Christmas by the Book by Anne Marie Ryan

Title: Christmas by the Book
Author: Anne Marie Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Fiction; Holiday Fiction

Nora and Simon have owned the local bookshop since Nora's mother (the previous owner) died. They have raised their daughter in the flat above it as well. But having fallen on hard times, they have gotten behind in their bills and are reluctantly being forced to face the idea of selling the store and moving out in the new year. However, as part of their last Christmas in the shop, they decide to have others write in and nominate someone who could use some cheering up over the holidays, and randomly choose 6 people to send out 6 Christmas-themed books, all done anonymously. The story explains just how these surprise books affect those that receive them, as well as change the story of the booksellers as the holiday draws to a close! A wonderful feel-good story for the holiday season.

- Katrina

Check out Christmas by the Book by Anne Marie Ryan @ the library!

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Title: The Mysterious Benedict Society
Author: Trenton Lee Stewart
Genre: Children's Fiction

This is a series about four gifted children who are hired by Mr. Benedict to stop his evil twin from brainwashing the entire world! Truly a great series with well-written, quirky characters that will keep you guessing!

- Julia

Check out The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart @ the library!

Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley

Title: Three Holidays and a Wedding
Author: Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Holiday Romance

Are you someone who enjoys a fun Hallmark movie during the holiday season? This story is a hallmark movie in novel form - a fun, delightful, magical romance that embraces the convergence of three holidays that happens every few years. It is set in 2016, when Christmas, Hanukkah, and Ramadan happened within days of each other. A blizzard detours an airplane with multiple holiday travelers, which is forced to land in the small town of Snow Falls. It is a true holiday town, where the sequel to a huge holiday romance movie is secretly filming and the locals seem to really know how to celebrate all of the holidays occurring around them! Enjoy a little holiday magic by reading this story!

- Katrina

Check out Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley @ the library!

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Title: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares
Author: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Genre: YA Contemporary

Do you have that one book that you are always willing to go back and reread? One that serves almost as comfort food for your brain? This is that book for me! A fun story of falling in love through notes and challenges left in a notebook, and the on-going quest to discover who is behind the notes that they are reading, Dash & Lily is a story written from two points of view that takes its readers on a journey. A journey through New York City, a journey as this relationship develops between these two teens, and a journey that explores just how powerful the written word can be. Check this one out - it is especially wonderful around the holiday season, as most of this book takes place during the Christmas season in downtown NYC.

- Katrina

Check out Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan @ the library!

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Title: The Personal Librarian
Author: Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
Genre: Historical Fiction

Belle da Costa Greene, a librarian in the early 1900's, worked for J. P. Morgan as his Personal Librarian. This book talks about her time working at the Pierpont Morgan Library and the relationships she had in the book collector's world. Although this book is historical fiction, Belle was a critical figure for her time, and it was amazing to learn her story. I couldn't put it down!

- Bridget

Check out The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray @ the library!

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Title: One Last Stop
Author: Casey McQuiston
Genre: Fantasy

Life during your twenties is always a big learning experience! August, at 23, has just moved to New York City and has found a wonderfully eclectic group of roommates that are pulling her out of her shell. But the real discovery that causes August to learn her own strength and abilities starts with a random meeting on the subway. August never sees "Subway Girl" anywhere else but continues to run into her again and again. When August finally starts talking to Subway Girl, she begins to try to find out who she is and eventually discovers that Subway Girl has just stepped out of the 1970s and is somehow restricted to this subway line in August's time.

How do you decide if falling in love is worth the risk when you KNOW that the relationship can never move farther than the end of this single track?

- Katrina

Check out One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston @ the library!

Black Tudors: The Untold Story by Miranda Kaufmann

Title: Black Tudors: The Untold Story
Author: Miranda Kaufmann
Genre: History

I love history, and sometimes it feels like I've read everything about the Tudor period. This book, however, reveals the rich and somewhat hidden story of Black people in Tudor England. Contrary to popular belief and depiction in fiction/media, Black people had a thriving community and presence in Tudor England. It's really fascinating, especially given Brexit and conversations around what is truly "English" to read about the long history of immigrants and their various roles in England. It's also fascinating to read about the connections between race, religion, and social acceptance; this echoed things I learned about only as an adult from reading "Stamped From the Beginning" by Ibram X. Kendi. A great read for anyone interested in history, especially Tudor history, and a surprisingly relevant way to engage with current debates on citizenship and belonging.

- Meagan

Check out Black Tudors: The Untold Story by Miranda Kaufmann @ the library!