Spring Staff Picks | 2025

Biju’s Pick: The Forgotten Names by Mario Escobar

“Based on the true story of one ordinary woman who risked everything to reunite Jewish children with the true names they hadn’t even realized they’d lost.” – From the publisher.

Ellis’s Pick: The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

“A high society amateur detective at the heart of Regency London uses her wits and invisibility as an ‘old maid’ to protect other women in a new and fiercely feminist historical mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Alison Goodman.” – From the publisher.

Jackie’s Pick: James by Percival Everett

“A brilliant reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn—both harrowing and satirical—told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view.” – From the publisher.

Marilyn’s Pick: News of the World by Paulette Jiles

“In the aftermath of the Civil War, an aging itinerant news reader agrees to transport a young captive of the Kiowa back to her people in this exquisitely rendered, morally complex, multilayered novel of historical fiction from the author of Enemy Women that explores the boundaries of family, responsibility, honor, and trust.” – From the publisher.

Cara’s Pick: Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily R. Austin

“In this “fun, page-turner of a novel” (Sarah Haywood, New York Times bestselling author) that’s perfect for fans of Mostly Dead Things and Goodbye, Vitamin, a morbidly anxious young woman stumbles into a job as a receptionist at a Catholic church and soon finds herself obsessed with her predecessor’s mysterious death.” – From the publisher.

Jackie’s Pick: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

“In this exhilarating novel, two friends—often in love, but never lovers—come together as creative partners in the world of video game design, where success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and, ultimately, a kind of immortality.” – From the publisher.

Cara’s Pick: So Late in the Day: Stories of Women and Men by Claire Keegan

“A triptych of stories about love, lust, betrayal, misogyny, and the ever-intriguing interchanges between women and men. Celebrated for her powerful short fiction, Claire Keegan now gifts us three exquisite stories, newly revised and expanded, together forming a brilliant examination of gender dynamics and an arc from Keegan’s earliest to her most recent work.” – From the publisher.

Cara’s Pick: Haunt Sweet Home by Sara Pinsker

“On the set of a kitschy reality TV show, staged scares transform into unnerving reality in this spooky ghost story from multiple Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Sarah Pinsker.” – From the publisher.

Cara’s Pick: The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir, Mary Robinette Kowal (Translator)

“Hildur Knutsdottir’s The Night Guest is an eerie and ensnaring story set in contemporary Reykjavík that’s sure to keep you awake at night.” – From the publisher.

Debbie’s Pick: Eruption by Michael Crichton & James Patterson

“A history-making eruption is about to destroy the Big Island of Hawaii. But a secret held for decades by the US military is far more terrifying than any volcano.” – From the publisher.

Debbie’s Pick: Extinction (Cash & Colcord #1) by Douglas Preston

“Erebus Resort, occupying a magnificent, hundred-thousand acre valley deep in the Colorado Rockies, offers guests the experience of viewing woolly mammoths, Irish Elk, and giant ground sloths in their native habitat, brought back from extinction through the magic of genetic manipulation. When a billionaire’s son and his new wife are kidnapped and murdered in the Erebus back country by what is assumed to be a gang of eco-terrorists, Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Frances Cash partners with county sheriff James Colcord to track down the perpetrators.” – From the publisher.

Debbie’s Pick: The Gatekeeper (Dez Limerick #1) by James Byrne

“A highly trained team of mercenaries launches a well-planned, coordinated attack on a well-guarded military contractor – but they didn’t count on one thing, the right man being in the wrong place at the right time.” – From the publisher.

Debbie’s Pick: Rising Tiger (Scot Harvath #21) by Brad Thor

“Deadly operative Scot Harvath faces down the country’s most powerful enemy in #1 New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brad Thor’s new white-knuckle thriller.” – From the publisher.

Debbie’s Pick: The Third to Die (Quinn & Costa #1) by Allison Brennan

“An edgy female police detective… An ambitious FBI special agent. Together they are at the heart of the ticking-clock investigation for a psychopathic serial killer. The bond they forge in this crucible sets the stage for high-stakes suspense.” – From the publisher.

Debbie’s Pick: The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth

 “A warped tale [that] boasts Jane Harper’s multilayered characters and Liane Moriarty’s wealthy suburban world saturated with lies and deceit. With each domestic thriller, best-selling Hepworth shines brighter and draws in more readers.” —Booklist

Ellis’s Pick: The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets First Lie Wins in this electric, voice-driven debut novel about an elusive bestselling author who decides to finally confess her true identity after years of hiding from her past.” – From the publisher.

Margaret’s Pick: Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

“On a foggy summer night, eleven people depart Martha’s Vineyard on a private jet headed for New York. Sixteen minutes later, the unthinkable the plane plunges into the ocean. The only survivors are Scott Burroughs-the painter-and a four-year-old boy, who is now the last remaining member of an immensely wealthy and powerful media mogul’s family. With chapters weaving between the aftermath of the crash and the backstories of the passengers and crew members the mystery surrounding the tragedy heightens.” – From the publisher.

Marilyn’s Pick: Alias Emma by Ava Glass

“In this “high-octane spy thriller in the Ian Fleming mold” ( CrimeReads ) , a British spy has twelve hours to deliver her asset across London after Russia hacks the city’s security cameras. Can she make it without being spotted . . . or killed?” – From the publisher.

Marilyn’s Pick: Malice (Kyoichiro Kaga #4) by Keigo Higashino, Alexander O. Smith (Translator)

“From the bestselling Japanese author of The Devotion of Suspect X comes Malice, the most acclaimed novel in Higashino’s outstanding Detective Kaga series.” – From the publisher.

Debbie’s Pick: A Fate Inked in Blood (Saga of the Unfated #1) by Danielle L. Jensen

“A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king—while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son—in this Norse-inspired fantasy romance from the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom series.” – From the publisher.

Debbie’s Pick: Out of the Storm (Buckhorn, Montana #1) by B.J. Daniels

“One look at his warm brown eyes and Kate Jackson knows she’s found her husband. It’s been twenty years since Daniel went missing in a refinery explosion and was finally declared dead, but Kate never gave up hope, convinced he was somewhere out there, suffering from amnesia. Then, on a trip to Buckhorn, Montana, she sees him—working as a carpenter, scarred, but still her Danny. Yet Jon Harper, as he calls himself, insists he’s a stranger.” – From the publisher.

Alicia’s Pick: Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff by Dana K. White

“Decluttering expert and author Dana White identifies the mind-sets and emotional challenges that make it difficult to declutter. Then, in her signature humorous approach, she provides workable solutions to break through these struggles and get clutter out–for good!” – From the publisher.

Alicia’s Pick: The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

“The Let Them Theory will forever change the way you think about relationships, control, and personal power. Whether you want to advance your career, motivate others to change, take creative risks, find deeper connections, build better habits, start a new chapter, or simply create more happiness in your life and relationships, this book gives you the mindset and tools to unlock your full potential.” – From the publisher.

Ellis’s Pick: All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M Johnson

“In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.” – From the publisher.

Jonna’s Pick: The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

“From eldest daughter Shari Franke, the shocking true story behind the viral 8 Passengers family vlog and the hidden abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother, and how, in the face of unimaginable pain, she found freedom and healing.” – From the publisher.

Marilyn’s Pick: Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang

“The moving story of an undocumented child living in poverty in the richest country in the world — an incandescent debut from an astonishing new talent.” – From the publisher.

Marilyn’s Pick: The Daughters Of Yalta: The Churchills, Roosevelts, and Harrimans: A Story of Love and War by Catherine Grace Katz

“The untold story of the three intelligent and glamorous young women who accompanied their famous fathers to the Yalta Conference in February 1945, and of the conference’s fateful reverberations in the waning days of World War II.” – From the publisher.

Sarah’s Pick: The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey

“In a work that beautifully demonstrates the rewards of closely observing nature, Elisabeth Bailey shares an inspiring and intimate story of her uncommon encounter with a Neohelix albolabris —a common woodland snail.” – From the publisher.

Weilee’s Pick: Source Code: My Beginnings by Bill Gates

“The origin story of one of the most influential and transformative business leaders and philanthropists of the modern age.” – From the publisher.

Cara’s Pick: Days of Sand by Aimée de Jongh

“A moving and unforgettable tale, inspired by real-life stories of courage and perseverance during the Dust Bowl of 1930s America.” – From the publisher.

Cara’s Pick: The Jellyfish by Boum

“Odette is a twenty-something year old with their own place, a steady job at a local bookstore, an adorable pet rabbit, and a budding crush on one of their customers. But Odette is haunted by something only they can see: a jellyfish that’s floating in their eye, blocking their vision. It’s a seemingly minor annoyance…until the jellyfish starts multiplying.” – From the publisher.

Jackie’s Pick: Ariel Crashes a Train by Olivia A. Cole

“Exploring the harsh reality of OCD and violent intrusive thoughts in stunning, lyrical writing, this novel-in-verse conjures a haunting yet hopeful portrait of a girl on the edge. From the author of Dear Medusa , which New York Times bestselling author Samira Ahmed called “a fierce and brightly burning feminist roar.” – From the publisher.

Margo’s Pick: I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, Gordon C. James (Illustrator)

“The confident Black narrator of this book is proud of everything that makes him who he is. He’s got big plans, and no doubt he’ll see them through–as he’s creative, adventurous, smart, funny, and a good friend. Sometimes he falls, but he always gets back up. And other times he’s afraid, because he’s so often misunderstood and called what he is not. So slow down and really look and listen, when somebody tells you–and shows you–who they are. There are superheroes in our midst!” – From the publisher.

Margo’s Pick: Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol

“From Vera Brosgol, the author of Anya’s Ghost and Be Prepared, comes an instant classic that flips every fairy tale you know, and shows one girl’s crusade for the only thing that matters—her own independence.” – From the publisher.

Margo’s Pick: A True Home by Kallie George, Stephanie Graegin (Illustrator)

“This delightfully enticing start of a new chapter book series tells a tale of friendship, courage, and community, with exquisite black-and-white illustrations throughout.” – From the publisher.

Cara’s Pick: 10 Cloverfield Lane, Rated PG-13

“A young woman wakes up after a terrible accident to find that she’s locked in a cellar with a doomsday prepper, who insists that he saved her life and that the world outside is uninhabitable following an apocalyptic catastrophe. Uncertain what to believe, the woman soon determines that she must escape at any cost.” – From the studio.

Cara’s Pick: The Others, Rated PG-13

“A devoutly religious mother of two ailing children has moved with her family to a mansion on the English coast. Her two children both suffer from a rare photosensitivity disease that renders them extremely vulnerable to sunlight, prompting the rule of having only one door open in the house at a time. When one of the children claims to see ghosts, Grace at first believes her newly arrived family of eccentric servants to be responsible, but chilling events and visions soon lead her to believe that something supernatural is indeed going on.” – From the studio.

Cara’s Pick: Smile 2, Rated R

“About to embark on a world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her past.” – From the studio.

Ellis’s Pick: The Lord of the Rings. The War of the Rohirrim, Rated PG-13

“It tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan. A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep.” – From the studio.

Jonna’s Pick: A Real Pain, Rated R

“Mismatched cousins reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother, but their old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.” – From the studio.

Jonna’s Pick: White Lotus (Season 1), Rated TV-MA

“A social satire set at an exclusive tropical resort, this limited series follows the exploits of various guests and employees over one highly transformative week. Checking into the luxurious White Lotus is a group of vacationers who run roughshod over the resort manager and head of spa services. As darker dynamics emerge with each passing day, this biting six-episode limited series gradually reveals the complex truths of the seemingly picture-perfect travelers, cheerful hotel employees, and idyllic locale itself.” – From the studio.

Margo’s Pick: Twinkling Watermelon (Banjjagineun Woteomellon), Rated PG-13

“In 2023, Eun Gyeol is a high schooler with a passion for music. During the day, he is a studious model pupil–but at night, he rocks out as a guitarist in a band. But when he stumbles across a strange yet alluring music store, he goes hurtling back in time to 1995. Here, he comes face to face with his father, Ha Yi Chan as a high schooler! Yi Chan takes Eun Gyeol for a lunatic when the latter calls him “dad.” Worse still, it looks like Yi Chan has a crush on an icy cellist named Se Kyeong not his future mother, Cheong Ah! In a bid to put things “right,” Eun Gyeol joins a band fronted by his future father. But will this be enough to help Eun Gyeol bring his future parents together… and will he ever get back to the 2020s?.” – From the studio.

For more book recommendations, try Novelist. NoveList is an electronic resource that provides book recommendations based on appeal factors, curated lists, and read-alikes for titles you enjoy. Find the “Recommended Reads Lists” located on the left side of the home page, or find read-alikes of books you’ve read and enjoyed by entering the title in the search box.