Adult Fiction Books
- At Dark, I Become Loathesome by Eric LaRocca (grim, painful, captivating)
- Audition by Katie Kitamura (intriguing, unconventional, identity)
- Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow (Christian, mystery, suspense)
- Home of the American Circus by Allie Larkin (unresolved family issues)
- The Killer Question by Janice Hallett (curious, twisty, plot-driven)
- King Sorrow by Joe Hill (absorbing, thought-provoking, horror-yet-funny)
- The Lies They Told by Ellen Marie Wiseman
- Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd (unique protagonist, cozy, lyrical)
- My Friends by Fredrik Backman (heartbreaking, emotional, character-driven)
- The Names by Florence Knapp (thought-provoking, gritty)
- The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar (clever magic system, modern fairytale, quick)
- The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb (heart-wrenching)
- Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver (romantic, intense, dark)
- Sky Daddy by Kate Folk (unique, humorous, character-driven)
- State Champ by Hilary Plum (gut-wrenching, timely, complex)
- Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver (dark, romantic, comedic)
- Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito (unhinged, gothic, unique)
- What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown (page-turner)
- Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix (picked by multiple staff; heartfelt, paranoid, relevant)
- Woodworking by Emily St. James (tender, sharp-witted, culturally resonant)
Adult Nonfiction Books
- Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John Green (thought-provoking, well-researched, important)
- The Harder I Fight the More I Love You: A Memoir by Neko Case (brave, surprising, heartbreaking)
- One Day, Everyone Will Always Have Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (lean, powerful, #AreWeTheRebellionOrTheEmpire?)
- Sally’s Baking 101: Foolproof Recipes From Easy to Advanced by Sally McKenney (enjoyable, entertaining, easy-to-read)
- Three Wild Dogs (and the Truth): A Memoir by Markus Zusak (entertaining, touching, funny)
YA
- I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This by Eugene Yelchin (graphic novel; amusing, atmospheric, moving)
Children’s Books
- Broken by X. Fang (gorgeous illustrations, great read-aloud, big feelings)
- Cabin Head and Tree Head by Scott Campbell (sweet, funny, ridiculous!)
- Dragonborn by Struan Murray (enchanting, coming-of-age, adventurous)
- Fireworks by Matthew Burgess (joyful, heartwarming, beautiful)
- A Kids Book About Banned Books (important, educational, accessible)
- Night of the Deer by Mary Kay Morel (magical, delicate illustrations, autumnal)
- Squirrel and Bird by Laura Baker (beautiful grellow palette, delightful, uncomplicated)
- Thing One and Thing Two Have Homework to Do by Art Baltazar (silly, fun, inventive)
- A Universe of Rainbows: Multicolored Poems for a Multicolored World (beautiful, rhythmic, vibrant)
Movies
- Friendship (surreal, one-of-a-kind, strange)
- Thunderbolts*: The New Avengers* (emotional, funny, honest)
- Wicked: For Good (emotional, compelling, powerful) – not available on physical format yet
Music
- Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii (formidable, playful, infectious)
- Everybody Scream by Florence + The Machine (moody, unique, deep-thinking)
- Fancy That by PinkPantheress (cheeky, vibrant, emotionally raw)
- KPop Demon Hunters Soundtrack (catchy, joyous, danceable)
- A Matter of Time by Laufey (classical, spunky, emotional)
- Sinister Grift by Panda Bear (melodic, dreamy, layered)
- Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You by Ethel Cain (immersive, tragic, gorgeous)
Better Late Than Never
Titles released in prior years but consumed and enjoyed in 2025:
- All Fours by Miranda July (2024 adult fiction; resonate, visceral, unique)
- Beyond the Wand: the Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard by Tom Felton (2022 adult biography; entertaining, laugh-out-loud funny, delightful)
- The Briar Club by Kate Quinn (2024 adult fiction; mysterious, explorative, strong)
- The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael Easter (2021 adult nonfiction; thought-provoking, insightful, enlightening)
- A Court This Cruel and Lovely by Stacia Stark ( 2023 adult fiction; romantasy, enemies-to-lovers, slow burn)
- Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent (2019 adult fiction; romantasy, world-building, trauma-to-triumph journey)
- Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett (2023 adult fiction; whimsical, cozy, funny)
- Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022 movie; absurdist, emotional, interdimensional)
- A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen (2024 adult fiction; action-packed, fiery, strong world-building)
- Give Up by Postal Service (2003 album; fun, indie, electronic)
- How to Let Things Go: 99 Tips from a Zen Buddhist Monk by Shunmyo Masuno (2024 adult nonfiction; cathartic, grounding, profound)
- The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024 adult fiction; haunting, atmospheric, intriguing)
- I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (2014 YA fiction; familial, angsty, relatable)
- Isolation by Kali Uchis (2018 album; dreamy, hypnotic, liberating)
- Landcaster Burning Trilogy (2015 adult fiction; character-driven, thought-provoking, suspenseful)
- Moloka’i by Alan Brennert (2004 adult fiction)
- Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher (2022 adult fiction; fast-paced, darkly humorous, moving)
- The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Tabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall (2005 kids’ chapter book; delightful, charming, entertaining)
- The Senator’s Wife by Liv Constantine (2023 adult fiction; suspenseful, deceptive, surprising)
- Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck (2023 adult fiction; profound, bizarre, unforgettable)
- Still Life by Sarah Winman (2021 adult fiction; best characters and story in years!)
- The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri (2024 adult fiction; historical, thought-provoking, distressing)
- Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (2023 adult fiction; nostalgic, immersive, emotional)
- The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young (2023 adult fiction; fantasy, emotional, intergenerational)
- When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (2016 adult nonfiction; insightful and life-affirming)
- Wicked, Part I (2024 movie; emotional, compelling, powerful)