Staff Favorites from 2025

Our behind-the-scenes staff aren't as visible to customers, but they love to read, watch and game too! Get lots of good ideas to add to your reading, watching or gaming lists with these wide-ranging favorites of 2025. 

Jackie, Collection Development

In "What's Next: A Backstage Pass to the West Wing," you will step behind the scenes of one of television’s most beloved political dramas! Former cast members Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack deliver insider stories, interviews with stars and creators, and fascinating trivia about "The West Wing’s" origins, iconic “walk-and-talks” and lasting cultural impact. Packed with anecdotes and reflections on public service, this book is a must-read for devoted “Wingnuts” and anyone curious about how a TV show inspired real-world politics.

Amanda, Youth and Family Engagement

If I had to choose just one book to recommend, it would have to be "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls" by Grady Hendrix. This novel is set in the 70s, but is painfully timely in its explorations of misogyny, womanhood, friendship and power dynamics. It follows a group of pregnant teenage girls who have been sent away by their families to have their babies in secret. As the hot summer presses on, though, they decide to take their lives and futures back into their own hands. Bonus: it also features a witchy librarian in a bookmobile!

As an extra treat for horror fans, I also cannot recommend the movie "Bring Her Back" enough! This film is not for the faint of heart—it is gory and shocking, but also beautiful and so sad. It explores the darkest depths of grief while somehow managing to leave space for hope.

Max, Cataloging and Processing

The premise of "Weapons" is simple, but brilliant: 17 kids (out of 18) from the same third grade class all go missing one night at 2:17 a.m. I loved Zach Cregger's debut film, the twisty, go-for-broke "Barbarian," but "Weapons" is a massive level-up. It's a hugely entertaining and unpredictable supernatural mystery that's as thrilling as it is harrowing. It reminds me a lot of M. Night Shyamalan in his prime, but with some "Magnolia" and Coen brothers thrown in. Don't skip this one just because it's sort-of horror. The ending is so, so satisfying and my favorite in years.

Lynn, Collection Development

My favorite book of 2025 was "The Retirement Plan" by Sue Hincenbergs. In this funny and clever story, a group of four couples who are longtime friends find themselves in crazy situations and a tangled web of misunderstandings. The women plot to have their husbands killed for the insurance money. The husbands have another plan (unknown to the wives). It is a comedy of errors with twists and quirky characters including a cute dog and a barber named Hector who might be my favorite character of 2025. This book was quick and so much fun, especially for older readers thinking about retirement. I highly recommend the audiobook. One of my favorite lines: “That’s what friends do. In our 20s we keep each other from being roofied; in our 60s we let each other know if we’re doing old-lady shit and when it’s time to pluck our chin hair.” 

Douglas, Adult and Community Engagement

George and Lucas are both on the Cambridge University rowing team. Lucas is the ship’s coxswain, giving orders to steer the boat, and George, an American transplant, is the stroke and sits directly next to Lucas. Heated comments fly and Lucas leaks George’s lack of academic proclivity to the press.  Now, their placement on the team could be at risk unless Lucas can help George pass for real. The one condition is that George help Lucas to become more confident so he can date the elusive Amir. But when the dating lessons start in earnest, will George and Lucas realize that what they truly want is each other? Full of humor and heart, "See You at the Finish Line" by Zac Hammett is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Kristen, Cataloging and Processing

Join the adventure of the warrior, Alma, and her trusted wolf guardian, "Neva," as she travels the world to defeat the dark forces that are plaguing her world. The story begins with Neva as a cub and Alma protecting her wolf friend, but as we progress, we see Neva grow up, getting stronger with each passing season, up to the point where the wolf now fights alongside Alma to eradicate the darkness. This is one of those games where not only is it fun to play, but it is something to take a pause and admire the painted-style scenery, listen to the classical, ethereal music, and be amazed with the animation in both the action gameplay and cutscenes. Combine all of the previously mentioned with a story about an emotional bond between the two heroes, and you got four hours of witnessing an epic game.

Todd, Collection Development

"I See You’ve Called in Dead" by John Kenney is my favorite book from 2025. This novel accurately delves into the mind of the contemporary middle-aged man. With quirky, unforgettable characters, it's laugh-out-loud funny but also moving and thoughtful.

Paula, Adult and Community Engagement

"Life and Death and Giants" by Ron Rindo tells the story of a unique hometown hero’s rise from the tragedy surrounding his birth to his unmatched success on the college football field. 

Gabriel begins life as an 18-pound newborn, growing at an amazing rate until he’s nearly eight feet tall. The story unfolds via multiple narrators, notably his conflicted Amish grandmother, the local veterinarian who takes him on as his apprentice, and his high school football coach. With plot points ripe for discussion, descriptive language, strong characterization and heartfelt emotions, Giants has the makings of a modern literary classic and is my favorite book of 2025. 

Micah, Cataloging and Processing

Kate Folk's "Sky Daddy" tells the story of a content moderator named Linda who lives in a windowless garage and seeks connection not with other people, but with planes. She believes that her "relationship" with one will someday culminate in a plane crash while she is onboard, thus fulfilling her desire to "marry" the plane. Though she does not have many friends, her coworker invites her to a vision board party, and the activity convinces her that she can manifest this fate. Things get complicated, though, when Linda starts to open up and let people in, forcing her to choose between her new friends and the planes she loves.

This novel is weird, thought-provoking, funny, and also surprisingly touching and deeply humanist. The protagonist's desire for love and connection with inhuman objects is rooted in her struggle to relate to other people. In a time when communication and interpersonal relations are increasingly fragmented because of social media and our reliance on technology, this book is an insightful observation on alienation, loneliness and yes, love. Highly recommended for fans of JG Ballard and Chuck Palahniuk.

Angelique, Collection Development

I adore a great picture book, and "If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone" tops my list this year. It strikes a delightful balance between playful silliness and heartfelt warmth, offering something for readers of all ages. Each page bursts with quirky humor, and beneath the laughter lies a tender reminder to stay curious, imaginative and open to life’s surprises.

Lori, Adult and Community Engagement

In 1885 Paris, the three Torvel sisters concoct a grim childhood game requiring the sacrifice of a beloved belonging: Aubry, the youngest at nine years old, balks. A few days later, Aubrey is afflicted with a mysterious illness causing bone-crunching pain and hemorrhaging, relieved only by travel. Sound horrifying? "A Short Walk through a Wide World" by Douglas Westerbeke unspools into a wondrous, meditative tale of globe-spanning adventure, loss and human connection while opening one’s eyes to the unexplained. It’s the journey, not the destination.  

Maureen, Collection Development

In Uzma Jalaluddin's "Detective Aunty," Kausar Khan returns to the Toronto suburb where she raised her family to help her adult daughter, Sana, who has been arrested for murder. Kausar’s mother’s intuition leads her to quickly realize that Sana is not telling her the whole story. So, with the help of old friends and her plucky teenage granddaughter, Kausar digs in to uncover the truth. Who better to get answers than a meddlesome aunty with the ability to earn people’s confidence? Kausar is a wonderful, complex character who must come to terms with her past as well as her future and a quirky cast of supporting characters adds lots of laughs! 

Noel, Collection Development

I read a lot, so choosing my favorite book of the year should be a very daunting task. Surprisingly, it was not! One book stood out from the rest, "The Correspondent" by Virginia Evans. This debut novel is written in all letters to and from our main character, Sybil, and has local tie in. Sybil, a 70-year-old retired lawyer, reflects on her life as she moves through her winter. She celebrates the connections she made and what they mean to her. As she struggles with going blind, she fears what will become of her correspondences and her relationships. She empties her life into these letters- her love, her grief and her hope.

This novel is packed with emotion. It hit my heart. It is a heavy, thought-provoking read. As you read these letters, your heart will break, but it will also heal and be hopeful. The writing was fantastic and the character of Sybil was absolute perfection! If you are looking for a quick read full of heart, then add "The Correspondent" to your holds list now!