

Dead Silence
by S. A. Barnes
This book was incredible! It had me so tense from the get-go! I did not expect the twist whatsoever at the end and it was a good twist! Also, I love that the main character is a very flawed woman, it’s nice to read those every once in a while. If you love sci-fi or horror, you’re going to want to check this out!
- Rachel

Anne of West Philly: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Anne of Green Gables
by Ivy Noelle Weir (Author), Myisha Haynes (Illustrator)
If you enjoyed the classic Anne of Green Gables tale, then you will be sure to enjoy this modern version. Instead of pearls, broaches, and raspberry cordial, expect blue jeans, robotics clubs, and cell phones! They did a fantastic job at re-telling this classic in a more modern way that is enjoyable for all ages!
- Avie

The Trees
by Percival Everett
I read Percival Everett’s Erasure earlier this year and it was so outstanding that it prompted me to try another of his novels. The Trees
is a crime story, but with an unreal horrific twist: at every one of a number of similar murder scenes in Mississippi, one of the bodies resembles Emmett Till. And then the bodies disappear. Everett is obviously having a good time telling this story, building the suspense and humor until it threatens to go over the top (SPOILER: it does). Funny, insightful, altogether enjoyable social satire.
- Charlie

The Life of Pi
Yann Martel
I read this great
novel when it was first published in 2001, and decided to re-read it. It still
held my attention and I found a lot of enjoyment in reading it again. It is
spiritual, philosophical, and just plain magical, despite the physical dangers
involved.
- Cary

Oathbringer
by Brandon Sanderson
This is the third
book in Sanderson's Stormlight Archive Series. I've enjoyed all of the series
so far, but book three blew me away. The last 200 pages had me reading as fast
as I could to find out what happens and I picked up book four as soon as I
finished! An amazing twist and epic fights; I couldn't recommend it more!
- Jacqueline

The Women
by Kristin Hannah
I decided to try this book because it deals with the coming of age of a young woman serving as an Army nurse in Vietnam. I feel hers is a forgotten story. Everyone knows the horrors of combat and the lingering effects on soldiers. I don’t believe many have given thought to what combat nurses and their colleagues suffered through and the difficulties they had in receiving help or recognition. It is a reminder to say “Thank you for your service” to all veterans.
- Sally

The Richest Man in Babylon
by George Samuel Clason
Although written in 1926 and set in ancient Babylon over 4,000 years earlier, this book provides financial advice and rules to live by that apply to the world we live in today.
- Kristi

The Twilight Garden
by Sara Nisha Adams
The book hooked
me with its cover and I loved the premise of it. It's about feuding
neighbors and a neglected community garden in London. In an
unconventional way, a neighborhood of individuals from different places
and backgrounds are brought together over a shared purpose. The
characters are interesting and the book is a pleasant, easy read. In a
nutshell, it reminds us of the importance of community.
- Mary

All the Colors of the Dark
by Chris Whitaker
This
mystery/thriller moved quickly and kept me engaged throughout. The
writing was lovely, and the characters were well-developed. I'll
absolutely read Whitaker's next book!
- Ronna

Robot Dreams
by Isaac Asimov
A collection of science fiction short stories that make the reader ponder. I enjoyed just about every story to the 5-star degree and still ponder the ethical and philosophical debates left hanging at the end of each narrative. The writing was easy to fall into meaning each planet, mind, or possible space of existence was just a couple sentences away. Highly recommend this one.- Emily Check Availability

Bride
by Ali Hazelwood
I really enjoyed
the characters and development of relationships in this book. Additionally, I
liked this different take on vampires (Vampyres) and werewolves (Weres), and
their relationships to each other and humans. Romance books can feel a bit
repetitive at times, but this one stood out for me.
- Aubrey

The History of Sound
by Ben Shattuck
I don't typically read short story collections, but I loved this book. The stories are interconnected but each varies in its location and the time period its set in. A unique book with beautiful sentences that will make you slow down and savor each story.
- Katherine

I'm Sorry You Got Mad
by Kyle Lukoff (Author), Julie Kwon (Illustrator)
I’m Sorry You Got Mad is a heartwarming story that taught me a powerful life lesson: saying "sorry" is only a small part of truly apologizing for your actions. Through Jack's journey and the book's charming illustrations, I was reminded that a genuine apology requires understanding, empathy, and taking responsibility.
- Gwen

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries
by Heather Fawcett
It’s a perfectly cozy and cute fantasy story set in a wintry village in Scandinavia. It’s filled with magical creatures and enchanting scenery and told through a journalistic narrative that really puts the reader inside the mind of the narrator. I loved learning the history of the fairy characters, especially the “Hidden" faeries.
- Denise

The Friday Afternoon Club
by Griffin Dunne
I read an early review of this non-fiction title and knew that I wanted to read it. It's an autobiographical work written by Griffin Dunne. Griffin is the nephew of Joan Didion, an essayist, and John Dunne, a fiction writer. His father is Dominick Dunne, who wrote at Vanity Fair for years. A few highlights of his autobiography are his relationship with Carrie Fisher, the death of Joan & John's daughter Quintana, and the sudden death of John Dunne. Because of the author's DNA, his autobiography was a great read and his writing is crystal clear. I recommend this title.
- Kelly

These Precious Days
by Ann Patchett
I picked this book up on a whim, knowing that I’m a fan of autobiographical essays. The essays span stories about marriage, family, and friendship. Her writing on an unexpected new friendship and their experiences at the beginning of the covid pandemic was so moving and unforgettable. It’s made me want to read everything she’s written now!
- Megan

The Future Was Now: Madmen, Mavericks, and the Epic Sci-Fi Summer of 1982
by Chris Nashawaty
In the summer of ‘82 I was about to be a sophomore in high school and my love of science fiction and fantasy was rewarded at the movies. In one summer E.T., Tron, Star Trek: Wrath of Khan, Conan the Barbarian, Blade Runner, Poltergeist, The Thing, and Mad Max: The Road Warrior were all released. It was the greatest summer for movies ever. I saw four of them in the theaters, and Blade Runner was the first R rated movie I ever got to see. Most of the others I watched soon after on VHS. They are all classics. I was interested in how they all came to be released in the same summer. I was worried about the writing in the first chapter but the author really does a great job. This book would be great for anyone who loves Sci-Fi and it is particularly wonderful for people who remember that summer.
-Greg K.

The Lion Women of Tehran
by Marjan Kamali
This book follows two friends, Ellie and Homa, beginning in mid-twentieth-century Tehran, which looked very similar to mid-twentieth-century America, with a women’s movement on-par with our own. Both young women go to college, and one studies law, focused on becoming a judge. Everything seems possible. But everything changes when the Iranian Revolution opens a power vacuum, which is filled by a repressive religious regime. Women lose all rights and are forced to cover their bodies head-to-toe—unthinkable rules, which remain to this day. One woman escapes, while the other suffers a cruel fate. This is a riveting book, and a grim reminder that no matter how advanced a society may be, we must be mindful that freedom is fragile, and easily lost.
- Diana

The Great Alone
by Kristin Hannah
What does loving cost us? What will we bear, overlook, or overcome to keep loving? What happens when unknown wilderness seems safer than what lies at home? These are all questions I didn’t expect to be having while listening to my little audiobook and doing my little arts and crafts. This book hurt me. That said, I loved it.
- Kristen

The House in the Cerulean Sea
by T.J. Klune
I loved everything about this book. The setting, the characters and dialogue between them, and the story overall. 10 stars ⭐
- Erin

About the Author
Katherine is the Digital Marketing, Collections, and Communications Specialist and has been working at EPL since 2008. She loves books, especially ones with unique plots and those written so well that she can't put them down.