Staff Bests of 2025Like this list

22 items

• The Eights

  a Novel

  Miller, Joanna, 1969-

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  Set against the backdrop of the women's suffrage movement in the UK and the dying days of WWI, this delightful work of historical fiction tells the story of four women in the first female class to matriculate at Oxford. Each comes from a different…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife

  a Novel

  Johnston, Anna, 1983-

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  This heartwarming story about finding your chosen family late in life had me laughing out loud, wiping away tears—and very much hoping that there will be more to come from this author.

• The Names

  a Novel

  Knapp, Florence,

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  I couldn’t put down this fascinating and out-of-the-box three-part story about family and choices—and how the choice of a name could shape one’s life.

• The AI Con :

  How to Fight Big Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want /

  Bender, Emily M.

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  AI hype needs to have its bubble burst in 2025, and this book is a great tool for doing just that, giving the reader solid reasons and methods for poking holes in how AI technology is being sold. It's a great reminder that we can fight for the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam

  Bannen, Megan

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  Rosie is tired of immortality, tired of her narcissistic father who only shows up when he wants, and tired of her terrible new work uniforms that don't work with her figure or her red eyes. When the portals in the Mist break down, she’s the only one…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Never Flinch

  a Novel

  King, Stephen, 1947-

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  Holly Gibney is back in Never Flinch, juggling a tense revenge plot and protecting a celebrity from danger. Jessie Mueller’s narration really brings this story to life, making it a gripping listen for King fans.

• Nordlys. Volume 01

  Falch, Malin

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  Such a fun romp, complete with beautiful art. Fans of Percy Jackson will love this myth and folklore- inspired Norwegian tale.

• Too Old for This

  Downing, Samantha

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  Who doesn't love a naughty senior disposing of a corpse, then baking muffins for the church bingo night? Author Samantha Downing creates a fascinating balance of macabre and domestic themes that fans of true crime and Agatha Christie mysteries will…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Nosferatu :

  [2024]

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  I closed my eyes during the scary parts, but I loved the gothic, ethereal vibes as well as the costumes, music, and romantic tension that made up this brilliant remake of a cinematic classic.

• Addison

  Rae, Addison, 2000-

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  Addison Rae used to make TikTok dances and now she makes girly, dreamy pop music that’s reminiscent of Lana del Rey. Her lyrics are self-aware and revealing, and I think this is the first album in what could be a long and impressive career.

• Drome

  Lonergan, Jesse,

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  Author Jesse Lonergan uses a constantly shifting, intricate series of panels in this graphic novel, to tell a mythic story of gods, jealousy and violence with very few words. It's a book that demands to be lingered over and studied, just to see how…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Sinners

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  A fresh horror movie that blends old vampire mythology with new. Taking us into the American south in the 1930’s, the juke joint setting that anchors this film depicts music and the yearning for freedom spread across genres and styles and time and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Magnificent Ruins

  a Novel

  Roy, Nayantara, 1985-

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  Happily settled in Brooklyn and on the cusp of a career breakthrough, Lila De suddenly inherits her family’s sprawling estate in Kolkata. She reluctantly returns to India for the first time in more than a decade, and finds herself enmeshed in legal…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Bright Years

  a Novel

  Damoff, Sarah

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  Spanning four generations, this beautifully told story looks at addiction, love, loss, family secrets, and finding your way through life's obstacles.

• A6

  Lights (Musician)

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  Canadian pop veteran LIGHTS brightens every track she touches on this, her sixth album, featuring synthpop and new wave bangers. Standouts include the lead single “Damage”, German dark wave-inspired “Surface Tension”, and my personal favourite,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Dexter: Original Sin. Season 1

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  A darkly fun peek into how the iconic TV serial killer Dexter got his start and learned his “code.” Perfect for anyone who likes their crime stories clever, creepy, and a little bit twisted.

• We Love You, Bunny

  a Novel

  Awad, Mona

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  This book somehow manages to be both a really weird prequel and an excellent follow-up to its predecessor novel, Bunny. It's a weird, passionate rollercoaster that will lead you places you would never have expected. I love how it has supernatural…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Bullet Swallower

  A Novel

  Gonzalez James, Elizabeth, 1982-

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  This audiobook is an intergenerational saga that explores the "sins of the father" trope, blending it with some unusual supernatural elements. I loved the wild west setting!

• Grin

  Gillespie, D. W. (Novelist),

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  A creepy, suspenseful chapter book about an arcade game haunted by a serial killer. Older elementary students, especially horror and gaming fans, will thoroughly enjoy this modern tale involving video games and mind control.

• The Hounding

  a Novel

  Purvis, Xenobe

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  A dark, eerie story about fear, gossip, and how a village turns on five sisters who don’t fit in. It’s beautifully written and unsettling -- the kind of book that sticks with you long after you finish it.