Staff Picks

Jill

Co-owner and life long reader. Jill's favorite genres include thrillers and historical fiction but she will venture into almost anything.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert was one of the first books I loved as an adult and one that got me back into reading after college textbooks. I so badly wanted to travel along with Elizabeth, and seriously looked into booking a trip to India when I finished this book. Reading this in my twenties helped me realize that everyone’s paths in life are different. We can all transform ourselves at any point in our lives and happiness comes from within. I loved this book so much, I could not watch the movie for fear of ruining it. Elizabeth Gilbert has a new book, All the Way to the River: Love, Loss that I can’t wait to read. 

The Let Them Theory is a book I think everyone should read. Not only did I love the lessons taught in this book, but I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Mel Robbins, which was a delight. The sooner we stop letting others control our thoughts and feelings in life, the happier we will be. This is a tough lesson to learn, and will certainly be a continuous journey, but I find myself stopping at certain times and saying: Let them. 

My YA pick is Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. This entire story takes takes place in an elevator as Will descends seven floors weighing the consequences of avenging his brother’s death. He meets a new character on each floor while he mulls over the first rule of his life: Don’t cry, don’t snitch, get revenge. This novel is written in verse and is a quick read for the teens who claim they don’t like reading. This is a book I have never had a student return unfinished. Long Way Down has won many awards and also comes in a graphic novel. 

I’m typically not a romance novel kind of girl, but Just For Summer by Abby Jimenez got me hooked. The light-hearted romance and comic touches made this book one of my favorites and one of my most recommended books. This is the third book in the trilogy, but I accidentally read it first and still loved it, even out of order. I immediately read the first two books. In this third installment, Emma and Jason meet because they are both cursed when it comes to dating. The characters are flawed, the emotions are authentic, and you’ll end up falling in love with this book, just like I did. If you’d like to start at the beginning, begin with Part of Your World. 

I love a good thriller, and Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak was a recent favorite. Mallory accepts a nanny job taking care of 5-year-old Teddy. Teddy keeps to himself in his room drawing, but his drawings (included within the chapters) become more creepy and more realistic. Soon the mystery reveals itself and Mallory needs to get someone to believe her before it’s too late. You’ll need to figure out who you can believe as the suspense builds and the details get more disturbing. 

Maranda

Co-owner and reawakened book lover. Maranda's favorite genres include mystery and nonfiction.

I did a weird thing and went to an author event for Ruth Ware without actually reading any of her books. This was by far my favorite author interview. Ruth Ware is the kind of person I would want to be friends with, so I couldn’t wait to actually read one of her books. The Woman in Cabin 10 had me totally captivated, even though I learned the general ending at the author event. In this gripping and atmospheric thriller, Ruth Ware delivers a twist-filled tale of paranoia, isolation, and deception on the high seas. I’m not always into psychological thrillers, but this one had the perfect amount of suspense and twists. 

Everything in this book just made sense to me as a teacher who has seen the anxiety in my students change over the years. If you're concerned about the mental health crisis affecting today’s youth—or simply curious about how smartphones and social media have reshaped childhood—The Anxious Generation offers a compelling, research-backed explanation.

Liane Moriarty is my favorite author. I have read many of her books but found this one utterly immersive—you feel like you're living inside the book rather than just reading it. Alice wakes up on a gym floor thinking she’s twenty-nine, blissfully married, and expecting her first child. But in reality, she’s thirty-nine, going through a divorce, and has three kids she doesn’t remember. This is perfect for fans of emotional, character-driven fiction. What Alice Forgot is a captivating story about love, loss, and rediscovery.

Broken Country is a quietly powerful novel about grief, memory, and the way the past never fully lets go. I got completely caught up in the love triangle — torn between loyalty, longing, and the ache of what might have been. Clare Leslie Hall’s writing is subtle but emotionally resonant, perfect for readers who enjoy slow-burning stories with deep undercurrents.

This is one of my favorite books to read to my kids. I can’t help but change my voice for the characters too. Lola is a young flamingo with a big appetite—and very particular tastes. While the other flamingos stick to shrimp, Lola is determined to try everything else. But her adventurous eating leads to some colorful (and hilarious) consequences. Perfect for picky eaters, curious kids, and anyone who’s ever marched to the beat of their own beak!