Your insider's guide to the items our librarians are loving or in some cases — not loving — at the moment.

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February Spotlight

Hello, Americantowns!

February is the shortest month of the year, but a distinguished one for the many celebrations. Most especially, we honor Black History Month and Presidents’ Day. Valentine’s Day celebrates romance and friendship with chocolates, roses, and romance books. But did you know that February is National Library Lover's Month, too? For all you library lovers, every day is a good day to visit the Library to enjoy fireside reading, learn a new language, research your ancestry, learn new computer skills, and get tax help.

Our librarians have some exciting new books to share from our very first Spring Preview. These cold winter days offer us the perfect excuse to cuddle up with a good book, a warm blanket, and a steaming mug of hot tea or hot chocolate!

Staff Reviews

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman introduces us to Harriet, also known as Harry, who has just become engaged to one of the wealthiest bachelors in the United States. Harry also suffers from writer's block after the brilliant success of her first novel. When Harry meets her future in-laws for a family dinner at their Gothic mansion in upstate New York, she is completely overwhelmed. Harry soon realizes that this family is not normal

Read Bab's full review or place hold

After reading the first few paragraphs of Rebecca Makkai’s latest novel, I Have Some Questions for You, you will be hooked.

Bodie Kane is a successful producer and podcaster who is invited to teach a class at The Granby School, the boarding school she attended 30 years ago. While there, she reflects on conversations, events, and relationships and their connection to a horrific crime that occurred when she was a student.

Read Annette's full review or place hold 

Let me just say that The Shards by Bret Easton Ellis is not for the faint of heart. A dark serial killer in the affluent suburbs of 1980s Los Angeles drives a creepy tale told through the eyes of 17-year-old Bret, who is on the verge of discovering his identity.

Bret finds himself fixated on “The Trawler,” a serial killer on the loose who targets locals. When Robert Mallory, a new student, enters the entitled, wealthy world, Bret can’t stop thinking about him.

Read Kathleen's full review or place hold

It’s too early in the year to be picking favorites, but Sabrina Imbler’s How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures is going to be a strong contender. Intriguing facts about marine biology mix with the personal in Imbler’s collection of essays. Readers will travel hundreds of miles with the Chinese sturgeon, learn about the extraordinary abilities of cuttlefish, and discover how life thrives deep below the surface thanks to hydrothermal vents.

Read Kristen O's full review or place hold

Constance Wu’s Making a Scene is a beautifully-written collection of essays detailing the actress’ trajectory to fame through television and film, her upbringing in Virginia, and the path in between.

Through vignettes about her former life as a waitress; her love for rabbits; and her reluctance, then acceptance, of her Asian American identity and her traumatic moments both on and offscreen, Wu shows humor and kindness toward her former selves.

Read Kristen H's full review or place hold