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Staff Picks


Title Author Recommended bysort icon Type / Why You Should Read It
Letters from Skye Brockmole, Jessica Beth Adult Fiction

A sweeping story told in letters, spanning two continents and two world wars, Jessica Brockmole’s atmospheric debut novel captures the indelible ways that people fall in love, and celebrates the power of the written word to stir the heart.

Code Name Verity Wein, Elizabeth E. Beth Juvenile Fiction

.Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.

Gratitude Oliver Sacks Duncan Adult Non-Fiction

A deeply moving testimony and celebration of how to embrace life.

Detroit : an American autopsy LeDuff, Charlie Duncan Adult Non-Fiction

“A book full of both literary grace and hard-won world-weariness... Iggy Pop meets Jim Carroll and Charles Bukowski” –Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW

All the light we cannot see : A novel Doerr, Anthony Duncan Adult Fiction

From the highly acclaimed, multiple award-winning Anthony Doerr, the beautiful, stunningly ambitious instant New York Times bestseller about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II.

The Total Money Makeover Dave Ramsey Duncan Adult Non-Fiction

What I wish I had learned as a kid about money and how to manage it

Eleanor and Park Rowell, Rainbox Emily Juvenile Fiction

“Rowell's writing swings from profane to profound, but it's always real and always raw.” ―Petra Mayer for NPR Books

The Imitation Game Emily Adult DVDs

An intense and haunting portrayal of a brilliant, complicated man

Salem's Lot King, Stephen Emily Adult Fiction

"Spine-tingling fiction at its best." --Grand Rapids Press

Queen of the Tearling Erika Johansen Emmett Adult Fiction

Amazing plot, and an amazing writer

Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring J.R.R Tolkien Emmett Adult Fiction

Has a complex and well structured universe and plot that has to be one of the greatest novels of all time

Eragon Paolini, Christopher Emmett Juvenile Fiction

epic, and the first book of a long entertaining fantasy series

Consciousness : confessions of a romantic reductionist Koch, Christof Joe Adult Non-Fiction

This engaging book -- part scientific overview, part memoir, part futurist speculation -- describes Koch's search for an empirical explanation for consciousness

Keon and me : my search for the lost soul of the Leafs Bidini, Dave Joe Adult Non-Fiction

Hockey is the lens through which we see our lives—how we measure right and wrong, how we understand our hopes and fears. So it was for Dave Bidini in 1974, the last year Dave Keon played in Toronto. In a new grade in a new school, Bidini found himself the victim of a bully—a depredation he could understand only by thinking about what the Leafs dauntless captain went through game after game

Capital in the twenty-first century Piketty, Thomas Joe Adult Fiction

A work of extraordinary ambition, originality, and rigor, Capital in the Twenty-First Century reorients our understanding of economic history and confronts us with sobering lessons for today.

Blasphemy: New and Selected Stories Alexie, Sherman John Adult Fiction

A bold and irreverent observer of life among Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest, the daring, versatile, funny, and outrageous Alexie showcases all his talents in his newest collection, Blasphemy, where he unites fifteen beloved classics with fifteen new stories in one sweeping anthology for devoted fans and first-time readers.

The art of happiness in a troubled world Lama, Dalai John Adult Non-Fiction

Blending common sense and modern psychiatry, The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World applies Buddhist tradition to twenty-first-century struggles in a relevant way. The result is a wise approach to dealing with human problems that is both optimistic and realistic, even in the most challenging times.

200 skills every cook must have : the step-by-step methods that will turn a good cook into a great cook Paul, Clara Kathleen Adult Non-Fiction

I'm a dreadful cook and need all the help I can get. I found this book so useful that I bought a copy for myself.

Cloudwalker Vickers, Roy Henry Kathleen Juvenile Picture Book

This telling of an ancient North Coast story is beautifully illustrated by Roy Henry Vickers. If you don't have an opportunity to hear this wonderful storyteller live, then this is the next best thing. It's magical.

How the light gets in : Chief Inspector Gamache novel Penny, Louise Kathleen Adult Fiction

Another wonderful addition to the Inspector Gamache series. I love these mysteries and the delightful descriptions of the Quebec village of Three Pines, a place I'd love to call home (except for the murders, that is.)

Anybody out there? Keyes, Marian Katie Adult Fiction

Hilarious, heartbreaking and life-affirming, Marian's unforgettable new novel is as epic as it is entertaining.

Gone Girl Flynn, Gillian Katie Adult Fiction

The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.

September Pilcher, Rosamunde Katie Adult Fiction

Rosamunde Pilcher's September...a story of homecomings and heartbreaks, friendships, betrayls, forgiveness, and love.

The Cold Dish: A Longmire Mystery Johnson, Craig Leah Adult Fiction

A western, but set in the modern day, with mystery elements.

The Arrival Tan, Shaun Leah Juvenile Fiction

Brought it to a family reunion and ages 7-75 flipped through it and liked it.

Easier Than You Think ...because Life Doesn't Have To Be So Hard Carlson, Richard Lisa Adult Non-Fiction

Such a wonderul quick read on learning to take control of all aspects of your life. If open to it, it can help you quit sweating the small stuff and realize that LIFE really is easier than you think.

Ancient spirit wisdom: an elder's guidebook to native spirituality and beyond Bunjer, Ilgaann "Spider Spirit Woman" Lisa Adult Non-Fiction

Ever wonder about life after death? How to heighten awareness? This guide will provide a basic understanding and render some how to's on using native spirituality in your every day life.

What Would Jesus Do? Phase 4 Films and Nasser Group Lisa Adult DVDs

This is a wholesome "feel good about life" kind of movie. Really gets you thinking "WWJD?" in all of life's joys, hardships, good and bad times. It reminds you to keep having the faith, no matter what.

Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, The Zevin, Gabrielle Lou Adult Fiction

An utterly egaging and funny novel.

Invincible : ultimate collection. Volume 1 Kirkman, Robert Lou Adult Non-Fiction

Beautiful production of a comics series in the "grand tradition of the silver-age of comics." A thoroughly modern take on classic superheor comic themes, with wide appeal.

Among the truthers : a journey into the growing conspiracist underground of 9/11 truthers, birthers, Armageddonites, vaccine hysterics, Hollywood know-nothings and Internet addicts Kay, Jonathan Lou Adult Non-Fiction

A fascinating look into popular movements that express and shape public opinion.

Orenda, The Boyden, Joseph Lou Adult Fiction

What more to say about this book that has not already been said by countless reviewers? This powerful novel won the 2014 Canada Reads contest.

Getting Things Done Allen, David William Adult Non-Fiction

One of the long admired books of productivity. If you want to organise your life, a great start would be to read this.

We Stand On Guard Vaughn, Brian K; Skroce, Steve; Hollingsworth, Matt et al. William Adult Non-Fiction

In 2112, the US invades Canada in revenge of a terrorist attack on the White House. This book by the brilliant Brian K. Vaughn has tons of Canadian in-jokes, and is worth reading just for references like "The Littlest Robo."