how much she enjoyed this book. I happened to spot it on the shelf at the library. Best book that I’ve read this summer! Can’t wait to read the sequel!” – Tina Bitler

4 stars for Never Lie by Frieda McFadden

   “This was the 2^nd book that I’ve read by Frieda McFadden. A quick read with enough content to discuss in a book club. Go into it knowing the narrator may not be reliable. The couple is snowed in at a home for sale and there’s a possible murderer on the loose. The newlyweds become closer as a couple under unusual circumstances.” – Nicole Shue

4 ½ stars for Dark Corners by Megan Goldin

   “The kind of book you can see being made into a thriller movie or series.” – Tina Bitler

4 stars for Into the Mystic by Len Senecal

   “This is part of the Mr. Tout’s Magical Forest series written by a local author (my high school journalism teacher)! The next book will be the last in the series. Enjoyed learning backstory of the villain Tout.” – Nicole Shue

4 stars for Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

   “Depressing. Heartbreaking. And so, so real. I probably would not have pushed through were it not for being the adoptive mom of three who were chewed up and spit out by the selfsame opioid epidemic that hit the families in this book. The insights into how hard it is to rise above, when anyone whose head sticks up gets beat back down by the culture, are excellent. You might as well keep your head down in the first place. How the brutality is just… their normal. It’s an unsettling book, but it needed to be written.” — anonymous

4 stars for The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya

   “Very interesting memoir of a young girl who flees Rwanda with her sister during the genocide. Her writing is so vivid – it really takes you there, especially during the refugee camp scenes.” – Nicole Shue

5 stars for The Only One Left by Riley Sager

   “Oh, the twists and turns! Riley Sager never disappoints. One of my favorite authors!” – Tina Bitler

5 stars for Divergent audiobook by Veronica Roth

   “Good story line. Keeps your attention.” – Shannon Bennett

5 stars for Tuesdays with Morrie audiobook by Mitch Albom

   “Very thought evoking. I would read again. Wish it was a longer read. 😊” – Shannan Bennett

4 stars for Racing the Light by Robert Crais

   “Robert Crais is always a good read.” – Donna Bradway

3 ½ stars for Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland

   “The previous book, Need to Know, was 5 stars and I did not want to put it down. Keep You Close, however, felt sporadic and was hard to piece together at times. In the end it all comes together and makes sense, but it felt very lackluster for such a chaotic and intense book. Worth a read, but only if you read the first book and really like puzzles.” – Bethany Phelps

3 stars for Men in Space by Tom McCarthy

   “This book was interesting but confusing. Hard to keep all the characters straight. The ending wasn’t very satisfying.” – Mary Smith

4 stars for The Last Invitation by Darby Kane

   “The kind of story that makes you wonder just how far someone is willing to go just to get what they want!” – Tina Bitler

5 stars for Savage Sam by Fred Gipson

   “A well-written adventure tale even better than Old Yeller. Only briefly touched on settlers’ encroachment on buffalo and its effects on Native American tribes’ way of life as a possible driver for hostilities, but I was impressed that a book written in the early 60s touched on it at all. Additionally, so much of the story is focused on the protagonist’s attempts at survival and rescue that I would not expect it to wax philosophical. A very enjoyable read, even for a Western.” – Hannah Lebo

5 stars for Everything will be Okay by Dana Perino

   “Great advice for young adults who are just starting to work. I love how Dana integrates her faith in practical ways in her life 😊 Very good book!!” – Emily Brown

5 stars for Educated by Tara Westover

   “The things Tara Westover dealt with are crazy! Honestly, the story sounds like a series of unfortunate events – it doesn’t sound real. It is though. The whole memoir is so crazy and I was amazed she overcame of boatload of trauma and got a really good education.” – Madeline Brown

4 stars for The Retreat by Sarah Pearse

   “One of those stories that keeps you guessing up until the end!” – Tina Bitler

This year, National Library Week will fall on the week of April 3rd through April 9th.

This week of appreciation for both libraries and their workers began back in 1958, when it was first sponsored and held by the American Library Association (ALA).

Every year, the ALA has a new theme to go along with National Library Week; this year’s theme is “Connect with your Library”. The pandemic may have been a catalyst for some people to begin using more digitized services to communicate with us, but there are indeed a lot of different ways you can participate and enjoy your library (or libraries), both online and in person. Whether you prefer coming in and enjoying our weekly story times upstairs in the Children’s Room, browsing in person and finding a book that speaks to you, looking around on the NCLS catalog online to find that one book that alludes you, or watching online programs that are hosted or promoted by us – there are always plenty of ways to reach us and enjoy your local library.

This year the ALA was excited to announce that their honorary chairperson is actress and comedian Molly Shannon! You can keep up with all of their information about National Library Week by checking out their website, which you can find here: https://www.ala.org/

Here is all their information as well on National Library Week for 2022 thus far: ALA Press Kit for 2022.

You can celebrate National Library Week in whatever way you would like! Find new titles and authors online and check out what works by them NCLS has, come in and participate in a new activity or event we have going on, or just come and see us for the first time! Everyone is welcome, and we hope that we will see all of you here for this wonderful week-long celebration.